Merry Christmas from Muir, all...

We got in a little later than expected - weather, as per usual - but things have cleared up as of this morning and it's beautiful out here. Very cold, mind you, but very beautiful.

We're expecting guests as of... tomorrow, I think, depending on flights from Tunis and the like. We spent most of the morning properly introducing Rachel to her ancestral home. She really, really likes the castle. All those high ceilings. (God help us.)

Thankfully, she also seemed to like one of her Christmas gifts almost as much as she likes bouncing off the ceiling. She has spent most of the afternoon pondering this ball as if it holds all the secrets of the universe. Anyone want to fess up as to who put this in the package of gifts for her? So that Moira and I can, well, shower you with our everlasting gratitude?