Hope you all had a merry one!

Our trip up to Clovis to visit some friends for Christmas dinner went smoothly and we had a good deal of fun playing several games with them and stuffing our faces and meeting a number of their family.

It rained the entire day, and stayed rather chilly, so it felt almost like being back east this year, without the hassle of airports. Driving back yesterday in the late afternoon with a crystal-clear sky full of silver-lined clouds against the setting sun struck a nice note.

Santa didn't neglect our chimney this year. He and others brought me a wet saw for cutting stone tile (no more excuses for not doing the bathroom floor and patio now!), and a year's membership in the iGourmet Connoisseur's Club. Also: a couple of Monty Python movies on DVD, a game called Pizarro & Co., a CD, sheepskin slippers, iBook speakers, two silk shirts, lots of food (shortbread, maple sugar, spicy snacks, ice wine, mustard, etc.)

Thanks, Santa and friends!