2011.

i realize not everyone is a huge fan of new years eve. i hear people say that it's overrated. but it should go on the record that i am notorious for going crazy about any and every holiday. i love a reason to celebrate. new years is no different.

this year i am going to celebrate ringing in 2011 with some of my very favorite people. i am going to nashville. i doubt we will brave the crowds to rub elbows with everyone at the "guitar drop." more than likely we will stay put at the keaggy's home. that's what new years should be about, having a heck of a time with the ones you love most! that's how i want to start 2011.

another reason i appreciate new years is being given a chance to start over, so to speak. i write out resolutions every year. always have. last night i took the time to write my resolutions. they were perfect. none too overwhelming, just simple changes to be made or to emphasize. naturally there were resolutions about health and wellness, then there were others about saving money {i'm so mature... haha}. but probably the most important was encouragement to let my guard down and let myself love. i haven't done that in quite a while. so here we go... 2011. happy new year! cheers!

where there is love, there is art.

wrote the book on love.

one of my favorite gifts this christmas came in a very small package {and, no, i don't mean diamond earrings or anything of that nature}. this gift was given to me by my favorite little girl, jewel-bug.

this children's book possess some really beautiful truths pertaining to my favorite subject {hint, hint... the four letter word}-- L O V E, in case it's not obvious. this book shows both in word and illustration the various ways that love can be experienced- through nature, ourselves, and with others. it shows how these are all connected. and most importantly this book celebrates love! i love it.
and has it says in the book "love is best when love is shared." so check it out or buy this sweet book here.
oh! by the way, these books are made on recycled paper and printed with veggie-based inks. i did my research...

where there is love, there is art.

red velvet cupcakes.

i had decided that in my mind it wasn't the holidays until i made red velvet cupcakes. therefore, when i signed-up to bring dessert to a pot luck dinner i knew exactly what was in store.

pretty, eh? would you like the recipe? it came to me courtesy of paula deen. actually, i kind of combined a recipe of my mother's with this one. did a little picking and choosing! enjoy.

where there is love {in the kitchen}, 

there is art.

supper club.

seven dinner parties later.

little helen, rachel, nancy, anna margaret, "ed," {me}, molly, and ann hughston.

when "supper club" began i don't think we ever could have imagined how valuable it would be to each of us as time passes. in an attempt to keep up with are closest friends from high school we started "supper club." our college choices ranged from alabama to DC to the carolinas to ohio. we were aware that our friendships would change, and it would be hard to keep in touch. thus we emailed one another religiously {sort of} through college, and every year at christmas time we committed to having a pot-luck dinner party in montgomery where we all grew up together. the most humorous aspect of dinner is when last years "predictions" resurface. every year we predict what will happen in the lives of each of us, only to read them the next year. obviously, many predictions never come to fruition but others do. for example, this year was the first year that a sweet baby joined us and this had be predicted prior. we have watched one another move cross country {though i stay planted}, make job changes, begin and end relationships... though we might struggle to all keep up daily, we are all faithful to dedicate one day a year to catching up and enjoying the company of the girls who "knew you when."

where the is love {of unique friendship},

 there is art.

christmas {photographs} in dixie.

from family game night... to a good ol' country christmas.
hope you had a christmas as merry as mine!

christmas eve. family game night.

we love some soup and catch phrase on christmas eve. 

pike county's most beautiful.

the other "sisters" on christmas day in troy.

i love my hair in my face, my sister, and troy at christmas. 

we are pretty lucky.

where there is love, there is art. 

my favorite christmas song.

merry christmas to all! 

where there is {a labor of} love, 
there is art.

iii/iv.

you were always something else,

there's nothing to replace. 

-from "numbers," ryan adams 

ryan adams {who i could be in love with} released III/IV last week while i was in new york. i'm getting caught up {in it}. check it out for yourself, if you will. 

where there is love, there is art.