What I Would Love for the Holidays

I've always envied people who have birthdays in the summertime.  Mine is in November.  While I covet the idea of having a birthday party in the garden,  I also relish the cozy world of birthdays in November.  Here was my best birthday gift:

Yes, my boyfriend got me a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer.  It was mostly to avoid being asked to mix things like this bread by hand for ten minutes straight, but still.  It was the best present ever.

Some other things I'm thankful for, or that I'd love to see under the Christmas tree, include: