A very happy...

...healthy and prosperous 2010 to all!

Yarrrr!!! Pirate's Booty!

This was the scene of the chocolate massacre on DW's desk. Those are the empty foil covers and gold mesh bag of dark chocolate coins that Santa left in her stocking. I think she was trying to imply that the little USB man in the picture was the one to blame.

Yeah. Right.

Time Lapse of a Wood-Canvas Canoe Build

The following video is a time-lapse web-cam documentation of the building of a cedar and canvas canoe from scratch up at Northwoods Canoe Company up in Atkinson, Maine. It's owned by Rollin Thurlow. Rollin is also very well known for a book the he wrote with Jerry Stelmok (who now owns Island Falls Canoe Company, also of Atkinson) called The Wood and Canvas Canoe. This book, as I've mentioned before, is really the "bible" for anyone who intends to build or restore a traditional wood and canvas canoe. Both men teach classes at their own shops, the WoodenBoat School and other locations.

The video looks to be of a build with a student as the nearly finished canoe is being put on the roof of an SUV to take home. Well worth the time to watch.

Enjoy.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve at Canoez' place.

...at least after DS and DD have gone to sleep.

So THAT'S how he does it...

From Non Sequitur - probably one of my favorite comics by Wiley Miller - a truly talented comic artist and observer of the human condition.

Thought I'd post this year's arrangement to help Rudolf get off the ground to do his job : A seasonal selection from Ridgeway Brewing.

We have Foreign Export Stout, Reindeer's Revolt, Bad Elf, Very Bad Elf, Seriously Bad Elf, Criminally Bad Elf and Insanely Bad Elf. I thought there was also a bottle of Santa's Butt, but that seems not to be the case.

HEY! Where's the cap on the Export Stout? I think Rudolf has already been preparing!

Preparations for Christmas have begun...

Christmas preparations have been sneaking into our routine for the past few weeks. They always seem so overwhelming at the beginning, but I've learned to try to start them before Thanksgiving. Usual tasks include shopping for presents for friends and loved ones, some sort of decorations outside, a wreath for the door, a fresh balsam or spruce tree for decorating, meal planning and food shopping.

Things have been a bit unusual for me at work. We had a company holiday party at a local restaurant at lunch time (which was nice, but a bit different from what I'm used to...) and vendors have been sending in small gifts during the past week or so - typically food.

Which brings up the following dilemma - when faced with a chocolate reindeer does one start at the antlers like one does with a chocolate rabbit's ears at Easter?


Yup.


The children are also getting very excited about the pending visit from the big man in the red and white suit. The application below will need to be filled out and sent up to the North Pole in time for tomorrow evening. (Click to enlarge) Be sure to note the refreshment details section...

My Christmas request for Santa included a nicely restored E.H. Gerrish canoe in my stocking, but somehow, I don't think it will be fitting down the chimney this year. (Sorta tough to fit into a direct-vent gas fireplace - how DOES he do it?) Perhaps a nice well-balanced Cherry Grand Lake guide paddle, or some nice canoe-building tools will fit instead. I can only hope.

My DW is downstairs at the moment working on a glass of wine and preparing miniature mince pies which must remind her childhood Christmases. I'll be in the kitchen later tonight doing what prep work that I can for our Christmas luncheon. I hope your preparations are as easy and painless as possible this year.