Here's what He-Mouse and I made for Christmas presents: s'mores kits topped with red felt bows, both from Twig & Thistle. I love her DIY projects--even I can D them, and that's saying something. We attached tags that say "wish we could see you s'more," which also gets us pun points with my family. The s'mores kits would make really cute favors for a fall or winter wedding, and they're inexpensive to make.

Anyway, those are just to show you. The NEWS here is that Robin, the ninth entry in the Uncommon iPod skin giveaway, has won the random number generator game! Congrats Robin, and Merry Holiday-of-Your-Choice! E-mail me your info and we'll get it in the mail. Thanks again to Plural Design for the loot.

And to all a good night.

To those of you who celebrate this holiday, here is a forest of mice (hidden in our tree) who wish you, as my grandpa used to say, a merry ho ho and happy ha ha. xo, Mouse

My mom has been very sweet about Christmas this year, since it's my first one away from home. She told me on the phone yesterday that on her first Christmas away from her family, she drank a whole bottle of champagne, by herself. I am considering this for tomorrow. He-Mouse's family has been wonderful, but I miss my mommy.

Anyway, she sent me a bunch of Christmas stuff from my childhood, including this thingie. When you light the candles, the angles spin around and make a lovely, rhythmic chime. It was my very favorite part of Christmas as a little girl. Did you guys have one?

And a Christmas elk hanging on the wall.

... Two buffalo in Santa outfits...

... Three kokopellis...

... Four palm trees...

... Fiiiiive cuuuute little cacti...

... Six turtles basking...

... Seven solar panels...

... Eight succulents suckling...

... Nine Wildcats running...

... Ten tall pointy trees...

... Eleven mummified airplanes ...

Twelve Days of Christmas in the Southwest:

Twelve pigeons sunning...

Here's an amazing live rendition of one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time, "Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis," by Tom Waits. I listen to it to remember that this is also the season when people feel their poverty, feel the cold, feel the weight of past mistakes and relationships gone awry. I try to remember about this, to send out good energy from my loving and warm holidays, to make donations to the food bank, to the shelters, to the people who are trying to get it together. I hope you will, too.

So I like to read SkyMall. Or more precisely, I like to look through SkyMall and laugh at all the ridiculous sh*t they put in there. This one is not one of the more ridiculous ones, and would not even make the top ten except for the way this unfolded. "LOOK AT THIS," I loud-whispered to He-Mouse, giggling. The guy on the other side of me sighed and turned away a bit.

"What is it?" He-Mouse asked.

"It's like a lamp or candle-thingie, in the shape of a rock."

"Oh," He-Mouse said, and then, completely seriously, informed me. "I thought it was a birthday steak."

A BIRTHDAY STEAK!

I love him.

LARA MILLER STUDIO SALE TODAY! I am not in Chicago to enjoy it, but you should head on over there if you're in town!

It's also her birthday. Many happy returns, Lara!

Sunday, December 20, 2009, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

931 W Cornelia Ave (Entrance will be through the alley behind Cornelia Ave, in between Sheffield and Halsted)

p.773.296.4442

f.773.296.2871