My cousin hosted the extended family holiday gathering last night, and it was great fun. Unfortunately one of my cousins and a couple of in-laws were under the weather and opted out—hopefully they're all on the mend. The apple pie I baked was ugly, but a success in terms of reviews.

The funniest part of the evening was the host's much-loved and pampered dog carrying her food bowl around to all the guests as if she were a hungry stray: [link]

I’m at work. Little bit of snow and freezing rain this morning, but roads were fine.

Tomorrow I’ve invited some otherwise alone people over to sit and visit. I have knitting and board games and a puzzle if people are interested.

The 26th mac gets his cast off and moves to a walking boot. Praise be to the blessed walking boot. I’m over all the trips up and down stairs for meals and water refills.

Matt, that's hilarious. That poor Dickensian dog.

msbelle, that shouldn't happen again, but if it does, Mom has always found rather a Command Post approach to be most helpful, ie, leaving out multiple things at once. (although that wasn't too nice the year with all the gnats)

My father apparently discovered "Fairytale of New York" last year when Shane MacGowan died and decided it was a good time to play it for me, not that I'm objecting. (Oh, it's in the context of an article about other musicians' favorite Christmas songs.)

Now 1 of 3 people in the whole building for our last hour.

We just arrived in Yardley at my sister's house after successful hugs and gift-drop at my nephew's. I have to wrap presents, but we're having takeout Indian first.

We’re having fancy tea at the Drake and debated asking the carolers for Fairytale of New York.

We took an emergency trip to the Apple Store to get my friend a new phone after she (entirely sober!) dropped hers in the hot tub last night. But other than that we’ve been snacking on a charcuterie board her fam sent, and hanging out by the pool. Now she’s puzzling, the rest of us are reading, and we are going to get ice cream and drive to a Christmas lights neighborhood later. Maybe watch some “Finding Mr Christmas”, an amazing hallmark reality competition to find a new leading man (the winner was awful and his movie terrible, but we liked the show and want to share with the friends who got here after we watched it!)

a link

msbelle, I highly recommend this gizmo for Mac and his boot.

the boot makes your leg longer than ever, and unless you have a shoe that can already match the height. So, you have an imbalance that can be awkward and painful.

This gizmo was a game changer for me.