a very MERRY pat and liz CHRISTMAS...

So since Liz and I are still going back to see family this christmas we do what we always do and have christmas with each other before we leave. Since we both have terrible self control when it comes to keeping gifts secret and wanting to see gifts, we decided to hold christmas after we bought and put up our tree.

So for the first time in ages we bought a real christmas tree. $45 from a local lot who cut and pruned the tree to our specifications. After a small adventure involving a tree stand that was far too small for the girth of our tree and replacing it we erected the Fir and promptly decorated it. It was then time for the gifts.

I thought last year's gift was good (an easle/amateur art set) but this year was perfect. A trench coat (which I've needed since losing the other one at some point between coming back from england 2.5 years ago and now) and a pair of leather gloves. I also got some cool stocking stuff like meat bandages and chocolates.

I think Liz liked her gifts too. A bronze and pearl necklace (made to look like cranberries and leaves [trust me its nice and I hate pearls]) and a baby elephant from the David Sheldrick centre in Kenya (http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/). I would encourage anyone interested to adopt an orphaned elephant. I've been to the site and they really take good care of these (not so) little guys.

All for now.

Cheers,

P