sprite writes
broodings from the burrow

December 31, 2018


#tbtbsanta 2018
posted by soe 1:58 am

The Broke and the Bookish came out of retirement briefly to conduct their annual Secret Santa book swap earlier this month.

My package came from Lea of Lea Out West. She lives in Lake Tahoe, but her brother lives here in D.C. and surprisingly close by!

#TBTBSanta 2018

It didn’t strike me as unusual that both cats were interested in the box Lea sent. They’re big fans of boxes of any kind. But what I didn’t realize was that Lea had included presents for Jeremiah and Corey. I’d barely gotten the box open to pull things out when Corey hopped up, rooted around inside quickly, and ran off with this squirrel tail:

Corey Defeats the Squirrel Tail

Jeremiah was not to be left out, but he is older and knew he should wait patiently for me to share a present with him. He got toast.

Jer Considers Toast

Jeremiah Licks the Toast

I’m not sure they shared willingly, but they did each steal the other toy to make sure they got to experience both.

Corey and the Toast

Corey Is High on Toast (and Catnip)

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Lea was my cats’ favorite person that night. It shouldn’t surprise me, since this is the great Christmas card she sent:

Lea's Christmas Card

But it was not just the cats who got presents. I got some as well!

I’ll be honest. Lea’s package arrived the week before Christmas, and it was kind of a crappy week for me. I was PMSing, the apartment had flooded, my Christmas preparations were not humming along in the way that it felt like they should for someone with no day job to distract them from getting stuff done, and I was in the emotional and mental place one might expect to result from that combination. So I used the package as a daily pick-me-up. Every day I opened a gift or two, and every time I did, the world felt a little bit more right.

#TBTBSanta Presents from Lea

I have four new books to read and have already started in on the Christmas-themed one. I’m saving the other three as treats to read this winter (okay, the new Lady Sherlock may only wait until New Year’s Day — I can’t wait to start it!). I have new nail polish in sparkly confetti and purples, which will be the festive manicure I give myself on New Year’s Day while watching the parade. There is a fancy tea to drink late at night when I should be sleeping (like now). There are bookmarks (already in use!), notepads, sparkly pens, stickers, and bags to tuck into purses to hold pens, pads, and knitting needles (the last of those may not have been in Lea’s plan, but they’re just the right size!).

It really is a great package, don’t you think? Thank you so much to Lea for making me a box that I (and the cats) loved and to Jamie and Jana for running the swap again. I had a lot of fun shopping for my swap partner (Megan of The Hungry Bookworm) and got so much enjoyment out of opening each present Lea sent.

Category: books,christmas/holiday season. There is/are 3 Comments.



I love the cat gifts! LOL That is so awesome!

Comment by Kat 12.31.18 @ 8:31 am

Beautiful, well-timed gifts.

Comment by Karen 12.31.18 @ 12:18 pm

I’m so glad you enjoyed it and it helped boost your spirits! Glad the cats enjoyed the toys, I had to add them last to prevent my cat from making a getaway with them!! Happy New Year – enjoy your manicure and Lady Sherlock (omg so good)!!

Comment by Lea 12.31.18 @ 1:31 pm