As we nudge into the new year, I am sitting here nibbling on my last morsel of chocolate that my niece Anna brought from Holland. The delicious confections only amounted to six luscious tidbits, but half a piece a day has kept me awfully happy.

We also noshed on salmon from Scotland -- washed down with icy French champagne -- homemade pound cake from our new in-laws in Estill, and, on Christmas Eve, had our whole family together for my Buckingham gumbo.

This has been one of the loveliest Christmases I can remember in some time. Our year-old granddaughter Patterson was a delight, being of an age untarnished by the need of things. We relished in the joy of her being a fun-loving baby.

We have lots to be thankful for and are eager to meet our new granddaughter, which the stork is bringing in February. Will and Dorothy are expecting their first child, so next Christmas there will be one more place at our table. Thank you to all our family for the wonderful goodies we shared and thanks most of all for the memories.

Happy New Year everybody!

I love clothes and fashion. One item of attire, often overlooked, are what I call evening clothes.

My evening clothes are what one wears to lounge around in or what one sleeps (or not) in. It was "coup de foudre," love at first sight, for me when I found Toute la Nuit clothing. The company, based in San Francisco, makes what I think are beautiful reasonable ensembles for homewear. Actually some of them could hit the street. There are robes, tap pants (my fave) and gowns.

Check them out maybe for a nifty Valentine present for yourself -- I bet your husband won't mind.

The Parish Church of St. Helena in Beaufort is celebrating its 300th anniversary next year. Tricentennial planners have invited the Lord Bishop of London to the opening service celebration Jan. 22.

The Rev. Richard Chartres officiated at the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton this past summer. St. Helena Church was built in 1724. Before the church was built, the three-county territory was serviced by one rector. This is the way The Church of The Cross and churches in Ridgeland, Estill and other small towns near Bluffton in the Episcopal faith had services until about 25 years ago. It would be interesting to attend the service with the Lord Bishop I think -- and fun to meet him, if possible.

Babbie Guscio is the social columnist for The Bluffton Packet. She can be reached at The Store on Calhoun Street.