As we reach the end of 2011, I thought I'd share some of my most popular blog posts. This year had many joyous occasions as well as some not so fun ones, such as when my dear French Bulldog, Francesca, accidentally hit me in the face!

I returned home from my trips to Cartagena, Colombia, South America, and Orlando, Florida on Tuesday night, right before the predicted snowstorm. I unpacked, sorted my stuff, and played with the dogs. I planned to get into New York City that night, so I would not be delayed in the morning by the snowfall – twenty inches were forecast! I had a 7:00AM call at the Today Show and a 9:00AM call for the Martha Show. As I leaned down to whisper goodbye to a dozing Francesca, I must have startled her, because she bolted upright with such force that she hit me in the face like a boxing glove hitting an opponent’s face. I was entirely startled and my neck snapped back. I felt a bit of whiplash as blood gushed forth from my split lip. Frannie was as upset as I was and cowered in her bed.

Rushing to a mirror, I realized it was a pretty serious gash. I called Alexis and asked her to call the hospital to get a plastic surgeon to the emergency room. I called the police to ask for a ride to the hospital, forgetting that Carlos, my driver was waiting to drive me into the city. Carlos and Betsy Perreten, my stable manager, packed me into the car and we drove in the falling snow the few miles to the emergency room in Northern Westchester Hospital, my wonderful neighborhood medical center. When we arrived, I was instructed to lie down and wait until the plastic surgeon on call, Dr. William Nolan, could get there from his nearby home. The pictures tell the rest of the story. Thank you, Betsy, for taking the photos. Thank you Carlos, Alexis, and Mike. Thanks to the hospital staff for their prompt and professional attention and of course, Thank you, Dr. Nolan!

[albumid id=StitchingMeUp]