And so it has begun. The stockings are being hung, the stairway is decked out and presents are appearing under the tree----and some of them even have my name on them!!!! Outside, however, it is a different story. I feel like I am living on an island as our fields and yards are under water while the rain is pouring down. This may soon be turning to snow through the night however. Very strange weather!

We had some exciting news on Thanksgiving! In a carefully orchestrated operation, our youngest son proposed to his ---now---Fiancee! We knew this question was going to be asked while on a visit to the local park which gave us time to chill the bubbly. There is an official looking picture but I love the random shot. She was on the phone to her Mom, He was day dreaming, my husband was pouring Champagne for everyone and everyone was very, very Happy!

My department at work decided to have our Holiday Party early this year---and it turned out to be a great idea. No conflicts with other commitments--just a relaxing kick off to the holiday season. There is a great off-the-beaten-track jazz club downtown and that is where we congregated. Great atmosphere---brick walls in a vintage building and great music. It put us all in the holiday spirit!

Some years I really have the Christmas Spirit and other years, not so much. But this year, I am already playing Christmas Carols and making lists. My department at work decided to hold our get together early this year---before the Christmas crush begins. So it was a HUGE, wonderful surprise when I came home after the party and found my oldest son had put up our Christmas tree. HUGE surprise. And now the Christmas angel is awaiting the youngest son's Thanksgiving arrival to be placed atop the tree!!!

Another bee by-product in the making! Lip Balm. This was a lot of fun to make----but I still have a lot of beeswax left and may look into making candles.

This was my first attempt at Toltott Kaposzta--or Pigs in the Blanket---or Stuffed Cabbage. This was before they went into the big kettle with the shredded cabbage and came out pretty darn good! The toothpicks were cheater sticks. I was afraid they would come unrolled--but I carefully pulled them out before anyone swallowed them.

We are making Mead----the first known wine made by man, also known as Nectar of the Gods. It is a Honey Wine and we are novice winemakers. We should end up with 25 bottles---if we did everything correctly. The vodka isn't an ingredient. That is the fluid that goes into the airlock---the bubbler that seals the top of the bucket---or in winemaking jargon, the Carboy. Vodka is used so it doesn't grow bacteria like water would. So the carboy is now in a dark room of the basement and we will peak in and make sure the vodka is bubbling and then continue on in the process. More info later---when we take the next step!