So...whats for dinner?

I think it was Moon that mentioned spring.  It's almost that way here (probably much different than where Bedo is working)...I was in a T-shirt, long pants and barefoot all day while working in the back yard.

Sharon and DD were skiing yesterday. It's a weird place.  In 2 hours driving time, one can go from 70F to ski area.  I cooked a chuck roast in the dutch oven (the one in my avatar).  It was the usual process, except I used the dutch oven in the oven at 200F degrees and used some ale (1/2 pint for the roast, 1/2 pint for the cook!) for the braising liquid.  

Laurie, I hope you get your voice back...although the whispering and clapping seems to be working.   That is kind of neat that your boys are whispering back.  It probably is nice having a quiet house.

Special K, I like the theme trees.  I've always only had one tree, but it has it's share of ornaments that Sharon, DD and I all made in our "little kid days". Growing up, mom and dad would have some stuff on the tree that had been from various (usually) Marine bases from around the world.  

Susan, sounds like you're loaded for bear...as the old expression goes...  :-)

Bedo, You said the latest picture was taken at 4:30pm.....the totem pole picture taken during the daylight.......what time was that one taken?    

SpecialK - so sorry for your friend.  I hope she & her docs can develop a good treatment plan.  I like the lanai tree best - but then I'm a sucker for anything to do with oceans & saltwater.

Hooray.  MO agreed today so we've cancelled the last chemo in this batch that was scheduled this week.  Just too many SEs.  Now I will get 4 weeks off before starting back on Herceptin every 3 weeks and radiation.  Or at least 4 weeks with no invasive procedures just 4 or 5 tests & scans.  I might even get some taste buds back for awhile!!  To celebrate I had a Kentucky Fried Chicken breast greasy Original recipe & coleslaw.  For dessert I'm going to have egg nog with Jack Daniels.  WooHoo!!

Wow... busy thread

Just wanted to pop in and say here's to 2014 - may it be healthier and happier.

and memories of those gone ahead and blessings to all. May 2014 bring in the best and only enough pain to recognize good times! Much love!

Minus, a good way to start the year! Happy for you!

Just returned from a long frigid walk (20ish degrees with a breeze) towards the end of which we stopped into a local church which was hosting a jazz band, part of our town's New Year's entertainment activities.

Later we head to a newer farm-to-table style restaurant in our town, which has very nice dishes (obviously the farms are NOT from around these parts). Meeting our neighbors there, then possibly more concert venues after dinner since there are several musical shows until midnight. 

New Year's best to all! 

To my friends, a toast to a happy and healthy new year!

Carole - we tried the air card for about 5 minutes a couple of years ago. Thank goodness Verizon got DSL out to us finally.

We are having a quiet night at home. DH has beginnings of a cold. Hope we can find a suitable movie but the Stars hockey game is on if he falls asleep. Making very festive (Ha) hamburgers and french fries. Took car dealer to get glitch fixed. Made stop at Lowes; bought new ceiling fan for DH to put up. Ours is old, too brassy for my taste. This more "woody" with smoky glass on globes.

Hope all have a Happy New Year with better health and many new recipes to try. Missing those we have lost this year. Hard to believe we lost Apple way back in January.

minus - yay!

A happy New Year to all!  No plans for us - DD is packing and leaves tomorrow for the Keys and her new internship.  She is 24 and this is really her first time leaving home - the internship in Clearwater was M-F, she was home on the weekends.  She attended college locally so never left, and she is not much of a partier, so spent a lot of time with us.  She is taking the dog, who has never known another home but this one!  I am excited for her, but will miss them both terribly, so a bit sad tonight.

Minus good news!

Eric, the totem pole picture was taken about noon. I get up at 7 am for work and it's already light, so I don't know when it starts to get light. It's kind of like New England, I think. Also, yesterday was raining so I missed the sun by about 1/2 hour

I deleted the pic in case nosey-kins (my daughter, decided to find out my name and read my posts. I need Some Place without her snooping )

Santa brought me a present. The witty guy from the Christmas party, a hiking partner. he texted me and wants to do something,

And tomorrow hiking with the clinic doc.

Yes there really are 7 men to 1 woman here.

Whooo hooo

Actually I'll be gone in 5 months and am not really looking, but it is nice 

May the old fly out the window with the old year and the New Year bring joy and happiness. And a bluebird to fly up your nose.

Happy New Year everyone!

Minus  What a great start to the new year! Wishing you lots more greasy fried chicken and egg nog.

Lacey  That sounds like a perfect evening. We are always seeking out live music and lots of dancing.  So hard to find a good entertaining night out, without it just being in a bar or restaurant.

Eric  ahhhhh bare feet.....my flip flops are still out of the closet staring at me.

Started off the new year with a ham, cheese and spinach omelet, so strange in the middle of the week...feels like Sunday.

Kaara, for a number of years I spent New Year's Day with several movie friends doing a movie marathon.  We would go to at least three movies.  It was fun.  On Monday one of those movie friends and I went to see American Hustle.  It was well done, and I enjoyed it.  We had wanted to see The Book Thief, but it had already gone.  I read that book and it was excellent. 

Well, DH and I are all set for prosperity in 2014.  We ate our cabbage and black-eyed peas today!  My dad always said the cabbage was for greenbacks and the peas were for coins.  DH cooked a pot of black-eyed peas with ham yesterday.  They were super good.  Today I cooked a corned beef brisket with potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.  Cooked some brown rice to go with the peas and made corn bread.  Everything was delicious. 

I'm getting really excited about our trip to Australia and New Zealand.  We depart on Jan. 9.  Today I ordered a swimsuit from Land's End.  One of our first outings in Australia is the Great Barrier Reef.  DH has already started packing his suitcase! 

Two bc sisters from Australia and New Zealand have PM'ed me offering to get together for coffee.  That will be so special to meet them!

Missing Michelle and Apple as the new year begins.

kaara - thanks!  She is excited and nervous to begin this new adventure - she is driving as I type this, but she should be there within the hour.  The poor dog just seems confused - he has never been away from home!

carole - where in Australia are you going?  My dad was an Australian - from just outside Melbourne in a little town called Ringwood. 

Thanks Bedo.  

seaside - thanks!  The good thing is that she took her time completing her B.A. in college locally, and did the first internship an hour away from us, so she is really leaving home for the first time at the age of 24.  She is intelligent and savvy, and has good street-smarts, so I am not that worried about her - I will just miss her.  She is a hoot and is hilarious, so she livens things up.  And the dog - he has never left home!  Aside from escaping and playing "keep away" from DH 15 minutes prior to my last chemo - I had to drive myself there while he searched for the dog.  It was the only time my blood pressure was high enough that they decided to give me some Ativan in the pre-meds!  DH showed up about half way through so I knew he had made the capture!  DD was none the wiser about this (this is her dog) until my SIL spilled the beans about 6 months ago, lol!