You've just spent nearly your entire Saturday raking and bagging leaves in the back yard (21 bags and I haven't even started the front), your Sunday morning cleaning like a madwoman, so what is logical way to spend your afternoon?

Christmas music and baking chocolate chip cookies, of course! And I know I burned enough calories to have one this weekend!

And just to file one more "why I love it here" entry, there is a rose in bloom in my back yard right now. Yes, you read that right. December 1st as I'm raking the leaves that have finally fallen from the trees in mild mid-50s sunny weather, there exists a bright fuscia rose on the plant under my persimmon tree along the fence.