I hope everyone had a safe and joyful holiday. Because of having family here to celebrate with us, we had more presents around the tree this year than in the last five or six years combined. In spite of the fact that we never did decorate the tree, well, except for one little red cardinal ornament that Mom and I got when we bought something at Coldwater Creek before Christmas, the tree looked divine. Ricki’s certainly been enjoying the tree. She rubs at the lower branches every chance she gets, and after we’d opened all our presents, she curled up under its branches for a nap. Sweet kitty.

I felt like I scored. I knew what my aunt and uncle were getting me, at least mostly. I picked it out myself at Crate and Barrel. Love their kitchen toys! Mom gave Dave and I each a nice warm vest. Fran loved the scarf I knit, and my uncle is looking forward to getting the short brown scarf that I promised from the pima cotton I’d bought. Dave loved the finished stocking I surprised him with. I had Summer Truswell sew it up for me. The velvet I sent along worked perfectly with the colors in the stocking, and she did a capital job putting his name on it, sewing it up, and adding a colorful cord edging. For some reason I don’t have a picture of that for you yet. I’ll get one soon, and post it. Mom loves the yarn and the pattern I started for the smoke ring. The sheep stitch markers kind of confused her, but when I explained what they were she liked the whole scarf idea better. If the sheep were a permanent part of the smoke ring it would be rather awkward, wouldn’t it?

In addition to the stuff from my mom and aunt and uncle, I totally scored with stuff from dear Dave. He got me a CD of a current county guy that I really like—honestly, I can’t remember who he is right now, and would go get all the details for you, but to do that I’d have to admit that I’m not actually working down here in my office, and I need the break! I got a few other little things. And. The best part. Four knitting books that were on my wish list! I completely see what the fuss has been about Victorian Lace Today. Oh my. It’s gorgeous. The only real problem will be deciding which one to tackle first! He also got me Nicky Epstein’s Knitting on the Edge, Nancy Bush’s Knitting on the Road, and the Yarn Harlot’s At Knit’s End. Score.

Dave and Aunt Fran cooked up a storm. They started by making pies and other assorted things on Sunday, and cooked almost all day on Christmas. In her spare time, my aunt ironed the table cloth for me (I’m pitiful at it); Mom and Fran set the table. We started the dinner with shrimp cocktail—doesn’t it look awesome in the Clio martini glasses?—and a Gloria Ferrer rose sparkling wine. Yum. Then came the roast beast and all the yummy stuff to go along with. Both apple and pumpkin pie came a little later. Totally yummy. Yes, I helped. I made the garlic mashed potatoes, and did a lot of washing and prepping and finding the right serving dish and spoon for each part of the meal as it was ready. It’s amazing how much time all that takes.

We all had a lovely day. I hope you did, too. Ricki certainly enjoyed herself.