Tues 30 Nov

Having Thanksgiving with the kids tonight. Taylor is doing the cooking - non-traditional, and all I have to make is cranberry pudding pie. I have a little over 100 pages left to finish the new Outlander book, and then it needs to be returned to the library today. Food: 7:55 am Almond kringle, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 29 Nov

Forgot to watch the Packers yesterday, but they won anyway. Will have to watch the highlight reel to catch up. Got further in the Outlander book, but it's still unlikely I can finish it by tomorrow. Maybe if I read really a lot today and early tomorrow and don't return it until the afternoon, it's possible, though I doubt it. Food: 8:00 am Almond kringle, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 28 Nov

First Sunday of Advent. Got to spend real time with Laura yesterday, though Bob was the one who spent close time with her fixing things on her house while I stayed on her couch and got some reading done on the new Gabaldon book. We shared sushi lunch and pizza supper with her and got to get better acquainted with her cats. Also squeezed in a TJs run before she was done lifting so we got some of their winter coffees, some more peppermint meringues, and an explanation of why the large meringues were absent (supply chain, labor shortages) but assurances that they will return. Bought several bottles of wine there, including a Diamond cabernet sauvignon that should be something special. Food: 7:55 am Almond kringle, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 27 Nov

Planning to drive down to Madison today to help Laura with getting her house fixed up for sale. Will walk to the Farmer's Market first. David wasn't at the market, so we resorted to the Costco cinnnamon butter loaf which is still just fine. Was able to get eggs and carrots, so the trip was not in vain. Food: 8:55 am Costco cinnamon butter loaf, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 26 Nov

Delicious kouign amann from Patisserie 46, the last of their wonderful pastries for now. Going to try to do lots of laundry and make turkey soup today. Probably not going to yoga, just stay home and spend time with Bob. Also I need to read a lot as I have to return the new Gabaldon book on Tuesday, though he did say if I bring it back with another dollar, I can keep it another week if I haven't finished it. I'm only about 25% of the way through, if that, at this point in time and we're going to Madison to help Laura with her house tomorrow. Food: 8:00 am Kouign amann, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just watched some great dance numbers from Chicago! on the Macy's parade. Will start prep soon for the turkey dinner for just Bob and me today. Going to Laura's on Saturday to help with home repairs in prep for selling her adorable house which has become too much for her; she'll look for a condo closer to campus. Food: 8:10 am Chocolate almond croissant, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 24 Nov

French patisserie for breaksfast, warmer temps on forecast for today (only), and a haircut this afternoon. Food: 7:50 am Brioche cinnamon roll, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 23 Nov

Had a really good sleep last night; didn't wake even once to pee. And without medication for breathing. Nothing on the schedule today, except maybe an Aldi run this evening to get celery for the stuffing. Food: 8:10 am Bear claw, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 22 Nov

Had a really nice little trip to Mpls/St Paul. On Thurs, we stayed at an older Best Western, very well kept-up, on the west end of 494. We lunched at the Finnish Bistro, shopped at the little store next door where I chatted with a woman who was also a Baking Show afficionado. She told us about a couple of excellent French patisseries in the cities and gave us addresses. We went to IKEA after lunch, wandered through the store, and bought 3 dining room chairs to replace the bench. Couldn't get the same stain, so we had to go with black; we'll alternate chairs on each side. New chair cushions, too, that are a better match for the flooring. We also found a new flannel duvet cover for the bed. Hit Costco near the hotel on the way back before checking in. Had just enough time to do Duo before leaving for our reservations at Broder's. Thought we had left enough time, but heavy traffic on the Crosstown made us a couple of minutes late - not a problem. Had a wonderful meal there with wine from the Ercole region (we toasted Pat D'Ercole!), delicious spinach ricotta gnocchi with excellent sauce and vegetables for me and pasta for Bob. Had a wonderful panna cotta with pomegranate and toasted orange peel shreds to finish off. Had a lovely time with Kurt and Barb on Sat/Sun. Barb made delicious oatmeal and a great fruit salad for our breakfast. Took a long walk around the new development on the old Ford grounds to see the progress since our last visit. Took another long walk afterward downtown to check out the new project in the old Dayton's space and look at how downtown had radically changed to a more residential area with lots of apartments, mostly inhabited by the younger people. Had a great lunch at a food court-type building and got tons of steps for the day. Watched Kurt and Barb curl on Fri night and watched some of the curling Olympic trials competitions at their house. After Lumen Christi on Saturday (more walking!), we went to a Mexican restaurant, Casa Maria, with Kurt and Barb for dinner. Sunday Barb made us multigrain blueberry pancakes. Barb and I took a neighborhood walk before we left. We did a quick stop-in at Woodbury Costco to pick up dishes that were out of stock at the other Costco as well as toilet paper. Food: 8:00 am Pulla cinnamon roll, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 18 Nov

Michael stopped over yesterday evening and we were able to have a nice visit. I sent home some freshly made cranberry chutney and the kitchen twine. He actually came to borrow some garlic, so he took home a few cloves since I didn't have even a full head left. Heading out to Mpls today; staying at a Best Western by the Costco west of 494 tonight and with Kurt and Barb Fri and Sat nights. Reservations for dinner at Broder's Pasta Bar tonight. Will watch Kurt & Barb curl tomorrow. Food: 7:00 am Chocolate croissant, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 17 Nov

Another night where Fitbit says I slept much better than I felt that I did. Apparently I get quite a lot of deep sleep in right away, then even if I'm very restless (as I was) in the middle, it still works out to a decent sleep. It's probably true, because I don't feel ill-rested in spite of the restlessness. The 12-hour Sudafed keeps me breathing freely in spite of changing positions frequently. Food: 8:00 am Kouign amann, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 16 Nov

Losing track of days somehow this week. Someone rang the doorbell around 3 pm yesterday and I panicked and thought it was already Wednesday and Trevor was bringing my soup. It was just a solicitation for a home improvement company. Shoulder continues to improve, and almost no residual soreness at the injection site on the left shoulder. Cold is still there, but gradually getting better. Food: 7:50 am Chocolate pecan snail, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 15 Nov

It appears that neither of us have had any major reactions to the booster vaccine beyond some soreness at the injection site. Bob had a bout of diarrhea yesterday afternoon, but that happens to him periodically so it's hard to know if he just ate too many mangos. We stayed home yesterday except for church and had a very quiet afternoon, so there weren't too many demands on our energy. Food: 7:50 am Apricot danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 14 Nov

It's a winter wonderland! We probably got at least 3 inches of snow last night with some light flakes still drifting down. The first snowfall of the winter is always so pretty. My shoulder was sore at the injection site last night before bed and got a little worse in the night. I took ibuprofen because the other shoulder was sore as well, and this morning I'm feeling pretty good. T'would be nice if that was the worst of the effects from the booster. Food: 7:50 am Cheese danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 13 Nov

Leone is 101 today! Plan to pick up a birthday balloon soon and drop it off with her little gifts. We also both get our Pfizer booster shots today. No other weekend plans in case we get reactions to the shots. Food: 9:15 am Blueberry almond danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 12 Nov

Took Sudafed 12-hour last night and slept ever so much better! Now I feel it starting to get to the runny stage, which is good because it's progressing toward the end. I'll be ready to be done as soon as it is. On a good note, my arm is considerably better at 6 weeks out. Food: 8:00 am Honey bear, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 11 Nov

I'm choosing to skip my walk with Kathy today as there's a large rainy weather system over our area with rain expected at 85% or better probability all morning. My cold is worse and I don't think it would do me any good to be walking in the rain. Temps aren't bad, up around 50°, but it still doesn't sound like a good prospect. Food: 7:45 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 10 Nov

Cold is a little worse, maybe at the peak from which it might descend. Must say that it isn't nearly as bad a cold as past years, just a little drainage. I really can't complain. Food: 7:55 am Kouign amann, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 9 Nov

Massage today; should be good for my arm. It's a bit sore last night and today, but I held a full plank in Pilates yesterday a couple of times so it was well-used. Food: 8:00 am Chocolate pecan snail, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 8 Nov

Nice drive to Madison after church yesterday. Was very pleased to get two new beautiful colors of merino shirts at Costco as well as some merino blend socks. Had to wait an eternity for lunch at La Brioche as the sushi place was apparently not open on Sundays. Lunch was good, but we waited 25 min for a table and probably at least that long for our food to be served. We didn't have time for the full circle bluff hike at Devil's Lake, so we did the Tumbled Rocks trail out and back so we wouldn't run out of light. We stopped at Cimaroli's on the way home since it wasn't far out of the way, and I thoroughly enjoyed a brandy old fashioned, flank steak, perfectly cooked acorn squash, and a grasshopper. In contrast to lunch, we got a table immediately and had our food at Cimaroli's almost immediately on the tails of the old fashioned being served. Food: 7:55 am Apricot danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 7 Nov

New toilet is in place but Bob still needs to make some adjustments. It worked for me so I am okay with it. Hoping to drive down to Madison after 8 am cantoring to do a quick Costco run, then hike at Devil's Lake. Food: 6:25 am Cheese danish, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 6 Nov

First winter market at the Boys/Girls Club. We get a few extra steps because you have to walk around the building to the back entrance past the Rec Center. David promised eclairs next week now that they are indoors and more climate controlled, as well as cooler temps for transport to his other markets. Bob plands to install the new toilet and bidet seat in the upstairs bathroom today. We'll see how smoothly that goes. Food: 9:10 am Pumpkin danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 5 Nov

Busy day today with laundry plus a bone density scan and mammogram and remembering to pick up Hmong sampler dinner from Farmshed. Sleep was a little disturbed due to Bob's snoring with his nasal congestion. He was going strong a little after 2 when I woke up, so I couldn't fall back to sleep for the noise. Didn't want to disturb him as he needs the sleep to get over his cold; took him about 45 min to rouse himself to turn over and stop the noise. My legs were restless and achy so I had to do ibuprofen to settle back down for the remainder of the night. Food: 7:55 am Trig's caramel roll, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 4 Nov

Bob is already playing Animal Crossing as the new release apparently dropped a day early. I have seriously let him know that I do not want any information from him on what new things he discovers; we'll see how that goes. I may check it out when I get back from my walk with Kathy. Food: 7:50 am Trig's caramel roll, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 3 Nov

Today's the day to buy an Aldi wine advent calendar (to supplement the Costco wine advent calendar we already bought!) When I was a kid, Advent was a time to give up something to prepare yourself for Christmas. Now with the onset of every type of Advent calendar, it has evolved into a time to treat yourself every day in preparation to gorge on Christmas. Hmmm. Something has been lost in translation. Food: 8:00 am Pumpkin muffin, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 2 Nov

The weather has definitely taken a turn toward November. Morning temps are 30° today, due to be even colder to come. Daytime highs are lucky to reach 50° and possibly not even 40° soon. Time to bring out the warmer clothes and hunker down a bit. Food: 7:55 am Cranberry orange fritter, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 1 Nov

Had 129 kids for Trick or Treat yesterday. Slowed down considerably by 7:15, so we kind of gave up and shut things down. I got tired of hopping up and down throughout my dinner and my back was starting to protest the jumping up all the time, so I asked Bob to finish off. He hung around for about 10 min with no takers, so we shut it down. Food: 8:00 am Frosted coconut bismarck, 103 g blackberries, coffee