Hello bloggereaders.

I’ve had a few mimosas today.  Going to go pour another.  And… I’m back.  It is New Years Day, after all.

Saturn returned with a vengeance this year and, amongst some painful growth spurts, 2011 brought so many beautiful things; experiences and people that have made my time richer and of fuller value.  This morning, while cleaning up from the breakfast I made for my guests before they hit the road back south, I took stock of the people I’ve come to cherish that I didn’t know a year ago.  Of the little pup that now depends on me for health and happiness.  Of the moments of incredible joy and fulfillment I’ve found both in work and personal matters.  Of the insanely talented chefs who’ve devoted their lives to the art of food and have gifted me with recipes for my work.  Of those who have given me the opportunity to write for an increasingly wider audience.  And those who gave me the chance to perform for live ones.

Thank you.

This year will see the premiere of the Dusty Baking Show (check out a little demo above!), my first article on Saveur.com, my work in Easy Eats Magazine (including lots of pasta and some recipes by some of my favorite chefs) and scores of new people and experiences I’m sure so amazing I can’t even imagine.

So I look forward to this new year not with any grandiose statements of how I’ll radically change any of my choices or habits.  But with a continued attempt at baby steps.  Of mantras to get me through a day or week.  Of living in the moment, practicing patience and gratitude, learning as much as I possibly can from the fascinating people around me.  To just breathing.  To keeping going.

Happy 2012 you lovely, lovely people.

– Jacqueline

Top Recipes of 2011