Waiting for New Year

 

Here is half of the bouquet that Deb and Paul sent us.

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Leeanne and I went in search of good shots of the mountains with new snow. Here are what we came up with. (12/29/20)

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Last Wednesday, we had a "Come eat cheesecake and be merry" gathering on Mom's patio. I made Kristie Sullivan's wonderful Carrot Cake Cheesecake. Other goodies were chocolate flourless cake with ganache, and lemon tarts. They were yummy with no sugar, just Swerve and Sukrin. We had about 15 neighbors who sat on the common grass area at least six feet apart. There were lots of lively conversations and it was fun. Some of us even had cocktails.

 Oh my. 

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I have cleaned my sewing machine, and not that it needed it, but the ball of lint was about the size of a quarter and a half inch high. I worked a bit on my current landscape quilt. It either needs a lot of work or it's a disaster. Mom couldn't identify the subject matter so I think I am less than successful with this one. It's going to be one of those that the clue is in the title, I think. 

I have joined a FaceBook quilting group (Madame Sew) and there are so many amazing quilters who post pictures of their work. Some are amazing at making a zillion very intricate blocks. It makes me want to assemble a bunch of squares and assemble them back home. 

A couple of the quilts posted were by beginners and it showed. But what also showed was the love that went into them. Usually they were a gift for someone else such as a grandchild or adult child. One woman made many "memory bears" using (for instance) a shirt that dear departed Grandpa used to wear. She's a true craftswoman and giving bear hugs to many people.

I also have been with the Crazy Cat People FB group for a while so I thought it was time to branch out and I have joined the Doggo Group. Daily I get to see pictures of dogs and cats. Oh, yes, the Unitarian Universalist Hysterical Society on FB is always good for a laugh. Sometimes there are thought provoking threads as well.

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For quite a few laughs, if you Google "Frank the Christmas Gargoyle," you will find a very entertaining saga. It all began when a woman put a Santa hat on Frank the Gargoyle and put him on her front doorstep.

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I watched Midnight Sky with George Clooney on Netflix. I cannot recommend it. My first thought is, don't bother. However, I did read of someone on FB who thoroughly enjoyed it. So don't go by me. 

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I am thoroughly enjoying The Ranch on Netflix. Be forewarned: every other word is the F word which I don't mind. Mom has dubbed it "crap" but I find the show to be well written and funny. 

Of course, Sam Elliott is in it and I have had a crush on him forever. Ashton Kutchner is pretty good as is Debra Winger. Beau (Sam E.) is Colt's (Ashton K.) father and Beau is a very old fashioned gun toting rancher, while Colt is a facial moisturizing kind of guy trying to get along with his cranky father and learn about ranching. There's another brother -- Rooster -- and other characters, including Dale the Veterinarian. (I'm slipping; I had left out two letters of veterinarian.)

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If I don't get back to you before then, happy New Year. But otherwise, be happy now. We are blessed. Cheers!

Candy Lane

Last night, Leeanne was our esteemed chauffer and we went to see the Palm Springs Christmas tree.

The downtown street lights are festooned with shooting stars.

And then we motored on to Candy Lane. We got to be in a Grinch and Santa parade which was great so that we could see all of the wonderfully decorated houses. Here's the link to the album of pictures.

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/STDHM9aQAv2wFQGr7

[Just in case you forgot: highlight the above link. Then press control c. Go to Google and put your cursor in there. Press control v and it should paste the link in. Press enter and the album should come up.]

I wish you all a safe and healthy Christmas. Joy to the world!

Morning Has Broken

 Yes, you should be hearing Cat Stevens singing, "Morning has broken." Up at 6 a.m. again -- it's a trend. At least I get to see the glorious color changes on the mountain when the sun rises.

Ears on --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0TInLOJuUM

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I've a few recommendations for you today:

The first one is The Half Husky Brothers on FaceBook. This is my favorite post of theirs -- trying new foods.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=search&v=708910706428591&external_log_id=264bc825-0d26-4074-b266-6a6f4c7ccf64&q=the%20half%20husky%20bros

If you can't get them on FB, the link below is on YouTube, but it's not nearly as good (in my opinion) as the FB post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNSOy8q9wuo

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The Unitarian Universalist Hysterical Society has been consistently funny. (Also a FB group)

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=unitarian%20universalist%20hysterical%20society

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Noatmeals: I tried my first Noatmeals breakfast this morning and it's yummy. It's like oatmeal, but different with nutty overtones. I ate the cinnamon and apple flavor today. You might want to add a bit more cinnamon and possibly fresh apple. It depends on what you like. The total carbs are 6 grams but if you're a net carbs fan, it's only 2 g net.

What's in this miracle breakfast? Shelled hemp seed hearts, chia seeds, flax seed meal, dried coconut flakes, MCT oil, freeze dried apple, cinnamon, natural flavor, monk fruit extract.

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Hummingbirds' Night Light

Some California Color

The East Entrance to Sunrise Villas

File Footage of Lights at Living Desert

Mom's Hedges Facing Street

View on Our Walk

Oleander

Once upon a time, a long time ago, when a certain evil woman was bedeviling Princess Tina, a loving mother offered to fill a suitcase with oleander. However, Princess Tina knew that the kingdom would survive if she could just persist. The evil woman slunk away in shame after her subjects revolted, including turning their backs on her at a holiday gathering to which she was not invited. It ended happily ever after. So ends this fairytale.

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I may have bored you with this before, but I can't resist passing on the easiest quiche recipe ever. I make it crustless and if you do, be sure to spray oil on the baking dish.

one frozen crust

3 large eggs

1 cup 1/2 and 1/2

1 cup shredded cheese (I use Mexican blend)

Enough real bacon bits (I use Krumbles from Costco) to cover the               bottom of the dish*

*You can use chopped ham if you wish

Optional extras: cooked broccoli pieces, chopped spinach (well drained), asparagus, cooked sweet peppers.

Cover the bottom of the crust/baking dish with bacon. Beat eggs and 1/2 & 1/2 thoroughly. Put cheese and optional extras if using on top of bacon. Pour in egg mix. Bake ~ 45 minutes at 350 F.

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I have pretty much run out of things to say. Have a great Saturday and an even better week! Cheers!

 

Friday Eve

 A woman on Spectrum news used Friday Eve to refer to Thursday. I thought it was cute but it doesn't have a whole lot of meaning for retired folks! Every day is special. The only day I really have to remember is "trash eve" so I remember to put my trash out. There's no way I'm going to be putting it out before 7 a.m.!

So I'm still quarantining in the lap of luxury here in Palm Springs. I'm very proud of myself today because I have made the bed and done other "chores" all before 10 a.m. At home, I never made the bed because I live alone -- and who cares? But after polling some friends, I found myself to be in the minority. I actually have been making my bed at home. However, I am careful to let it air first. I hate the thought of making a still warm bed!

View from Mom's house

The two pictures below are the definition of low hanging fruit!

Lacy tree leaves

I love barrel cactus!

Picturesque eucalyptus

Oleander

View on our walk today while overcast

Nothing much is happening. The photos are from two different walks around the neighborhood with Mom. We have a good time rubbernecking at all of the houses, seeing where there might be a For Sale sign. 

We splurged today and had Panda Express for lunch. Mom and I are practicing social distancing and wearing masks. She picked up the lunch while I got to watch a bit more of The Crown on Netflix. It's weird because the actor playing Prince Philip is the same one who played a bad guy on Outlander. (He also played a good guy on Outlander in a different century.) Sometimes it seems as if there are only five British actors -- you see them in lots of shows. The old guy in Last Tango in Halifax played Claudius in I Claudius. Gee, I wish they would re-run that series!

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It's Friday and I'm up at 5 a.m. Thought I'd chat with you.

 There will be no bright light displays at The Living Desert this year. Bummer. Some of the neighbors have Christmas lights. Mom got a very cute little Christmas tree. I think it's about 12 inches tall. 

We will have our own display right here. These pictures are from December 19, 2018. That was the first year Elaine and I went to view the lights. (Last year her husband and son joined us.)

Christmas 2019

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As I said, I am in the lap of luxury here and I have just 'made' more tea using the hot water tap here. It's a miracle! Instant tea-worthy hot water right from the tap on the sink. With lemon, of course, that I picked yesterday.

The sun is coming up -- soon as the rosy fingers of dawn approached * -- and I would take a picture for you but it's only 46 F. I know, I know, some of you are freezing your nose off, but I don't really want to put on layers over my jammies. Hmmm ... maybe I have a file photo. Be right back. 

Sunrise 2018, view from Mom's house.

* That's the only part of the Odyssey that I remember.

I hope you all take a day off from the news and just be in your own little bubble with your "pod." More and more I hear people using that term and it's o.k., but it really does make me feel like a whale. Four more days and I can expand my pod of one to include Mom and Friends.

Do something fun. Maybe bake something, or paint, or dance. I'm going to be snapping pictures after I eat a blueberry muffin with my tea.

Cheers!