Phew!

Christmas cards in the mail? Check!
Christmas packages shipped? Check! (unless I decide now to send more people presents)
Christmas shopping done? Check!
Cooking for the company potluck tomorrow done? Almost! (I made the upside down cranberry cake from this month's Everyday Food, and I'm in the process of making the sugared cranberries from Cooking Light. Those need to soak in sugar syrup overnight) Yum!
Yankee Swap gift wrapped? Check!

I've got a few more things to wrap, and then I should be good to go. This is especcially nice since I have next week off, and now I can spand that time working on house projects and with my girl, making sure she's all properly revved up for the holiday. Yippee!

I've really enjoyed Christmas shopping this year. I had good ideas for almost everyone, and I'm letting go of the angst for the few I didn't, and they're getting Borders gift certificates. I know how much I truly love getting GC's, so I'm going with that. Makes my life a lot less stressed out. We had a good year this year, too, which has meant I've felt more relaxed about my shopping budget. Amazing how that makes everything easier =)

A few random people we don't normally exchange gifts with are getting little "thinking of you" presents this year. I hope this doesn't make anyone feel obligated to reciprocate. I just felt like spreading some love and joy around to other people, that's all. It'll make me sad if this stresses people out instead of bringing the joy of unexpected gifts.

Widget sent out some Christmas cards of her own too. Last year when I picked up cards, I found these cute Maisy cards. I bought a box, figuring my MiL would like one, and my Dad maybe. Widget got completely into coloring the cards very carefully, taking a lot of time for each one. There were ten, and she colored them all. So the grandparents got some, and the rest I sent out to kids-of-friends (including some in LJ land) mostly because I remember what a thrill it was to get cards addressed to *me* when I was a little kid.

We're getting our tree on Saturday. I can't wait to decorate it with Widget. *vibrate*

Gah.

It's 1:15. How did that happen? I must go to bed. eeeep.

One last thought

How something (ironic isn't the right word, can't think of the right one) would it be for me to go to Washington to participate in the March for Choice...

on Widget's birthday?

Company Christmas party. Yay!

That was fun. Waaaaaaay too much food. The New Jennifer's BBQ pork was fantastic, as was Mindy's hot dog casserole, and Shani's Sweet potato pah, and well, pretty much everything else. My cake came out yummy. More like shortbread than real cake, and it could use some kind of sauce to drizzle over it. The sugared cranberries were a hit, even though I didn't think they came out quite right. I'm making another batch, I think these will be better.

I even got a cool present in the Yankee Swap - a little kit for making your own flavored oils or vinegars. Three bottles, all the stuff you need to seal them up, and a recipe book. That'll be a fun project for some wintery afternoon.

Looking forward to whuffle's birthday cookie party this weekend. Hoping that a few people I haven't seen in an age (like, say dchenes and navraze) will be there. I have oodles of Christmas presents to distribute, many to people who will be at the party. I expect it would be rude to highjack her *birthday* party for Christmas presents though, so I think I shall make other arrangements.

Oh! And the lovely Miss Shani bought me Boondocks books for Christmas. I am very pleased. I must see if my favorite one ever is in either book.

Friday Five

1. List your five favorite beverages.
Gin martini, dirty, with extra olives
Iced coffee from DD when it's just right
Diet Coke (not so much a favorite, more of a constant)
Water, ice cold
Well made margarita, on the rocks, with salt


2. List your five favorite websites.
www.livejournal.com
www.tomatonation.com
www.salon.com
www.knittersreview.com
the Weymouth public library's catalog pages

3. List your five favorite snack foods.
warmed brie with good bread or crackers
triscuits
grape tomatoes
Cool ranch doritos
pistachios

4. List your five favorite board and/or card games.
Munchkin
Gin rummy
Apples to Apples
Trivial Pursuit
backgammon (although it's been SO long, I've forgotten how to play)

5. List your five favorite computer and/or game system games.
Tetris
Minesweeper
Alchemy
Bookworn
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