Oh how I loved looking through photographs of this past year. But today we say good riddance! Buh-bye! Tomorow is a fresh new year. May your days bring oodles and oodles of blessings. An over abudance of everything you dream of. May hope guide you and grace lead you to all the richness in your heart.

"Favorite people, favorite places, 

favorite memories of the past. 

These are the joys of a lifetime,

these are the things that last."

Herny Van Dyke

Wishing you love and wishes for a fabulous 2012!

♥, Sylvia

I had all my wisdom teeth removed this morning. As it so happens, I heard various horror stories for the past couple of days. When the nurse called my name and asked if I was ready my answer was a.... no. But there I was and there was no turning back.

• The nurses did a great job to make me comfortable. We were having fun and I asked them if they've seen this hilarious YouTube video.  I was shocked they hadn't but they promised they'd check it out.
• The oral surgeon was a cutie patootie but it didn't make me feel any better. Eye candy doesn't work in this situation.
• My boss informed me that things stop working after 40 and organs will have to start being removed. Ha! That didn't make me feel better either.
• I hope I loose at least 5 pounds since I won't be eating like a horse like I normally do for the next couple of days.
• Now I know how it feels to have my eyes crossed; the drugs were so darn good.
• I wonder, will removing the teeth give me a permanent duck face?

The nurse just called to check up on me and I told her I felt better than I sound; I had just placed new gauze in my mouth. I sound like Marlon Brando in the The Godfather if he were a woman.

Image via: Pinterest

♥, Sylvia

I was fortunate to be interviewed by Bella Cirovic at 52 Photos Project. 

I am honored to be featured among women with amazing talent.  We may come from different worlds and backgrounds, use different cameras and styles but the one thing we have in common is our deep love for photography. 

Photography tugs at the shirtsleeve of my heart.

When I can't find the words to express how I feel, photography is there for me. When I'm feeling troubled and stressed, photography is there for me. When I'm feeling fascinated with life, photography is there for me. When I'm feeling my heart is full of love, photography is there for me. 

Thank you Bella for creating this wonderful community. For taking the time out of your busy life to give us the awesome weekly prompts. Thank you! 

Friends, stop by and check out the interview here.  Leave a comment there, here or on my Facebook Page. 

♥, Sylvia

Oh what a year this has been!

If I could describe this year in two words it would be... new beginnings. 

I chose this picture as one of my favorites of the year because it represents a new life. It represents change and a new beautiful beginning. I took a photo shoot of my sister and her husband during a trip to Texas and in this photo Kayla had not been born.  Today, she's three days shy of one month old. Those beautiful pink shoes will soon have a little girl, eyes wide open, and we will witness her journey as she steps into her new world. 

We flip the pages of our book as we continue to write our story. One thing is for certain, life is full of change and new beginnings.

~ Sharing this photo prompt at 52 Photos Project. ~

♥, Sylvia

One of our traditions is to ride around looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve.

This particular street is beyond merry and bright! Every single house is decorated and all have matching arches at the entrance of their driveway. It's a perfect example of neighborly love. It must have taken a lot of work.

The lovely spruce tree in the photo is about 70 foot tall.  I'm not sure how they decorate it but it's the centerpiece of the block. I stood underneath it in awe! I couldn't believe its size. The photograph doesn't do it justice.

A young family walked in front of me as I oooohed and aaaahed.  Dad pulled two kids in a sled while Mom and Grandma walked behind them.  Hearing the little boys laughing out loud and pointing at the lights warmed my heart.

I wished some of the home owners had been outside.  I would have loved to thank them for making so many spirits bright. Come to think of it, I should... I may just send them a card.

I hope you took time out of the hustle and bustle to enjoy the lights, whether it was to sit in front of your decorated Christmas tree or the house masterpieces around the block. 

♥, Sylvia

You would have thought we had never seen snow in our entire lives. We've been wishing for snow and lo and behold, it snowed on Christmas Eve.

It wasn't an enormous downpour but boy was it beautiful! The snowflakes were huge! It's amazing how the perfect snowfall can lift your spirits.

Christmas music in the background, hot cocoa in a cup and watching a dreamy snowfall... whew! Perfect!

We dreamed of a white Christmas and our dream came true! :)

♥, Sylvia

We wish you a very merry

happy filled Christmas!

♥, 

Teddy, Sylvia, Kirby & Kosmo

I don't write about my work life very much but I have to tell you about this. 

Yesterday started like any other ordinary day. I rushed to work and engulfed myself in scheduling meetings, making phone calls and training my new assistant. Dove right in to the piles of paperwork. Forgetting all about Christmas.

I'm a grown up, Santa doesn't exist anymore. 

Then a wonderful thing happened.

One of our little patients walked in and read me a letter he had just received from Santa. Yes, a response to a letter he had sent to Santa the previous day. In a high pitch squeal he mentioned the letter was sent all the way from the North Pole. He couldn't believe it!

He was trying to catch his breath, hands shaking as he held the letter. He read it slowly, carefully as to not miss a single word. He said he wouldn't be able to sleep and showed me how he was going to tip-toe out of his room on Christmas morning. 

His energy and the light in his eyes was so beautiful! It gave me goosebumps. I wanted to cry.

You see, I work with an amazing group of nurses, doctors, therapists, support team and volunteers. I work in administration and don't have direct contact with patients but ocassionaly I get to experience these snippets of awesomeness. 

He will wake up Christmas morning, walk out of his hospital room and have beautiful presents from Santa... and a group of very special elves. 

♥, Sylvia

(I was careful not to include any names or details in order to not disclose any patient health information.)

At the heart of each of us,

whatever our imperfections,

there exists a silent pulse of perfect rhythm,

which is absolutely individual and unique,

and yet which connects us to everything else. 

George Leonard

♥, Sylvia

I'll be honest, I've been fighting the bah humbug bug for a couple of days. I've never had it before but it's trying to sting me this year. What a nasty little bug!

Thank goodness I put up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving if not I think this bug would have definitely taken over this holiday season. I haven't even felt like shopping. Yes, shocking!

I'm determined to swat the bug and squash it dead! I know it's not a long term disease; it's just temporary. So, I will make myself a cup of hot cocoa, play some Christmas music and sit by our beautiful Christmas tree. I will enjoy the twinkle of the lights, reflect on the season and take a deep breath. It will be the perfect remedy for the grinch-like thoughts to dissapear.

I hope you're not fighting the bah humbug bug and that you're feeling merry and bright. 

♥, Sylvia