Early on one of those freezing mornings I came across a large stand of California native toyon shrubs, every branch covered with juicy red berries. Dozens of songbirds were enjoying the feast, loading up and bracing for another cold night. You couldn't ask for a more Christmas-ey plant. Bright red and green — the Christmas colors. I made a note to put toyon on my list for gift ideas. What would be better than to give my loved ones something that feeds the birds and the spirit?

The days are short and cold and steelhead season is starting! I love fishing and one of my favorite types of fishing is for steelhead. There are many varieties of fishing and steelhead fishing is one that you either love or dislike, because it is during the cold wet winter months where we live.

After an opening-season loss, the San Lorenzo Valley boy’s basketball team won two straight games heading into the Dad’s Club Tournament this weekend.

My hubby Norm returned home from a business trip on a December’s evening a few years ago, to a house filled with cookies.  I had spread the cookies out to cool on every flat surface available; bathrooms included.