I hope everyone had a great holiday!

I'm off work again today (as a vacation day) and I'm glad I did. The weather here has really become nasty - cold, wet and cloudy - perfect for snuggling in a warm house and relaxing before the return to work tomorrow.

Robert and I spent the day together and he really outdid himself with Christmas dinner. He  made turkey breast for him and ham for me (due to my allergy to poultry), cornbread stuffing/dressing, steamed green beans, rolls and his specialty, home-made mashed potatoes. I made a big batch of sugar cookies from my grandmother's recipe. It was a gut busting feast and we had a nice quiet holiday.

I got some cool gifts from my sister: "How the Irish Saved Civilization" by Thomas Cahill, "Culinary Arts Institute Encyclopedic Cookbook" and the DVD "Toward the Within" by Dead Can Dance (featuring Lisa Gerrad). If you've never heard Lisa Gerrard sing then listen here. I love her voice.