Saturday, January 2, 2021

Is it Saturday? Hard to keep track. Yesterday I took down all the Christmas decorations and packed them away. My arms and back are still aching, but at least it is done. DS calmed down after his angry eruption yesterday afternoon and we watched a movie on Disney+ called Soul. It was very cute. I ate mostly on plan yesterday. Yeah!

Today I have to mail a box to DSD who is returning to Jacksonville directly from her brothers place in NJ. it has her Christmas things and some clothing she had left here. It was sad not to see her over the holiday. This afternoon I might go with SIL to meet close friends at the local Winery which is doing a pop-up outdoor opening today and it is supposed to be dry and 50 out. I think DS is cooking for SIL and me.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of DH's death so I am not sure how we will mark it. We can't go to the cemetery easily as it is 90 minutes away. A beach walk might be appropriate but it may be raining.

The problems getting the vaccine distributed baffle me - they knew it was coming so I don't understand why there weren't better plans in place. Perhaps it is partially because of a shortage of people capable of administering it??? Regardless, I hope it gets figured out soon.

Have a safe and healthy day!

168.0

Liz, however and in whatever space you choose to share with DH tomorrow will be time well spent because the honor in love that you had-and have- for each other. Even in some sadness and loss such a commemoration can bring some joy.

All the Christmas stuff is still up. This year I think I will daily put away a part of it instead of all at once. Starting out with the dining room table which still has a bunch of Christmas plates-and-tins-of goodies on it. Out of sight out of mind.

We haven't heard a thing in our neck of the woods re vaccinations- I hope the first line folks have them available.

Not too much in store for the day- some cleaning maybe, and...well, that's as far as I've gotten with plans. It seems like a Monday to me.

Enjoy the day, whatever it brings- make it a good day because because living in a little goodness is a pleasant experience. We deserve and need that kind of self care.

If I were staying home I would have left Christmas up longer, but wanted it away before I left for Florida on Monday.

I like the idea of taking Christmas down a bit everyday. We have 3 4ft trees out, in addition to the big tree. My daughter wants to leave them up and put Valentine decorations on them. They all have multicolor lights, so not sure how that would look...

Last night, I took the remaining treats and divided them up into freezer containers. Each one now has an assortment of cookies and are buried deep in the freezer. For what purpose, I'm not sure. We are unlikely to entertain soon, but I just couldn't bring myself to throw them away. DD might have a bonfire if we get a 40 degree day, perhaps her friends will be the cookie consumers.

Our outdoor dining experience was great. There was general merriment, people with their dogs, people toasting the new year, good food and conversation with our friends.

Today, in culinary adventures, I am attempting Boeuf Bourguignon. It doesn't look too hard, just lots of steps. Definitely a weekend recipe. Our vegetarian is going to another restaurant that has opened its patio for winter outdoor dining, so perfect night for a meat focused meal. :)

I've seen Julia Childe prepare that dish. She always took such delight in her cookery- channel Julia and enjoy the experience as well as the yummy taste!

The first stage is in the oven (bacon, beef, onions, garlic, wine, thyme, bay leafs and flour). Smells heavenly. Later I add the carrots, then later pearl onions, then finally, stir in sauteed mushrooms at the very end. Yes, like Julia: like the risotto, I am not finding all the steps tedious, but rather, I am enjoying all the sensory delights.

DD, if you have any trouble getting stains out of your pot, a sprinkle of Barkeepers Friend and little water will scrub it out easily without damaging the pot. I use it on mine all the time. That stuff is magical.

Weight up .6. Butter.

I woke up to 5 mosquito bites on my wrists and an ankle. I thought mosquitoes were supposed to go away in winter!? These are the tiny aedes aegypti ones that aren't native and you don't really see them before they've bitten and gone. Can't smack 'em either like a normal slow skeeter. They're too fast. This is why me moving to a warm, humid climate seems like a bad idea...

No waking up last night and I slept until 9 (after 6:30 dog pills I hardly remember staggering downstairs to give). Sleep really is one of my very favorite things!

Nothing much going on today. A walk at least. Maybe sort a few more things for donation. Hope you all have a lovely day.

HA!!!!! I was just thinking of quickly getting the 1-800-substance abuse hotline for you (...."dog pills. I hardly remember staggering downstairs"). I had mentally inserted a period between pills and I ) OH, right. Dog pills for the dog...my bad!

Well, he does take a lot of Tramadol, for which they are required to record my driver?s license number as it's a controlled substance!