Rudolph Goes to Arizona

How are you all doing with the holiday craziness? I'm doing quite well, I must say. I sort of enjoy the hustle-bustle of the season--probably because I'm an over-prepared Virgo who often has half of my list done way early and because we always just stay here for Christmas. Pretty easy. I will say I haven't baked hardly anything this year--one measly batch of Christmas Snickerdoodles and some Christmas Crunch--normally I do a few varieties of cookie and have them all on plates ready to give away. With Digby this year, I just haven't had the time. And you know, I don't feel the least bit guilty about it. Maybe that's yet another 40 thing? I don't know, but I like it!

One thing I've really been enjoying this Christmas is Sullivan's story-writing. His love of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer has inspired many an illustrated book. His latest depicts himself and Rudolph digging all the way to Arizona, even with me saying that I miss him. I am amazed as I see what he comes up with...in this story he actually draws a house on page after page, getting smaller and smaller as he gets farther and farther from it. How did he know about perspective like that?! His little mind never ceases to amaze me. At any given time I'll look in his room and see this sight...Sullivan working hard at his desk surrounded by paper. I love it.

Check out this lovely early Christmas gift I received from Lisa! Inspired by our trip to YUM Bakery I'm sure, she bought me a couple of these hand-blown glasses. (I could make a dirty joke here, I but I won't.) YUM serves coffee in them and also sells them at their shop. They keep the coffee nice and hot, but you don't feel it on your hands. They are the coolest! (no pun intended!) A definite gift recommendation for anyone on your list. Oooh, just lookit the steam coming off that cuppa Jo! Doesn't it just make you want some??