cheers, patient reader

What better surprise after a busy December than homemade eggnog! Delicious. And made with freshly grated whole nutmeg! Mmm. Recipe here.




Maybe some homemade slippers to go with it? Mmm.



Moms.


Braxton enjoying a homemade remote-controlled gift (okay, not homemade; whatever).


Dave, Braxton, Magen, Amelia, Dave, Fran, Emily, Yancy


Mimi with Amelia.


Amelia, one more time.


Mimi with Braxton



How about homemade marshmallows?

Okay, fine: Braxton with his new sister Amelia:


Happy New Year!


PS, On a completely unrelated note, Tom Waits released a new album last month, and this adaptation of a Bukowski poem (now playing) is, for my money, beautiful. Please enjoy.

well done, all

Congrats to Magen and Dave, and welcome to our new niece, Amelia Frances Iwanski:

Her "stats" can be viewed on the hospital's website.


And, congratulations to Emily (or Mimi, if you prefer): she was just offered to have her hours raised from 10 a week to 37 a week, and they're raising her hourly wage as well. Nicely done.


Lastly, congratulations to me, for taking this fabulous picture of Dave, Diana, and Emily in Chicago recently: