Christmas Tree! 2013

Friday Melissa and I saw the new Hunger Games and we both agreed it was better than the first.  I am still a little curious about why the books were written--is it a parody on our government???  (Dec 1-I just read the Wiki about "Hunger Games" and wow, it is so much more complex than I had figured.  I had tried to read the book and hated it but what do I know, it is a phenomenal success--but then I do not like science-fiction.  It is still a puzzle to me though as to why it is praised so much--I guess it should be read and dissected to be appreciated???????'  To quote 'Tim' in a comment after an article about banning the book, he says "Collins’ motivation was, in the first place, to portray a world where violence as entertainment had reached its worst and force us to open our eyes to the dangers." )  I did not know that!

After the movie, we actually bought a Christmas tree!!!  It is a table topper from Rite Aid--very healthy and attractive and I haven't had a live tree since Rancho Bernardo I don't think.  And I wasn't going to decorate at all--but with Melissa here I was inspired to keep the tradition of Christmas decorations alive and well.  Plus she could get the big boxes down for me!!!

I am loving all the lights and I had way more decorations than I could possibly use--beautiful tree I think.  Thanks, Melissa.

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Photo Shoot

 

 

 

Two for Thanksgiving 2013

I am so glad Melissa garnered a ride from Chico with a Westwood couple.  We had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner and then went to Susanville to see "Delivery Man".  It was a fun, upbeat movie.

This year I did something different with my turkey.  I made a paste of bacon, butter and herbs and put it underneath the skin.  I think the breast was especially juicy.  It took longer to bake though.

Melissa brought the pumpkin pie and I provided the rest.  Instead of the cranberry salad I did the pistachio with the addition of pecans, mandarin oranges and red grapes.  Very tasty that way.

I also made a gluten free stuffing by using my gluten free homebaked bread.  Melissa liked it as well as I did!  Anyway we had lots of left overs, that is a good thing and Sadie loved having turkey instead of canned dog food!

I also made the Paeo de Quiejo which is Cheese Bread made from Sour Cream, Parmesan Cheese and Tapioca Flour--supposedly like they eat in Brazil and Craig concurred with that.  It is delicious and I found is good for sandwiches, too.

Great Thanksgiving...thanks for coming, Melissa.

 

Maria turns 50!!!

New bicycle from Johnny!

So beautiful!  Birthday November 15th..

The Ultra Sound Experience

What an exhausting day today.  Dr. Marc wanted me to have ultra sound on my legs to see if I have clogged arteries so I went to Susanville by 11 and picked up the two rings I had sized so they fit me again.  My birthstone Garnet ring I have not worn in years and also a beautiful turquoise and red ring for fun, then picked up my cleaning, my favorite white jacket and red winter jacket I bought in Texas that first year I worked there and then on to do all my shopping at Wal Mart except for the cold things.  By then it was time to rush to Banner Hospital for my 1 PM appointment.

I thought it would be about a 20 minute ordeal as that is how fast the machines were at Scripps--NOT!  I finally got out of there sometime after 3 PM.  What took so long?  For one thing, I think they have an older machine that took more personal time to scope each of the arteries and get their pictures but also there was a student learning how to do it and use the machine.  OK, I was patient with my bare legs exposed and the cold cream and etc pressing on my arteries but my back got very tired!!!.  I also got a lot more information than I usually do at such tests because he was teaching the student everything. 

Unfortunately she took the blood pressure incorrectly on the right ankle and they thought they were going to find a huge blocked artery.  Ha, my legs are fine, just as they were three years ago when they were done but it took a lot of time to find the error and get the final results.  Anyway, no harm done, but I was starving when I got out because I was expecting to have lunch around 1:30 and I hadn't had any breakfast so I dashed to Jack in the Box for my favorite taco and yummm Pumpkin Shake!

Then on to Wal Mart to buy the cold things and dash to IGA for red grapes.  Carole read me the recipe for Mrs. Romney's pistachio salad and I thought I would try it for High Council Sunday.  She puts mandarin oranges, coconut, marshmallows and red grapes in it!!!  I will have to call again for the amounts.

By the time I unloaded the car it was 5:30.  I was supposed to be at a dinner at Church but I hadn't even put the food away, I was so exhausted, and besides I was not hungry since I ate so late.  So Sadie was happy to have me stay home for awhile and I watched '"Killing Kennedy" and "Kennedy's Final Hours".  So well done, such a good watch.  I recorded them both so will save them in case I want to see them again.  I really liked Kennedy and Jackie.  Maria was born the week before and I had my parents at my home in University City and we watched almost every minute of that week's events on TV--Maria got lots of holding and cuddling as we passed her around the room.  I have no recollection what John and Linda were doing at all but they must have enjoyed having everyone in one room watching them play.

So tired and it isn't even bedtime...

Just in Time

Mitch came back to California just in time to have a warm day at my home
and he used his muscle and we cleaned the whole yard plus chopped up all remaining wood and loaded the deck again!!!  My hero!  Thanks so much Mitch.