Thankful for my 2012

We had a huge year this past year: moved from New Orleans on Xmas day 2011 & found our house a week later, moved in on Jan.1st. The moving truck had to compete with Rose Parade-goers for parking out front to drop our furniture off.
My kids go to a great school now and every day is a fun adventure.
We are really happy to be back in California again and hope 2013 is even better.
I decided to make collages of my favorite photos of our family this past year so here goes:

Coming up roses

So yesterday while us girls stayed home due to crazy teething ( the child not me), the fellows got to hop on a train to the Rose Palace. It's where all the Rose Parade floats made with fresh flowers are housed as they as being put together. A friend of mine had asked if we wanted to come down and see because her family is always involved. Thank you Rebeccah and hopefully I too can make it next year. I asked the hubs to take pictures and he kindly obliged me.

Almost time...

It might be exciting elsewhere but I have just tucked my weary teether into bed & am home for the night. I am feeling sleepy myself but will muster up the mojo for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc & maybe some knitting or needle felting along w a classic movie.
Hopefully the husband has finished getting the little man of the house to bed.
Speaking of classics, here's pre-code era Bette ringing in the New Year...

murky muck addendum

I wanted to come back and post that this was the best gumbo yet we've made. Nice and rich & thick which is a feat considering its gluten-free. It has 7 different greens in it and 5 different kinds of meat... simmered in the pot for 8 hours or so. Happy New Year! Enjoy the gumbo z'herbes pictures..,