HOUSTON, THE CAT HAS LANDED!

I think we have a problem here!

Yes, Miles has found the Christmas tree!! It took him a few days to get over his actual fear of the tree--standing back, looking at this and I think wondering why we now have a tree in the house.

But, as you can see his fears are now completely gone!! He has decided that this tree is his to climb, take a rest in and even try munching on a few of the branches!! And he doesn't just climb the tree--he stands back and jumps into it--shaking the entire tree. I'm surprised the entire thing hasn't fallen over yet. I know that my tree won't be up as long as usual this year.

What am I going to do with this kitty??

In answer to the questions to Firefly's Hot Pepper Jelly recipe--it is easy to make. If you can boil water, you can do this!! As for the taste--I've always found it hard to describe tastes--but this is a little sweet and tangy at the same time. Not too tangy--I don't care for things that leave an "afterburn" in my mouth!! We used red hot cherry peppers, but you could use jalapeno or I imagine any type of pepper that you would like. Lindsay did the chopping of the peppers, and we thought maybe it would be too hot because she told me that her "lungs were tingling" as she was chopping. But, it turned out just the way I like it. It really is delicious with cream cheese and crackers.

Lindsay is flying home tomorrow, and I more than likely won't see her again until the springtime or perhaps even the summer. As always, this time while she is home flies by so quickly. I always miss her more after a visit until I get back into the mode of her not being here again.

She won't always be in Texas, but I know that she will not be returning to live permanently in Pennsylvania. She and Tyler are now talking of moving to the Boston area after he finishes his last degree which should be sometime this coming year.

Oh, and a big congratulations to Tyler!! He is finishing his Doctorate's degree in cognitive psychology, and he is having his first paper based on his research and experiments published this Spring!!

No, I don't understand all that he is doing or even sometimes saying, but he is a wonderful young man who encourages my daughter. I am thankful that she has him in her life. He has given her opportunities to further her education that I could not possibly begin to do. He loves her, supports her and has helped her overcome a lot of insecurities that stemmed from our own family life while she was young.

And speaking of congratulations--a huge one to Lindsay, too! She achieved a 3.9 average last semester while working full time! This daughter of mine amazes me!! She is not letting our past hold her back but moving forward in her life.

I'm off work tomorrow, but Andrew will be taking Lindsay and Tyler to the airport. I don't like good-byes, so we'll say them here and not at the airport.

Tomorrow, I really need to rearrange some things on my blog--I see I still have my Christmas projects listed--and then the reorganization of my yarn! That will be a BIG job, but one I actually am looking forward to.

Make sure to stop by for your Weekly Memory Verse. I've almost got this week's imprinted into my brain! Do you think I should include a Mr. Linky for those who want to participate?

K--that's all for a while!!

Beth