Christmas (Holiday) gifts  

Holiday gifts are quite simple in my family.
We decide prior to Thanksgiving dinner whatever amount we siblings can afford to spend...send that amount to Mother...and she matches the total amount...and then we alternate which charity will receive the donation. But I really wanted a Malibu Barbie doll this year....maybe next time.
Best to all,
Aunt Mark
ps Mother does rent a festive space (always different) for the month of December for family and friends to gather. She likes to entertain, brings along a small staff...and plenty of food/ booze. I'll usually stay for a week or so.

What a nice tradition, Mark!
And I'm sure you'll get that Malibu Barbie sooner or later. She is a treasure for sure.

My gift sucked.
My folks bought me a Dyson vacuum! First time I used it (and granted I hadn't vacuumed in a week or so)there was a full sized kitten in the canister. Amazing.
And what did Mother bring everyone else?

.
Everyone else received a Malibu Barbie, a pack of European Cigs, and her usual fashion advice. I only wanted a Malibu Barbie.
oh well,
Aunt Mark

good gifts this year
The woodbook, a hobo knife, a black cat knife, and a trip to NYC with a lunch at the Wright inside the Guggenheim
http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/classics/all/04428/facts.the_w...
http://casexx.com/DisplayPatternPageFH.asp?PatternAutoID=25
http://www.bestmadeco.com/products/otter-messer-mercator
http://www.thewrightrestaurant.com/home/default.asp

Do you see any resemblance?
oh god, I totally must edit this silliness.

Holiday gift
between hubby and myself was a weekend driving trip around central France shopping for chateaux that have at least two hectares of vines included.
(Niceguy, this was posted strictly for you because I know you will appreciate how excruciatingly hard it is to find the EXACT chateau in the EXACT right village to make the EXACTLY right little red wine. Ahem.)
And, no, we did not find it. We found one we LOVE but, unfortunately, it is owned already by the republique and they are not willing to sell today. These Frogs, I tell you. What are you going to do?

exactly
Riki,
Perhaps we have met, you seem to know me.
I think of you (savoir-faire and bon vivant). I wish that you and your family live happy and well in the new year.
postscript: Should you cross paths with Robert Crumb in the south of France please acquire some signed ephemera.

I dig Robert Crumb.
What was the name of the documentary? I appreciated his twisted brother. I sort of remember it. I drink too much.
Always,
Aunt Mark