Thurs 31 Dec

Sayonara, 2020! People will be extremely happy to see the back end of this year, hoping beyond hope that next year shows improvements. I thank the Lord that our family has made it through this year with our health intact, safe and doing okay. We have all (except Taylor) been able to continue our regular source of income so we haven't gone hungry or had to worry about evictions or power shutoffs. Michael and Taylor got married this year. Things haven't been so bad for us. But my heart aches for much of the rest of the world who have had to deal with losses of loved ones to Co-Vid, disability from illness, loss of income, etc. And for the violence and racism that have hurt so many. Lord, please send healing in 2021 and show us the way to make the world a better place. (And please let Trump leave office peaceably.) Food: 8:10 am Caramel pecan roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 30 Dec

Had a lovely holiday dinner with Michael and Taylor yesterday evening. The duck they slow-cooked was absolutely scrumptious. The goose I cooked was a little dry and quite a bit chewier, but it was a big bird, at the top end of what Julia Child said would begin to be tough. Really enjoyed the food, the camaraderie, and the gifts were a hit. Food: 7:50 am Caramel pecan roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 10:30 am Chocolate coated dunker 12:15 pm Whole wheat English muffin, 2 scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, Satsuma Exercise: 9:00-10:00 am Body Pump class

Tues 29 Dec

Had a dream, half-awake, this morning that I was having a heart attack and had to go to the hospital. It was a bit disconcerting. Skipped the annoyting Yogalates instructor at the gym and did a Pilates mat at home instead. Much more satisfying and safer, too. Food: 7:55 am Hot cocoa cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:40 am Mac n cheese Exercise: 8:50-9:35 am Pilates mat

Mon 28 Dec

Chilly with a thin layer of snow outside, enough that I think Bob is going at it with the snowblower. I should try to get the kids' gifts organized and wrapped today and make a final decision on what to put aside for Taylor's birthday next week Wednesday. Food: 7:55 am Hot cocoa cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 27 Dec

Here we are, post-holiday but actually also pre-holiday since we're celebrating with Michael and Taylor on Tuesday. Kind of a nice mix of relaxation with a hint of anticipation. I looked at NYE specials in Madison, and they are a mix of take-out and dine-in in small groups. Once place lets you rent "snow globes" for parties of 4-6 people. It's good that people are being creative in managing things as well as possible, but I'm sure there are too many places where people will choose to gather in large groups anyway. Waiting for the Hot Chocolate cinnamon rolls to finish baking. 8:10 am 101 g blackberries, coffee, hot chocolate cinnamon roll (to come) 10:30 am Chocolate covered dunker 12:15 pm 3 eggnog pancakes w/butter & syrup, 2 slices bacon, 3/4 c eggnog

Sat 26 Dec

Happy Boxing Day! No Farmer's Market today so no real out-of-house commitments. Weather is somewhat milder, so I suspect a hike is in the offing. I'm also doing catchup laundry and may do towels and possibly even merino today. Food: 8:25 am Caramel pecan roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee 10:30 am Chocolate coated dunker 12:15 pm Whole wheat English muffin w/butter, butternut squash bisque, 2 slices Swiss cheese

Merry Christmas 2020!

A quiet Christmas day ahead for us with Laura in Madison and Michael and Taylor in Ironwood. I still need to wrap our presents! I'll make a rack of lamb roast for dinner this evening, maybe roast a butternut squash to go with it and bake some sweet potatoes? Haven't thought that far ahead! Food: 8:05 am Caramel pecan roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Christmas Eve 2020

The cold weather did indeed move in and Bob is fretting over the temperatures for our walk with Hartmans. We haven't yet been in contact this morning, so I'm not sure of the plans. Had a really nice visit from Michael and Taylor yesterday evening, sharing wine and giving them their Christmas stockings and kitty gift, saving the main gifts for our dinner get-together on Tuesday evening. They sent a picture of Mewis in the cat house, so he seems to like it. They seemed to like all of their stocking stuffers, including Michael's papaya! Food: 8:05 am Pear coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 23 Dec

Today I pick up our Christmas goose and get my hair done. Will try to get the butterhorn dough prepared as well, and maybe put up the creche. Busy day. Food: 7:50 am Pear coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 22 Dec

Completely cloudy sky last night obscured any possible view of the "Star of Bethlehem" convergence of planets that hasn't been seen since 1225. Hopefully there will be Internet pictures from elsewhere on the globe where the skies were clear. Food: 8:00 am Cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 21 Dec

Soltice comes but twice a year. After today, the days again start to lengthen. Always a pleasant thought. This last week before Christmas generally just disappears. Food: 7:55 am Cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 20 Dec

Had a really nice trip to Madison yesterday. Visited with Laura (and briefly with Kat), saw Annie, spent lots of money at Costco, good Trader Joe's run with yummy sandwiches to eat in the car for supper, safe travels on decent roads. Packers won even though I didn't watch. Food: 8:20 am Cinnamon roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 19 Dec

Didn't sleep very well last night, just rested at the surface of sleep. Did finish baking the cookies yesterday evening so we'll have some to give to Laura today, and to share with Michael/Taylor and Leone/Mick and Hartmans. Food: 8:00 am Morning bun, 41 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 18 Dec

If I were still working, I'd be getting very excited for a four-day weekend to come. The seasonal attractions are wonderful, but the time off this time of year for tired workers is also important. I feel so fortunate to be able to be retired and not have to get so stressed out often. I found out yesterday that Bootstrap is closed not only on Christmas Eve, but also the afternoon of New Year's Eve, so I don't return til next year. Food: 8:00 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 17 Dec

Got the stocking stuffers in one go at Aldi yesterday evening, enough to fill everyone's brim-full except mine. I should have no problem topping mine off at TJs. Had a little mix-up with Farmshed; apparently I was sufficiently confused by their interface that I ordered the delivery and not the soup, though I do remember submitting the soup order. We were able to get it sorted out and Trevor brought it on his delivery bike, so Farmshed chili is waiting for dinner tonight. No Kathy walk this morning, so I'm going to try to motivate to get the cookie dough made. Food: 7:55 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 16 Dec

Oh my, the days are flying by. Still need to make Christmas cookies, finish trimming the tree, buy stocking stuffers! Eeeek! Food: 8:00 am Lemon blueberry coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee 11:55 am Multigrain crispbread cracker, smoked trout spread, large red pear Exercise: 9:00-9:55 am Body Pump class

Tues 15 Dec

Chilly morning, required turning on the house heat. Fireplace isn't enough and takes too long to warm the house when it's under 20° outside. Michael and Taylor stopped over with coffee cake as a thank you for Bob getting the furnace fixed and for the down comforter we gave them. Sounds like they'd prefer to do Christmas dinner on another day and to cook food separately, share portions, and eat at home with FaceTime. Whatever. Food: 7:55 am Lemon blueberry coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:15 pm Slice Loven Fresh whole wheat, butter, slice Bourbon ham, slice baby Swiss, small English cucumber, Bosc pear Exercise: 9:15-10:15 pm Yogalates class

Mon 14 Dec

Chilly morning. Packers won, though once again they didn't let the viewer relax til the final seconds of the final drive. Looked like they were going to give away their comfortable lead on numerous penalties and a long kick return, but they held on by their fingernails. Plans still in place to visit Laura on Saturday, so I'm going to try to fill a stocking for her this week. Let Michael know that we'll willingly courier anything they might want to send. Food: 7:55 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:15 pm English muffin, 2 scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, 1/2 grapefruit Exercise: 10:00-11:00 am Pilates class

Sun 13 Dec

Starting to get chillier again now, but since it's almost mid-December, we really have nothing to complain about. Bob had to get up this morning and go get Taylor's furnace going. They had a blown fuse and she is home this weekend doing a girls' weekend with Grace. Reggie had bought some fuses so they had what was needed to fix the problem. Food: 8:10 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 12 Dec

Hoping very much that David will be at the Market today with pre-Christmas goodies for us. Will be so nice to taste his artistry again. Oh, well. Not this week (again). Heard he was delayed a week, so maybe next week. He'll probably trot out his traditional specialty goodies so we'll have to wait even longer for morning pastries. The fish lady whose daughter makes delicious morning buns had a big supply and insisted on giving us a discount for bulk purchase. We'll have good bakery this week anyway, if a little repetitive. Food: 8:45 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 11 Dec

Seven years ago (and two days) since my mama passed away quietly in her bed at Whispering Pines. Thinking of you today, Mom. Smile on us. Another Friday, laundry day, onset of the weekend. Maybe the holiday Baking Show will be on Netflix today? Food: 7:55 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee 1:20 pm Slice Loven Fresh whole wheat bread, slice Bourbon baked ham, slice baby Swiss, English cucumber, small pear Exercise: 9:00-10:00 am Body Pump class 10:15-11:15 am Yoga class

Thurs 10 Dec

Looking forward to walking with Kathy this morning, and hoping to settle whether they will come for brunch on Christmas Eve this year, just the two of them. It's only two weeks away so I need to start planning. I also plan to broach the subject of eliminating the gift exchange altogether, except maybe a few Christmas cookies that would already be made. A little anxious as to the overall response. Food: 7:45 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 9 Dec

Not nearly so dark today. Yesterday must have just been very overcast to be so dark in the morning. Today I can pick up a quart of Cheese Louise tomato basil soup at Farmshed! That will be a long-missed treat. Maybe I'll make grilled cheese sandwiches to accompany it for dinner tonight. Food: 7:55 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:25 pm 3/4 c plain Greek organic yogurt, 1/3 c pumpkin granola, small pear Exercise: 9:00-10:00 am Body Pump class

Tues 8 Dec

Another cloudy day emphasizes the lack of light in this part of December. I'm not used to such darkness in the morning for my shower; usually there's a hint of sunrise in the east. Only a couple more weeks til solstice, and then it will start improving again. Hope Laura recovers enough in the next couple of weeks to give me some ideas of what to give her for Christmas. I have a few things put aside for Michael and Taylor, but nothing as yet for her. Also need to quiz M/T about a major gift idea. Food: 7:55 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:10 pm English muffin, 2 scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, raspberries Exercise: 9:15-10:15 am Yogalates class

Mon 7 Dec

Getting into the darkest days of the year, but then they will turn around soon. For now, we just get through December. Poor Laura sounded truly exhausted yesterday on the phone, but it didn't help that I woke her from a nap. I pray that she makes it through this end-of-semester crunch and gets some good rest before next semester starts afresh. Food: 7:50 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 6 Dec

Happy St. Nicholas Day! I no longer put gifts in anyone's shoes or even mail things to the kids anymore, but I still have fond memories. We were able to get a whole week's worth of morning buns from the fish lady this week, and her daughter makes them far less sweet than Clasen's so I really prefer them. You can taste the butter in the dough. Food: 8:00 am Morning bun, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 5 Dec

Weekend already! They certainly fly by quickly. Gotta get a few more decorations down from the attic that I missed the first time, and try to find the remote tree switch for Taylor. Want to get to the Farmer's Market fairly early today. Otherwise no weekend plans at this point. Spent lots of money on food this morning: a week's worth of morning buns and fish from the fish lady, parsnips and yellow carrots, a red curry squash, eggs, and frozen tamales all at the Farmer's Market, then English muffins, a big pork roast for pulled pork and buns, frozen lobster bisque, two nice pieces of prime rib for tonight, Orville Redenbacher's for Bob at Metro Market. Good food to come! Food: 8:00 am Brioche chocolate chip roll, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 4 Dec

Pulled a red Moscato for tonight's wine, so need to think on something to mix it with to make it less cloying. This cherry coffee cake I bought from the people who run the farm stand by Family Video has been quite good. Sort of like a homemade version of the grocery store bar coffee cakes, a little more substantial. Not bad. Food: 7:45 am Cherry coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:55 pm Slice Innkeeper's Multigrain bread, ham salad, 95 g grape tomatoes Exercise: 9:00-9:55 am Body Pump class 10:15-11:20 am Yoga class

Thurs 3 Dec

Walking with Kathy this morning; seems like it's been a long time with missing Thanksgiving and possibly also the week before. Don't think it's quite as cold this morning as I had expected either which is a pleasant surprise. Also back to Bootstrap this afternoon after a week off for Thanksgiving. Food: 7:55 am Cherry coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee 12:00 pm English muffin, 2 scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, pear Exercise: 8:30-10:00 am Walk w/Kathy

Wed 2 Dec

December is feeling more wintry, as to be expected. Back into normal routine again, especially since Bob has his own vehicle back. Nothing unusual on the agenda for a few weeks, so time to get ready for Christmas. Food: 7:50 am Cherry coffee cake, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 1 Dec

Chilly morning today, low 20s. But it is December, so hard to complain. Gotta start making what plans can be made for celebrating the holidays soon. Got some gifts bought or ordered for Michael and Taylor, but no ideas yet for Laura. Food: 7:50 am Pecan kringle, 101 g blackberries, coffee