Living

January is here. The time of year when everyone has some sort of resolution that generally ends by February/March.

It's time for New Year's resolutions, so like many this time of year, you are probably spending more time at the gym.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Most salamanders reproduce by laying eggs, but the alpine salamander doesn't. Females of that species give birth to live young after long pregnancies that may last three years.

We all have them. Packets of synthetic drug store lashes – impulse bought, of course – that languish in the bottoms of our bathroom drawers, ill-fitting or intimidating, and unused.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) "Hell is the suffering of being unable to love," wrote novelist J. D. Salinger. Using that definition, I'm happy to announce that you have a good chance of avoiding hell altogether in 2015.

Like most people, I am a sucker for love. Romantic love is a force. It takes you over. It is the pumping artery that fuels all other emotions. We live in a culture of love. It informs us. I will never forget the moment I lost my first true love.

I often come across dishes I love, but have no story for them. I don’t know where to include them but I want people to know about them. These are not necessarily holiday specific, but with the extra free time I’d make them priorities.

I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy some truly excellent meals this year. Some have been at restaurants that I subsequently wrote about for this publication, others have been at “off-book” meals with friends at older establishments.

I’m a bit of a décor addict. While I have my signature style, I cannot resist the temptation to swap out the “feel” of my home with changing moods, design advancements, and seasons.

Excess is just about to reach a fever pitch, so don’t stop now. I have a number of musts on my indulgence list and I intend to cross all of them off by Jan. 1.