Dizzying Holiday Social Swirl

I was ecstatic when my friend Roochita told me that she and her husband are pregnant. I had a hard time keeping it secret, but Roochita told me in strict confidence very early on in the pregnancy because we were planning on signing up for a salsa class together. But now, the news is in the public realm (what a dorky lawyerly way to put it!), and when I went over to their beautiful place in Jersey City for their annual tree trimming/gingerbread house decorating party, I was relieved to be able to finally give her a huge hug and say CONGRATS!!! with uninhibited gusto.

I thought about making a baby card for them, but really wanted to give them this adorable holiday-y one instead. I think it conveys the joy of both the holiday season and the baby news just fine!
I went to another holiday party last weekend hosted by my friends Gill and Gavin, but this one was a little sad, since it doubled as their going-away party. Gill and Gavin originally hail from London, but are now living in Hong Kong. They came to New York about a year-and-a-half ago for Gavin's work. I adore them both as a couple and individually. Here's the card I made for them, with the same stamp I used for Roochita and Abhi's card.

Life passes by so quickly. I can't believe that Gill and Gav are heading back to Hong Kong next week. I especially regret not spending enough time with Gill (Gavin, I see much more of). I find that I can tell within the first meeting of someone new whether there is that "I totally GET what you're saying and I feel the same way!" connection. Gill is definitely in that category.

I'm a bit complacent in developing stronger relationships with people I know I could be really good friends with. My life is so full that it's difficult to find the time if I don't make a point of it. I may make that my New Year's resolution!

I'm neck deep in the holiday social swirl, but I managed to fit in a Little Pepper* hot pot gathering with friends, old and new... including the elusive Joe DiStefano, the writer of one of my favorite food blogs and the man who introduced Anthony Bourdain to the wonders of spicy cumin lamb hand-pulled noodles at Xi'an Famous Foods. I had asked my friend Eric (who writes one of my other favorite food blogs) if there's any way in hell Joe would come to hot pot, and Eric's massive charms and powers of persuasion prevailed. Yikes - I'm turning into a food blog writer groupie!

Happy holidays, everyone! More cards coming up!

* Many people maintain that Little Pepper is the best Szechuanese cuisine around. I certainly enjoyed both times I was there!