Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah

The ability to laugh at one's self is truly the greatest gift of all. This is for you. And a very, Merry Christmas.

Should I Have Said "Holiday Baking"?

Read what is going on over there. Read the comments. Interesting.

Scarf Knitting, Chili Making, Christmas Baking

No picture of the scarf. DN2 was nice enough to tell me last Thursday night she needed a scarf for a Kris Kringle on Saturday. She said that the girl requested a hand knit scarf to go with her school uniform (is this child available for adoption?). So out came the 25mm needles, extra chunky yarn and I was off to the races. It came out beautiful and the girl loved it.

Regarding my last post. Catastrophe was averted by a case of the stomach flu. DN1's friend came down with it so the sleepover thing was cancelled. But makes you think about the next time mmm?

On another note. DN1 has asked if she can go here this summer to earn a credit and get, and I quote, "the experience of a lifetime". My heart is warmed for a second time this week. My italian daughter (she refuses to acknowledge the "British" side of her heritage) wants to visit Ireland. Although she feels she will look out of place amongst the fairer Celts. I tried to explain to her what a black irishman was but she still thinks she will look like a Mussolini amongst the Hitlers.

The Christmas baking is done. The cookies are the Chocolate Chunk shortbreads from the Cottage Life cookbook. And the Spice Cookies are from Yarnstorm. Both are amazing and festive. Thank God I can eat as much as I want and not gain a pound. Yes, I was just struck by lightning. I've disintergrated into a pile of wool dust and wrinkles too dense to penetrate.

For those that have been consumed with curiosity...

The mystery is solved. I received this email today from Marc Brown.

Dear Perplexed,

This question comes up a lot. To clear up the mystery:

Arthur, Baby Kate, D.W. are aardvarks

Francine and Muffy are monkeys

Buster is a bunny

Brain is a bear

Binky is a bull dog

Prunella is a dog

Sue Ellen is a cat

Hope that helps!

Marc Brown Studios

Question of the Day

I have a dilemma. Not a huge one but a dilemma none the less. DN1, as you all may well know, goes to an art school. As a result, many of her friends are somewhat bohemian. They come from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds etc. Her close friends come from all of these varied groups and on the whole they are great group. Some of them have been her friends since she started there back in grade 7. One of these compadres has been with her through thick and thin. They are almost inseparable. Now here is the predicament. They are going out as a group on Friday night and she wants to know if she can sleep at his place afterwards. Now being the mom that I am, normally I would say, and she knows this already, I would give a very emphatic "no". But this situation is different. Why? Well let's put it this way, if they were television characters, she would be Grace and he would be Jack. Yes, he is gay. Not flaming (like her other close friend) but still gay. He hopped out of the cupboard in the summertime and his parents are well aware of his preferences.

So, as you can see it is a bit of a quandry. Basically, I don't see a problem. Their relationship is more of a girlfriend/girlfriend thing so I don't really see any difficulties. My husband on the other hand is a different story. He comes from an old fashioned Italian background that does not really understand these modern relationships. I don't consider myself a prude, but I can see where he is coming from. What would you do?