Hanging with the Irish

Last evening was delightful.  We spent it chatting and eating (my favorite thing to do) at the McElwee home here in town.  Before I go any further, I have a confession to make.  I didn't get a picture of the hosts.  Dang it.  

Jeff and Diane are Irish and they know it.  Friends and family have been guided around Ireland by these two and praise the experience.

This is what we saw and ate last night.

Don't those McElwees do a bang-up job decorating for the holidays?

And now? . . . the food.  There was more on the back porch but guess what?  That's right - no pics.  I was focused and not to be dissuaded.

These were called "car bombs."  I think it had something to do with all the alcohol that went into the mixing bowl.

I thought these guys were cute and didn't know they actually sang until someone told me.  Catchy, eh?

I had no idea there'd be pyrotechnics at this shindig but thankfully I grabbed my camera in time to catch them.

 The weather outside was frightful (go ahead, sing along) but inside it was delightful.

Thank you, Jeff and Diane.

Our Christmas letter, 2013

Happy holidays to one and all.  This was the best way I could think of to wish you all a Merry Christmas and include photos so here ya go.

We had a good year and are looking forward to 2014.

Peter forced himself to hit the links 3 times a week last season.  He also stayed on top of his walking and his duties as "lawn boy" at hospice.

Here he is participating in a half marathon.  What a guy!

I'm still working as a freelance Sign Language interpreter, enjoying Jazzercise and bead making.

I've recently taken up making paper beads out of maps, catalogs and colored paper.  I'm having a ball.

 Petey and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary last August.

And they said it wouldn't last. ha!

 Mom is doing well and lovin' life at Friendship Village.  She celebrated her 91st b-day last October.

Here she is with Augie at her side.

Michael is living and working in Chanthaburi, Thailand.  He and Rena were unable to get home for this holiday but we're hoping for a visit from them this spring.

So, from our family to yours, Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

 

Christmas coffee with the "lady-gang"

Every Wednesday morning the "lady-gang" gathers at MugShots.  We've been together for several years now; women come and women go as life changes but Wednesday has been consistent.

A few years ago, Sheila Shaw, thought we should all go to her house for a holiday coffee.  So we did and we've been going ever since.

This was the first Santa to greet us as we entered but definitely not the last.  Sheila takes decorating for Christmas to a whole new level.

Honestly, I only took pictures of about 1/10 of everything.  I was hungry - what can I say.

I was so hungry that I missed taking a picture of the yummy egg/sausage casserole.  I was the first in line which is par for my course and it never embarrasses me. 

Here is the lady-gang hostess, Sheila, with her fur baby, Angel.

This isn't everyone and at one point it got quite loud.  Twelve or so women all talking at the same time raises the decibel level into the stratosphere.

 The conversations can go from books to movies to recipes (I'm rarely involved), to clothing, to . . . you don't wanna know.

Time with this bunch is always enjoyable and doesn't Rosie's hair look nice in the back?  Not always an easy look to pull off.

Morning rituals

Do you have one?  Does it change with the seasons?  Does your day get off to a really rough start if something gets in the way and alters your ritual?

How about an evening ritual - do you have one of those too?

When I was a workin' gal my morning ritual was automatic.  I actually think I slept through it, zombie style, on many occasions.

Now I can go into it with a bit more thought because I have more time but it seems as though that might be the rub.  Too much time.

First up is a seasonal one.  I put the thermostat back up to "normal" so we don't freeze in place during the day.  Next, eye drops and OTC stuff - vitamins, aspirin and calcium.  Then Augie's food and water.

Don't talk to me during this run because then I'll forget something important and everything is important!

Now I can cruise until it's time to get dressed.  I've showered and brushed my teeth, don't fret.  

The only hitch in getting dressed is when I apply deodorant.  It is crucial that application takes place after upper undies and before lower undies.  I have left the house sans deodorant before so there can be no distractions during this process.  Sorry if that's too much information for some of you but you asked.  Wait . .   you didn't?

As I sit here sharing this fascinating info with you, I just realized I have some nightly rituals as well.  Aren't you glad I'm not finished yet?

Coffee must be made for the next morning.  Petey and I share that one except when we don't.  "I thought you made the coffee."  "No, dear (that's me), don't you remember, honey, you said you'd do it."

Then a pillow must be placed in front of the glaring blue lights that belong to the router so that I don't see them all night long.  Yes, they're in another room and, yes, we close our bedroom door but I CAN STILL SEE THEM!!!

I'm also in charge (because it only affects me and my OCD) of leaving the remote at the computer desk so when I sit down in the morning all I have to do is stretch my arm out just a teeny-tiny bit for it as opposed to getting up and walking all the way over to the coffee table for it.  It's not because I'm lazy I just like to save steps.  

Have I over-shared?  Was this one a bit creepy or do you also have weirdo things you simply must do to make life worth living?

OMG!  I'm fully dressed, make-up applied, etc. and I just checked and I forgot deodorant!!!  See what you did - it's all your fault!

One "hop" in the art hop

Last night was the annual art hop here in town.  Our arts council puts it together every year and it's always a lot of fun.  People milling about our downtown area, sipping hot chocolate, listening to carols wafting through the air and riding in festive wagons up and down the streets.  It was a picture right out of Currier and Ives.

I don't have pictures of any of that - sorry.  I love the art hop but I never get to go on the art hop because I'm in the art hop.

See?  There I am with all my "stuff" at Baker Studio.  One of these years maybe I'll opt out of standing in one place for the evening and stroll around town freezing my backside off instead.  Or . . .
maybe not.

Never fear - I do have photos of all the goodies inside Baker Studio.  I'll tag the ones I absolutely know but because I'm the Lazy Blogger, others will remain nameless.

Joy Richmond

Suzanne Higgs

I'm going to go out on a limb with this one and that usually ends badly for me but I'm willing to take the risk.  I'm pretty sure this one is by Susan Wray.  (crossing fingers)

Judi Morris

Jim Kauppi

Jim Kauppi

Dan Smith

Dan Smith

Linda Jordan

 Everyone that came into Baker Studio last night looked to be having a grand time.  I think the fact that it wasn't butt-freezing cold out made a slight difference.