My secret santa's gift got a little beat up on the route over the USA, but it came out all right in the end! He got me my favorite spices EVER (A Penzey's super-sampler!) and since he is in my brain, also included a couple very nice framed pictures of my hometown, San Francisco.

Shortly after the picture was taken, I was spotted rubbing myself with spices and gurgling with pleasure. I really hope no one is actually mentally picturing that... oh god, you can't stop picturing it! I'm so sorry!

Thanks so much for a bright spot in a flu-ridden, travel-weary week! :)