Feeling a bit festive

Monday, 5:06 pm

By Kate

Dec

08

2008

My Christmas shopping is completed. It all appears to be in transit today and the last package should arrive on my doorstep by Friday. Not even a stocking stuffer left to find. I’m done! Whoo! Perhaps the first time ever that I’ve been completely finished this early. Of course, after compiling a list, it only took about 20 minutes to place the orders through Amazon...with one little foray into Steve Jobs’ little domain. Somebody’s gonna have a cool Christmas. I’m envious!!

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The front of the house is decorated. All the icicle lights are strung and the kissing balls hung. Along with a couple of wreaths. My neighbor gets so excited about decorating for Christmas. She makes it a lot of fun because she simply radiates happiness during the process. I think we look quite festive. And no inflated characters or whatnot sitting in the front yard. Thank heavens.

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I have found the most delicious recipe for gingerbread! It is dark and rich and moist and oh my gosh, just this side of paradise. Maybe one foot over into paradise. There is a half devoured loaf on my counter. The rest may not make into tomorrow, either. I’ll have to make some more. Oh my word, it is so good. A pot of tea and fresh gingerbread on a cold day...life is good, indeed.

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Today is a very cold day. With the wind, we were looking at about a 2° wind chill. When outside in it, I can appreciate the wind chill factor. Or not. I had to go outside and reattach and anchor the tarp over the woodpile this morning. The raging wind peeled it off last night, which, fortunately, happened after the snow stopped. Still dry wood. I swear that tarp will not budge an inch now, no matter how the winds howl. I also brought about a week and a half supply of wood in the house. Somewhere around 130 logs, filling two wood racks. The wood may last even longer—we’re supposed to have a couple of days near 60° later this week.

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Sometime, in the next week, I’ll be making my annual trek to Pennsylvania to collect the lad. As of yesterday, he hadn’t received his exam schedule, so I’m not sure yet which day I’ll be leaving. Sometime between Friday and the following Tuesday. I’m so happy that the price of gasoline has dropped to a four year low. I filled the tank this afternoon and it cost the grand sum of $16. That means a pretty cheap trip coming up. I can live with that. It will be nice to have the lad home. Very.