Goodbye until the new year

I'm off to spend Christmas with the fam. Happy holidays, everyone, and I'll be back in 2008.

(Illustration by me.)

Great T-shirt

Katrina T. sent me a link to this T-shirt from J. Crew, saying it made her think of me. It makes me think of me, too. Hoping it goes on sale...

(Image from J. Crew)

Kill time online before the office party starts

Have an online snowball fight with the characters from Elf. Or Scrooge yourself. Or Elf yourself. Or cut out some snowflakes.

Food-in-a-jar gifts

From Sunset Magazine, four different types of cocoa in a jar. From All Recipes, many varieties of cookie mix in a jar. At Angry Chicken, already-baked cake in a jar, which could revolutionize holiday food gift-giving.

(Image from Sunset Magazine.)

The blog of vector stuff

Free vector graphics, brushes, fonts, etc. can be obtained at the Vector Art blog. Which I came across at Dooce during my once-in-a-blue-moon visit to see what the most popular blogger in the world is writing about these days. Actually I'm not sure that's the most popular blog in the world, but it ranks right up there.

(These brushes made by vihr2.)

Decals for the loo

Now you can decorate your throne with vinyl, available from Vital's shop. I'm intrigued, but I think we'll stick to walls for now. (Ha, accidental pun.) Via Modern Cottage.

(Image from Vital.)

Chocolate bread pudding

This is so yummy. The perfect warm, gooey, wintry comfort food.

Ingredients:
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups chocolate milk
3/4 cup sugar
3 Tbs. melted butter
1 Tbs. cocoa
6 cups cubed French bread
1 cup (6 oz.) chocolate chips

What to do:
Combine eggs, milk, and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well. Add bread cubes; let sit 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chocolate chips. Put mixture into greased 9-inch square baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350º for 50 min. to 1 hour or until set. Serve warm or at room temp. Add some whipped cream if you like.

Dress up your table

If you're hosting a holiday party and need some last-minute ideas, check out the tabletop decorating themes over at Hostess with the Mostess. The image above is the "Green and Serene" scheme.