Well, I'm back from Arizona. It was beautiful. I even got to see that snow-globe-kinda-snow one day... you know, the kind of snow that swirls around, but you can't ever see it hit the ground.

I'm back to thinking about boots. I just called the Lucchese corporate headquarters to find out what happen to that online version of Sam Lucchese's "A Lifetime with Boots". Everyone is on vacation right now, but I'll remind myself to pester them first thing next year.

My pal at work, Eloine.com gave me a swell present. It's a Christmas tree ornament...it looks just like my Singer 31-20. It's even got the slide on the front of it, so you can adjust the length of your stitches! It's hysterical...and in keeping with the original, it weighs a ton! I love it.

Here’s a special reward for all of you who’ve been following my weblog. I can’t believe I’m doing this…but here it is, my TOP SECRET Peanut Brittle recipe. It’s TOP SECRET ‘cuz I’ve only met one person who became more impressed with the yummy stuff when they found out it was made in the microwave. It is very easy…completely foolproof…tasty…crunchy…not the 'jaw-breakin’-homemade variety you may have previously encountered. Your friends and family will be utterly amazed.

(Microwave on high.)

In a 1 ½ quart casserole dish stir 1 cup sugar and ½ cup white corn syrup. Microwave 4 minutes. Then stir in 1cup of roasted salted peanuts. Microwave 3-5 minutes (until light brown.) Add 1 teaspoon butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla, blending well. Microwave 1-2 minutes more. (Peanuts will be lightly browned and syrup will be very hot!) Add 1 teaspoon baking soda and gently stir until light and foamy. Pour mixture onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Let cool ½ to 1 hour, and then break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Safety Warning: Never make more than 3 consecutive batches…the dish gets to hot to handle easily , or your wrist gets tired from stirring/pouring…disaster always strikes on the 4th batch. Take care.

Oh...and never stir with a plastic spatula. It will turn into a giant peanut covered Q-tip. (Don't ask me how I know these things.)

I've been getting Chistmas cards. They've been makin' me happy...reminding me of some nice times I've had this year, and some of the people I've met. I feel quite honored to be on Bob Dellis' holiday list...and I got a card from my new pal, Pascal (It's got Santa doin' rope tricks on it). Mrs. Bourland (from the Harbord Motel in Coleman.TX) sent me a card with a penned note so sweet, I got kinda misty-eyed readin' it.

I've been working my web page today...and working on my New Year's resolutions. I take these resolutions very seriously. I really do. I put a lot of thought into 'em. Last year, I resolved to learn how to make a pair cowboy boots ...and I've got 'em on my feet right now.

This was no ordinary day. Tonight I had to turn my chair around (or maybe it was my way of thinking?) to update this weblog. My home “office” is not very big. I have my desk against the wall, and my sewing machine is sittin’ right behind me, smack dab in the middle of the room. One chair is all I have room for….and it’s almost always facing my desk. My desk is the place I sit down after work and update my web page, read e-mail, talk on the phone…and shuffle my bills around and around. Last night, however, I sat facing my sewing machine and practiced my stitching. I was “free-handing” leafy shapes for a top secret Christmas project.

I think I’ve decided to leave my chair facing my Singer from now on…so whenever I make that 180 degree turn, it’s gonna be away from bootmaking…rather than towards it.