The Back Page - my thanks, and my 'WORD' - - - - - - -

Fiona is back in the news. . . . . . .and I just have to show you those other

 'wish list' gifts which actually arrived at the cottage on Christmas Eve. 

For those of you who questioned whether 'my Santa' was named Bob - yes,

 he definitely was!

Thank you Santa Bob, you were extremely generous. I may just do 

the 'wish list' via the blog again next Christmas as it seems to work for

those gift shopping challenged men out there - perhaps you have

one also!

Having recently acquainted you with fab Fiona HERE, and recalling memories

 of my amazing personal experience with Antarctic penguins a few years ago,

 I added this book to my list.

What a delightful true story - I'm about halfway through and loving 

reading about young Englishman Tom Michell's 1975 arrival in

 Buenos Aires, Argentina to teach in a prestigious boarding school. . . . .

then rescuing and adopting a penguin whom he named Juan Salvador.

The story is absurd and wonderful - a classic in the making.

The other books I will tell you about another time - they are waiting

in the wings and I'm anxious to read both.

Yes, the plum colored chunky, very cozy Lou & Grey tunic sweater arrived too.

 I love that it's long, tunic length, so can be worn over just leggings with tall

 or short boots  - perfect comfort and ladylike, important at this advanced age!

BTW, have you tried the new light fleece-lined tights or leggings? 

I bought a pair and find them really great - a good alternative to more restrictive

 skinny pants - totally opaque and lightweight, not too thick, and so soft. 

Mine are by Simply Vera Wang at Kohl's. 

 On the left on my dresser, Dior's beautiful fragrance, Escale à Portofino. 

 It too was on my list, and is now hard to find - most stores have discontinued

 stocking it - but great retailer Nordstrom came through as always, found

 Santa Bob a bottle and shipped it in time. It's a large one and I will have to make

 it last a long time just in case it eventually becomes irreplaceable. 

My first bottle, found on a cruise ship, became my favorite fragrance immediately.

*************

I'm making this my 2015 wrap-up, yes the 'back page'.

I'm so ready for this new year - who knows what it will bring 

for each of us. My biggest hope is for good health for myself

and my loved ones. Hope for a chance to travel somewhere new,

 but hopefully have lots of time at home to do things I enjoy.

I hold great hope for the world to become a more peaceful and 

better place. . . . . .for its people, the animals - wild and domestic - Nature's 

wild and beautiful landscapes, the environment, and especially the oceans.

So, perhaps not unexpected, my 'word' for 2016 has to be HOPE.

Thank you for following my blog through yet another busy year. 

You helped make 2015 a very special time by reading my words,

 complimenting me on my photography, enjoying my travels from your

 'armchair', and then leaving such generous, often funny, always greatly

 appreciated, comments. By doing all that and often more, you then gave

 me the opportunity to 'follow' you, the best friends anyone could ever have.

Coming up soon will be the start of my 8th year of blogging. Yes, I plan to

 continue, using my blog as my creative outlet and my personal journal. 

Although some are quitting their blogs, or moving to other social media

 platforms, I only blog! I love blogging, I love you, I don't want to change a thing.

So, hope to see you here for a long time, you will always be welcomed.