Happy Solstice!

It's all uphill from here. Or at least brighter. Today I saw the sun for the first time in over a week, so I'm all about appreciating the light right now.

This morning I scrambled about with more last-minute Christmas gifts. I zested and juiced lemons until my hands ached, my entire house smelled like lemon juice (it gets everywhere), and I knew the exact location of every hangnail on all ten digits (ow ow ow ow OW). But I made two batches of lemon curd, and have the raw materials to make several more.

I headed to Memphis and dropped in to visit holiday mirth (and rum cake) on storm_dancer and dayoff, then went by Wild Birds Unlimited and established they do not sell purple martin houses at Christmas. "It's not the season for that," quoth the salesman. Well, duh, sir. But it's a great time to give martin houses, since it gives the recipient lots of time to get them up before the birds start arriving. Why on earth wouldn't they sell martin houses at Christmas time?! Bah. So that clever plan is foiled, at least for now.

Then it was to alsafi and whisperflight's home for the annual Solstice party. I had a great time, and saw The Ref for the first time all the way through. I love you, Denis Leary.

Tomorrow's my last full day in town before I head out to my dad's, and I have a ton to do.

Also: 14 degrees tonight. Brrrrr.