Martha Stewart, eat your heart out. I made a huge batch of gingerbread, decorated all of the cookies and hung them on the tree. It looks just adorable. Everybody told me �Oh, it�s a bad idea� the dog will get into it�, but he�s a good little guy and so far has done no more than occasionally sniff it. He has his own treats, I don�t think he�s even noticed as yet that there�s food on the tree. I also made chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, and a batch of Rice Krispie squares. Then I took some pine-scent essential oil to give us that real-tree smell, and I have the kettle on for hot chocolate with marshmallows and brandy. Tomorrow, I�ll go to the Farmer�s Market first thing in the AM to pick up a turkey breast for my companions at dinner (just not enough people coming this year to make it worth getting a whole bird) and some vegetables to go with it. I�ll start some of the dinner preparations when I get home tomorrow- peel and dice potatoes, tear up the bread and set it out for the stuffing, that sort of thing. I still have a few more batches of cookies to make- I have to make a batch of chocolate butterscotch and a batch of wheat germ & chicken flavour for my dog and his girlfriend across the street. I think we may just go see a movie Christmas day- I�ve always wanted to do that, but it�s always been so busy and hectic Christmas day, I�ve never had the chance. This year I�m not having nearly so many over for dinner, so it will be a much quieter day. Considering I�m working Christmas Eve, then right back to my usual work schedule the day after Christmas, I can use a restful holiday.

When I had accomplished enough that I felt I deserved a break, I lay on the couch and watched the Muppets� Christmas special on TV- the one where the Swedish Chef wants to cook Big Bird as the turkey, and Kermit and Robin visit the Fraggles. Classic stuff. I�ll be going to bed shortly, probably pop in the video of the Charlie Brown Christmas and wind down watching that. Might as well get what rest I can, considering I have an awfully long day beginning very early tomorrow.

Goodnight, all� and God Bless Us�

Every One.