Christmas Countdown

December is here, and it means business. The day started out rainy and windy and cold. Now it's just windy and cold. It's the windy that gets me. Makes me want to stay inside with a warm beverage and knit.

This year, our family is trying a new Christmas tradition...the Advent calendar Christmas countdown. Each day, we'll unveil a little treat or activity as we get ready for the Big Day. The goal of this is to make sure we stop down and spend at least a little family time each day not being frantic. Daphne is excited about it, and can't wait for Kev to get home from work so she can open the first bag. Day 1's bag contains some Snoopy Hot Chocolate Mixes, and a note that instructs us to listen to Charlie Brown Christmas music while we drink it. It's a perfect day for it.

A bonus December 1st treat is one I wasn't expecting. My friend Tracy travelled to NY for Thanksgiving and brought me back a bottle of the best egg nog on the planet from the Ronnybrook Dairy Farm. I highly recommend trying to find some of this stuff if you are anywhere in New York. The Ronnybrook website has a list of places that sell their products, one of which is a coffee shop down the street from Kev's parents' house called Cranberry's. You can bet I'll be stopping in there next time we're in Hyde Park. This stuff is like a milk shake. So thick and creamy. Yum. Plus, it comes in a really cool glass bottle, which will be holding some peonies in the Spring. So, thanks to Tracy for the Happy December gift.

I hope your month is off to a good start. Stay tuned as we continue the experimental countdown tomorrow...