His reasons and Mother's are entirely their own, and are usually not mine to know. No worries. It's easier that way, really.

Any bit of elf you're willing to share would go down a treat. I'm as ill-equipped at cooking as at most things I'm attempting these days. Perhaps worse. (I think I might have had a breakthrough today on the other fronts.)

And, cousin, you should know that I never kiss and tell. Though I sometimes tell without kissing. Or some such.