Lulu, Terri Irwin and Lake Tahoe

Merry Christmas Everyone!! and Happy Holidays to all!!

Here's a list of my favorite things, people, events, findings of 2006!!...

Favorite new being: Lulu, my 14 week old doggie niece, who is black, beautiful and has transcendent eyes. Favorite quote: From Terri Irwin, widow of the famed crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin, for her soulful remark when Barbara Walters asked her what she will miss most about her beloved husband, "He was FUN. I am going to work really hard at having fun." Favorite place: Lake Tahoe, because I found freedom there. Favorite stuff: Canadian made anything, I love my new stainless steel and leather travel mug, and my faux fur hat...both made by our northern buddies....they sure know how to keep their southern friends warm, and isn't it nice to find things that aren't made in China or India (by children) in your local Target? I say, give us more of what Canada's got! Favorite Hiking moment(s): Learning from my niece and nephew about the 'wikheeup' (not sure about that spelling folks) a Native American survival hut made from branches and twigs...there is a fine example of one on the Colorado Trail (access off of Hwy 285, a few miles up the trail you'll see the wikheeup on the left) ; Watching (with a smile) as the city-folk tourists (from the East Coast, no doubt) take their purses with them on their hike up to Lily Pond from the Bear Lake Trail Head; Inspired by the father of 7 as he hiked with his children whom he adopted from Africa. This single, caucasian man (who had his nanny in tow) had 5 boys ages ranging from 5 to 15, 1 baby girl age 2 and 1 biological son age 17. Just hearing his kids say, "Hey Dad! Look at this view!!" and watching them throwing rocks into the lake made for a blissful moment. Favorite Boutique Chocolates: Chuao in San Diego has the best chocolates I have yet to have. Thanks to Kristie in San Diego, who introduced me to their handmade, artisinal bonbons. Chuao never disappoints, even a small box will suffice. www.chuaochocolatier.com Favorite Restaurant: Trattoria Nostrani in Santa Fe, New Mexico is superbly special....and I'm not the only one who thinks so. In November it ranked as one of the top 50 restaurants of 2006 by the good folks at Gourmet Magazine. www.trattorianostrani.com see my review of this restaurant in my blog archives, September 2006. Favorite peace activists: The group of meditators quietly gathering from India in Vedic City and Fairfield, Iowa. For the past few months, they have been arriving by the hundreds and are working for Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the Transcendental Meditation technique, by making it their job (24/7) to create more coherence in the collective consciousness. Through daily meditations they are helping to create a lasting wave of bliss that will eventually help to replace the ignorance and consequences of our (and other) government's actions, and of religious fundamental extremists. P*E*A*C*E on E*A*R*T*H, 2007.... let it be.