BAH HUMBUG

Gift giving at Christmastime can be daunting. We give presents to everyone in our small family, so that would be thirteen this year. It  gets to the point where Christmas is aother job I have to take on. A book, a couple of scented candles, preferably Yankee Candles Sage  and Citrus or Sweet Honeysuckle, my personal favorites and a bottle of Robert Mondavi. Doesn't that sound  indulgent? Picture the recipient curled up in flannel PJ's
and coccooning with a good book, sweet scents and vino. I have always wanted to rent a cabin in the woods at Christmastime.  Imagine the new fallen snow, tall pine trees, a moon filled night, taking a walk with your hubby or significant other. The cottage I imagine is stocked with food and wine. A big fireplace and a downy bed covered with large  mount of fluffy pillows and  surrounded with drapes for cosiness.I have been dreaming of such a place for many years, mostly when we lived in the States and had to contend with one Christmas at home, one Christmas in Montreal and planning my son's birthday celebration which was just 10 days before Christmas.  Attending the Christmas pageants at the kid's school. Decorating inside and out.  It was hectic. One year I actually forgot 2 presents that were intended for family members. Too much is too much . In an effort to make the holydays less hectic  here are some of the books that I have been looking at getting for myself and which might be great presents for someone on your list.

The Help                  Kathryn Stockett
The Fall of Giants     Ken Follett
Secret Daughter       Shilipi Somaya Gowda
Faith                        Peter James
The Poet                  Michael Connelly
The Narrows            Michael Connelly

Cookbooks

Look and Cook       Rachel Ray

How Easy is That     Ina Garten

Double Delicious      Jessica Seinfeld

Jamie's America        Jamie Oliver