I’ve been totally lacking in holiday spirit even though I told myself on December 1st that I was going to enjoy every day in December as though it was Christmas. Oh well, I blame it on being sick all of last week. I’m skipping work tomorrow and my mom, sister, and I are going out for our annual “non-shopping” day so that should help put me in more of a holiday mood. It used to be a shopping day but since none of us really like to shop, we usually just end up going to lunch and planning christmas dinner instead and that’s much more fun. I just learned that my sister has been baking cookies and listening to Christmas carols all weekend. That sounds so nice. I’m feeling the need to bake something now. Next weekend I will make biscochitos, the famous cookie of New Mexico (or possibly Spain…) They are made with anise seeds and are really flaky, although I don’t use lard like you are supposed too so mine are less flaky. But they will still make the apartment smell good and get me into the spirit of the holidays! -elliemay