I think this mug I got in New York at the best little store near where my cute in-laws live is supposed to imply just a simple, "Hey, have your morning coffee, look out the window, relax a bit."  But I'm taking it to a whole new level--the mug speaks to me during these hectic holiday times, he says, "Take a breath.  It's okay.  Take a coffee break.  Take some photos.  Read a book (on your new Kindle!).  Plop those worries down and don't pick them up till next week."

Big snow came to the mountains today.  My brother has been monitoring the storm system on his computer quite obsessively.

Oh winter!

Darling, the snow is falling...falling like forgiveness from the sky.  --Over the Rhine