I hope you are having a lovely holiday season! I’m happy to be warm and in Miami with my brother, sister and family and then onto Anguilla for the New Year.

Can you believe it’s going to be 2015 in just a few days? I say this every year, but 2014 seriously flew by!

2014 was a very unique year for me. This was my first year without my Mother.  She passed in December of 2013.  There was such a huge void in my life without her, so  I decided to fill it with adventure and travel and of course, cooking!!

I thought it would be fun to share pictures of my year in highlights. I would love it if you’d all share with me your highlights, too! To me, it’s more important to appreciate the previous year rather than make resolutions for the year to come!

1. Artichoke Love Party!

Early in 2014, while I was still grieving from my mother’s passing, I invited many of my dear friends over to be around me. We made the party all about artichokes because my Mother loved them. — artichoke dips, steamed artichokes, braised chicken and artichokes, and artichoke decor to boot! I taught everyone how to steam an artichoke and create an amazing vinaigrette to go with them.  It was a great way to surround myself with love and happiness during a very hard time. Thank you to everyone who was there! I think we will make this a yearly event.

2. Wedding Madness!

I went to some very spectacular weddings this year! From the Morocco-meets-Paris extravaganza to Kaily and Adam’s California blowout, it was a year of fabulous celebrations!

3. Sicily!!!

No doubt anyone who follows this blog knows how much I LOVED Sicily. I fell in love with the people, simplicity of life, and of course, the food! I brought back two fabulous recipes as well. My Mussels and Clams with Toasted Almonds and my Authentic Sicilian Hero!

4. BURNING MAN!

Looking back, I still can’t believe I did it. I WENT TO BURNING MAN!? I’m so happy I went through with it. It’s an adventure I’ll never forget.

5. Ladies Who Lunch

Earlier in May, I was the chairperson for the first Ladies Who Lunch For a Cure Fundraiser. We raised money for the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation— an organization I respect so much. Between the Nicole Miller fashion show and our Versaille-inspired venue, it was one of the best fundraisers I’ve been a part of to date! Thank you to everyone who contributed! Take a look at the event here.

Overall this year I was able to release a lot of grief through focusing on travel, reorganization, and of course Flirting with Flavors! Also I’m very grateful to be doing what I love.. inspiring through cooking, entertaining and traveling, writing this blog, creating  our cooking vidoes and keeping in touch with everyone. . Thank you for the comments, stories, and questions!

I’m excited to announce that we’re live on a new platform called Venuebook, where you can browse our event options and book events online. We have also designed a new and FABULOUS logo, which is below. What do you think!? Soon we’ll have a new website to go with it.

Finally, I’ll leave you with this adorable Christmas video from my son Zach and his wonderful girlfriend Sally. Just wait ’til the end from a little surprise from Samson, and Please like it!!!   Cheers to you and to 2015!

[youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heTM8u0uMJ8″]