*sigh* First Holiday Wave Down and a Gazillion to go . . .

Wow, I don't know about you all, but we hit the ground running last week.  Some recipes worked, some didn't.  Some will be placed in the 'keeper' file, while others will be burned.  But I have to admit that no matter how things turned out, it was fun. 

After all the family gatherings, visiting, cooking, wine imbibing, it was odd when we were left to our own devices on Saturday.  I didn't feel good (weird weather and residual cold), so hubster went outside to rake up a few leaves . . . nine bags later, the yard is almost ready for the winter season.  We've had a few cold snaps, but not all my perennials have died back.  One or two more freezing days should take care of them and I'll pull them up. I still need to plant about three flats of pansies, one flat would be used exclusively to replace the bunny eaten ones.

No one is really ready to pull out Christmas stuff, though hubster did put up the outside lights last Wednesday (it was really warm--72 degrees).  If we don't do anything else we need to get the Advent calendar out.  The kidlet opens a door each night and gets a toy, treat, ornament, etc.  Thank goodness, I bought a few things ahead of time, though we have been known to raid her Halloween candy for goodies.

We need to make a Christmas card list, brainstorm Christmas presents (I get a new set of car tires --woohoo! . . . not), and decorate.  I usually make filled candy, but right now, I'm wondering if it's worth the trouble.  Oh, some people appreciate it--in fact, they've dragged out their tins from last year in hopes I'll make them some--but I doubt if anyone realizes how much money, time, energy, and back breaking work really goes into the process. 

I guess this is the downer before the artificial Christmas spirit high.  I'll get in the mode, but right now, I'm just glad my family is relatively healthy and happy.  Maybe I need to read a few more Christmas books and turn on the iPod to Christmas carols.

And I haven't touched my novel in over ten days.  Maybe I need to get it out and reread the last few pages to figure out where I took a wrong turn. Until later . . .

Write on!