Meanwhile

'Tis the season to be cooking.

This year's Christmas feast: crown roast of pork, stuffed with sausage, apples, apricots, cranberries and onion; mashed potatos and green beans, salad, pumpkin pudding, Bishop's cake and butterscotch ice cream. Also shortbread, just cause I feel like it. I do a lot of cooking at this time of year just because I feel like it. I have abandoned svelte for the time being, obviously.

I feel unusually organized (virtually all presents acquired and wrapped) and disorganized at the same time. It's Christmas Eve, how could it all be so done? The best part will be the girls catapulting themselves onto our bed at far-too-early-o'clock tomorrow morning. Second best part will be everyone sitting around at the table tomorrow afternoon. Family coming from afar (well, an hour's drive north). It'll be swell.

May you all celebrate the dark of the winter and the return of the light, the birth of Christ or the miracles of the lights or whatever celebration brings you joy, in peace and warmth.