Let's see. I'm decking the halls, dreaming of a white Christmas, dashing through the snow, wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanuka -- but today I'm doing the mundane chores of cleaning up the house for the holiday.

The bottom third of the Christmas tree is naked. No ornaments are allowed under strict order from Finbar who's used all his extra toes to remove every single one I've put on. Then he carries the non bulb ornaments into our bed so I'm sleeping with elves and snowmen lately.

Yesterday we made codfish cakes. They don't sound good but the recipe we use is amazing and dear husband does all the hard work of making them while I am the official fryer. They are delicious with lots of garlic and creamy mashed potatoes and safely frozen (so we can't cheat and eat one) and will be consumed Christmas Eve as is our tradition.

Love to all and hope your holiday is a great one!

Looking for Barbie from Brueggers? I found her!

Barbie the former manager of the Shelton Brueggers is now owner of Crossroads Cafe, located at 12 Main Street, Derby next to the train station!

Her new place is cozy and welcoming and you'll recognize big John and Terry too. If you're real lucky you will also see Natasha, Barbie's new baby girl.

Crossroads Cafe offers a breakfast and lunch menu with super low prices for high quality food. If you want the famous chicken salad sandwich, you'd better get there early as it was sold out when I arrived yesterday.

And don't forget to buy one of the super-sized cupcakes sold at Crossroads. I took mine home and had it last night...absolutely delicious.

Best wishes to Barbie on her new enterprise and I'll be back soon for more of your great sandwiches and desserts!

A cat, a man and catnip.

Finbar looks like a complete horse's ass lounging with his father on the couch after eating some catnip and resting on his favorite blue blanket.

It takes a good dose of catnip to get him this mellow. Normally he'd be either hiding in some little out-of-the-way nook or cranny as he's basically antisocial, or running wildly around the house as if the big bad wolf is chasing him.

A few licks of some delcious catnip and he's chilled. Nothing like cat pot to make you loveable....and hungry too.

After these pictures were taken he got the munchies.