Wait, Wait!

January 11th?!   I wasn't finished with December yet.  Bother.

There was this . . .

We traveled up the highway to meet B & H (the expecting parents) halfway from here to Seattle to have a socially distanced trunk picnic and deliver Christmas prezzies.  It was as good to see them in person. I just wish this stoopid covid would go away so we could see them more normally and regularly.

I'm not crying.

I received some custom golf balls for Christmas from one of my golf buddies . . .

The problem is, they're so darn cute.  It makes me want to not play with them!  So I've decided to use them as putting balls only.  ha.  It's not that I'd lose them, mind you.  Balls get all dinged up and then should be 'retired.'  Who knew?  Not me. 

There was a special delivery of the famous deviled eggs from BIL Jeff and nephews . . . 

These are so dang good.  I may or may not have eaten every single dang one myself.  Not in one seating, mind you.  I mean, I do have some self control.  {ahem}

There was the distanced Christmas chat . . .

Had it not been for the stoopid covid we'd all have been on Maui enjoying a toast to Christmas in Hawaiian shirts and moo moos.  Oh well.  The Hubby and I experienced our first Christmas morning with just the two of us.  Crazy that it took that long but there you have it.

There was a 29th birthday celebration in the Bay area for X with G's family and good friends from college days.  Also, in much warmer weather too . . .

 

There was a special delivery of this poster left on the porch by good friends Pat and Noreen.  He thinks he's so funny. 

It's the gift that keeps on giving.  Literally.  Those balls would randomly fall off the poster (before we got smart and laid it down flat) and make such a noise we'd both startle.  ha.  I'm set for balls for months!  Well, depending . . .  

There was this cute 'doily' made by the Hubby out of a paper towel, served with caramels . . .

 

 

Very sweet, indeed.  Also, I was impressed with how well it did it.  Who knew he has a creative gene.

There was a sweet surprise visit from the Besties on THE birthday morning . . .

Those balloons are still floating.  Hoping they'll last until May for the Hubby's big 0.  Oh wait. If plans work out we'll be on the rescheduled, rescheduled, rescheduled Maui trip.  Only time will tell.

Then there was this fabulous cake . . .

The crown is amazing.  Made of chocolate and will replace the now rather rudimentary previous chocolate crown from my 50th birthday cake.  

And then this gift . . .

 

 

Orchestrated by the Hubby and Mrs TZ, an antique tin box for "Royal" mail.  It was filled to the brim with postcards from friends and family near and far with birthday wishes for mu-ah.  So sweet and a treasured gift for sure.  Of course, the few postcards from retirement homes were not my favs but I still appreciated the effort.  ha. 

 And then there was an impromptu, intimate New Years gathering with the Besties . . .

And that was December . . .  a scaled down but lovely Christmas, a quiet and special Birthday and a small New Years evening with the Besties.

All things considered, a fine ending to 2020. 

One Baby Baking

Here we are ~ December!  Sitting down with Joyce and the Hodgepodge for a chat . . .

1. What do you think it means to have the holiday spirit? 

Oh gosh, hmm.  Aside from Jesus being the reason for the season you mean? Maybe being helpful, cheerful and generally in a happy frame of mind.  The feeling of anticipation and contentment all rolled into a nice cleansing exhale. 

2. What's one thing you've baked this month? Have you eaten the finished product? How much baking do you do around the holidays? What baked sweet something does your family insist is on the menu during this season of the year? 

Well, I don't really bake but when I do it is usually a spice or chocolate cake from a box.  Sisters Debbie and Julie (they're my sisters, not nuns) would probably say that's not baking but whatever.  That said, the last thing I actually really baked was banana bread this past Sunday.  Only because I had bananas just asking to be put out of their misery used.  I think I've had one piece of said bread.  It's not my favorite but it's good with a cuppa tea in the afternoon.  

I don't believe the family insists on any baked sweet.  If I really think about it, we're not hugely into sweets.  Could that be because I don't bake?  Perhaps.  See there, I've done everyone a huge favor by not supplying fresh baked goods their whole lives.  ha.  That said, I usually have fresh cinnamon rolls on hand for Christmas morning but {gasp} they are NOT homemade.  I think that surprises no one.   

3. Your most recent 'half-baked' idea?

I actually had a 'half-baked' idea in my head this morning and I mentioned it to the Hubby.  His immediate response was a 'look' and then tried to talked me down from said half-baked idea.  I totally get all the why nots and why fors but, Eh.  I merely suggested a little drive up North to be all Santa like.  I mean, it wouldn't be the first time we drove to and from Seattle land in a day. 

4. Where were you the last time you 'baked' in the sun? The top ten sunniest destinations in the world (most sun from January-December according to this site) are Dubai, Bali Indonesia, Los Angeles CA, Miami FL, Barbados, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Mauritius, Antiqua, and the Canary Islands Spain. Have you been to any of the cities listed? Which one on the list appeals to you the most? If the world were not upside down crazy and you could lie on a beach anywhere right now where would you go? 

I believe we were last in the sun in Palm Springs, CA.  I can almost (but not quite) feel the sunshine as we speak.  {sigh} 

Of the above locations I have only been to Los Angeles.  I do not think of LA as a destination location but I suppose it could be. I mean, Disneyland is there so there's that. I definitely would not go to LA for beaching. Of the above, I'd pick Spain. 

If, as you say, the world was not all upside down crazy, we'd be packing for Hawaii right now. {sigh}  In fact the Hubby just canceled a few flights this morning and I'm just going to admit that I'm downright really disappointed about it.  I guess I will not be spending the 60th anniversary of my birth on the beach in Maui.  Stoopid COVID.  We were thinking of relocating the Maui for Palm Springs in early January but even that seems not quite responsible right. Especially since CA is shut down again with raging numbers.  {sigh}

5. Today I wish I had more _____________________.

Willpower.  I must have been hungry when I went to the grocery because I came home with maple bars and Cheetos!  Ugh. It's a darn good thing I walked 3.5 miles on the golf course yesterday. Just sayin'  And, I guess it's a good thing I won't be needing that bathing suit anytime soon.  {ahem}

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I do not have a random thought.  All my thoughts are on my list and there is no room for random.  ha.   

But wait!  Something IS baking!  The latest picture of the wee Grand . . .

 

The envelope is still sealed!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Look at me posting 2 days in a row!  We're on a roll, people!  Thanks to Joyce for continuing the Hodgepodge for those of us who need the prompts to keep the blog rolling!

1. It's Mickey Mouse's birthday (November 18)...happy birthday Mickey! He reads here, right? Have you ever been to Disney, any of the parks at all? Are you a Disney superfan or something less than that? They're open right now so tell us, would you go if you had the time/money/a free trip?  

Yes, I've been to Disneyland.  Multiple times. I've not been to Disney World and without any real desire to go to Florida . . . not likely to go there before I go to other more desirable locations.   I like Disneyland just fine.  I must say, I had a better time when the Hubby and I went when he was in law school and then again when the kids were young adults.  That whole taking the kids when they're little, is overrated to be sure.  I mean, seeing it though the eyes of Littles is a must once but much more fun when they're young adults.  ha. 

I thought I'd heard they were not open.  Must just be the CA one that's closed.  I would not go right now with the pandemic still lurking but would totally go for a freebie during a healthy year.  I mean, why not? 

This was the last time we were at Disneyland . . . it was right after X and G graduated from USD.  Which was June of '14. Cannot believe it's been 6 1/2 years! Yikes, a lot of life has happened since then! 

2. Your favorite place to go when you want to be quiet as a church mouse? Would those who know you well describe you as more churchmouse or perhaps more like mighty mouse? 

Hmm. . . good question.  To be honest, I really prefer to have some sort of background 'noise' going on at most times.  That said, I do enjoy peace and quiet when I'm sitting poolside.  Probably because I'm likely reading.  So that's my answer . . . poolside.  

Another good question.  I'm not likely going to mince words when I have something to say so . . . based on that . . .I'd say most that know me well would say I am more of a mighty mouse than a church mouse.  {Ahem} 

 

3. The day before Mickey's birthday happens to be National Homemade Bread Day. Did/will you celebrate? Do you bake your own bread? Last time you had hot out-of-the-oven homemade bread? What's your favorite kind of bread? 

Just how would one celebrate this holiday? Bake bread? I suppose.  I will not 'celebrate' today but had I not just made Banana bread on Sunday, I might have done that today as I have the rainy whole day without plans.  

 

My favorite bread would be a squishy, crusty white french style.  I am not a fan of sourdough bread.

 

4. What's something you might say is 'the greatest thing since sliced bread'?

Hmmm . . . so many things could rate as such but I'll going with the Marco Polo App.  It's a great live chat app and way more personal than texting.

 

5. Let's keep the gratitude theme we started last week rolling on through November. Share with us five little things you're grateful for today. Small blessings. One catch-they all must start with the letter T. Gotta keep us thinking, right? 

~ Tee Times - A 'safe' place to spend time in this covid world.

~ Negative Test result - I knew it would be, but still grateful for the confirmation.

~ The Hubby - That might be a stretch with the T criteria and not so 'little' but we're going on 36 weeks of  24/7 togetherness and (I still like him and) am grateful for him every single day.

~ Tea in the afternoon.

~ The Telly ~ as in television.

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Who else's mailbox is jammed packed with catalogs right now? It usually happens right about now with Christmas coming but I feel like this years is waaay outta control.  Which brings me to the fact that gift shopping will not be the same this year which makes me sad.  I enjoy the whole browse and buy craziness of Christmas shopping.  Clearly not to be this year. {sigh}  It's okay, I'll get over it and I'm thinking it might just be the start of new traditions/gifting in this family.  

 

Another 2020 side effect for sure. 

October in November . . .

Well shoot.  October is over and I didn't say a ding dang thing.  Not only that but the fact that I actually had SOMETHING to say and yet could not. 

October just got away from me. We actually raveled in October and 'seemed' actually busy.  You know, pre-COVID like busy.  I guess it's all relative though, right?  Our new normal gets busy and the next thing you know, it's almost like the old normal.  Except not.  Eh.

Let's just back track to a month ago when the Hubby and I ventured up the freeway to see B and H and their new patio and her parents. Cuz, you know, why would we not want to see the 'other Caroline' and Ian while they were in town.  Well, of course we would.  We enjoy them ever so much.

Well. Psh.  If I wasn't so COVID tired my brain would most likely would have been working over time and I would have suspected the obvious . . .

 

Yep, we're gonna be grandparents.  It's all work/family/FB/Instagram public now so I can publish here.

I am on the hunt for the perfect 'grandma' name without being grandma. Know what I mean? Suggestions?

Do we look like Grands?

Anyway, we're ever so happy for them and looking forward to the Little to come.  

So that started our month off with a bang and then the Hubby had a thing in Central Oregon so we ventured over the mountain to the high desert for a long weekend.  While there we saw friends and golfed and had a lovely long weekend.

We spent a full day helping G clean out years worth (and I mean YEARS worth) of leftover teaching stuff from her classroom and got it ready for her hybrid class of first graders.   Since then, the whole halftime live - halftime digital teaching has been a real struggle so . . . we'll see how that all shakes out.

Then we spent a week in the 'real' desert in So CA - aka: Palm Springs, where we got our last feel of warm sun.  We golfed (where I had my best round yet) and saw our lovely PS people  and enjoyed a nice vacation-like week.  I say, vacation 'like' because as you know, the Hubby did work some. As he does.

Always a fabulous time with these gals.  

I fell in love with these pool balls . . .

 

They can be any color you choose (remote controlled, dontchaknow) and don't have to be in the pool either. They light up the area without being overly bright.  So cool.  I chose those colors, by the way. 

So see, I've been kind of busy.  Not to mention that I also had a mammogram, my teeth cleaned (which was weird in this COVID time) and the usual hair and nail appointments.  So see, busy.  October was almost normal like.  

But not. 

BECAUSE WE'RE GONNA BE GRANDS!  

Moving on to November . . . so far uneventful.  I started doing a yoga for golfers class at the club which I have to say, the jury is still out on.  I'll stick it out for the first round but we'll see about the next round.

I had the Besties over for a socialy distanced (sort of) birthday dinner for Suzie . . .

 

It was her 60th so a celebration was in order.  Speaking of birthdays ending in 0 . . . mine is coming and our plan to take the family to spend Christmas, my birthday and New Years in Hawaii has been foiled big time.  Rats.  So very disappointing, to say the least. Oh well.  The Hubby is in denial as he has not canceled all of the flights just yet.  He's a silly man.

We were supposed to attend Brenden's bestie Jake's wedding in Salinas, CA this coming weekend.  I say 'supposed to' because at the last hour our dear Governor put the state back on a 'pause' with all kinds of restrictions including but not limited to a 14 day self isolation preferably before and after any travel especially out of state.  Well, clearly not possible for a 'before' trip quarantine and that would pretty much cancel Thanksgiving for us.  That is if we followed the recommendations.  Which of course we would do our best to do so.  

I mean, how is the whole thing gonna go away if everybody doesn't follow the simplest of requests?  Like, masks.  Wear a mask, people.

We were already scheduled to get tested to be able to attend the wedding and we actually followed through with that this morning.  With the numbers climbing and holidays coming we chose to do the responsible thing and stay home.  After all, it's not ESSENTIAL travel.  Such a major bummer.  As is was, B and H felt the risk too great for the pregnant momma to attend the wedding and after much thought and angst B decided he needed to stay home also.  They will not be coming down to PDX for Thanksgiving and very much not likely to be going anywhere for Christmas either.  It's a bummer but we'll all live and momma and baby will be healthy. Which is the most important thing after all.  

So here we are mid November.  Crazy.  I notice people putting up Christmas trees and decorations way early this year.  Is it because they're trying to rush this years finish?  I think so.  Not gonna work, but I say, do what you gotta do. 

Annnyway . . . this is how my golf buddies and I golf lately . . . 

 

 

The gal in the fieldhouse was so impressed with our determination that she gave us all Cart Mitts to keep our hands warm.  On this particular day we all purchased the same coat because it was so cold. Finally Nike Golf has a Ladies golf jacket I can get behind! 

 

Happy November.