This just in—Alaska has declared Feb. 2 Marmot Day! Three species of marmot can be found in Alaska (but no groundhogs), and Sen. Linda Menard, R-Wasilla who filed the official bill, hopes that the state will create educational activities around the animal. No weather forecasting duties will be required.

I’m all for any holiday that honors marmots. My family and I came across a number of the cute furry creatures while visiting Yellowstone in 2008, where they are also known as “whistle pigs,” because of a whistling noise they make. A cuddly animal known as a whistle pig? Who could resist?

The family is here visiting. My mother-in-law is in the kitchen making pecan pie and I’m about to run out to the store to pick up last minute items.

This morning instead of cranberry orange scone with my coffee, I enjoyed homemade almond biscotti, brought to us by my visiting sister- and brother-in-law. It’s beautifully sunny and not too hot—a perfect day!
Wishing you a perfect Christmas, whatever that may mean for you.

Here in the Land of Good Timing, our son has seen fit to share his cold with me and I am trying NOT to share it with my husband. This is, of course, the very BEST time of year to be sick, what with the decorating and baking and shopping and wrapping that should be taking place. Never you mind. It will all get done eventually, hopefully without a festive Kleenex bow incorporated into someone’s gift wrapping. I can write Christmas cards and admire the tree from my spot in the recliner, with the dog on my lap and the tissues handy. The pine-scented candles glow on the mantel, my attempt to replace that fresh tree smell. (We haven’t had a “real” tree since the year the cat knocked ours over on the new carpet.) I can be grateful that I don’t have to shovel snow in the morning, though I do wish it would be cool enough to wear jeans without sweating. (Ahh…December in Florida.)

Holiday cheer to you all. (And if you get a Christmas card from us, wash your hands after opening. I’m just saying.)