Christmas Music to Clean By

Just taking some time away from readying the house for Greg's holiday visit tomorrow to say that the Putamayo New Orleans Christmas CD makes a mighty fine cleaning soundtrack--it's like scrubbing the tub to a second line extravaganza. Add to that the gospelly goodness of the Blind Boys of Alabama, and you will have your place clean in no time! (Well, as long as no one looks in the junk--I mean, the GUEST--room.)

In other news of holiday frustration, it finally warmed up enough that the soil in the balcony planter boxes unfroze, allowing me to "plant" evergreen boughs and sticks with fake berries, all in aid of securing some icicle lights to hang off the front of the balcony. Then--zap! Another deep freeze. And wind gusts that rattled even the new double-paned windows--blowing the boughs and sticks into a snarled frenzy. At least they didn't blow AWAY--you see, they are frozen solid into the soil. Oh well. The lights are still in place and working!

Next up--a treat from our favorite tourist attraction...