how about drinking?

camillegal

Mornin' ladies,

Misty good idea and there were lots of Christmas things going on for you so by Christmas day u had to be needing some rest and relaxation. When I use to make Christmas brunch sounds like I made what u made. Everyone always likes that and I like it cuz u get it ready the night before and there is not much to do that morning.

HAHAHA again at Sadie, u must have been exhausted and she's so sweet to wake u up, of course after she finished ur dinner. But it did sound like u had a semi-quiet day especially for what u do. Presents I told u Joey would let Daniels present go out of this house when I wrapped them, he redid it all. I tell uI didn't raise him like this nor did his parents. And then I did something that's awful. I gave Joey and Cheyenne gift cards for Christmas, then I took the cards and put in money. Jeez I couldn't help myself. Oh well I could have left them empty.

I need to ask u gals something. Where do u buy chopped chicken liver pate'. I know where to get herring, but I can't find the pate'. They used to sell it in most grocery stores but I don't find it anymore. That used to be our New Year's Eve toast for good luck, obviously we stopped it for years but I thought maybe we should go back to it. It won't hurt. Wait we're all in different parts of the world here. LOL Oh Sandy we have the same stores maybe u know.

TGIF and I forgot about it til I read it. Wow how easily it is to get all mixed up this week.

Well everyone have a good day.

LUBS U ALL.

ChiSandy

Cami, Romanian Kosher makes chopped liver and sends it to Jewel & Mariano's stores that have kosher departments (mostly Chicago & Lincolnwood). I know the Jewel in the Howard/Kedzie strip mall and the Mariano's on Touhy across from Lincolnwood Town Center sells it. Also, Meal Mart on Devon Ave, Manny's Deli on S. Jefferson off Roosevelt in the SW Loop, JB's Deli in the front of Gordono Pharmacy on Clark & Catalpa in Andersonville (their own recipe, which I find oddly sweet), as well as Romanian's store in Rogers Park on N. Clark St. (closed from Fri. afternoon-Mon. morning). Also, Fresh Farms on Touhy across from Village Crossing--where the four corners of Chicago, Niles, Lincolnwood and Skokie meet. Not sure if there are any sizable Jewish areas in the W. suburbs--but if there are branches of the nationwide Jason's Deli chain, they probably have it. (Bob says he's eaten at Jason's, somewhere in the near SW 'burbs). You can get pork or duck liver paté in most supermarkets these days, but it's certainly not the same thing. If you ever went to any branch of Carson's Ribs, they always had a huge tray of chopped liver (with "party" rye bread, chopped onion and chopped eggs for garnish) in the bar to nosh while you waited for your table. We used to have a Carson's in our neighborhood, but it closed 15 years ago and stood idle until it finally became a drive-thru Starbuck's.

Doing a surf & turf tonight (sous-vide lobster tails and grilled steak), so French sparkler for the lobster and then kill off whatever red I Coravin'ed--probably Williams-Selyem Pinot Noir.

camillegal

Jazzygirl

Good morning ladies- I hope everyone is continuing to enjoy their holidays. I had a wonderful short get away to the hot springs Xmas Eve Day through Xmas morning as you saw. Love this new hot spring location, more spacious and less crowded than my fav further north. It snowed over Xmas Eve and into the morning, which was nice to have this year. Sitting in the hot springs in the snow is my fav holiday thing to do. I left around noon and headed back to town to the house to unload, and then shift gears and go to my friend's dinner party.

Found out something interesting at the spa there related to bc. I was going to have a hot stone massage and was talking to the therapist about past health issues, and mentioned I had bc 7 years ago. This particular massage therapist has a specialty in oncology massage and said hot stone is not recommended for anyone who is at risk for lymphedema. I just had sentinel nodes removed (both sides), nothing more extensive and know my risk of L is lower than if more were done, but it could still happen. I had been cleared to return to massage therapy at some point after my rads treatment was done, but we never talked about any this particular type. But it sounds like there is more understood now and so we just did a regular massage, some hot stone on my lower body (I have an IT band that needed some work) and read up later on this and in fact, not recommended for us bc gals. So now I know and enjoyed my spa treatment and was grateful to have come across this massage therapist and will ask for him next time I go there.

Went back to work Thursday and Friday, and Monday is my last day on this contract! Almost there and ready to go. We agreed that I would be available on a limited basis in to the new year on a consulting basis for the new person taking over but heard on Thursday that contract has not yet been approved. More for them than for me at this point, but not going to worry about it. Going to hand in my stuff Monday and go on my way to my New Years plans for a few days back up in Santa Fe.

And the really good news to share is that I had my final eye follow up yesterday for the right eye and everything is healed and looking good. No more eye doc until this time next year when I return for my annual check up. YAY!

NM- I like the story about doing the different flavored creamers with the residents. I know all of you taking care of the residents are busy with their daily care, and it must have been so nice for both sides to sit down and have conversation. I know holidays are hard in the health care industry too, my sister used to tell me about people coming to the urgent care years ago during Xmas not because anything was physically wrong, but they were just struggling with anxiety, depression, loneliness, etc. It is nice the residents got some phone calls, but that kept you hopping. Do you get vacation time with this job? Maybe a time to just have a staycation even or some days off in the new year. You work hard sister, thanks for all you do for others......

ChiSandy- I did not get the name of that sauterne, but will be going up there again with a friend in January for the day and expect to have lunch there and will grab the name of that for you. They had a really nice wine list at the restaurant there. I had some delicious food for Xmas Eve too, some roasted squash soup, delicious tamale with red chili, and a cranberry torte for dessert.

Misty- I am glad to hear that your holiday was a bit easier this year. With loved ones gone, the first year of holidays and other events can be so painful to get through. But you have found some new traditions to embrace that sounded comfortable for you. I went through a lot of loss in my 30s with family, and found the holidays were difficult to get through for a long time (still not a big fan of the end of the year stuff), but found ways to embrace them in ways that work for me. And yes, sometimes not a lot changes in our lives year to year, but a new year gives us some type of hope for better things. With a few things behind me now, I am looking forward to a better year in 2020.

Goldie- I am glad your holiday was nice and know you are off to the beautiful Moab to camp. I know there were a couple storms that came through the west since Xmas Eve and wondering if there is snow up there? I bet it would be pretty. Moab is one of the most beautiful places in the west, perhaps in the world. I hope your time away is enjoyable and expect you may ring in the new year up there too.

JCS- sounds like your holiday was easy and nice. I like the visual of you resting on the couch post holiday. How are you feeling? I think you are in between chemo treatments right now. Hope your new year is quiet and enjoyable and blessings to you and your family for 2020.

Ill- when do you officially move out to your cabin in West TX? I enjoyed your pictures you posted.

Celia C- I am big fan of alcohol in coffee. Back in the 1980s when I used to sling cocktails in my college days for a PT job, coffee drinks with liquors were such a big thing. Irish coffee was the most popular, Bailey and coffee was my fav. I normally have Bailey's in my stash but just went to look and found I have none (gasp) but bought this other liquor from Tippy Cow called Peppermint Bark. It's a rum flavored creme and going to bring that up with me to my little get away to Santa Fe over new years when I meet up with my friend from the bay area. Thanks for the great idea. I hope you keep enjoying some Bailey's & coffee through the new year too!

My friend Cami- want did Santa bring you for Xmas? Did you spend it with all your boyfriends? I probably need to scroll back further to find out what you did, but don't wanna loose this writing. I hope you have a fab New Year too!

My sister's partner is still hanging in there, but very swollen with fluid. She is a smaller person and retaining over 30 lbs of fluid. I think there was an issue with kidney function and asked my sister if they know what is happening. She said she does not know, but doubt that is true, she is just upset she can't make this situation better. My sister s now down with a bad cold and can't visit her partner, but is calling to check in on her.

Going to meet a friend today for a long overdue catch up and starting with lunch at one of our fav spots, and then going to see Knives Out. I heard it was good, I will let you know!

Have a groovy Saturday!

camillegal

Mornin' ladies,

Could it be more quiet in here ???

Oh Sandy when u get a question u really know how to answer, where were u 10 yrs. ago. LOL Well it sounds like all of the Good pates' are all up North. WTF There are loads of Jewish people here, but I can look it up with Jewel and Mariano's on the puter and see what they have. I never even thought of that myself. Thank you for all the info, well now I have to ask what do u do on New Year Eve for something different, anything or is it champagne and a kiss, which is sweet. I remember when I was little there was the traditional kiss, then bring a whole bunch of food out. It was like our third meal from 3 in the afternoon.

I was thinking about if we had a small party on NYE and what to have and stuff and while I was looking things up around 8PM I fell asleep and woke up at 3am. Wow am I a party old lady now. Anyway who knows if that'll even happen, most of us here are in bed by 10. We're all party animals.

Hoping everyone has a great day as this decade is soon closing.

LUBS U ALL

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Saturday! I must admit I am glad this week is over and the weekend is here. And very glad for the half day off yesterday, too. Having the afternoon to veg out without having to think about work stuff (not the residents, but there's lots of drama and stuff going on with staff) for a couple of days is very welcome. I'll jump back into high emotions stuff on Monday when the appropriate people will be around to deal with all that. What is it about the Holidays that brings so much craziness? I understand Christmas was on the full moon, but really?And why won't people go talk to the person who can do something about an issue rather than to other staff that shouldn't be hearing the details about certain things? In a nutshell, an employee was seen physically mistreating a resident. The witnessing employee reported it immediately. The perpetrating employee was immediately fired and reported to the state and to the police and to the union.Now the witnessing employee, who is a union official, is telling everyone how upset she is about what happened and talking about the details to other employees who do not have a reason to know the details and who are uncomfortable with the conversations and are coming to me about the situation. I'm telling everyone to stop the conversations as soon as possible and to talk to HR about the situation and let HR take care of things. It's all just nutso!

Cammy Cat--love the kitty playing Whack-a-Mole with the fingers! Yes, Sadie is very thoughtful to help herself to din-din BEFORE waking me up. I was tired when I got home the other night, the day after Christmas was pretty busy at work, lots of residents with behavioral issues from having their routines disrupted and so much going on Christmas Day, and from all the sweets that were being passed around by all the family members to everyone. Most of us staff spent a good part of the day redirecting residents, keeping certain residents apart to prevent fights, and trying to get everyone to drink lots of fluids to offset the sugar rush from Christmas Day and the dehydration that comes with living in a warm environment with dry air.At least we all know to expect this kind of stuff for the few days after a holiday! I think you think the world of Joey and Cheyenne and try to show them the best way you can. I bet they loved the cards! Amazon.com sells all kinds of pates, I bet you can find Chicken Liver pate there.

Goldie--I don't mind going in for just a few hours once in a while when my hours have been switched up for whatever reason. Those days I look at all the things I need to do with a clearer sense of the priorities and often I get more done just because I know it won't be dragging into the afternoon! The human mind is so funny, sometimes! I do like the way Sadie keeps me from eating too much, but I really was planning to eat the other half of that meal the next day! Oh well, not the most nutritious of meals is chicken alfredo, so not getting the second half isn't really a bad thing, after all. AND it explains the very stinky farts Sadie had all night!

Chi--Lobstah Tails and grilled steak, sounds very yummy!

Jazzy--interesting about the hot stone massage and lymphedema connection. It's funny how we're getting good info from places besides our docs these days. The local docs here don't teach about lymphedema after mastectomy at all any more. Glad you had a massage therapist that is knowledgeable! Sounds like a really nice spa, too. It must feel good to be so close to done with the current contract! And Hooray for the great eye check up!I do get vacation time with this job, and have a short vacay planned for June--a 4 days weekend with some cousins going to Campobello Island in Canada. One cousin is running in a half marathon, I'm thinking about trying to get in shape enough to walk the 5K. I've also got a room booked in Boston for a couple of days in May, one day for a seminar on working with the computerized Education tracking system we use and one day for play.The seminar is free, and the nursing home will pay for one night at the motel and pay the seminar day as a regular 8 hour work day. I'm considering a 4 day cruise next winter for a break, but haven't made final plans for that yet. As an added bonus I get Holidays off, unless I volunteer to work, so I get some 3 day weekends along the way, too.And I'm putting money away every week for a trip to Australia in 2022 with the cousins. Sorry to hear about the SIL. And Sorry your sis has a cold. But maybe that will give her the time she needs to think through what is happening and come to grips more with the situation. That Peppermint Bark liquor sounds like something wonderful to put in coffee or cocoa!

Cammy Cat--Nothing wrong with party animals that party a bit earlier in the evening! For the first time is many, many years I am going out on New Year's Eve--to a Murder Mystery Dinner being put on by a little independent distillery a few miles from my house. The dress code is "Manhattan Cocktail Party" so I'm going through my jewelry to find some flashy bling to go with my new dress and trying to figure out what to do for fancy shoes. Should be lots of fun!

Jack Frosties

Ingredients

1 c. vodka

1 c. Prosecco

1/2 c. Blue Curaçao

1/2 c. lemonade

6 c. ice

Lemon wedge, for rimming

White sanding sugar, for rimming

Directions

1. In a blender, combine vodka, Prosecco, blue curaçao, lemonade, and ice. Blend until combined.
2. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of each glass then dip in sanding sugar.
3. Pour frosties into rimmed glasses and serve immediately.

From <https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a56849/drunk-jack-frosties-recipe/>

mistyeyes

Oh NM! Your Murder Mystery sounds so exciting! I went to one years ago that was the roaring 20's - it was so much fun and the seeing the outfits was just as much fun as the night. "Manhattan Cocktail Party" sounds so ritzy! Yes, you definitely need to bring on the bling!

ChiSandy

Cami, that kitten playing whack-a-mole must surely be declawed. If I tried that with Happy or Heidi, my fingers would end up looking like "Nightmare on Elm St." (Although it might be a fun way to get "finger-sticks" to test for glucose or H&H).

Kim, I saw the box--turns out WF got their tails from Luke's Lobster. (One of the first places I go when visiting Boston--and we now have a branch in the lower concourse of the Cultural Center, but it's open only for weekday lunch). My guess, from the sweet taste and (cooked) red shell colors, is that they're New England, from those 1-1/4 lb. "chicken" lobsters that don't have much claw meat and even less in the knuckles (IMHO, the sweetest, tenderest part). The large tails they sell for $40/lb. are almost certainly from spiny or "rock" lobsters, probably FL or even Pacific.

Jazzy, when I was a little kid, my first memory of booze in coffee was "caffe corretto." We'd go to our favorite Italian restaurant, and while we kids had spumoni or tortoni for dessert, the waiter would bring out one of thost little flip-drip "machinettas" (not even a moka pot, which they probably couldn't afford in quantity) and a bottle of anisette. As he would pour the coffee (not true espresso) into demitasses, he would proclaim "strong coffee;" then as he'd spike it, "and strong water." My dad let me taste--and I was not impressed: the coffee was bitter and the anisette tasted of licorice (duh), for which I'd not yet developed a taste. (I'd suck the sugar coating off Good&Plenty candies and spit the licorice out).

When I was still living in NYC, "sauterne" (lower case, no "s" at the end) was a nondescript white wine from upstate (Taylor or Brotherhood) or from CA "budget" wineries (Gallo, Italian Swiss Colony, Almaden). My first real Sauternes was at Froggy's (a nice and reasonably-priced French restaurant in Highwood, IL--still around, flying under the radar, still packed every weekend night) for our tenth anniversary. With our meal we had a bottle (!) of Ch. Pichon-Lalande (can't imagine what that would cost today!). And with dessert--dark chocolate terrine and chocolate-covered strawberries with creme Chantilly--a Sauternes named Ch. Suiduraut, which at the time was called "the poor man's Yquem" but is now quite pricy itself. Over the years I discovered less expensive alternatives that were also based on late-harvest semillon & sauvignon blanc grapes (often infected with the botrytis fungus that furtther concentrates the sugard): Barsac, Loupiac, and CA & OR late-harvest versions.

Fast-forward to 1990, when I took my very first trip to Europe, with a wine merchant and his salesman trainee (whom we dropped off at the Frankfurt airport after he got wasted too many times at Rhine tastings). It was supposed to be a bus trip with 20 people, but they kept dropping out till it was just the three of us--in a Mercedes, getting comped for half our meals and lodging. In France, we tasted in Burgundy, the Loire, the Charente (Cognac country) and Bordeaux.

Our last stop in the Bordeaux region (before driving to Paris) was the Sauternes AOC. In the morning we tasted at Ch. Caillou, which was pretty good. After lunch, we went to the Holy Grail of wineries: Ch. d'Yquem. (If you have to ask, you can't afford it...and I don't know anyone who can). The cellar master spoke no English whatsoever, but my French was good enough to understand. He explained that the reason it's so expensive is that the grapes must be hand-picked; while other winemakers in the region pick cluster by cluster as each cluster shrivels, Yquem picks grape by individual grape--it uses college students who go through the vineyard several times a day because a grape that wasn't ready in the morning might be by afternoon. Other winemakers on our trip had us taste barrel samples or at best an ounce or two of what was for sale, and we would swirl & spit lest we get too wasted to know what we were tasting, much less drive (that aforementioned young trainee swallowed every sample). The guy at Yquem opened a half-bottle of the 1985, apologizing that it was a mediocre vintage without botrytis--because the famous autumn morning fogs failed to materialize in the unusually warm dry weather that fall. But it was still insanely delicious. However, he made it quite clear that we were going to have to kill off that half-bottle. (At >$200 retail, we had better)! He kept making toasts--which after awhile, I could no longer understand. Not sure if it was because we were getting ripped or he was. Anyway, we got into the car and slept for two hours in the parking lot before hitting the A10--and at every highway rest plaza we knocked back a couple espressos each.

Last night's DOTD was the last of the Williams Selyem Central Coast Pinot Noir with the steak and Veuve de Vernay Brut with the lobster.

Jazzygirl

Hi friends- the movie Knives Out is really good, if you are thinking of seeing it. I will leave it at that.

Chi- sauterne is not a wine I have seen around very much. I know it was from France, that much I remember and was only $10 for the glass. I was looking on line and saw some bottles of french sauterne that were up to $700 a bottle. I used to really get in to late harvest wines back in the day, some of my favs were out of Napa Valley and some good ones around here too. Now I want a glass, lol.

My friend from CA is in Santa Fe tonight and making my first trip up there tomorrow to spend some time on the plaza with her. It's going to be cold tomorrow so I am pulling out my warmer long wool coat for the day.

Have a good funday Sunday!

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Sunday Funday! Except that I didn't do anything except one load of laundry yesterday, so I have to get stuff done around the house today.I sit here and look at all the picking up and decluttering that needs doing and just get overwhelmed and don't do anything. Need a reboot, back to "do something/anything for 15 minutes a day, doesn't matter what" and no wine until that is done.It's a good thing Sadie doesn't care as long as she gets her din-dins and tummy rubs!

Misty--I am really excited for the Murder Mystery night! My last clothes box had a fabulous dress, much more than I usually spend but just fit so RIGHT and is so much fun to wear that I flounced, no other word for it, all around the house for half an hour when I tried it on! A girl needs a real Party Dress in her closet, right? I was looking at my jewelry collection yesterday, I may need to go out and find some bling for this party, I don't have anything really ritzy looking enough! Good thing I know where all the second hand and Goodwill stores are!

Chi--I never realized there was that much difference in lobsters from different areas. I suppose it's cuz I've only had the local ones. You have the best winery tour stories!

Jazzy--Glad the movie was good!

Mermaid Coladas

Ingredients

4 oz. pineapple juice

4 oz. white rum

4 oz. coconut milk

2 oz. blue Curaçao

1 c. frozen pineapple chunks

Ice, for blending

Maraschino cherries, for garnish

Sliced pineapple, for garnish

Paper umbrellas

Directions

1. In a blender, combine pineapple juice, rum, coconut milk, blue Curaçao, and frozen pineapple. Blend until smooth. If you want it slushier, add ice and blend until slushy.
2. Pour into glasses and garnish with maraschino cherries, pineapples, and paper umbrellas.

From <https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a21240638/mermaid-coladas-recipes/>

goldie0827

Cami, looks like Sandy knows just where you can get your pate'. NYE party at your house?

Jazzy, glad you got your snow/hotsprings mix! And good to find out about the hot rocks, who wouldl have thunked. Yay for 2 good eyes! We won't be camping, too cold for that, glamping is what we will be doing. Sounds like you are all set for the next go round and your Tippy Cow.

NM, sorry about the drama going on at work. Pate' on Amazon, what can't you buy there! Looks like you have a few things lined up for some "ME" time and Australia??? I had a do nothing day yesterday as well.

Gonna start taking Xmas down today. Snowed all day yesterday and it's cold outside. 3 degrees this morning and about 6" of snow.

Jazzygirl

Hi ladies- weather is gone and I am heading up to Santa Fe soon. I hear it is snowing up there but that is not uncommon for that location, and it will be gone by the time I get there. The freeway between here and there has some tricky spots in the snow so better in dry conditions. Got my heavy wool coat out as the highs will only be in the 20s today.

NM- there is something about the healthcare industry that brings a lot of drama. I have worked in several industries through the years, and have found the most work place drama in the healthcare industry. I have often wondered if it is because it is traditionally a female dominated work place, vs. other industries I have worked in? Men have drama too, I have known a few. I think you handled it well by saying the discussions around the elder issue stop. You never know if there could be a lawsuit from something like that and they won't help anything with all the gossip. I hope things settle down. I am glad you had some slow down time yesterday and thrift shops are a great place for bling. Yes, a girl always needs a pretty dress, my mother always said that!

And also friend, my hope is the same about my sister being forced to slow down and think through more things. She is a person who needs to be moving all the time, and can tell this has hit her hard and she feels helpless with her partner sick, the aging mother in assisted living and not being able to check in on anyone. She is calling both places though to talk to the nurses and let them know she is checking in but down with a cold. No one wants a sick person visiting any type of healthcare facility or group living situation, right? I never thought her partner would make it to the end of the year, but still feel things are continuing to decline for her. Still waiting to hear she will bring in hospice soon.....

Goldie- oh glamping, that is a whole different scene. I am not one to sleep on the ground anymore, I have done some glamping but my idea of camping is a resort with a spa, lol. Wishing you good health in 2020 and hoping we can get a meet up out in Gallup in 2020. My hope is that next year is not quite so chaotic.

Later ladies. Off for brunch and friend time!

Jazzygirl

Hi ladies- been thinking a lot about this past decade as one finishes and a new one is yet to begin. I came in to my fifties in this decade and although overall, I would say it has been one of my harder decades to date, I feel grateful to have made it through. Maybe you do too?

JCSLibrarian

Goodness, Jazzy! Now you have started me thinking about what all happened in this decade. My parents died. I retired from my profession after 30 years of loving life as a public librarian. My eldest son got married to his high school sweetheart. My youngest son moved to Portland, then home, then Tucson, then home again. My husband was diagnosed with a pre-cancerous node on his vocal cord.I was diagnosed with MBC. I think each event made me grow as a person. I had to acknowledge deficiencies, accept faults and learn to love the person I truly am. I will work to make the next decade a continuing learning experience. I do feel good about seeing what will happen.

Hope everyone is looking forward to the New Year. Bought some champagne today to toast the event! Best wishes to all! 🎉🍾

janky

Good Morning to everyone!! It is the last Monday in this decade- where has the time gone?! As pointed out above, reflecting shows us the highlights and the low lights, yet here we are to celebrate and start again with the Roaring Twenties! I am thinking we need some 'lows' in life just to keep perceptions balanced, though I could be wrong!

I have been here but soo busy and sooo tired that I am skimming through, getting a giggle or an idea from one of you astute sisters. thinking I should respond, then life happens and (the space represents 'nothing') which is what I have accomplished. We had a lovely Christmas Eve with our kids, and grandkids who live nearby - a birthday celebration as that is my birthday - 66!! We slept over, then got up with the young ones which is always so much fun, had a yummy breakfast brunch, then home to my quiet space. Dinner with very, very close family friends, then early to bed. Since then busy with grandson sleepover, visit with the other grandson, doing our traditional Christmas baking yesterday - yup yesterday, I was wayyy to exhausted prior to that, but it tastes yummy and we have a fresh treat!! Today I make make my last tradition which is fudge, though not confirmed in my mind as yet

I won't reply individually but want you to know I so enjoy this place, my happy place, online for sure! I wish each and everyone a very, very happy, healthy New Year filled with stability, hope, love and laughter xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxo Cheers! Janice

Teka

Jazzy,

Diagnosed: January 20, 2010

Joined: February 18, 2010

janky

Ouch - I reread my message above and so realized 'hmmmph-soo busy and tired" that is all of us...and so I am going to try and be more proactive and involved -tired and busy is not the best reason to not respond to all of you amazing people!

ChiSandy

Happy New Year in advance (tomorrow will be crazy-busy and I may not get online before the ball drops and the bubbles pour)!

Last night's DOTD with shrimp scampi was Cuvee Jean-Louis Cremant de Bourogne. (Was going to have some with tonight's Caprese & Buffalo wings, but I will be indulging tomorrow night and at brunch Wed.; and I really need to drink more water). Today's DOTD was a cappuccino made with Ethiopia Bugisu beans, unsweetened almond milk (with a splash of cream and a sprinkle of vanilla powder). Gotta buy some Oatly--one of my guests tomorrow doesn't do dairy and thinks almond milk is unconscionable because of all the water it takes to grow almonds in CA...but she loves decaf lattes. I can't drink Oatly--way too carby.

Jazzygirl

Called a silver bullet. I had 2

Jazzygirl

Silver bullet

Jazzygirl

Santa Fe Plaza

camillegal

camillegal

Mornin ladies,

Wow all the talking going on and all interesting. U know again over this year I have learned so much from so much different view points and just plain new stuff. All the newbies had so much to share. Sad for much but joyful for families and good results. And of course for friends. Which we have become over time. We have trusted to share so much and laughed some and we all understand what we go thru in all different ways. I always feel lucky to have landed here all u women mean so much to me carrying me for another year and hope for many more for all of us. It's been a fast one with a lot of drama and silly stuff. Praying this New Year will be better than ever.

It's so hard to say 2020 that was supposed to be space cars and all kinds of things that are robots <taken from the Jetsons> Can't even believe a cartoon anymore.

Leslie and Marty really don't feel like a party so my plans are squished, but I know I like to plan then I fizzle out usually so no biggie. And tomorrow will be quiet those plans will change too. But that's all right, I sleep more than I party nowadays.

I enjoy all the pics. and all the drinks look yummy to me damn I wish I drank. It's funny over time people think I'm in AA cu no one has really seen me drink, but I'm not just get headaches from liquor. Oh and Sand Annisette was a staple in Italian kitchen and at weddings when u greet ur guests. Except my first husband didn't know u held the same little cup while greetings and drank with everyone, he was so drunk just saying hello. He was Italian too, but not brought up with them. LOL but it was a weekend coffee drink for everyone and I liked licorice so it went over big with us. Funny how no one in my family ended up with AA cuz it was part of growing up after a certain age. My mom did start drinking when she was 65 and had 1 or 2 drinks every day after that. Either vodka and tonic or vodka martini. Those were her drinks for over 20 yrs.

Anyway hoping everyone has a happy blessed and healthy New Year and all thru the year. And we all continue our friendships an sharing and caring about each other too. And of course enjoying all the good times everyone has.

LUBS U ALL

Jazzygirl

Fireplace at the hotel

ChiSandy

Happy New Year, everyone! Not sure what they'll be pouring with dinner, but at our place come midnight it'll be Mumm Napa Grande Annee 2007 (and if we go through that, Mumm DVX 2008).

camillegal

I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE THIS.

camillegal

.Happy New Year ladies

I'm sure most of you are sleeping in this morning after the wild night u had of partying and just plain merriment. Well I hope so, anyway.

I didn't stay up til midnight again, but I did talk to my sister and we both changed our PJ's last night WOO WOO, our big night. Her DH went out for the herring but again couldn't find good pate', but I told her u really can't find good stuff around here, he thought he'd try---oh well,

Anyone make any resolutions ??? I made one, I won't gossip so much and since I really don't gossip I've kept to it and I'm sure I will keep to it.. So mine is done. I want to hear how late ur nights were an what u did.

Oh I forgot to tell u this silly thing. Joey got an electric razor for Christmas and he's used it. O MY BABY , how could this happen so fast. He held me and told me it's time, Now I'm the baby. Oh and my GD was offered the job of being manager of one of the chicken take outs that have become so popular all around here, so she's in training now. with a nice raise. So she's excited about that, well we all are. So my kids kids are starting this year on a high note. So that's good.

Now let's hear what u gals did and Jazzy the fireplace looks so cozy and Sandy u started off the New Year the way it's supposed to be.

Have a wonderful feeling good day.

LUBS U ALL

camillegal

goldie0827

Jazzy, again sorry to hear about the struggles for your sister and the decline in her partner. She's really hanging in there. Is she able to communicate? As for camping and sleeping on the ground, we don't do that. The toy hauler is fully equiped with beds, couch, stove, sink, fridge, micro wave, toilet and shower. Heat and AC if needed and a tv. We're all set, it's just too cold right now! Beautiful fireplace and SF looks beautiful. We will meet up for sure.

Teka, cute meme with the little girl. I never make resolutions.

Janky, so easy not to post and we understand busy and tired. But of course we would like to see more of you. Usually I make my post in the morning while having my coffee.

Sandy, never heard of oatly, milk made from oats. Funny about your friend not drinking almond milk because of the amount of water used on the trees.

Cami, sorry your party plans fizzled. Ha, no late night for this gal. I think I was in bed at 6! But I get up early! And my gosh, I just can't believe how Joey has grown.

We'll be heading out early tomorrow. Happy New Year!

JCSLibrarian

DH and I were able to stay awake until the ball dropped. We played Gin Rummy (I won!) and watched Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen on CNN. Those two are hilarious. Sipped on some champagne to make it a party. I try to think of resolutions as goals for the year. I want to eat better, start a yoga program and spend more time with friends. Those should be fairly easy to accomplish!

Today is collard greens, Hoppin’ John and cornbread. Eating that is supposed to bring money and luck during the new year. Scared to not do it in case something bad happens! Tonight Baylor plays Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Sic ‘em, Bears!!!! Tomorrow is Bridge with my ‘older’ ladies. Then Friday is back to chemo infusion. Next week is my bone scan and CT scan. Somewhere in there I want to take a hike and enjoy some nature.

Hope all have plans on the horizon. Keep those drink recipes and cat memes coming