Everyone is making cheese fondue this year. How do I know? All the nearby shops are out of gruyere cheeeeeeese! I did find exactly the right amount I need, but the label says "Apple-smoked." I'm going to taste a teeny bit and see whether it'll be unsettling or divine.

I have lots of groceries. I made a wonderful marinara sauce this morning, followed by a Chocolate Decadence cake that needs to sit and soak up its chocolaticity for 24 hours. Guess I'll have it for lunch before I go to the airport to pick up the guys tomorrow night. ;)

About an hour ago, my smoke detectors went off. I called the office, but of course they are on holiday and this is "not an emergency." I hope they realize that if the detectors go off again, up there in their 20-foot highness of ceiling that I cannot reach, I am calling again and again until someone comes to shut them up. If they don't, I shall end up slinking around like Mittens with my tail tucked down low.

My cherub Chris called this morning to find out what "else" I want for Christmas. I teased, "You must be a man now; you're shopping on the 24th!" I can't wait to see all the boys! I have been planning to cook this or that for them (which if Rob won't eat, he can walk up the street to KFC) and using the hell out of my Kitchen Aid. That's probably a surprise to Rob since it sat on our counter for years and I barely touched it. Having only one job makes me feel more relaxed and at ease. I have spare time to actually cook again, which makes me very happy!

Today's cooking tip: Do not use a flexible plastic cutting board to transfer shredded chocolate to a pan. Who knew chocolate was subject to static electricity? After the initial horror at hundreds of chocolate shavings winging their way across the room, I burst out laughing. It rained chocolate in my kitchen!

Merry Christmas!