HappyTummy              

I’m a bad, bad blogger. :( Since my last post a week and a half ago, I’ve been nothing but busy, busy busy–I was wrapping things up at work so I could take two weeks off, finishing last minute holiday shopping, cleaning up the house, digging ourselves out of two massive snowstorms, running last-minute errands, packing for our trip to San Francisco, visiting all of my extended family in the Bay Area, eating an absurd amount of food, shopping with my sister…and basically packing as much fun as I possibly could into two weeks. And then, of course, I caught the flu, and was bed-ridden for a full day. I so wish I could have participated in the last two Tuesdays with Dorie recipes–it was the first time I had missed a week since I started in September–but alas, it wasn’t possible. I’ll be back again for sure on Jan. 6, with Dorie’s French Pear Tart!

There is another reason for this post, however…a huge, heartfelt thanks is in order to Jessica, otherwise known as Dharmagirl, of Bliss: Towards a Delicious Life. As part of the Tuesdays with Dorie group’s secret elf exchange this year, Jessica sent me the most wonderful, sweet and meaningful package–a book, homemade sea salt caramels (plus a recipe for them!) and a beautiful card. She had really taken the time to get to know me over Elfster, and before I even knew her identity, we had a mini conversation about similar our tastes and interests were. She loves yoga; so do I. She loves reading, so do I. What she didn’t know is that I LOVE caramel…quite possibly even more than chocolate–crazy, I know! So when I received her package when I returned from our West Coast trip, I was delighted, and so touched.

So Jessica, thank you so much for your amazing package. I’ve gobbled up all of the caramels already, and will be making them myself next week. And I’m looking forward to reading the book. Most of all, I’m excited to chat with you about all the things we share in common…and to have made a blogging buddy. Hope you had a wonderful holiday, and thanks again. :)

I also wanted to take some time out to thank everyone who’s commented on my blog over the last year. And if you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time lurker, thanks to you too! Won’t you say hello and introduce yourself? Where are you from? What do you do? Do you have a blog? I love meeting new people–that’s the best part of this whole journey. It’s been so much fun posting–and getting to know new people–and I can’t wait to start this new year of more yummy yums to make my tummy happy.

Happy New Year!