Nostalgia Hit and Non-Denominational Gift Giving Holiday Prep

Sorry for the long silent spell: family obligations, croupy babies, a big-deal election, and the kinda work that pays net 45 or better has kept me from my appointed rounds. In the meantime, a couple totally mundane updates.
First, nostalgia trip! My dad was cleaning out his home office and came across this little fella (as well as a smattering of very well-played with figures much the worse for wear):

{*squeeeeeee!*}
Also, I’ve begun Holiday Gift prep with two unbroken hours of zesting organic lemons (which also means I’m stocked up for Hot Lemonade and Bourbon Season–which is a much more narrowly recognized seasonal celebration mostly practiced within the confines of my home):

I’ll post the recipe some day soonish, since it’s easy (although a little time consuming), ripe for riffing, and the results make everyone *super happy*!