Fri 31 Dec

New Years' Eve! My Fitbit alarm didn't go off this morning so Bob didn't get up til 7:00, me right after. Had to get up in the middle of the night and take Sudafed as breathing was becoming labored. I got most of my deep sleep early on before the difficulty set in, so I'm not too badly rested even though I was pretty restless for a large part of the middle section of the night. I'm skipping Yoga today, staying home to do laundry and hopefully start recuperating from the cold. I'm pretty sure it's just a cold, but you never know with the new Omicron variant. I might decide to get tested. Food: 8:00 am 5 small butterhorns (the last of them), 102 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 30 Jan

Bob made our morning coffee with the new Chemex setup that was our Christmas gift from Michael and Taylor. It's very good. We need to perfect our morning routine so we can both have hot coffee at breakfast since it doesn't have a keep-warm ability. It worked well today, but sometimes Bob is down and ready for his coffee sooner than I am, and I don't think I'd like cold coffee. Adjustments will be made as we need. Food: 7:45 am 4 butterhorns, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 29 Dec

Well, Laura's not coming. She backed out when the snow started falling early yesterday afternoon even though, as predicted, it's snowy and clear this morning and I'm sure everything has been plowed. She is concerned about the spread of Omicron even though all of us have been vaccinated and boosted and there would only be five of us including her. I expect she was glad of an excuse. At least we knew before we shopped for stocking stuffers so we didn't bother with hers. Food: 7:55 am 4 butterhorns, 106 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 28 Dec

Let my kouign amann sit for a week before eating it, and even the microwave doesn't really revive it, but it's still tasty even when it's a bit dried out. Been enjoying the butterhorns while they're fresh, but time to eat this up. It was the last of David's pastries since I gave the remainder to Bob while I ate butterhorns, so now we'll need to break into the Costco breakfast treats waiting in the garage fridge. I'll be lucky to stretch my blackberries through next week. Food: 7:50 am Kouign amann, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 27 Dec

I feel like today begins the real run-up to Christmas since we're celebrating with the kids on Wednesday. I need to plan a menu and make sure I have the foodstuffs, check what we have for gifts and stocking stuffers and last-minute shop for any additions. Now it begins. Food: 7:55 am 4 small butterhorns, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 26 Dec

Christmas has come and gone, but not really, since we're celebrating with our nuclear family on Wednesday. The actual days were pretty uneventful except for brunch and church. It was probably the first time I cantored for Christmas services at church by myself. Amy Formella was the substitute accompanist because Sandy Weyers has Co-Vid, and Amy doesn't play regularly so I was in charge of organizing things. All went well and Christmas was duly celebrated. Back to Mass today for Holy Family Sunday. Food: 8:05 am 3 butterhorns, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Christmas Day

Christmas morning. Yesterday did not feel like Christmas Eve once brunch was over. Did laundry and proceeded much like an ordinary day. Will be cantoring at church this morning, so didn't attend Christmas Eve services as usual either. Looking forward to having the kids all here on Wednesday for a meal and gifts. Food: 7:45 am 3 butterhorns, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 24 Dec

Christmas Eve, and Hartmans will be here for brunch in a couple of hours. Baked the butterhorns last night, though I forgot to chop nuts for the top so they are just frosted this year. Having some for my breakfast this morning while they're fresh. Asked David why the milk is scalded in the baking process; he explained that it kills a protein in the milk that interferes with rising, resulting in a finer-textured dough. I knew he would know! He said that originally they didn't really understand why they did it, but it was figured out later. It does result in a nice, fine dough. Food: 8:00 am 3 small butterhorns, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 23 Dec

Got cookie dough prepared but no cookies baked yesterday. Did plan menu for brunch and shop for ingredients. Kathy isn't available to walk this morning, so I plan to make butterhorn dough soon to bake this evening after Bootstrap. Can't wait to see the Yule Log when David delivers it this evening! Food: 8:00 am Gibassier, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 22 Dec

No more goofing off today; must start Christmas preparations in earnest. Need to get the brunch menu finalized and shop for any needed ingredients. Need to make cookie dough and perhaps chocolate peanut clusters. Food: 7:55 am Chocolate croissant, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 21 Dec

Kurt & Barb might stop in today or tomorrow; they're coming to Point to view the new curling facility. We got the fridge cleaned out yesterday evening and it was a pleasure to open the fridge door this morning and see a semblance of organization. Much got tossed, but that happens when you don't keep it cleaned out regularly. There were things in back I had completely forgotten about. Food: 8:00 am Chocolate pecan snail, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 20 Dec

The last week running up to Christmas which will disappear before our very eyes. I want to try to clean out the refrigerator today since Bob hasn't touched it in a long time and it's way overpacked. I need some fridge room for holiday cooking and baking, so it has to be done. Food: 7:55 am Cheese danish, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 19 Dec

Got a little panicky in the night when I got up to go to the bathroom and realized my Fitbit was no longer on my wrist. Patted all over the bed and couldn't find it. Didn't want to turn on the lights and rouse Bob with my searches. Fortunately, I pulled the top quilt back and jostled it enough that the little green light flashed. It had apparently come off when I tossed the top quilt back in the night. Nice trip to Madison to finish up some shopping yesterday. Dropped Catherine's painting off with Laura who looked thoroughly exhausted. She had tweeted that she had gotten her booster that day, so it may have been a factor in addition to a tough lifting day. Food: 7:55 am Apricot danish, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 18 Dec

Had a really nice evening with Bill and Paddy yesterday. So glad it was just a foursome and not a big party that would have made us uncomfortable. Had a CW Scotch Ale and a generous sip of Paddy's "family whiskey" Tullamore Dew, a bit more alcohol than I would have needed but not so much that I felt ill. Bill made his delicious shrimp scampi, homemade herb bread, salad, and his bourbon chocolate pecan pie. They had bought a box of Frango mints in Christmas decorations that I had never seen, and Paddy insisted we take the rest of the box home with us! David was at the market with a full complement of danish, and I ordered a Yule log from him that he will deliver on Thursday afternoon around 5 pm. I can hardly wait to see it! Food: 9:40 am Blueberry almond danish, 100 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 17 Dec

Did not sleep well last night, from middle of night onward at least. Wasn't overly restless or ruminating on anything, just couldn't release my brain to sleep. Finally took ibuprofen around 3:30 and may have dozed off a bit afterward, but not significantly. Now I'm tired today. Food: 7:50 am Half Costco lemon raspberry muffin, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 16 Dec

Extremely windy night last night, with some windiness remaining. Some thunderstorms and rain as well last night, but mostly wind. Kathy will touch base to let me know if she wants to brave the weather this morning to walk. Don't know if any rain has frozen into icy sidewalks. Food: 7:50 am Half Costco lemon raspberry muffin, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 15 Dec

Ended my sleep with a stressful dream, so not feeling altogether pleasant upon waking. Got some errands completed yesterday evening and topped it off with dinner at El Mezcal. Unfortunately my scale noticed. Food: 7:45 am Half Costco lemon raspberry muffin, 102 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 14 Dec

Was initially disappointed to see that my computer had automatically updated last night, because when Bob's updated, it lost the ability to support his photo screensaver/desktop. I thought I was doomed to no photo slideshows while I run indoors until Apple fixed the problem. However, when the update screen finished, it opened to my photo slideshow and my desktop picture was still in place. Hopefully that's a good sign. Food: 8:00 am Half Costco lemon raspberry muffin, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 13 Dec

Can't believe Christmas is coming so quickly, though of course, it always does. It's nice that as you get older, it seems I don't have as much compulsion to make a perfect holiday celebration. I guess I realize now how quickly it is over and it doesn't seem worth the stress to over-prepare. I still am enjoying the tree, and I want to make my sugar cookies for sure. We have some gifts ready, and I'll probably cook the duck on the rotisserie if it's just Bob and I for Christmas Day dinner. Laura has suggested that she might drive up for the day one day between Christmas and New Year's if Michael and Taylor are going to be around, so we'll plan a dinner/celebration when that's scheduled, but they'll have input into the meal and plans. Food: 7:50 am Costco cinnamon bread, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Sun 12 Dec

Today's the day to put up the Christmas tree after church. Packers don't play til evening so they won't be a distraction. Time to get it done. Nice tromp through the snow at Schmeeckle yesterday, but it was exhausting! Food: 8:00 am Costco cinnamon loaf, 100 g blackberries, coffee

Sat 11 Dec

Decided not to walk to the Farmer's Market this morning. There's about 7 inches total of snow down after the last couple of days, and my guess is that David will have decided early this week not to bake and attempt the markets in the face of the prediction of a major winter storm. Sigh. Food: 8:00 am Small piece Costco cinnamon loaf, 1 pc string cheese, 100 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 10 Dec

Big snow isn't expected to start til this afternoon, so no good excuse not to go to Yoga this morning. Laundry should fill out the day. Food: 7:50 am Costco cinnamon roll, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 9 Dec

Forgot to watch the Holy Day mass at 6:30 but remembered it as I was getting ready for bed after 9, so came downstairs and watched Fr. Tom online and managed to stay awake. Glad I did. Planning a walk with Kathy today that may be abbreviated if she still is feeling fatigued. She got the cold that we had and is still in the last stages, plus she had a long day yesterday supporting her MIL at the doctor. Didn't snack at all yesterday (which was a bit stressful), but the scale did head back downward a little so I'll try to keep it up for awhile. Food: 7:50 am Costco cinnamon roll, 105 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 8 Dec

8° this morning, but at least no wind. I guess I can motivate to go out to the gym for Pump. Monday was so cold and windy, I couldn't quite face going out for Pilates. My scale is upwardly trending, so I really need to exercise and cut back on food. I have done Jessica Smith routines the last couple of days in addition to getting my steps, but I need to be a bit more serious. Food: 7:55 am Costco cinnamon roll, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Tues 7 Dec

Coldest night so far last night. Fell asleep with the electric mattress pad on full and woke up too warm, so I turned it off. In the wee hours, I woke up chilled and had to turn it back on and adjust it to a level that was warm enough without overheating me. Getting a massage this morning which should feel really good. Feeling a little sore in the upper back area, so a massage will be welcome. Food: 7:55 am Costco cinnamon roll, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Mon 6 Dec

Very nice trip to Door Co for the long weekend. Got Renard's string cheese, Valmy meat spread and many other goodies. The Christkindlmarkt was delightful, just the right size and the food there was outstanding. I had expected just brats and pretzels, but they had a selection of actual meals. We ate the one offered by Your Guest Chef out of the Fox Valley: Austrian stew over kasespaetzle, red cabbage, and sachertorte cupcakes. There were huge chunks of meat in the stew - I had one chunk that must have been at least 3 oz just by itself! Food: 7:55 am White Gull Inn cinnamon roll, 103 g blackberries, coffee

Fri 3 Dec

Heading up to Door Co for the weekend for the first annual Christkindlmarkt in Sister Bay and some nice relaxation. Maybe there will be less folks so we can breakfast at the White Gull. And I can pick up Renard's string cheese on the return trip! Food: 7:55 am Costco cinnamon butter pound cake, 104 g blackberries, coffee

Thurs 2 Dec

No walk with Kathy this morning as she has come down with "the cold". At least I'm pretty sure I didn't give it to her as I haven't walked with her for several weeks, I believe since before I got it. Gives me more time to do the laundry this morning before Bootstrap. Food: 7:50 am Costco cinnamon butter loaf, 101 g blackberries, coffee

Wed 1 Dec

Excellent "Thanksgiving" celebration with Michael and Taylor yesterday evening. Taylor made a delicious ragout with vegan sausage, homemade tomato sauce and chicken stock, that she simmered all afternoon. We shared the Diamond bottle of wine from TJs and good conversation. Nice evening. Planning to go to Body Pump today for the first time since my injury. Food: 7:50 am Almond kringle, 103 g blackberries, coffee