I finally ordered Christmas cards through Shutterfly. It took all morning to figure out which kiddie picture to  paste on the front. Jonah’s two front teeth are going through an awkward stage, so it was tricky to find a good picture of him.

After I set up the front of the card, then came the message decision. I couldn’t use "Happy Holidays" after reading Maria Farrell’s post last week. In these strange times,"Merry Christmas" has become too daring, like you’re spoiling for a fight. "Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah" was leaving out the atheists and the two people who celebrate Kwanzaa.

We decided that a message of "peace and good will to men" was religious themed, but not politically loaded. Still there was the "men" problem. Do we write "peace and good will to men and wimyn and transgendered individuals"? Finally settled on "peace and good will to all."

My brother said that he has a recipe for George Washington’s egg nog, which is loaded with rum and brandy. Bring it on, bro.