EVERYONE IN MY YARD AGREES WITH THE LITTLE FROG in the blue boots: “Hurrah for Santy.” To that end, we–Jack the Demon Cat, the frogboys, the birds and snakes and I–wish you all a happy holiday season and also extend the offer of a possible gift: Two people can win copies of my “old” book, “A Way to Garden,” along with advance reading copies of my next, “And I Shall Have Some Peace There.” Details below, but meantime, let’s strike up the band, shall we?

The chance to win one of two sets of books begins now, and entries will close next Tuesday, December 28, at midnight. I’ll pick the winners Wednesday at random, using the tool at random [dot] org as usual. To enter, all you have to do is comment below–just say hello, or season’s greetings, or “Hurrah for Santy” or whatever you want. Even, “I’m in,” or “I’d like to win the books” will do.

Whether you choose to enter or not, here’s the important punchline:

May your holiday season be peaceful, safe, and spent in the company of those you love. Blessings all around, friends!

(Vintage print by the Louis Prang company, sent to me by one of my many kind readers after I ran this slideshow of that company’s other work.)