My dear lovelies,

It’s midnight in New York, and I want to once again say thank you for a great blog year.

2016 took away from us some precious people including many of our most beloved celebrities. Geniuses like Gene Wilder, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Natalie Cole, Garry Marshall, Alan Rickman, John Glenn, Prince, Garry Shandling, Doris Roberts, Muhammad Ali, Pete Burns, George Michael, Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, and our dear friend Jim Noble all left us, along with scores more. And don’t get me started on politics, wars, and terrorist attacks. What a jerk 2016 was. But if I don’t at least try to start each year with hope, I’ll never make it to December, so I’m putting that all away for now.

While this was certainly not my favorite year, you all made it so much better. I raise my glass to you and wish for us all a happy, healthy, successful, peaceful new year. May 2017 bring us many beautiful things like art and dance and music and other cultures and dogs and interesting characters and laughs and Etsy fails and good surprises (and a lot fewer celebrity deaths, please)!

Now, it’s time for my annual New Year’s song. Sing along if you know the words!

My dear acquaintance, it’s so good to know you
For strength of your hand
That is loving and giving
And a happy new year
With love overflowing
With joy in our hearts
For the blessed new year

Raise your glass and we’ll have a cheer
For us all who are gathered here
And a happy new year to all that is living
To all that is gentle, kind, and forgiving
Raise your glass and we’ll have a cheer
My dear acquaintance, a happy new year

All of those who are hither and yonder
With love in our hearts
We grow fonder and fonder
Hail to those who we hold so dear
And hail to those who are gathered here

And a happy new year to all that is living
To all that is gentle, young, and forgiving
Raise your glass and we’ll have a cheer
My dear acquaintance, a happy new year
Happy new year!

Written by Peggy Lee and Paul William Roger Horner

Happy New Year, my darlings.

Much love,

Donna