Hempology

Crystal and I have been working on a Christmas card and/or Christmas letter to send out this year. We sent a card two years ago which, as our first year at Hemp Farms, was basically a picture of our house along with our new contact information (address, phone, etc.) I spent some time putting it together, but it was quite impersonal.

Last year, rather than repeat our previous inadequacy, we simply didn't send anything. In hindsight, that may not have been the best approach, but it did save us a lot of time! And really, no one wants to see a picture of me - and Crystal felt weird about the idea of sending a card with just her on it.

This year, however, has been a very big one for us. We've hit a couple milestones and we really feel like we're starting to "settle" (a nice way of saying we're getting old.) As such, we both had a strong sense that we should send a nice card and letter. So I sat down with Photoshop for a few hours while little miss Cora was napping and knocked out a custom-made Christmas Card with a few pictures we had taken last week by Picture People (whom I do not recommend) at Washington Square. I borrowed layout and color-scheme ideas from a designer I found via Google, then scanned and manipulated the "professional" pictures until they were just barely good enough. In the end, I actually think it turned out pretty well. As I type this, the cards are being printed by Costco for Crystal to pick up.

(click for larger image)

So if we know you, and depending on how much we like you, it's reasonable to expect you will be receiving a printed version of this card in the mail soon. In addition to the card we are also including (for the same low price!) a letter which you can read to warm your heart, and then toss in the fire to warm your body.

For anyone who does not receive a hardcopy or perhaps (like me) prefers to read things on a computer screen, here is a link to the letter in PDF form. Hope you enjoy.

And in case you don't hear from me again before the 25th... Please have a very merry Christmas!