Happy New Year! 1/2/23

Hello and Good Morning and Happy New Year!! 

How are you and how were your celebrations?  Our weekend, of course, was quiet.  Fletch and I are both on the mend and will finish up our Paxlovid prescriptions tomorrow morning.  Our symptoms vary day-to-day.  I experienced more coughing than Fletch; he experienced a worse runny nose than I did.  We both thought our sense of taste was diminishing Saturday night, but Sunday morning that was fine.  I'm still a bit on the tired side (there was one night I slept 11 hours, got up and did a few things and then had a 2 hour nap!!), but overall am pleased with how we fared our first (and hopefully only) bout of Covid.  Thank you all for your well wishes and all the healing juju you sent our way.

I'll wrap up talking about our Texas trip in this post.  Kind of picture heavy, so be warned!

Saturday morning (still a bit on the chilly side) we all had a late breakfast at a restaurant in Austin.  After that the men went off to see Avatar (which they all enjoyed - all 3+ hours of it!).  Mailing, Bonnie and I took off on our own adventures:  first we drove to Franklin's to pick up all the BBQ Mailing had ordered for Christmas day.  Luckily she had ordered and we were able to pick up.  Others who had not ordered were waiting in line - folks get in line hours before the place opens...almost tailgating - chairs, coolers with beer, etc.  After that we went to the Blue Genie Art Bazaar

This was just your typical neighborhood bazaar:  soaps, candles, jewelry, tee shirts, etc.  Some of the stuff was interesting, some not so much.  After that we drove to a park Mailing had heard about and walked a 3-4 mile loop.  I was exhausted by the time that was done!  But, it was time to meet the guys and take in the Bullock Texas State History Museum (and I will say the history of TX is extremely violent!).

Christmas Day dawned sunny and bright.  We had a lazy morning at the AirBnB and then walked over to C&M's (about a 15 minute walk) late morning.  We had some gifts and then some of us took a walk along the River Walk.  What a pretty trail.  There were lots of people out and about walking, running, biking, etc.  Early on our walk we spotted a beautiful hawk sitting on a low branch alongside the trail.

Up near the dam and Lady Bird Lake we spotted a lot of turtles.

Colin & Mailing often spot green parakeets along this trail, but none were to be seen on Christmas Day.  There are a lot of pretty and interesting murals along the trail.

The BBQ for dinner was delicious.  There was turkey, pulled pork, sausage, brisket and ribs.  And, of course, sides:  potato salad, cole slaw, pickles, etc.

We watched a movie and called it an early evening - Monday we headed to San Antonio!

First up was Tower of the Americas which was pretty impressive.

You can see from the sky what a gorgeous day we had!  And, San Antonio was mobbed - so many people.  Compared to it, Austin felt like a ghost town!  We ended up having lunch at a place along the River Walk in San Antonio.  Though the air was a little chilly, we opted to sit outside to eat.

Next up was the Alamo.

Next up we took in the San Antonio Botanical Gardens.  So many of the plants were covered due to the severe weather of a few days before, but there are several greenhouses and the displays were gorgeous.  I liked this little structure:

Our last stop before an early dinner was the San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden which was so, so beautiful.  We didn't have much time there as it was closing by 5, but we walked a bit.  This structure was so gorgeous

We had an early dinner and headed back to Austin.  Bonnie, Zhongren, Fletch and I had an early flight back to PHL Tuesday morning.  Our flight was delayed, but only by half an hour.

Overall, it was a wonderful trip with a whole lot of walking!  Thanks for coming along on my trip!

Hoping today finds everyone stepping into the New Year with joy and optimism.

Goodbye 2021

 Good Morning All!

Happy New Year and Goodbye to 2021.  This year is ending on a heavy note for moi.  Vera and Kabir (my neice and her husband) and 3 children had to evacuate from their home in Broomfield, CO yesterday.  They went to her Mom's (my brother's ex wife) and are hopefully ok.  Not sure about their home.  Phil's other 2 children are further north and so far safe.  Phil & Lynnette had loaded up their camper last night and were ready to evacuate if needed.  I think they are ok - waiting to hear from Phil this a.m. as to how and where they are.  What a sad way for the year to end.

I woke up late today (almost 8 a.m.!!) (was awake during the night...worried about the CO fires), so am getting a bit of a late start to my day.  Yesterday I went back to the canal trail and walked.  It almost felt muggy out it was so mild (low 50's).  Here are some things I saw:

A decorated bench trail-side.  I was going to photograph it the other day, but a gentleman was resting on it and I didn't want to disburb him!

More shelf fungus.

Some pretty green moss (I love moss)

A tree trunk covered in burls - look at them all!

There were more people out and about with the milder temperature, but it still was not very crowded.  So far it is looking like another grey day here.  Hopefully I can get out and go for a walk somewhere.  Perhaps I will try the River Trail (in Valley Forge, along the Schuylkill River) this time.

Yesterday around 4:00 Mabel ran outside!  We are careful opening the door, and I had just opened it a bit to throw something into the recycling tub when whoosh she was out in a flash!  She explored a bit and I just let her be.  Fletch was watching and finally went out to be sure she didn't run into the street or anything.  She ended up circling the house a few times and then came in the front door!  

So who has plans for tonight?  We are having crab cakes, biscuits (home-made at F's request) and a salad for dinner.  And a bit of Prosecco.  I don't always stay up till midnight, but we will see how it goes tonight.  Tomorrow I will cook some black eyed peas for luck.  No real plans, but that is fine with me.

Thank you all for visiting and commenting here throughout the year.  I've enjoyed sharing a bit of my life with you and getting to know you all a bit better.  Cheers to 2022 and all the best wishes for a healthy and joyful year ahead!

Happy New Year!

 Happy New Year My Friends!

So, how are you all doing?  And how were your celebrations (or lack thereof)?  Fletch and I stopped going out on New Year's Eve decades ago.  We used to go into Philadelphia - a friend who live on South Street always threw a huge party.  But the drive in town was nasty and worse coming home.  So many folks on the road, etc.  Our routine now is that I make a crab quiche, we have a lovely dinner and I try to stay up till midnight (never a problem for Fletch...always a struggle for moi).

The crab quiche happened.  And man was it good!!  The recipe calls for 8 oz of crab, but I always put in a full pound.  This year I added some fresh spinach on the bottom, a bit of crumbled bacon and I cut back on the cheese a bit.  

I opened a bottle of wine to go with the quiche.  I am mostly a red wine drinker, but wanted a white wine to go with the crab.  Often I buy wine for the label and this one was no exception.  Because I practice archery some...

Such a great label!  And the wine was delicious - hints of apricot, light, fruity.  It is from Georgia (the country...not the state) and I highly recommend it.  I'm hoping I can find it again.

My plan had been to have a new cast on either New Year's Eve or New Year's Day and I was planning to make Heart Warmer which I have wanted to knit for some time.  BUT...I discovered I did not have any of the 16" circular needles called for (sizes 5, 4 and 3) and I didn't feel like using DPN.  So, Amazon to the rescue and my needles will be here Monday.  The yarn I've chosen is:

The varigated skein is not quite enough yarn, so I will use the solid "Mistletoe" coler at both ends of the cowl.

With that plan on hold till Monday, my new start today will be socks (what a surprise - lol).  My yarn is wound:

Both skeins from the stash.  (The "Hookah Smoke" skein was bought several years ago in Vermont when we were on vacation.  I had to buy it just for the name of the color!!  It is Wonderland Yarn.)  The pattern I plan to knit is Yule Wave - a free pattern I received from Carol Feller (Stolen Stitches).  

A dark picture, but you can get the idea.  They should be fun and pretty to knit.

There was no cast on last night...I tried to stay up till midnight but gave up at 9:30!  I ended up sleeping almost 11 hours, so I guess I really was tired.  Fletch said the neighborhood was quiet.  He could hear some fireworks, but all in the distance.

Today will be a quiet day with knitting and reading (and maybe even a nap despite 11 hours of sleep!).  Maybe a little yoga or a work out on the Gazelle we have (but it's in the basement and I find it SO boring).  Black eyed peas are cooking away in the crock pot with some spicy tomatoes (Rotel with chipolte!) and Andouille sausage.  I'll cook up some rice and some kale later on.

Well, after thinking I would not post until Monday the 4th, this has gone on for quite a bit!  Wishing you all the best start to a new year filled with joy, excellent health, laughter and love.  Enjoy!!

Happy New Year!

Our celebrations last night were typical – very quiet.  Usually I make a crab quiche for dinner, but we decided to do BBQ shrimp (New Orleans style) instead.  It’s a favorite dish and you can just about feel your arteries clogging from all the bacon and butter!!

 

 

It was good and we had a salad to go with it and some bread (to mop up all that delicious juice!!). 

 

The evening was spent watching some TV, working on a jigsaw puzzle, reading and knitting.  I went to bed at 10:30 and we completely forgot to open the champagne!!  Age…..

 

Today has started off well.  Coffee and knitting early and then I made cinnamon pecan waffles for breakfast.  I have a bit of laundry going.  I’d like to undecorate the tree, but I know Fletch wants it up a bit longer, so I’m not even suggesting it!

 

The balance of the day will be spent knitting, napping, reading a bit.  I’m hoping to take a walk, but right now it is very windy out, so maybe later.  We’ll see.

 

I have my “One Little Word” for 2019 and it is STRENGTH.  I mulled over a number of words, but this one kept coming back to me.  I’d like to gain more physical strength, but also emotional and mental strength as well.  Strength of the Spirit perhaps.  To find out what word others have chosen (or what word has “found” them), hop over to Juliann's Blog. 

 

Meanwhile, it’s time for me to get back to some knitting!

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Oh gosh it is chilly outside.  Tyg woke me at 6 a.m. to go out and it was 3 degrees.  I went back to bed...woke up at 7:45 to brilliant sunlight pouring into the back bedroom window.  Cozy under the blankets, but it was still 3 outside,  It has now warmed up to 5F.

The party Saturday night at our neighbor's was nice.  Met some lovely people and better yet, got to see the inside of the farmhouse.  Rob renovated the kitchen and it is now huge with exposed stone walls and lots of space (since that's where everyone gathers during a party). 

Yesterday we stayed put.  It was cold all day long.  Fletch ventured out to fill the bird feeders and add water to the bird bath (which is heated).  I made our standard New Year's Eve dinner:  crab quiche:

A favorite recipe of ours from the Philadelphia Orchestra cookbook that I've had for years.  I double the crab in it and this year I added spinach.  It turned out great.  That and a glass of champagne (with a splash of chambord in it) - perfect!

For a change I managed to stay up till midnight.  We watched an episode of Shetland (such a great show) and then watched Austin City Limits till midnight...no ball dropping on Times Square for us.  By 12:05 a.m. I was in bed - lol.

So, a brand new year filled with opportunities.  I'm going to "attempt" at keeping a journal this year, but no huge expectations.  If I write, ok.  If I don't, that's ok too.  Here's the cover of my journal - love it!!

And, my "one word" for 2018 is EXPLORE.  I want to explore new things - techniques, places, etc.

Plans for today include knitting, reading and cooking (dinner will be pork chops, collards and hoppin' John to welcome in the new year).  I always try to take a walk on the 1st, but not sure that will happen today it is so bitterly cold.  My second fingerless mitt is almost done...or about half-way done.  I'll work on that a bit, but I want to cast on something new for the 1st and that will be Colin's first sock.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, may the New Year be filled with good health, fun times, laughter, and all things wonderful.  I'm off to pour another cup of coffee and figure out what to have for breakfast.