What to buy for your wife (if you're married to me)...

...except, please don't, because I already employed my amazing powers of subtlety and emailed links to a couple of things I had to have and we agreed to keep our gifts modest this year since we've blown the budget on some musical goodies (that, much to K's dismay have nary a woofer nor a tweeter)...

So, with no further ado, here are some things that I (and possibly another woman like me and let me say, if you think that may be your wife/girlfriend - give yourself a pat on the back... you made it through another year!) would be happy to see under the tree:

1. Anything from Smitten Kitchen's "gotta have" list

2. An orangyporangy skirt (or two) because every style looks like it would be kind to an imperfect (!) midsection and how cute are they? Seriously.

3. Frye Campus Boots in blazer brown. I hear they take a while to break in but I'm willing to work for such loveliness! I could see myself wearing these same boots as an old woman with a long, gray ponytail. Nice addition? Great socks that would look super cool sticking up out of the boots!

4. Any of the Hudson Bay Blankets. I have a special fondness for the red this time of year.

5. A plug-in tea kettle

6. Music. CDs, downloads, tickets to live performances, impromptu kid concerts

7. A week in August here.

8. A new back deck/patio since the old one heaved so spectacularly during the wet weather last summer

9. Panasonic Lumix digital camera. Not only is it supposed to be far faster and better than our current camera, it's really cute, too!

10. And a stocking filled with:

• Burt's Bee's lip balm
• Lavender essential oil
• Eucerin Everyday Protection
• Orbit Sweet Mint Gum
• Cute ponytail holders
• LaVie candy tins. Any flavor.
• Really good vanilla
• Earl Grey tea

...and people say I'm hard to buy for!