It must be my lucky day as mid-afternoon I looked out of my window to see snow falling steadily, covering the ground and turning my world into that beautiful winter wonderland that I so love.

Actually, the whole day got better and better. We have organised all of the present shopping which is a big relief. That leaves the food shopping for tomorrow after which I'll start baking and cooking for Sunday's dinner.

Thankyou to those who have written and asked about my mother-in-law. We learned bad and good news on that front today. The bad news was that in addition to the broken hip that was missed a few weeks ago, she has also a break in the same leg just below the knee! Unbelievable! That's her ankle, knee and hip requiring plaster. The good news is that having wrapped her lower part up like a mummy, she is allowed to recuperate in her own home. It's well set up already and she has home help and I know that she'll be much happier surrounded by her own things.

And she can come for Christmas! I feel like I have my best Christmas gift already - snow and the knowledge that three generations of the family will be gathered in the same place for Julafton.