It is no secret that I love, love Christmas. I love everything about this most important holiday in the Christian world.

I don't shop as much as I used to. There were years when I did go nuts buying clothes for myself. Nowadays, however, I go to department stores and malls simply to window shop. At times, I do buy. However, in the past month, I've been buying mostly food from Europe. Just a few weeks ago, I purchased three boxes of Spanish Turrones, a box of the Belgian Godiva chocolates, three cans of German chocolates, Scottish shortbread, and the Italian Panettone. It is no wonder I've gained weight yet again just in the last month. It sure is fun to eat but, boy, what a pain it is to lose the pounds!

What can I say? I am just powerless in the face of sweets!