Congratulations to Megan Marie, who won the random number giveaway of this gorgeous necklace from DeadFlowersShop, courtesy of our own Holley/Ms. Mouse. Megan wrote that she could see this piece working as a headband, too--send me a saucy photo when you pull it off, Megan! Also, send me your information and I'll pass it along to Holley. Hooray!

You can also see Holley's gorgeous wedding on Souris Mariage, here.

Some weeks I just feel like a cactus growing out of a roof. I go from structured to unstructured time and the wheels fall off the wagon. I just have to remember there is sunlight up there, somewhere, and soil, far down below. I have to remember that tenuous roots in sand, in shingles will take hold and anchor me through drought and monsoon. And that I belong here, even if I feel out of place.

And then words will come.

(Photo, me, Tucson)

This used to be my favorite sweater in college. It was my grandmother's during World War Two. I had my blonde hair cut short, and it was dyed this rich chestnut brown, and I was dressing vintage and French. I wore pearl studs and nighties. It was a different moment. Anyway, the sweater is one of the only pieces that moved from that fashion moment to this one, and it is falling apart. The dry cleaner won't touch it anymore, afraid of upsetting its beading.
See? "Hand Decorated" scares dry cleaners. So a million years ago I was whining to Mama Mouse about this. Know what she turned up with on her way through Chicago last night?
Oh yes. It's a pretty damn good replica, I think. It's cashmere. She found it on sale, marked down about eighty percent. He-Mouse said, "Wow, it sort of looks like a grandma sweater."

I replied, "That's why I wear it over a teensy lacy camisole."

His eyes lit up.

I may have to cut all my hair off and dye it brown.

Welcome to the simplified pork roast:
1. Get long, skinny pork tenderloins.
2. Wrap them in prosciutto, overlapping the slices so the pork is completely encased.
3. Drizzle with good honey (we used North Georgia wildflower honey, but any good honey will do).
4. Roast at 425 degrees for 35 minutes, or until just cooked through.
5. Rest five minutes.
6. Slice and serve.

Seriously. Easy, and accolades like you wouldn't believe. I recommend serving it with mac and cheese and a spicy arugula salad. Enjoy.

Adapted from here.
(Photo is before it cooks, don't worry.)

So do you guys have recirculating Christmas gifts? We have two infamous such things. One is a horribly jingly jingle bell on a red silk cord, decorated with a red ruffle. The bell is passed back and forth each year, always disguised. The bell might come to you in a large box, a heavy box, an expensive-looking box. This year it came to me in an Easter egg.

The other circulating gift is more, um, intimate...
Yep, that's Tiny Niece wearing heirloom Billy Bob Teeth.

Here is an elf owl. We met at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. His face is about two inches across.
And here is a javelina. Ja ja ja ja javelina. They tickle me so.

Hey micies! This week we're giving away something from a brand new Etsy shop! Go check out Holley/Ms. Mouse's new headbands and necklaces at DeadFlowersShop, and leave a comment about which is your favorite. Give her some feedback--she's just starting out! I'll randomly choose a winner on Friday. Huzzah!

By the way, you all may know Holley from her gorgeous wedding, here (certainly a testament to her style).