List 30

Love: Christmas month - a big part of which is Christmas music. My all-time favorite holiday song is "Let It Snow, Let It Snow" - especially the Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme version we had on a record growing up, but which is really hard to come by these days. And I must confess a weakness too for Wham!'s "Last Christmas." The video is epically '80s.

Like: This walnut and black version of Eames' classic Hang It All. A great present for the man who has everything...on his closet floor. Which would be Erich. So this was his birthday present.

Discovery: San Francisco's Little Star Pizza opened on our side of the Bay and gives the famous Zachary's some major competition. The interior is really nicely done, and in the battle of stuffed spinach versus stuffed spinach, I'm giving it to Little Star.

Obsession: Zuni Roast Chicken and Bread Salad. It's a bit of work, with lots of steps, but the most successful restaurant-to-home recipe transplant I've ever experienced. We made it Sunday might for Erich's birthday dinner, followed by his favorite, German Chocolate Cake.

Complaint: Black Friday. Waiting in lines at dawn. The mad, frantic crowds. I just don't get it. I prefer Pay 20% More But Shop With Dignity Tuesday.