A wonderful, special crazy time of year! Over-the-top decorations, twinkling lights, good food enjoyed with family and friends, shared laughter, and silent moments of wonder in the still of the night all make the holidays a extraordinary time of year.

Thanksgiving also marked the day on which I could begin playing Christmas carols on my piano. Now, Christmas carols are about the only thing I play on the piano and I do so purely for my own enjoyment. That was also the day we pulled out the Christmas record albums - Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters, and Frank Sinatra to name just a few..

Wishing you a magical holiday season!

It's holiday shopping season! And if you're looking for unique gifts, look no further than arts and crafts shows, galleries and the websites of individual artists.

This year look locally for unique and interesting items for those on your list and yourself. You'll contribute to a happy holiday for the artists and keep the money in your community.

​Make handcrafted gifts part of your holiday tradition!

February's birthstone is amethyst which symbolizes piety, humility, spiritual wisdom and sincerity. Amethyst, from the Greek amethystos meaning "not-intoxicated," was believed by ancients to protect against drunkenness. It is also believed if you place an amethyst under your pillow you'll have pleasant dreams - perhaps about the one you love!

The holidays are filled with traditions from special foods to fun activities. As we age old traditions are modified and new traditions are added. But all traditions, old or new, have one thing in common: they connect us to family and friends.

My mom began taking me to see Santa when I was one. She didn't drive. So, we took the bus downtown to Famous-Barr one of the three major department stores in St. Louis at that time. We walked around the building oohing and aahing at the fabulous Christmas windows. One had a huge train set in it. Then we went up to the top floor where Santa sat in all his glory. My last photo with Santa was when I was six. I was three in the photo below.

Another family tradition was making ornaments and other decorations. I was particularly adept at making paper snowflakes. Now, I create jewelry from wire and gemstones and craft wire angel ornaments. I enjoy making things and learning new techniques, so the styles of jewelry and ornaments are continually evolving.

​And of course, I adorn myself with holiday jewelry and clothes. Wearing Grinch socks or snowman earrings just makes my day more festive.

Whatever your holiday traditions, have a wonderful joyous holiday season!

Look no further than local arts and crafts shows, galleries and the websites of local artists.

Your community is home to an amazing number of artists and craftspeople. They create an astonishing array of items including jewelry, original paintings, woodwork, ceramics, glass, clothing and home décor. Each lovingly made by hand with many one-of-a-kind. Prices can range from "oh so affordable" to "sky's the limit."

A benefit of buying from an artist, either in person or from their website, is learning something about them and how they create their items. You can include a note with your gift telling its story - who made it, how it was made, why you chose it, or where you found it. This makes even a small gift important. A handmade gift with a thoughtful note is a wonderful way to create a special memory.

If you buy early, here's a tip so you don't misplace a gift or forget who it's for. Attach a note to each gift listing who it's for and any information you want to share about it. Then, place the gift in a special holiday box - I use a plastic bin. When it's time to start wrapping, you'll know where all the gifts are. Before I started doing this, some gifts were so well hidden I didn't find them till long after the holidays!

As you know, I really love making jewelry. I get even more pleasure helping someone pick just the right piece to give a friend or family member. The icing on the cake for me is hearing from the customer how much their gift was appreciated. If you can, let the artist know how much their piece was enjoyed. You'll make the artist's day!

This year look locally for unique and interesting items for those on your list and yourself. You'll contribute to a happy holiday for the artists and keep the money in your community. Make handcrafted gifts part of your holiday tradition.

Rather than focusing on February's most famous holiday - Valentine's Day - I'm pondering some lesser-known February holidays.

The holidays are filled with traditions from special foods to fun activities. As we age old traditions are modified and new ones are added. But all traditions, old or new, have one thing in common: they connect us to family and friends.

When I first moved to Arizona in 2013, I put up three trees - one in the great room, one in the library and one in my bedroom. It was wonderful to lie in bed and watch the twinkling lights and sparkling ornaments. The trees were all full of ornaments - two or more on every branch. As time passed, I no longer put a tree in my bedroom.

With the advent of three cats under two in 2015, paper and wooden ornaments replaced delicate glass ones. Christmas trees became cat paradises. One year, ornaments didn't even make it on the tree in the library - the cats didn't care.

​Regardless of the number of trees I put up and the types of ornaments I use, I'm always reminded of the Christmases of my childhood and the excitement when the tree was first revealed after Santa came on Christmas Eve.

From an early age, I made decorations and gifts. I was particularly adept at making paper snowflakes which adorned packages and were hung in windows. Now I create jewelry from wire and gemstones and fashion wire angel and bird ornaments. I enjoy making things and learning new techniques, so the styles of jewelry and ornaments are continually evolving.

Cooking-baking is one of my family traditions. My mom made the cookies and my dad decorated them and did the dishes. Last year I made fruitcake (liberally soaked with 151-proof rum) and 10 kinds of cookies - I go just a little crazy with my holiday baking. And no, I don't eat all the cookies myself. I share them with friends and family.

And of course, I adorn myself with holiday jewelry and clothes. I have enough holiday socks to wear a different pair every day for the entire month of December. My holiday jewelry has it's own special jewelry box and includes everything from flamingos wearing Santa hats to sparkling snowflakes. Wearing Grinch socks or snowman earrings just makes my day more joyful!

​Whatever your holiday traditions, have a wonderful and joyous holiday season!

Find one-of-a-kind gifts for those on your list by shopping at local arts and craft shows, galleries and the websites of local artists.

​There are an amazing number of artists and crafters in your community. They create an astounding array of items including jewelry, original paintings, woodwork, ceramics, glass, clothing and home décor. Each of these is lovingly made by hand and many are one-of-a-kind. Prices can range from "oh so affordable" to "sky's the limit."

When you buy from an artist, either in person or from their website, you can learn something about them and the way the make their items. Include a note with your gift telling the gift's story - who made it, how it was made, why you chose it, or where your found it. This makes even a small gift important. A handmade gift with a thoughtful note is a wonderful way to create a special memory.

If you buy early, here's a tip so you don't misplace a gift or forget who it's for. Put the person's name on the gift and then place it in a special holiday box - I use a plastic bin. When it's time to start wrapping you'll know where all the girts are. Before I started doing this, some gifts were hidden so well I didn't find them till long after the holidays!

​I really love making jewelry. I get even more pleasure helping someone pick just the right piece to give a friend or family member. The icing on the cake for me is hearing from the customer how much their gift was appreciated. If you can, let the artist know how much the gift was enjoyed.

​This year look locally for unique and interesting items for those on your list and yourself. You'll contribute to a happy holiday for the artists and keep the money in your community. Make handcrafted gifts a part of your holiday tradition.

The tradition of Mother's Day started as a spring celebration in ancient Greece honoring Rhea, the mother of all gods. Early English Christians designated a day to honor Mary, the mother of Christ. That religious holiday expanded to honor all mothers and became known as "Mothering Sunday." Unfortunately, that tradition faded away about the same time the Pilgrims came to America.