After what seemed like the longest of lead-ins to the New Year (having holidays mid-week just throws me off completely), we’re finally here. The first month of the third decade of the twenty-first century!

It’s become a personal tradition of mine in early January to take a quick look back at the past year…in pictures, of course (isn’t this what we loved about the old Life magazine?)…evaluating the top 22 per the “likes” on my Instagram account. Let me confess that it seemed so insurmountable when I started down this “blogging” and Instagram path to produce enough images myself, but it’s become a much-enjoyed avocation. So I’ll note that all pictures shown on my “Private Newport” accounts– Blog, Instagram and Pinterest– (with the exception of a few credited photographers) are taken with my cell phone, or by my multi-talented, right hand person, Michelle Pugliese

Since “a picture is worth a thousand words” I’ll leave out the narrative and let you enjoy these top 22 images in peace and quiet.

Happy New Year…may it be a great one for you!