Yule Tide

I spent Christmas eve with lovely friends in San Francisco who live about two blocks off the coast. Instead of making the turn to their house, I drove down the coast a bit. A gorgeous day. Warmer, it seemed, than Sacramento had been.
A photo from the moving car:

Then we walked two gigantic dogs and saw lots and lots of people walking and playing in Golden Gate park. I was excited to see so many people out and about.
Linus got a collar from his Grandma -- here he is opening it.

And wearing it. It's a "White Collar" with lots of stitched-on symbols of white collarness. His brother Murphy got a blue collar. I guess it's just that kind of family.
Griz hit the 'nog a little hard.
Didn't get many pictures of people, did I? Even so, the people were warm and inviting and we made lots and lots of good food and drank good wine and had a fine time. We even converted some Jews. Not really. But they did come, and came bearing gifts (of a wreath shaped like a Candy Cane, which they thought was very Christmassy).

Then I drove down to the great Southern California to reach things on high shelves and dust chandeliers, while I wasn't drinking coffee and participating in completely crossword puzzles, that is.
Each of my grandparents got a Snuggie for Christmas.
Gramps did not want to pose for his picture because he couldn't find his chair-remote or tv-remote, and the world stops until those two are accomplished.
People who look like their pets. This is my Uncle curled up on the floor with his dog Buddy. I guess they do this a lot.
One of my most favorite scenes while driving in LA -- that red tower just right of center lets you know you've reached Magic Mountain. And there's not much more fun to be had than that.
And here we are driving home after a quick weekend trip. It's not as apparent as I thought it would be, but the southbound traffic was abominable. Smooth-sailing going North, thank goodness.

And just like that, I was home again. One holiday behind me. Let the birthday countdown begin!