misha's mom candie makes christmas stockings for everyone in the family, and this year i was honored with my own stocking.  it really is special that i received one and i absolutely love it!  it is so creative and, as she said, "artsy".  it reminds me of a time early in our relationship when we were out visiting his parents.  it was snowing and a blue jay landed on a bare branch out the window, and i flipped out- i just thought it was so exciting and beautiful.  on top of that, cardinals have always been one of my favorite birds, and one of my grandmother's favorite birds.