I have no excuse this time.

My Christmas present to myself arrived. It's a new camera. Now I have to learn to use it. It's a Panasonic digital SLR with lens and filters and stuff. I bought it for higher quality photos for painting.

I made something for someone. It's a surprise so I can't show pictures yet. I can take pictures of the soap I just made based on this Bramble Berry's Cool Yule Peppermint Loaf Soap. I didn't have enough base to make a full loaf so I used a small mold to make individual soaps.

The bars aren't as cool looking as the Bramble Berry ones, but my friends won't care. I'm better at cold process soap, but the time just got away. 

I managed to get plastic on the basement windows. Not an easy task when the window frames are rotted. I'm getting new windows in the spring when I get my tax refund.

Speaking of taxes, the bill arrived today. My property tax is up by $26.90. The property value is down again.

My brother sent me a Christmas present. It's usual enough to warrant mention. In my family, if you're not around, you normally don't get presents. Heck, most of the time, you don't get cards.

I have a few more gifts to make and a package to mail.