And Happy New Year.

I know I’m a bit late on this one. As we headed into the year-end holidays, I caught that nasty cold that was going around. That thing grabbed me, clung to me and kept me in its evil grip for a good three weeks. It sapped all the energy out of me. It wasn’t until yesterday, the official start of the Lunar New Year that I felt in the least bit normal again. And I’ve still got sniffles. Oy.

But here’s the thing: late or not, I don’t think it’s ever bad timing to wish you well and hope that the year’s off to a good start for you. And that you are well on your way to having a most wonderful 2012 and realizing your most beautiful dreams. 2012 is the Year of the Dragon. A most lucky creature in the Chinese Zodiac!

As you know – and especially if you have read my book (you have, haven’t you?) – then you know that my cookie decorating mania was very much inspired by the Chinese Zodiac, also known as the Eastern Zodiac. My first decorated cookie was a Sheep (I am a sheep). And with this Dragon, I have now completed ten, ten, animals of the 12-animal cycle.

Are you a Dragon? You are if you were born in 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, then you a Dragon. The Dragon is a mystical, charismatic and powerful figure believed to have magical powers. Because of this, the Chinese believe that this is the most desirable character in the zodiac. (I beg to differ; I think being a Sheep is mighty fine, thank you very much).  Dragons are free-spirited, powerful, artistic, intuitive, dynamic and even lucky. You’re also extremely tenacious and when you set out to do something, you usually accomplish it. You’re most compatible with the Rat, Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, and Pig. You probably won’t get along with the Ox, Dragon, Horse, and Dog.

Whatever sign you are, whichever year you were born, I wish you a most wonderful 2012.

Pink Haired Skull, inspired by Days of the Dead, 3x5 ins, chocolate, royal icing and sanding sugar.

Halloween’s already a memory. But the party’s just getting started in many parts of Latin America. Welcome to El Dia de los Muertas (Day of the Dead).

I discovered this interesting, colorful and raucous celebration several years ago through a Mexican friend who erects Day of the Dead altars every year in her home as well as in schools. Colorful paper cutouts frame her altar while photos, mementos, marigolds, traditional breads and dancing skeletons cover every last inch of the structure. Oh and there’s always tequila and other foods that the deceased loved. Some may find this way of remembering the dead odd; I find it quite lovely. If you believe that the spirits of the deceased come back every year, why not enjoy their company? And make their return a joyous occasion?

Depending on the nation, the Day of the Dead is celebrated differently. I’m only familiar with how it is celebrated in Mexico, where the indigenous peoples believed that death was merely a passage into a new life. They buried their loved ones with many personal items they thought they’d need in the next life and in some cases, pets were sacrificed so that they could accompany their now deceased masters. Once a year, for two days, the spirits of the dead return and are welcomed with their favorite foods and drink.

The photo above is from my upcoming book. If you’re interested in seeing a preview and obtaining a little discount toward the purchase of this charming little masterpiece, please get on The. List. It’s a most extraordinary email newsletter that will give exclusive information to subscribers about the book and other marvelous things. Please click on The. List. to the right. Your information will not be shared with anyone! A preview is coming very soon.

Look up this year. There are witches and goblins in the trees.

This sign will be outside our door with candy. Of course.

Happy Halloween.

Pretty to look at. Yummy to eat.

This past Wednesday, Wolf and I celebrated our ten-year anniversary. I believe some life sentences are quite nice.

Our neighbors babysat Mimi as a gift, so we went to the Edendale Grill in Silverlake (the hip, trendy neighborhood here in Los Angeles). I had their signature meatloaf – yes, meatloaf! – and we shared a bottle of French Malbec. Yum!

Our neighbors also gave us a box of macarons (I know, in the U.S. we call them macaroons but macarons sounds so…je ne sais quoi, oui?). These were gone in a flash. Just like those ten years. Where have they gone?

Happy Weekend, y’all.

The Box the macarons came in. Yes!

Hey. I'm two years old. I'm stronger than you. You're simply bigger than me.

It’s hard for me to fathom that my little girl is now two years old. Time keeps zipping by. It’s hard to keep track of all the changes in her. All I can say is that she’s a happy, healthy little girl who laughs and smiles easily, often cries when she doesn’t get her way, insists on putting her shoes on the wrong feet, loves bath time, drinks what I believe are excessive amounts of milk, annoys her dog to no end and climbs to heights that frighten the living doo-doo out of her parents. In other words, so far, she’s a pretty normal kid.

My in-laws and my mother have been asking us non-stop what Mimi wants for her second birthday. I haven’t a clue. A tricycle? A toy stroller with a baby doll? A new truck? Musical instruments? All of that? We’ve got an idea of what we’ll buy for her. But what we’ll give her on this special day and all other days? A lot of love. That’s all. That’s a lot.

As I was going through Mimi’s pictures since her birth, I remembered a very funny song by Jonathan Richman called “Not Yet Three.” Do you know it? It’s very funny. Adorable, really. Here’s one verse:

“Look, I sat up in my crib and you didn’t like that
So now I have to lie down flat on my back
I can’t get out of this thing
I can’t get out of here
But if you think I’m sleeping, oh no, that’s all mistaken
That’s right
You think I should be dozing now
But my cheeks are still a rosing now
And yes it’s true that I’m not yet three
It doesn’t matter, I’m stronger than you
You’re simply bigger than me”

Or maybe I should have said, “Happy Bastille Day!” In any case, July 14 is France’s National Day, formally called La Fête Nationale and commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place July 14, 1789. The event marked the beginning of the French Revolution. Did you know that at the time of the storming of the Bastille there were only seven inmates in there? Oh la la. When I was much younger, I asked my father if the revolutionaries were disappointed when they stormed the prison to find only seven prisoners in there. I think he rolled his eyes.

I spent a good chunk of my childhood in France. My father was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Paris for just over four years, four of the best years of my life. Paris is a great city to grow up in. I can think of many lovely things we did while there. At this very moment, the one that pops into my head: how my mother drove around and around the Place de la Concorde a gazillion times before she finally managed to get the car into the right lane and onto the street in front of the embassy. Basically the Place de la Concorde is a massive roundabout. And if you don’t know you’re way around it, well, then, you’ll be going ’round and ’round a few times before you finally get to where you’re going. But it sure was fun going around in circles!

To my French friends and my beloved France, Happy Quatorze Juillet!

In case you didn’t already know. Happy Fourth of July!

Have a good one.

There’s nothing more I can really say, is there? If you’re in the U.S., I hope you have a fun and safe holiday weekend. We’re staying at home, taking it easy.

And these cookies will reappear on the Fourth, with a little more color.

cheers, mari

p.s. Thanks to all of you who have signed up to be on The. List. And tell your friends to get on it, too!

Doughnuts by Amy Loves Yah on Flickr

My father used to tell me I was getting the hole in the doughnut whenever I asked him for something I didn’t need or that he couldn’t afford. I find myself saying that to Mimi when she screams and whines and kicks for something instead of asking. The kid can’t even talk yet, but I figure I’m going to get into the habit of not being a pushover.

Anyway.

I’m never sure how the word is supposed to be spelled, doughnut or donut? Frankly, I don’t think it matters. If I could, I’d have a donut every day. Or maybe every other day.

So here’s something interesting: the first Friday of June is apparently National Doughnut Day here in the U.S. (oh. notice how I am changing the spelling on a whim). A lot of donut shops are giving out free doughnuts. It will be a test of my will power to not go to the very awesome bakery next to our business mailbox when I pick up the mail. That place has some serious chocolate glazed and coconut beauties.

And in case you didn’t know, here’s the back story on National Doughnut Day, from Wikipedia:

National Donut Day is on the first Friday of June each year, succeeding the Donut Day event created by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I.^[1] The holiday celebrates the doughnut (a.k.a “donut”) — an edible, torus-shaped piece of dough which is deep-fried and sweetened. Many American doughnut stores offer free doughnuts on National Doughnut Day.

Have an okay weekend.

A few days ago, Mimi ran to the front door, put her little hands into the mail slot, climbed up and looked out. We tried to pull her away but she wouldn’t let go. That kid is strong. What was out there?

We gently nudged her aside to get a look at what she was staring at.

A tubular package. Hmm…I pulled Mimi away and took a look for myself. Here’s what I saw:

Okay. I saw the same thing as Mimi.

And that’s when it hit me: it must be Linda’s poster. Linda’s poster! I asked for it for Mother’s Day. And I got it.

When Linda had completed 500 Facebook Graffiti illustrations – five hundred!!! – she took her favorite 100 and made a print. I’ve wanted a few of these illos for a while. I never imagined having a hundred of them. The poster is beautiful. I’m taking it to a professional framer next week. I’ll post a photo of it when it’s hanging in my house.

To get your own print, click on the image above or right here.

Thank you, Mimi, for making me a mother. Thank you, Linda, for creating such beautiful art. Thank you Wolf, for this gift.