It's the most wonderful time of the year!

You can hear the music, can't you? I love this time of year. The weather, the lights, the food, and my favorite: the Christmas Tree. For the holidays, we give ourselves permission to eat more, spend more, and hug more. I enjoy the innocence of children and how their eyes light up when you talk about Santa Claus.

Since I like decorations a lot (hello....jewelry designer!!!), my favorite holiday tradition is decorating the Christmas Tree. I love the smell of pine, the lights, and most of all, the ornaments. In my country of origin we did not have real trees. They were nice but fake, and they did not smell very well after a year in a box somewhere in the house. Since I came to the U.S. I decided to buy a real tree every year (I recycle it and I know the growers are planting more). I started with some minor ornaments and lights, but the collection has grown significantly. Every year I buy one or two "dated" ornaments and whenever I go to a new city I buy one. My sons have helped grow the collection with their handmade ornaments made in art classes. They feel very proud hanging them in the tree. Decorating the tree is a flashback of all those special moments, new baby, new class, new house, vacations.

Here are some of my favorite ornaments.

Happy Holidays!!!!

December Birthstone: TURQUOISE

Turquoise is one of the first stones to be mined. it was a sacred stone for ancient Egyptians and Native Americans. The name means "Turkish stone" as it came to Europe by way of Turkey. Some of the most amazing turquoise is found in Arizona.

Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum. Even the finest of turquoise is subject to fracture, reaching a maximum hardness of just under 6 in the Mosh scale of hardness (slightly more than window glass).

Turquoise has long been used as a powerful protection stone against harm, an amulet for travelers and a good luck stone; also believed to protect from fears and nightmares. Turquoise is great for mental clarity. It helps with clear communications - Turquoise helps us to communicate our desires with others and to be clear about what we want.

Enjoy!