I get the Just Crosstitch annual Christmas ornament issue and try to make at least one to give as a gift. Being me, I adapt them some, either to suit my taste, the taste of the recipient, or because I can't get something the pattern specifies. (This is how I nearly went blind trying to stitch a 36-count ornament.)

Teppy, I'm so behind in bitches, but I just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear about The Alchemist.

Aw, thanks! It's rough. They plan to rebuild, but it's still a huge loss.

The squirrels in DC are, well, spoiled. Tourists can't resist feeding them and photographing them. They (the squirrels) will get pushy about food. And the albino ones in Franklin Square even more so - I was once walking through the square drinking coffee and one came up and practically perched on my toe waiting for me to feed it.

When a former roomie and I visited the Mall we passed a tree full of chattering squirrels over by the Vietnam Memorial, and an obese one that looked like the animatronic gopher from Caddyshack actually came running up to our feet in hope of being fed. Its boldness had obviously paid off in treats, if not cardiovascular health.

We used to cut our own Christmas trees when we lived in Maine, when I was a kid. It was an era before laws, I think. But damn balsam firs smell good; no other Christmas tree will do for me.

Kathy, are you collecting a particular type of ornament?

No, nothing in particular, just getting them when I see something I like! I've got everything from a few Jim Shore ornaments to a gorgeous handmade wood one I got at an artisan's center in South Carolina to Tiny Tim on Bob Cratchit's shoulder that I bought at the Goodman Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol to several cross stitch, felt, beading, and needlepoint ones I've made myself, and several Waterford ones I bought at the Irish shop in the mall when I worked at Waldenbooks back in the '90s (they would go on sale the week after Xmas and I'd drop in and grab them up since they were half off).

If I see a Christmas store, I'll pop in and poke around until I see something that I must have.

I have gotten a lot of older 1950s-60s glass ornaments at thrift shops, often for ridiculously cheap. Yard sales are also good. Of course, I have an ornament problem, and could probably trim three trees.

FYI, some of these are the kits I just bought to make for gifts and myself this year.

oh, pretty! some of the Santa/St. Nick ones look a bit like Jim Shore ornaments.

I used to collect Xmas ornaments as keepsakes from wherever I went on travels. They were small and easy to pack and having them meant the tree was full of stories. That was until I married The Jew. Non-practicing though he may be, a tree is where he draws the line. I have channeled my Xmas frenzy into stuff like snowglobes and garlands for the mantels. My fave decoration is three holiday cards from the '20s I framed in white frames. I put them our on a table and they look so cool and pretty.

Aren't those Santa faces terrific? I was thinking about getting those, but instead, I went with some of the ones on the top of the first page, and several of the word ones on the later pages (loved the "Naughty" and "Nice" ones!). I've already made the musical instruments that are on the final page earlier this year.