The holidays are well upon us. You can tell be the frantic merry-making and gobs of cardboard boxes peoples' doors and halls. And here to share some holiday "ruach", is some stuff to bring you smiles for this festive holiday hilarity:

First, herein lies a bit of brilliance via the incredibly talented Saundra Mitchell who, aside from being a stand-up lady in both the writerly world and the comedic sense, is also an incredible baker and has a flair for the fun. I was thrilled when she asked me to join her and a lot of cool YA Authors in an escapade of silliness: "From YA to You!" Enjoy!

Second, how can one survive the wrapping of presents without double-sided sticky tape? Well, while I've been gluing my fingers together and tearing tissue-thin wrapping, I kept thinking of this vid of Simon's Cat which always kept me sane. Enjoy some more!

And lastly, there is *ONE MORE DAY* to enter my "Don't Miss This If You Missed It" contest giveaway for the holidays, ending tomorrow at midnight. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell the hyper-intelligent robotic cyber-cat that is masquerading as an alien invader in your home: the more the merrier and they count as more chances to win!

For all those who are celebrating, HAPPY CHANNUKAH!

Thanks to www.chicagonow.com for the pretty (and awesomely color-coordinated with my blog) holiday pic!

We in Chez Metcalf kicked the Festival of Lights off right this year starting with batches of homemade latkes, my mother's famous sufganyot (traditional doughnuts, but instead of jelly filling [blech!] these are bursting with vanilla-amaretto cream!) & a couple of gifts for the children after lighting various things on fire. (Fortunately, not one of them was my hair...)

And this morning, I successfully taught a kindergarten class how to gamble. Nothing says the holiday spirit like hearing little six-year olds scream: "Gimel! I win the pot!" I even got to make a Jewish Guilt joke. What could be better?

Chag sameach, everyone!