We went to North Bennington to an art show there to see our friend, the incredible artist, and baker Emily Gold.

She had a table full of unique art creations for Christmas; I bought Maria two pairs of earrings, two beautifully decorated kitchen towels.

She was also showing and selling some of her beautiful collages.

Maria bought me a flower stick and two things I haven’t yet seen. I would highly recommend anyone looking for unusual gifts for family or friends check out Emily’s website. She is also a brilliant baker.

Emily makes all kinds of beautiful things.

Every year, the same thing happens with Maria and me.

We both promise not to give each other Christmas presents. I’m usually the first to waver; I have several things hidden away in my study to give her on Christmas Day, but I couldn’t resist buying these earrings today, and since she saw me buy them, there was no sense in hiding anything.

We never manage to fool each other, but I can’t reasonably handle having Christmas and not giving her anything. She also bought me a beautiful handmade pen to use to keep track of my appointments in my new 2023 calendar.

Maria likes to wear different earrings on each ear. One is like that; the other will get used as she sees fits. The first is above, and the second is below.