Dave Smith wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> I have a few minutes to rest before Christmas brunch. I had a coffee
> and some raisin bread toast to tide me over while I baked our family
> favourite, an apple coffee cake. Then we opened our presents. I have
> put some of them away. Wine and liqueurs went down to the basement.
> New underwear has been put away into the appropriate drawer some of
> the old pairs purged.
>
> The coffee cake is cooling and my son is cooking up some bacon and
> eggs.
>
> I almost wish it was a lot colder today because I got a nice warm
> hiking sweater and a great parka. However, we are in the midst of a
> warm spell. It is going to be 51F tomorrow.
>
>
> We are going to have a quiet afternoon at home and then head over to
> my brother's for supper.

Warm here too (for us) and rainy. Had fun with my new toys!

One I got myself and Don put together last night (we open one gift on
Xmas eve here). A new computer chair. I carefully measured and it's
low enough for comfort. Thats a problem to find if you are 5ft1. The
are so worried a big guy can't fit the chair that most suck for lumbar
support (seat too long to fit to the back) or too tall (leaves your
legs free hanging which is very uncomfortable after a bit).

Most of our gifts are practical but there were fun things added in.
Charlotte for example is just starting her job hunting now that she has
her degree. She got a selection of very well made purses (freecycle but
perfect new condition) that are workforce professional, also 2 sets of
earrings in multi colors and balls or a sort of filligree and a single
set of largeish pearl. Several tops that will fit her style yet look
polished. She also got some games and DVD's she wanted.

Don got a snowblower, 2 racks for the shed, a Miami Dolphins hoodie,
and a grunch of fishing tackle parts (he likes to build his own lures),
some good gloves (fingers free below last knuckle) for fishing or just
wearing and 2 books.

I did well too with some of the purses, 2 sweaters for work, a skirt, a
dress and my new chair plus some other things and frankly, the snow
blower is a group gift.

My best gift? Watching Don's eyes light up as he unwrapped the Miami
Dolphins hoodie!

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