Readers write in

I've been getting more emails and comments on the blog and thought I'd share a few. Fran wrote in about My Gift List, my failed experiment to track and limit my Christmas shopping (I went $60.50 over budget). "Thank you for all your help this holiday season. It was the first year that I subscribed to your newsletter, and it helped with my budget and made shopping fun."

Reader Melissa comiserated with me for having to buy underwear for a grown man (part of Hubby's Christmas present). "Ok... The underwear item was hilarious and one EVERY woman gets. My husband has the most tattered underwear and think they are in great shape."

At least one reader noticed the new daily digest format has pictures! And links that work! (What a novel idea). "I really love the new format," Bruce said. "Easier to read and more pleasent to the eye. Keep it up Julia." Thanks, and remember you can now sign up for the digest by plugging in your email in the box on the upper left hand of the blog.

Sol sent a quick French lesson. "Hi Julia, I think that highlighting a charity every day like you're doing is a wonderful idea. I hope many people choose to participate and donate. I just wanted to point out though that if you're going to refer to something as daily in French, the correct format is DU jour, not DE jour. Just my two cents. Thanks for bringing us the goodies!"

David left three suggestions for dawgs once the Weiner Factory closes. "Tommy's and Carney's are well-known for great chili. Less known is Marty's on the Westside (Pico just east of Prosser). It's easy to overlook but well worth the stop. Chili and grilled onions are always ready. Need I say more?"

I love it when readers email me directly but please consider commenting through on the blog (just click on the tiny "comments" link below each post) so others can benefit from your thoughts!