On New Year's Eve I was with a light-hearted, smaller group of friends out in the country. We "partied" casually, cooking hotdogs over a bonfire, on skewers (Spieße) made out of palmetto branches! cool. Had chili, too, and the ever present snacks at an American party... chips and dips (Maria hat gesagt, dass es ihr neu war, dass Chips eigentlich ein Bestandteil des Essens sind).

I brought Fritos-- which I cannot get in Germany. And made 2 dips (including Holly's "Beat Texas Caviar"!).

There were lots of stars in the sky, and the weather was mostly quite moderate. Then we counted down the entry into 07 with the TV shows! The next day is a tradition, when we celebrate with a big "potluck" along with about 30 or 40 friends at the Hartley's home. Again, we're sitting in a screened- in porch-- look at the shirt sleeves on Jan. 1st-- it's warm! Teresa and Greg are really special friends; here pictured with precious little B.A. That evening Heather and Bruce got back from visiting her family, and we celebrated her birthday with chocolate pecan pie!

Another tradition over the holidays is driving about 80 miles to Disney World's Wilderness Lodge, eating all-you- can- eat barbecue, and looking at a fabulous Christmas tree in their lobby. It was so warm that many people were enjoying the pools outside!