First Sunday in January

[Harriet]

Well, learning more about the cake, I can see it would be too far away from my church traditions for me to have heard about it. I actually think I heard of it on these boards one other year.

Dd15 has done two large loads of laundry, all drip-dries, and gathered nearly a bag-full of donations.

The fog comes on little cat's feet. It sits looking... ...
Here on the eastern time zone, I glance out the window, and I'll tell ya, while our attention was turned momentarily, winter came and occupied harbor and city here. Instant harsh. The meteorologists are frantic to explain their falling estimates of the night time temps, now plummeted to four tomorrow night for me, a real catapult down. But it's the windows that give the full story. You just look outside and it's a month deeper into winter than it was before you last turned away.

[helia]

We had that king's cake tradition in our family for a few years when the kids were small! It was a family tradition of dh's. We put something (I don't remember what now) in a small cake - small so we would eat the entire thing in one sitting. I would bake the cake. I wish I could remember what the item was. . .. I think we talked about a penny, which maybe was the tradition dh grew up with? - and decided against it since it might be painful if bit down on the wrong way. Anyway, Whoever found that item in their piece of cake got to be "king" (or "queen") for the evening. They didn't have to help with the dishes and got to decide what to do that evening! I think in dh's family, it was for the next day??

We were in Switzerland? once on epiphany and got to see people dressed up as three kings walking around the streets.

Harriet is reminding me of laundry. .

[CathyS]

Hi everyone. Just realized that I hadn't checked here all day. I worked on paperwork before I turned on the computer today. When I turned on the computer, I discovered that there were 8 ships in Port Everglades today. That meant I had to watch the sail-aways... I had the sound on so dh and I could hear the horns.

Mike has been making beef vegetable soup all day. It smells great. Good job on a snowy day like today.

I spoke to my boss yesterday and I will be going back to work as of this Tuesday and I am reducing my number of days per week to 3 from 5. I'm looking forward to it.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Ivy, thanks for asking, yes, tummy is better. Ate lightly for breakfast and lunch so am hungry. But the punky feeling is gone for now. I'm going to try and reduce fats although we can't get fish and chips on board so were thinking of those for our last meal. Had Subway for lunch.

Wrist is worse. My splint was smelling so I washed it and went out with dh's bowling wrist band on. At W mart picked up a carpal tunnel one that is much more restrictive than the one I washed. Can't really type in it without pain so am one handing it. On the other hand (literally!) it does feel better to have it on. It doesn't surprise me that I am sore, closing zip-lock bags really hurts and I pack my clothes in zip-locks so I really wore myself out on Friday.

Drinking Mexican mandarin soda - very nice but sweet.

After W mart (to get things I'd need on board like sunscreen), we drove 30 minutes to get dh some corn tea. Dh will have that at tea time each day, while I have green tea or english breakfast. Then we drove past the old neighbourhood. The place dh worked is all gone (Mcdonnell-Douglas), the building is torn dowm and replaced and the hangars are different now too. The parking lot where the kids and I would sit on the car while waiting for dh to get off work, watching the planes take-off and land is gone too. Sigh

[Sunny]

Good afternoon everyone. We've had a quiet weekend , dh and I. Talked to both dsons and neither of them could visit this week. Think they are all getting ready to go back to school and work. I've had some football games on - half watching while I read or do other stuff. Saw the AL v OK bowl game --- I thought it was exciting. Also watching the NFL playoffs; SF v GB is on now. Those guys are He-Men, playing in their short sleeves! I say Helia's dh is brave running in the show and cold as well!

Twins your menu sounds delicious. I am enjoying stories and traditions of Mardi Gras and Kings Day. It is nice to hear from LisaB again. Good work getting settled into your new home! It will be nice for you to be able to sew often.

Dh still doesn't think he could go to church with his back so sore so we've been watching online. It is a nice church and fairly large and we like the pastor's sermons. The first Sun. of each month is communion, so I cut some bread and poured a little juice and we shared with them when the invitation was made. We lit candles with them during the Christmas Eve service also. It is nice to be able to do that, but will be really good when we can be there in person!

We got a ham out of the freezer that had been cooked a while ago and now thawed. We are going to soak some navy beans tonight and make the soup tomorrow. It will make a batch big enough to share with dfam#2.

I'm looking forward to your cruise posts Kathryn. I'm glad your tummy feels better -- take care of that wrist. Wonder how Lucy and dh are doing?
Cathy, there was at least six cruise ships at PE yesterday. The first few were late leaving, so it was just one right after another out to sea. As loud as they sound online, can you imagine hearing them in port?!
OKay, I'm glad you all had a nice day at the party.
That is a big change in the weather for OKay and Harriet. Weather was nice here, temp up near 70*, but....high tomorrow supposed to be 68*, low 35* Mon & Tue, and the high on Tues only 47*. Wow, haven't seen that for a long, long time.

Waving hello to everyone ~~~~~ . Take care and stay warm as you can.

[BookSaver]

Hello, villagers ~
Today was the first time in I don't know how many years that I did not turn on my computer until late afternoon. Of course, wouldn't you know it, this is the day that sewing group board members decided to start a conversation about cancelling Tuesday evening's meeting because it will be *dangerously* cold and many of our members are elderly.

The board president knew that it was rare for me not to answer Emails within a few hours, so she finally called me. We had a nice long conversation about plans for the new year.

We so rarely cancel our meetings that my password to the tv station notification site has expired, so I'm waiting for them to send me a new password.

In the meantime, I can cuop. 3 pages on a Sunday, wow!

[BookSaver]

LisaB ~ It's good to see you again. Happy sewing! As Harriet mentioned, I have a new-to-me machine, too. I was able to sew some Christmas gifts with it, but then unfortunately had to put the cover on and move it aside for other work. I'm really hoping that later this week I can pull it out again, even if only to do some mending.

Kathryn ~ Sorry you had to deal with turbulence for that long on the flight, not fun at all. Glad your tummy is feeling a little better now.

Weather ... The high yesterday was in the low 20s. At 3:30 this afternoon we were -2F according to the Tiny Town bank sign. Tomorrow's high will be around -15. Yes, that really is negative 15F as a HIGH tomorrow, expecting record lows tonight. We are worried about the outside cats but assume they are smart enough to stay sheltered in the bins and boxes I lined with rags and set up in the garage and shed. It would be even better if the cats would huddle together, but they don't always get along with each other that well.

I am hoping to stay home indoors all day tomorrow. I had been planning to go out at some point in the afternoon to go to the post office to make sure the car would start for Tuesday. Now that my sewing group meeting has already been cancelled for Tuesday, though, I don't know if I'll bother.

They say we are supposed to be back up to 20F by Thursday.

I'm sure that I would have trouble coping with Lynlee's extremely hot weather, but reading about it makes me feel a little warmer.

[Nancy]

K in C you might get the zip bags with the extra big thingie to pull to open / close bags on your next w-mart run.

Got ex. Done today some of that included raking.
I got the pajama jeans washed they fit even better now.

Hope you all have a great week.
23*- 36* temps. For tomorrow here.

[Dove]

It's a winter wonderland around here. We got 7 or 8 inches of snow the other day, but today we got sleet & everything is covered in a sheet of ice. When I fed the wild birds this morning I left ddog in because it was so cold, & went down the steps sideways while gripping the rail. Got to the bottom & without moving my feet slid slowly forward almost two feet. Jumped into the snow alongside the walkway & was fine. Dh put salt out later but we are still letting ddog go outside only through the sliding doors because there is snow on the deck steps so better traction. I was worried she would slip & crack her chin or her knees if she went out the usual door.

Dh & I are feeling much better but still haven't shaken our colds. (As if on cue, dh just let out a really loud sneeze from the other room! ) I enjoyed shoveling for over an hour the other day but it sapped my energy & I still don't have my usual amount. Baby steps.

It's so good to see you, Lisa B ! And good to read about everyones adventures. Sadie, I'm already praying for your surgery ((hugs)). MT, it was so good to see you when I cuop a few days ago.

I've got my timer on to remind me that Downton Abbey starts soon -- don't want to miss a minute .

Waving ~~~~~ to everyone! Have a wonderful evening. Lynlee, hope things have cooled off for you. Everyone else -- stay warm!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Nancy, I thought of that. Some of them do have that, but not all. Lately, I've really become aware of hand mobility issues. Things like chopping veggies or opening a screw top bottle are now challenges. And door knobs hurt to turn. Recently, Vancouver (or British Columbia) changed the building code to require lever door openers on all new construction. I thought they were nuts when I heard the news. Now I understand.

Dh and I went for a walk down to the Queen Mary and then took the free bus over to downtown and had dinner at a bbq place. I had salmon with grilled pineapple and steamed broccoli. The bus back came fairly quickly which was good because once the sun was down it got colder.

Winds are due to get high this evening (there is a red flag alert) and already we have lost at least one tv station. It couldn't be CNN, it had to be PBS. Sigh... no Downton Abbey for me.