One

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

I know, it’s hardly a partridge in a pear tree but it is the first of the 12 December days before I meet you in Jacksonville. And there’ll be a blog post on each and every one of them - a sort of advent calendar, if you like.

As an aside, I used to have bendies a bit like these when I was a kid (a lot younger than you, though). I still remember being severely disappointed when the outer ‘skin’ came off and it was just wire inside.

Oh, there’s a Christmas glow-stick too.

Markers

And what better for someone who reads half a dozen books at the same time? Plus some Nerds I picked up for free at the check out counter.

Smelly

Went to a Thanksgiving lunch/dinner/whatever on Thursday and played a game called Taboo for which the hostess gave out prizes. I got this and thought of you instantly (being as how you're into that incense stuff).

Tree

Well, Christmas is coming and even if I don't have a tree this year, you'll be able to make me tree-shaped cookies (yep, this is a Christmas cookie cutter). Plus, I think we'll probably do Kay's tree for her (she can't do it herself but she's Christmas crazy and has a ton of decorations). Oh happy days!

Christmas

A bit repetitive, I know (you have the hearts already), but jolly good fun for Christmastime drinks. And now that I'll be seeing you before the big day, totally in the spirit of the season. Not that I'd have been able to stop myself buying you Christmasy stuff anyway. As amatter of fact, I bought this BEFORE I knew you were coming to Georgia.



I got this too - a gel snowman that sticks on a mirror (or window, I guess) which I thought was kinda cool.

There's loads of Christmas stuff in the shops now that Halloween is over and I'd be willing to bet it's nowhere near as thick on the ground in Cairo. Mind you, I'd be pretty hard pushed to find a Sham el Naseem card when the time comes.

How ironic language can be! I just discovered that "alcohol" is an Arabic word.

Booze

Not exactly. Not exactly not, though. And being as how Mei-kwei nixed the Bailey's at bedtime, I thought these choccies'd do the trick. Only Bailey's flavoured. But still...







And at the bargain price of a mere 25¢, a little booklet of baking ideas for autumn, courtesy of Betty Crocker.

While we're on the subject of food, the Epicurious app has some very tasty-sounding recipes. It's free (but you'll need an iPhone, of course).

Bizaar

So, what has a itty-bitty house build out of Lego and a little tree of the same ilk got to do with anything? All will become clear in the next ten days or so.











But you know I wouldn't leave it there with nothing for your immediate gratification don't you?
Even if it is more sweeties (which I sort of said I wouldn't be doing, didn't I?). Simply couldn't resist this little fella, though.











Mmmmm... white chocolate.