My wrapping is about 2/3 done. I'm not as far along as I usually am this late in the season, but I'm not panicked since the major events of the season are behind us and I have some large blocks of time to work on it the next couple of days.

Yesterday was our Cookie Day. You know, the day when you are liable to slide across the floor on sugar ball bearings until late at night when you find the last culprits against the toekicks? We had a great time and WAY more cookies than anyone needs. And happy grandchildren :-)

And yes, I'm loving my 22qt roaster oven. This morning we took it to church with two 13 lb. turkeys sitting snugly beside one another, cooked to perfection. So nice to be able to cook, transport, and keep them warm in the same vessel. Great buy this year.

Is it just me, or are there a lot fewer Christmas lights up this year? Maybe it's just San Antonio?

We're back in the process of trying to decide about remodeling the kitchen. Part of the kitchen island has fallen apart and more of it is ready to "go"...so we're asking ourselves whether it's worth it to replace JUST the island or go ahead and do the whole kitchen since we are planning to do that within the next couple of years anyway. And then, should we wait until spring when it's warm enough to do some cooking and meal prep outside? And how much of the work to do ourselves, etc. etc. etc....

Here are some end-of-year charitable thoughts--who's more generous, conservatives or liberals?

Only ten more days to complete my "Books Finished in 2008" list. As I look over the list, I'm pleased with the mix and plan to read a similar mixture next year--classics, newer fiction, non-fiction, devotional, theological. Maybe I'll even start writing one :-)

What was YOUR favorite book this year? Share in the comments. I need suggestions for the New Year!

This morning's sermon at our church focused on "Emanuel"--God with us. The miracle and the gift of the Incarnation is the essence of our faith...a God who loved me enough to dwell with me, not just in spirit but in the flesh. I was born at a time in history when I didn't have to wait for His coming in the sense of those who lived before His earthly birth. But we experience yearly the remembrance of the waiting of the human race for His coming, and we experience daily the wait for His final coming. As I wait in the year 2009, may I ever "walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." (1 Thessalonians 2:12)

May you and your families and loved ones have a joyful, peaceful, thoughtful Christmas this week!

Labels: Books, Good Stuff, Grandkids, Holidays, Homemaking, Social Observation