Christmas Goodies...

Chryslyn and I spent Christmas apart... She in Paraguay visiting extended family, and me in Saskatchewan with my family. When Chryslyn got back, she had several present for me. The first was this sweet piece of pottery from a market in Paraguay.


These "cups" are called guampas and the "straws" are called bombillas. They are used for making yerba matte tea, a popular drink in several South American countries. It is definitely an acquired taste. The cup filled with the yerba mate leaves is passed around the circle as a social drink, refilling it with hot water for each new person. Traditionally the cups are made out of a bull's horn, but these are both wooden. The one on the right is from Chryslyn and the one on the left is a gift from her grandmother in Paraguay!


This is my Christmas gift to myself... an HDTV from Costco. I was in need of a new TV and decided that I should get an HDTV, as by next year, all American networks will be legally required to broadcast strictly in digital formats, and Canadian stations have to make the switch by 2011. Traditional analog TVs will require a special converter box in order to work. (Note: The photo of Hillary on the TV is not intentional... I am much in favour of Barack Obama over Clinton.)