I've just finished wrapping Patrick's presents and packing his stocking jam-full-to-overflowing (exactly as it should be! there's an art to stocking-packing, as I've discovered in the last several years). Patrick is still upstairs wrapping my presents. Maya is lying next to me on the couch, the Christmas tree is sparkling with lights across the room, and Christmas carols are playing through my laptop.

This morning our houseguests left for Christmas down South, and this afternoon we had a wonderful, festive Christmas Eve lunch over at a good friend's house. Tomorrow will be just for the three of us, and there'll be presents under the tree, a lentils-veggies-&-red-wine pie, Christmas pudding and mince pies (and a special Jumbone for Maya). And for once, I won't be visiting the internet! So I'll send my Christmas wishes now.

Have a wonderful, merry Christmas, everyone who celebrates it! And to everyone else, I wish a wonderful, relaxing day, off work, I hope, and free to just relax with the people you love.

I love this season!