Hello sweet friends… I can’t believe tonight we welcome the year 2026. This year will mark my 60th birthday - wowzers that’s alot to take in. But, before I start thinking too far ahead I want to take a moment to look back at 2025.

January started with skies so incredibly bright and excitement for the coming year. In February I fit back into 20 year old pants - discovered Tuukka’s kidney disease and grabbed a selfie at the office of the design firm I was working for. The end of the month and into March had us rooting for a hockey team and a basketball team. I stayed home with Tuukka while the hockey team traveled and I hosted friends and celebrated more with meals out. We celebrated the beginning of Lent and I underwent my nasal/tear duct surgery.

April found us in celebration of Easter and Spring. We enjoyed art at the Met, flowers from beautiful creative friends and our sons last spring band concert. May was filled with fun adventures - a visit to Mongers Market before they closed - the annual trip to the Peony Farm and a picturesque Design House. We set up the patio with a the addition of a dining area. June was the busiest month with much for our son - Confirmation, 8th Grade Dance, (the night another driver took out my 14yr old car) Middle School Graduation and the annual family mini-golf tournament for his Birthday - I came in last! I enjoyed daffodils and shared a fun day trip to Westport, CT. We closed the month with sadness with the loss of my charismatic mother in law Marge at age 89.

July opened with us hosting neighbors to watch fireworks. I was elated when the rain subsided and I could relax at the swim club. We held a moving celebration of Marge’s life and I celebrated another trip around the sun with my besties. My birthday found me in Baltimore for an Orioles Game with the entire family. Another Met visit to view the Sargent with my sister and my besties and a momentous evening with nibbles at Bemelmans Bar. The month closed with a visit to see family and congratulate them in their new home. August was a month filled with adventures starting with the Frick Collection and a wonderful dinner at David Burke Tavern, an overnight to Philadelphia with my sister with stops at the Barns Collection and historic sites and day trip to Ocean City, NJ and our “History Trip” as my son dubbed it to Gettysburg, PA. It was neat to see my husbands great great grandfather listed on the Pennsylvania Monument. September opened with a visit to The Morgan Library - they have the very best cafe’. I had a fun day of thrifting with these lovely ladies. Took in a team hockey game at the Islanders facility and I ended the month with a shopping day on the Country Mile.

October began with outings. First up was an evening of Wine and Shopping at Church, next in Summit, Thrifting in Brookdale, dinners with my Hockey Moms, experiencing the newly opened Shop Rite. I handed out candy in my sons old banana costume! November held another dinner with my Hockey Moms. More shopping with my bestie at the Autumn Collective in Mountainside. I love twinning with fellow Hockey Moms! Had the best day attending the Holiday Market at Terrain in Westport and meeting a longtime IG friend Jessica Gordon Ryan. We hoped a Vet visit would help Tuukka. We hosted Thanksgiving for the very first time. I had help restringing the Christmas Tree. December began with the realization Tuukka was ill and with heavy hearts we said goodbye to this crazy furry guy (I tear up as I type this). We immersed ourselves in the High School Hockey Program - Go Ice Knights! I found this wonderful paperweight for $2.00 at a neighborhood estate sale. We enjoyed our first snow fall of 6 inches. I finished shopping and wrapping! We welcomed our family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and although we were missing family we relished our loved ones. Our son was on the altar for Mass and carried the cross. We spent time relaxing in the Chalet over the holiday break when we weren’t hustling to and from the rink!

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I am looking forward to 2026 with hope - for time spent with family and dear friends - for clarity of purpose - to tackle items on the Chalet To Do List - to build new opportunities for my business and with a Grateful heart.

Wishing you happiness, good health and prosperity in the coming year.

Happy New Year!

Til next time be well. As always you can find me over on Instagram!