There are certain sensory cues that let me know that the holidays have arrived, probably from childhood. Right at this moment, one of those cues is hitting me right in the nostrils . . . Cinnamon Raisin Bread baking in the oven.

Got any holiday sensory turn ons?

That's an easy one for me: the smell of a real pine Christmas Tree! Nothing beats it.

Do you guys get them out in Hawaii?

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Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

Yup, we support the tree growers in Oregon by shipping in hundreds of containers filled with christmas trees. Unfortunately, sales are down this year, so they're being slashed for sale before Wednesday.

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! No more trees...I CAN'T HANDLE IT!!!!!!

{sorry; had to scream; I spent the last month selling Christmas trees as a fundraiser for my Scout unit}

So far, I seem to keep associating my Christmas spirit with working on my car...I've had my car for two holiday seasons, and for both of those times, it's needed maintenance major enough to require downtime (fortunately, this year's mild; last year I had to replace the axleshafts and the wheel bearings; this year, so far, it's just a major cooling system flush and thermostat replacement)... This is also balanced by the fact that this time of year seems to be the only time that my car decides to demand attention. I love my 123

But, unless things go bad, I'm leaving for southern California tomorrow, so (again presuming that nothing bad happens), I'll see you all next year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

The wife and my youngest daughter spent saturday baking. Ahhhh! The smells of homemade oatmeal cookies, fudge, suger cookies.........
My arteries are hardening just smelling it all!

Merry Christmas to everybody!

Happy holidays to those who are too P.C.

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past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)