this and that

• We welcomed 2013 on a rooftop in Arequipa, Peru watching fireworks go off all around us. It was absolutely delightful. 
• I welcomed 2014 asleep in my bed as I had to work the next morning. It was not quite as delightful, but sleep is delightful just the same. 
• Nostalgia gets the best of me at the beginning of a new year. I make feeble attempts to fight it, but I love sitting in memories. Not just memories of the last year, but of all the years before. I like nothing more than sitting by the fire, sipping on some Teaberry's, and reminiscing. My favourite tea at Teaberry's -- Feel Relaxed.
• I'm planning on reminiscing later though.
• We visited some friends in Stanwood this Christmas and they have Fiesta plates which I happened to drool over our entire visit. Now I've been dreaming of them. I want one in (almost) every colour.
• I purchased this calendar. One for myself and one for a sister-in-law. I drool over this too. Daily. It is in my kitchen and I love it. I also love that SKOS and I have the same calendar. It makes me smile. Seriously, the calendar is delightful! 
• I talked with SKOS and her four rowdy boys today. Always loud. Always blurry. Always a good time. I wish they lived closer, but am thankful for Skype. 
• I came across this a while ago -- Secluded Cultures on the Brink of Extinction. I came across it again this week and found myself still gazing at the photos 30 minutes later. They are breath-taking. 
• On the same site (mymodernmet.com), I saw this -- Touching Portraits of Mothers with Their One-Day-Old Babies. It makes me want to take photos of the mama's I doula for. I have two births lines up in March/April... We'll see if I still feel inspired then. Or if the Mama's feel up for it. 
• I'm off to make some pumpkin spice pancakes! 
•  Happy New Year!