While living in New Orleans, I adopted the custom of leaving my Christmas tree up until the Twelfth Night after Christmas, which is also the first night of Carnival. This date has also become my benchmark for clearing out the old year and bringing in the new. I took so many photos of wonderful sights in the last month that I have to share with you before midnight, in keeping with the tradition of starting the party fresh.

Behold more slices of life that I was fortunate to experience in 2010, as I wish you a fantastic new year!