I hope the appointment goes smoothly, Theodosia.

Dinner for my sister and BiL went well. I might put a tad more salt in the butternut squash Alfredo next time, but it’s a recipe that’s easy enough for each person to season to taste. Yesterday I joined my sister at my nephew and niece-in-law’s place for cookie making. The older grandnephew is 3, so we wanted to get him started on the whole Christmas cookie thing. He was into it for a goodly while, possibly because the stand mixer was involved.

Today I had work, and after that I dove right into prep for the Christmas Eve party my niece-in-law’s parents throw every year. I’ve been going for years, but this is the first time I’ve had a kitchen of my own to work in before hand. So I’ve made sugared cranberries and two kinds of brittle—pecan and almond. Whole lotta sugar going down tonight. It’s very satisfying.

Shir lives in Jerusalem and Nilly is north of Tel Aviv - neither live close to where the missile landed in Jaffa, thankfully.

Oh, I have that mixed up!

Just finished my Christmas shopping. Just about four hours, so not bad. Store was not at all crowded, and I saw lots of pretty house lights on the way there and back.

Tomorrow, we get up earlyish to tidy for my friend who is dog and cat sitting, then we drive to elder nephew's house (about an hour) for hugs and presents (mostly for the grand niblings -- nephew and wife have graduated to a Harry & David gift -- basically, I'm carrying on my mom's tradition of sending those)... and pick up the presents to take up to my other sister's place, which is another three hours or so.

Supposed to be icy in the morning, so we may leave later than planned, but it doesn't really matter. No real schedule of activities.

Coming back on Thursday after brunch with DH's mom. (She'll spend holiday with other son and grandkids while we're at my sister's; works out well).

I am off work for the next 9 days! Yay! Except I promised to check my email every day because D, who is acting for me, does not have the best judgment. I'm hoping nothing important comes up.

tonight I need to roast a bunch of veggies (that would otherwise wilt), and make shortbread, and maybe start a challah.

However right now I am on the couch with a dog on my knees and an old fashioned next to me, and I don't really want to move...

However right now I am on the couch with a dog on my knees and an old fashioned next to me, and I don't really want to move...

Good strategy.

I just had a Buffista visit with Hayden, who was out to California visiting some family. He brought along his friends Paul and Heather, and his son Abe.

So I showed them around Haight Street and the neighborhood, and when we got shut out of finding a restaurant we just came back to my house and we shared some champagne, cheese and crackers. Matilda sat in with us during the conversation eating her DoorDashed Udon noodles.

I guess I have all the presents that are going to arrive on time and I'm just not going to stress about the late arrivals. Everybody will have something.

That sounds like a lovely evening! What's not to like about champagne, cheese, and crackers?

The shortbread is chilling in the fridge. I will make challah tomorrow.