Solstice!

We made it through the shortest day (whew!) and by a few nano-seconds a day the light is increasing. At least that's what I'm told; so far I can't feel it. We had glorious sun yesterday and part of today, but those clouds have rolled back in and the warmth is a memory already. At least I was able to photograph Cassie's west window efforts just as the sun was going down Sunday, with that wonderful blazing orb warming up the cold landscape colors - the promise of better times to come. A good thing the camera was handy, too, because overnight it got so cold that her drawing "sweated" right off! She's already at work on another masterpiece.

Our friend Sammy came back for a visit yesterday so the front door took some serious licks. She worked over what was already there - I'll post that one next.

I hope everyone is not as far behind as I am on the Christmas stuff. Tomorrow will be my first (and only) shopping trip, probably to the local country store and maybe the grocery store. Need a quickie gift (besides a PiCassieO or something from our store)? Fold a 12" x 16" piece of fabric into a rectangle 6" x 16", sew the sides leaving a 1" opening for turning, fill it with about 1 1/2 lbs. of white rice, stitch up the hole, and voila - you have a wonderful present! When microwaved for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, it makes the greatest heat pad (and comforter) since you can shape it to whatever part needs it. Makes a good ice pack too if you put it in the freezer. That's why I need to stop in at the grocery store, for a cheap bag of rice. Ho Ho Ho!