Got 4 gift packages in the mail yesterday. They should arrive tomorrow. This was really fun. After looking at the goodies though I decided something from the oven was needed. So, made a quick batch of Palmiers using Pepperidge Farms. I took my time, pinched the ends well & was fussy about spreading the tops evenly. They came out beautiful perfect hearts. It was a last minute thing just before DH left to get them mailed so didn't get pictures. Here's the other gifts though... Preserved Lemons, Citrus Salt, Homemade Vanilla, & Grand Marnier Fig-Walnut Butter I'm so pleased with the Preserved Lemons. They have bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, red chili peppers, whole peppercorns, corriander seeds, whole cloves, & Kosher salt. After 30+ days they smell heavenly. I'm going to preserve blood oranges this way when they're available. "Tamaya Blue" & Blueberry Muffin Mix, World Peace Marinated Olives, & Spicy White Wine Whole-Grain Mustard The "Tamaya Blue" is a special roasted before milling blue cornmeal from Pueblo Santa Ana & I used our food storage freeze-dried blueberries, organic powdered eggs, butter, & milk. They're "Just Add Water". The olives have orange & rosemary plus peppercorns. I'll wait until just before Christmas to put the baskets together that will be given from under our tree. All in all, this was more fun than baking all the cookies, probably because it was different for me. I think I'll start planning next year's gifts soon. /tricia

Aurora - First congrats to you on picking a perfect guy to marry! I used to grow under lights, (and still have a set up for the coldest months down here) a piece of advice - make sure you set up a reflector, otherwise the majority of the light is wasted. I use LEDs made specifically for growing plants - but white light, not the red and blue (was too 1970s for me :) ) LEDs really are a bit different, but my plants do just fine under them. The one thing that is the most noticeable, is the light when you are looking down at it, doesn't seem as bright as fluorescents - don't worry it is giving the plants enough energy. It has to do with how human eyes "see" light. As for myself - although not a Christmas present, I finally was able to get some time with my hubby, and was able to talk him into something I've wanted (dreamed of, planned for etc lol) for a while now. We are going to have pavers put in in a large section of the backyard - and then I'm getting a nice sized pergola. So I spent most of yesterday googling pergola images, and I've decided what design I want. Will call the contractor on Monday, and I'm hoping to have it all done by March. And then during the hottest months, I'll run shadecloth over it, and it will be my new grow area. It should also be big enough for a hammock, and a small table and chairs. BTW - I was on Epiphyitca's site this morning, planning my new order, with all the new space I'm going to have. Happy New Year! Renee

I do not buy for anyone except my children and grandchildren. I give money and another gift. I have not bought the little kids gifts yet but it may be something simple as Play Doh. The men are getting indoor outdoor thermometers and the women a very nice skillet. Those are things I know they will appreciate. Last year I gave the men field cameras, and I can not remember all I gave the gals. I know they got a coloring book and a big set of gel pens. I started an addiction with the gals now, they all love to color. I am sure you will come up with great ideas and thoughts on the gifts. Sue

We did not do much in the way of gifts this year but we did go to my neighbors home for Christmas dinner and we always exchange gifts. She has no family to buy for other than her husband and her dogs so she has started showering us with Christmas gifts because she enjoys it so much. I try to reciprocate. She is an avid gardener and works in my yard all the time. She often gets into poison ivy. I got her the very best quality leather gauntlet gardening gloves I could find in her tiny hand size. She was so thrilled. She said oh my God no more poison ivy on my wrist. I also bought them a Cajun pork Tenderloin wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cream cheese and jalapeños. She cooked it for their new years eve meal last night and said it might be the best thing they have had. That made me happy.