1.  Blueberry Wine.

OMG

The boy eschews all wine that isn’t a very bland pinot grigio, but my tastes tend to wander a bit further afield (though I’m somewhat handicapped in my appreciation of reds due to a tendency toward tannin sensitivity that causes a rather extreme headache within a few minutes of enjoying a nice glass of most red wines.)  But blueberry wine?  Local.  Red-colored, but a bit sweeter than a dry red.  No.  Headache.

And did I mention local?  Checking out the localest of the local blueberries tomorrow night, as in: I drive past the winery most days on my way to the grocery store.  My locavore heart is going pittapat at the very thought.  Plus–hey, blueberry flavor–yum!

2.  During dinner tonight, as The Boy & I were having some grown-up talk about something or other that was incomprehensible to him, Hen broke in with the question, “What are we talking about?”

Obviously, it was nothing important and we redirected the conversation to include him a bit more!  It was pretty cool, actually, watching him try to figure out his part in the conversation and then insist upon his share in it.

Also, his sister bought him a backpack for Christmas, which just arrived, and it’s adorable–shaped like a bumblebee.  And he loves it.  Loads it up to the brim, and carries it with him everywhere.  It goes to the store, to playgroup, and from room to room.  He has all the essentials: Bunny, a couple of toy dinosaurs, a flashlight, a water bottle, goldfish crackers, and about 5 pounds of marbles.  (I’m not kidding there, his backpack weighs more than my purse.)  It’s pretty damned cool, actually, to see him so excited about his new ‘Big Boy With Gear’ status, pretty nifty to see him deciding what to keep in his “Adventure Bag”.

3.  Tomorrow’s dinner party feast is looking like it will include both The Boy’s contribution of roast beast, and my own offering of Gigantic Sea Monster Lobster, which the local fish store is trying desperately to unload on the local populace.  Due to the somewhat unexpected addition of two teenaged boys to the mix, we’re thinking the beef might not be enough to feed everyone adequately, and my notion of hospitality means that if anyone leaves the table physically able to eat another bite of food, I have failed as a hostess.  Hence the possibility of a 12# lobster to add to the table.  If I buy a Sea Monster, there will be photos…

4.  The beanbags that my husband bought for the library?  Insanely comfortable.  I am wallowing in luxurious heat–something about being 6″ lower, means that the rather cool library feels a good deal warmer–does that make any sense?  No, not to me either. But still, it’s a fact.  And I love how back-supportive these things are.  Totally cozy.  I may never leave this room at night again.  Good thing I don’t have a thing for TV.

5.  The Boy’s replacement sweater is going nice and quickly.  Turns out The Backyardigans is excellent knitting background noise.