Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I could hear the wind howling earlier and all I wanted to do was to curl up and stay in bed. I did reset the alarm for a bit and hit the snooze button on my phone for one more bit of sleep. Now I am up and “ready” to get on with the day. Working from home today which is great as I have to go into full party mode preparedness after work. I just realized that I will need to move my winter coats out of the front entrance closet so that the partygoers/guests have a place to put their coats and of course, foot wear. There is definitely going to be “cleanup” on Sunday.

Last night after work, I gave the oven some love with my steamer. Kind of disappointed that it did not clean it as easily as I first thought but it is still looking pretty good. Oven cleaning is not my favourite thing to do. After that, I brought up my step ladder with thoughts of cleaning the area which is a shelf above the start of the upstairs. I am not sure why the builders thought that was a good idea, because it is not. You cannot put the step ladder there to clean because there is no room on the landing. If you are short – no way in ever you can reach it. Even with a long handled duster you cannot reach it. When I moved into this house, sometime during the first year I purchased a vase with some pretty artificial plants and the letters spelling out P-E-A-C-E. It looks beautiful. But sadly the last few years it has not received much love. Mainly due to me forgetting about it and then when I do, I am frustrated because I cannot reach it. So I had a plan but sadly the plan backfired. I did however, with my new SHARK cordless vacuum clean some of the ledge and lightly go over the vase and lettering. So it is not so bad but I cringe at the thought of it not being “dusted.” I am going to find someone tall that can easily reach OR a one step stool that is taller (maybe not a great idea) and take the vase and lettering down to give a good cleaning. Please do not get me wrong, my house is clean and neat. I just have this space. Oh well, the story is out. Perhaps someone out there may have an idea for me. I must remember to ask my neighbours as they all have this space in their homes. How do they clean it? Maybe they do not. You are likely asking how did I get that stuff up there to begin with? I honestly do not remember. I think my old neighbour helped me. Wishing I was taller now. Lots to do after work. I want things to be perfect or at least as close as possible.

I definitely need some coffee this morning. Just noticing my poor Begonia plant that is on the other desk here in my office is bending over. Oh no, now not enough water. Not sure why in the summer, I had the watering down perfectly and now I am either over watering or under. I am sorry “Begonia.” Just had to run and get her some water.

Countdown to Christmas: Wow, today is Friday, December 16, 2022 and “8” sleeps till Christmas Eve.

I hope that you have a great Friday.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Oh, I forgot to tell you about Mr. Alvin. He is having such great fun with Aspen and Milo. Alvin has this toy ice cream float and I guess that is everyone’s fav right now. They were playing with the toy and then Miss Aspen “took it outside.” I cannot wait to have all three of them here on Christmas Eve. Oh my sweet babes.

2025

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? Well this Sunday morning we were up as per usual at around 4:00 a.m. – Alvin went outside and then we headed to the sofa for some zzz’s. Just as I was settling down he jumped off the sofa and starting pawing at said sofa, which is his way of telling me to get up. So up I got and checked the clock and it was almost 4:30 ….. so out came his food, he happily gobbled it down and then outside to do his business. Back into the house and to the sofa for some zzz’s.

Not long later or so it would seem, he was up and pawing at the sofa (luckily he has not left marks), so up I got and looked at the time it was 7:12 a.m. We went outside. I heard we were supposed to get snow today so wanted to pick up that morning “package” that he left in the yard before I would have to play detective to find it under fresh snow. While outside I noticed that the odd snowflake was falling and glad we went out. I noticed that my neighbour Sonja was already up and Bogart the cat was up on the railing saying good morning. It was at that moment that I decided to go into the garage and grab the box for my old t.v. so that I may store it properly/securely while I decide what to do with it. I have a small television in the basement family room which I watch every once in awhile. Just not sure if I really need a bigger television. Was thinking of asking about to see if a family or someone needs a good television. Following that I grabbed all of the laundry that was drying to bring upstairs and put away. Back upstairs, made our bed and put away the dried clothing. Did some online banking. Writing this blog and then will have a shower. I have now removed several items from my TO DO LIST for today. Doing a happy dance. Thank you Alvin for getting this Momma up and mobile earlier. Usually once I get up and doing something, I am okay to get going.

I was checking out the long range weather forecast and noticed that today is supposed to bring some snow, tomorrow is to be sunny and mild and then after that rain and then snow, argh. By Friday the temperatures are supposed to dip into the minus 20’s celsius. Not really looking forward to that but we have been so lucky, so fortunate that our weather thus far has been very mild. Looks like Alvin’s birthday party is going to be cold so will be nice to have company as we likely won’t be heading out for a walk.

Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 is Alvin’s 12th birthday. I cannot believe that we have been together “11” years on Tuesday. Time flies. He definitely is a young 12 year old and I hope that we have many more happy healthy years together. I am planning a birthday party for the boy next Sunday. His best friend Teddy and his little sister Kobi and the grandpups Miss Aspen and Milo and of course, my daughter and son-in-law will attend. Tomorrow I am going to see if I can get a cake or something like that for the special day. Also pick up something for a gift for Alvin and some treats for the pup’s goodie bags. After all you cannot have a birthday party any longer without party favours / treats for the guests. Decorations will be simple. A Happy Birthday banner and I have some Happy Birthday table decorations. We do not use balloons as they are bad for the environment and for animals, birds and marine life. Alvin hasn’t mentioned anything but I think he is excited for the party. He loves to have company at home. Not much of a traveller this guy.

Looks like a fine layer of snow on the deck that was once bare to the wood. Oh well. Temperature to be mild. Hopefully we can get a walk in at some point without snow coming down.

Wednesday is the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris. I hope that they have a safe and peaceful transition to their positions.

I hope that you are having a great weekend.

We continue to live with kindness, respect and compassion for all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Sunday Morning,

The house is so quiet this morning without Alvin here.

We had a great time yesterday.

The wind was blowing so we decided to take the photos in my backyard.

Starting with my daughter, son-in-law and pups Aspen and Milo.

Just so you can visualize these are their pups.

Aspen is the yellow lab/shepherd cross and Milo is the pomeranian/chihuahua mix.

Not sure when this photo was taken.

I believe it is Alvin’s bum showing near the back door.

Aspen was good for about a hand full of photos before she had had enough.

Milo well he was in and out of the photos like a jumping bean.

But I managed to snap some quite good photos for them.

Aspen was laying on the main floor and the rest of the family sat on the edge of the deck.

The photo had my daughter, son-in-law and Milo in the foreground, close up and Miss Aspen in the background.

It was a cool shot and they were happy.

The whole family was in the photos.

That is all that counts.

She was happy just laying there.

Then came photos with me and Alvin.

My daughter ever the professional was moving flower pots about and positioning us to get some good photos for our annual shot.

I would say that my patience is not as good as it used to be.

She took some this way and that and I checked them as we went.

Found some ones I like and then it was over.

I just wanted to make sure that there was one worthy of placing in with my Christmas cards and there was.

So we had all of the photos done about fifteen minutes before supper arrived.

We had a TACO feast.

I do not remember where they ordered it from.

But it was very good.

After supper was over we had the “birthday cake from scratch.”

I would have to say it was not my best cake but it was edible.

Not the favourite one as the results came in.

It was more like a coffee cake, more dense than fluffy.

My daughter said it would be good with berries.

Ever the diplomat.

We had a great birthday party despite the less than perfect cake.

I guess one out of 20 isn’t bad.

Lots of laughter.

Good food and okay cake.

When the party was over they gathered up their things including Mr. Alvin and were on their way.

 

About mid afternoon they had a grocery order delivered from COSTCO.

This is cool.

COSTCO hires this company and they hire people to in essence be personal shoppers.

I don’t know how the billing works but that does not matter.

The shoppers take the list and pick up the items.

If the items are not in stock – they text the customer and see what can be substituted or not.

When a white SUV pulled up in front of my house about 3:00 p.m. – I did not realize at first that it was the delivery.

I did not realize about the personal shoppers and that they used their own vehicle(s).

The couple brought out the boxes of the order.

We had a short conversation.

They were both out of work so this was helping them pay the bills.

What a great idea.

Who knew?

As I started to pick up a box, the woman said can you please wait as I want to take a photo.

I gather they send the photo to the customer (I explained my daughter had the groceries delivered here as they were coming over later).

They were really nice.

I carried the groceries into the house.

Went through and put the items into the fridge and freezer that needed to be put away.

Texted my daughter and advised that they were here and items put away accordingly.

She already knew.

She gave them a pretty generous tip, $30.00.

What a great girl I have ….. she said it was well worth not having to go to COSTCO.

 

Well time to go and put on the coffee.

Oh, when we were packing up the car to leave.

The items in the fridge I had momentarily taken out and then it seemed like it was going to be a few minutes longer, so I put them back into the fridge.

There was so much to go into the car, groceries, three dogs, two humans and Alvin’s stuff…… some special arranging had to be done.

I forgot the items that I had placed back into the fridge.

My daughter said that she would come back today or tomorrow.

 

One more story from last night.

Earlier I had texted one of my friends to see if she had any of the COSTCO popcorn as I was having a craving for some and thought that later in the evening I might watch a movie.

When the house was quiet.

She texted to say “yes of course.”

So after everyone left, I texted to see if I could go over.

At this time, my friend and her husband had stepped out for a few minutes leaving their 12 year old daughter at home.

She said to call out when I arrived and she would bring my popcorn to the door.

So that is what I did.

Madeline came to the door.

She is getting so grown up.

I cannot believe she is 12 …. seems like yesterday she was 6.

She gave me a bag with popcorn (not one bag, of course).

We spoke for a few minutes and I told her that if she was feeling lonely she was welcome to come and hang out with me as Alvin was gone and I was alone.

She likes Alvin but is a bit nervous around dogs due to an incident with other dogs a few years ago.

Wasn’t even five minutes later and the doorbell rang ….

I asked who it was and I heard a little voice ……

Opening the door there she was ….. invited her into the house.

I let her pick a movie as I was rewatching “It’s Complicated.”

Thinking that might not be appropriate.

She picked MEG (the one about the prehistoric shark).

I had seen it before and she said she has watched it several times.

I got us something to drink and we started to watch the movie.

It was nice having human company to chat with ……

Her Mum texted her just over one hour later and then she was off home.

I watched out the window and saw that her Mum had met her halfway.

I should have walked her home.

Of course, I did not think of that.

My daughter is 40 and not 12.

The thought did not enter my head.

I do miss/did miss Alvin ….

 

Time to get going here.

The sun is starting to shine, no longer overcast.

 

Take care today and be safe.

I hope that you are having a great day.

Living our lives with kindness and respect.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

Well looks like another rainy day in paradise.

Paradise is not always sand with palm trees swaying in a tropical breeze near a massive body of water under a hot sun.

I live in my own little paradise.

I live in my own home which I have longed for my whole life.

It is mine, I obtained it on my own with only assistance from the bank and I pay them dearly for it every single month.

There are paved roads outside my home on the street lined with sidewalks for pedestrians and the like.

I have green grass instead of sand.

I have flowers instead of palm trees.

We have a breeze almost everyday.

There is a park nearby with water but not for swimming.

I have running water that flows upon my command in my home with a bathtub and showers to boot.

We have varied temperatures each day.

The sun shines and the rain falls in my paradise.

In my paradise I live close to some wonderful people I call friends.

Alvin has his best friend living nearby.

We are truly blessed.

Speaking of Alvin’s best friend Teddy.

Yesterday we were out for our second walk of the day and just coming up to where Teddy lives.

Every time we pass by Teddy’s house Alvin turns to go in.

Since March I have had to say “Sorry buddy not today.”

Until yesterday.

Teddy’s Dad was outside on his way to the mailbox when we spotted each other.

We said hello as Walter gave Alvin a pat on his head.

I said how Alvin always turns in to their house.

He said I think that Iris sent you a text for a get together.

Go into the house.

So we walked up the sidewalk (someone ran).

There was no doorbell ringing as Alvin started to bark and I could hear Iris say “Alvin, oh Teddy it is Alvin.”

With Kobi in her arms and Teddy running to Alvin she opened the door.

We practiced social distancing and enjoyed a wonderful visit on their deck.

Teddy and Kobi kept running and jumping so happy to see us.

Teddy spent some time snuggling on my lap outside on the deck.

We enjoyed a glorious visit on the deck.

So much so when we finally got home it was almost 6:30 p.m.

We left home just before 4:30 p.m. (after work and yes, I was late leaving my desk).

So this is my paradise.

Home and friends.

Friends and home.

My daughter, son-in-law and grand pups live about 20 minutes away.

Well time to go and do the laundry in this paradise as the maid service “sucks.”

I will say that.

The butler sleeps all day or is always wanting a treat.

Imagine that!

Just another day in paradise.

I believe that is a line from a song song by Phil Collins (a fav of mine).

Just another day in paradise.

Coffee is brewed.

Life is good.

Have a great day in your very own paradise.

Paradise is not always defined by the traditional tropical setting.

Paradise is wherever you are ……

Happiness is ….

Yup, it is.

I like that word “yup” with no reason why.

 

Living with Kindness, Respect and a Generous Spirit.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Perhaps it is almost time for Christmas in July, “MOVIES.”

Oh, how I love Christmas with the Kranks.

 

Inside my PARADISE,

 

 

Life is GREAT.

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Friday Morning.

One step closer to Saturday.

 

Do you have a favourite day of the week?

I would say that mine is Saturday.

We can sleep in a bit if we choose.

Breakfast is always toast and that is my weekend treat.

Sometimes with Cheez Whiz.

I know that it is not really a healthy choice but I love the taste.

Most times it is peanut butter and saskatoon jam.

Sometimes just peanut butter.

Other times it may be cinnamon and sugar (brown sugar).

I can listen to music or the television as I run (okay walk) up and down the stairs doing laundry and cleaning.

Even though I could be more busy than work sometimes – it is wonderful to be busy at home.

In my very own house.

I love my house.

Did I mention that before to you?

Nothing fancy but yet it is to me.

The phone just rang downstairs so I made a mad dash down to see an unknown area code.

I answered but nothing.

Yikes.

That will get your heart pumping.

Back to the weekend, to Saturday.

Usually if Alvin has an appointment with the vet it is made for Saturday.

Otherwise the day is spent mostly at home.

Sometimes there is baking.

Other times I may have a coffee date with two of my friends in the neighbour.

Sometimes I sip on my coffee and just look out the living room for a bit of time.

Taking in my neighbourhood.

Sometimes I look out of the office or kitchen windows.

Taking in my neighbourhood.

We can stay up later although we seldom stay up very late.

 

Tomorrow my daughter, son-in-law and pups are coming for a visit after lunch as their pups have vet appointments with our Dr. Karen.

We started to go to see Dr. Karen as my first grand pups were clients of hers.

It will be wonderful to have a visit with them.

Also we are looking after Mr. Humphrey for the weekend.

He will be with us during the day and go home for the night.

I will have to ensure that he is home during the pups visit.

Aspen and cats do not mix.

Well almost time to leave for work.

One more trip outside.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

A reminder to me and to you, be kind and respectful.

Some days when folks are yelling and mean-spirited it is difficult.

But we don’t know their stories.

I am saying this for me not necessarily for you.

I have to be reminded as well.

I am human and sometimes I falter.

Perfection is in the learning every day.

 

Happy Friday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

PS: we did manage to get a pretty good walk in and surprise we walked on the other side of the street.  I wanted to check out the path that I will take to the bus this morning.

Luckily it is pretty clear.

It is a NEW YEAR.

True it is a New Year and today is a New Day, Tuesday.

A cold morning here in Edmonton.

We are grateful to be inside a warm home.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket beside me.

This morning while I was in the shower and getting ready he stayed resting on the bed.

Not his usual routine.

He appears to be okay.

He got up and off the bed okay.

Perhaps he is just tired although he did sleep through from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Oh, well.

I feel the same way.

I would have loved to have just stayed at home today.

Just curling up on the sofa with me Alvin under our warm red blanket.

But I have lots of work to do today and if I miss a day it just piles up.

Becoming way too stressful.

So off I go to the office/to work.

 

Teddy went home just around noon yesterday.

The house is quiet without him.

Not that he is particularly loud or anything.

We miss him.

I know Alvin does.

 

Perhaps some photos of cuteness and beauty this morning.

Will help us get through this cold Tuesday.

 

Just close your eyes and visualize laying on the grass ….. just relaxing.

Okay, perhaps I got a bit carried away with the photos.

Too much cuteness, I don’t think so.

Too much natural beauty, be serious.

More words …. well maybe.

 

I wish you a wonderful day.

Filled with love, joy and abundance.

May everyone you see and everything you touch be done so with kindness and respect.

Happy Tuesday.

 

I know the Tuesday after a long weekend, feels like a Monday.

 

Have an awesome day.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Oh my goodness, this is Christmas Eve morn.

Where did the time go?

I just got home from picking up Humphrey and doing the chores at his house.

In less than one hour my friend G is picking me up to take a last grocery run.

There are always those items that you do not wish to pick up too much in advance.

I just heard a clang in the back and looked out my window to see some lights of a truck – the garbage guys.

Today is the pickup.

I just realized how dark it is in the back lane.

We do not have any lights.

That might be something either the City or our Neighbourhood Association could put in.

At least one here and there.

Dangerous with no light.

Especially when the neighbourhood fees just rose by $25.00 to $175.00 annually per year and add taxes to that figure.

Today is not the day to complain there will be another day to vent that story.

 

Mid afternoon yesterday my friend P and I went to see the movie CATS.

It was spectacular, fantastic, wonderful and awesome.

The cast was crazy good.

James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson, and introduces ballerina Francesca Hayward in her first feature-length film role.

It was well done.

The music, the dancing and the singing were fantastic.

We thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

 

I came home to Alvin and Humphrey.

Had a bite to eat (about 7 p.m.).

Made a double batch of chocolate fudge with walnuts and the honey mustard dip for tomorrow’s dinner.

Did I tell you our menu?

It is unique but every other Christmas we switch it up.

Not everyone likes turkey, I do but not everyone.

 

Menu:

What I call Chicken Fingers

Honey Mustard Dip (homemade)

Cranberries (homemade)

Mashed/Whipped Potatoes with Boursin Cheese baked in oven

Gravy (not homemade)

Stuffing (not homemade)

Buns (not homemade)

Peas

Corn

 

Assortment of goodies (all homemade) ranging from my Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip cookies and fudge to my friends Banana cake, Ginger cookies, mince tarts, and apple tarts 

and every place in between.

 

Some things made by me and others not.

A good mix.

 

We will have a hot cheese dip with baguette to snack on as well as veggies, crackers with hummus.

 

Likely too much to eat.

 

Well it is getting on here and my friend will be here shortly to pick me up for our shopping trip to Save-On and Costco.

Hopefully we will be there before the masses.

 

Wishing you a great Christmas.

The kids are dropping off Aspen and Milo about 2:30 p.m. and I will hang out with the pups until they come back for the evening.

Change of plans.

Humphrey will go home before the pups arrive.

Aspen would not like Humphrey.

That would be one scene I would not like to view.

 

I wish you and your family the most glorious Christmas ….

May you enjoy love, laughter and some good food….

If you are able to include a person(s) who does not have family to spend the holiday with, please do.

No one deserves to be alone at Christmas unless they choose to do so.

 

I hope the next two days are filled with a special kind of light that will continue to shine all year long.

The light of love and compassion.

The light of kindness and respect.

The light of generosity.

The light of you and me.

 

Merry Christmas from Carol, Mr. Alvin and Mr. Humphrey.

Me and the Boys.

Always and Forever.

………… After all…..

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning …. Wednesday finally …. December 18, 2019.

I am getting SO excited for my Christmas break.

Will be great to be home with Alvin and our little friends.

Arriving on Saturday afternoon for a sleepover and going home sometime on Sunday will be Teddy and his little sister Kobi.

On Sunday, Humphrey arrives for a week and will watch over Cinder as well.

Cannot forget about the gekko.

Aspen and Milo will be here Christmas Eve with Mom and Dad spending Christmas Day at Grandma’s house.

 

Today feels like a blast from the past:

One of my first posts from December of 2010.

What happened to 2010?

I am so pondering while writing up the letter to be enclosed with my Christmas card about where 2010 went?

It came in quietly, I barely was aware.

It snuggled down tightly and buried within …..

Suddenly March, then April and then June.

But where it did go?

As I watch from above …… July and then August …..

Summer came and summer went.

Autumn well it was spent.

Now it’s December and almost Christmas.

If you are wondering what happened to 2010

You are not alone, I share your sentiments along with another eight billion or so people.

If you noticed at the beginning of this “story” I was drafting my Christmas letter – just so that you know – it did get written and sent.

So from me and Alvin, WE WISH YOU A HAPPY HAPPY CHRISTMAS & ALL THE BEST IN 2011.

May you always be surrounded by a loving family and friends.

May you be in perfect health (focus on good thoughts, they keep the body healthy, too)

May you laugh every single day (even if it is at yourself, because if you cannot laugh at YOU, who can you laugh at?)

May you love and be passionate about all that you do..

May your life be abundant in every single way.

May your gift of smile brighten someone’s day.

May you remember to help those less fortunate.

May you always be the BEST that you can be.

Happy Holidays …..

Always, Carol and a very patient Alvin (sniffing around in the hallway, now he is in the office)…….

 

I always love to read things from a few years ago …. mostly they are more than relevant today.

Wishing you a Happy Wednesday.

Our office is having a “Christmas Brunch” for us.

Wonder what will be on the menu?

We also have an opportunity to go and check out the renovations for our newly renovated new “old” office.

We move back there in January 2020.

New space for a new YEAR.

Very cool.

 

 

Have an awesome day.

Remember even when a package takes a sharp left turn instead of angling to the right,  it will show up in time for Christmas.

We just have to laugh.

Oh, the Post Office.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello and doing a little happy dance as today is FRIDAY.

YAY, I have a busy weekend ahead of me but doing things that I love.

Well perhaps giving Mr. Alvin a hair cut and bath is not exactly something that I love to do but that is okay.

I see lots of BAKING on the horizon, write up Christmas cards for the co-workers, wrap Christmas presents and the regular stuff like laundry.

Tonight I start off with going grocery shopping after I get home from work and get Alvin looked after and go for a walk.

Last night our walk was to the Vet and home to pick up more food, some treats, toothpaste, and his glucosamine chews.

I have started to supplement his dry food with a bit of wet.

He thinks it is a treat.

So cute.

 

Well today feels like a day to post photos.

Some of my favorite photos from 2019.

What a crazy happy sad wonderful year it has been.

I hope that are having a great day.

Take a look back at your photos for this year.

Enjoy ….

Photos can always bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.

Happy Friday.

 

Love Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 24th day of December, 2018.

Well here we are on Christmas Eve Day …. about 8:00 a.m.

The party that I held on Saturday night was more of a success than I could ever have imagined.

Only one out of nine did not attend.

 

We were showered with gifts of: bottle of Jacob’s Creek Moscato white wine, treats for Alvin, bouquet of flowers, poinsettia plant, Christmas hat and collar for Mr. Alvin, Christmas cookie for Mr. Alvin,

tin of cookies, bath bombs, and a candle.  I hope that I remembered everything.

One of the girls also brought in addition to a gift – a homemade black bean brownie (which was so yummy).

So sweet of the ladies.

 

One of the girls brought her dog “Sadie.”

They have met before and when Alvin was a little excited (understatement) – Sadie was chill.

Nice of Alvin to have some company.

 

When giving the girls a tour of our house – in the basement – in the family room – just before the door into the furnace room – our socks became wet.

There was a bit of water lying on top of the green foam block by the door.

No where else.

One of the girls who is much taller than me – felt around the vents etc.

We checked everywhere including the ceiling.

Nothing.

Later before the last gal left – we checked and the carpet/rug was dry.

I guess that will be one of those mysteries.

Still dry.

 

We had enough food for 30 so more than enough for 8.

Everyone loved the new “Hot Cheese Dip” that I made.

Which tells me I need to try more new “dishes.”

Sometimes we get in a rut and keep playing the same old tried and true because we are confident in the results.

But life is all about trying new things and this was a good reminder to me.

 

One of the attendees was rear-ended when she was literally less than five minutes from my house.

She called to let me know.

The young man that hit her car had been drinking (not good for him).

She called the police so it ended up being almost one hour before she arrived.

Thankfully not hurt but shaken.

She had just bought her new car a few weeks ago.

It can be fixed.

Thankfully they were not going fast.

 

We did not drink any alcoholic beverages and instead opted for: Steeped Tea’s Winter Sangria Fruit Tea steeped in Ginger Ale (big hit), Steeped Tea’s Peppermint Hot Chocolate,

Steeped Tea’s Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate – both served with your choice of mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and whipped cream from can and Vanilla Hazelnut coffee.

Much to my girl’s surprise I had never used or tried the whipped cream from a can.

My Sugar Cookies always a hit.

 

We laughed and chatted all night long.

Stopping briefly to play the “All Things Christmas Game” that I put together with some help from one of the girl’s who had arrived early.

Great idea and I definitely will add to the game.

Went over well.

 

What a great evening.

We decided that we must do this again.

Looks like my house in the spring/summer when we can hit the deck.

Potluck BBQ.

Without the BBQ.

Mmmmmm

 

Everyone had left by about midnight and I was wide awake.

So I decided to watch the season premiere of “TIMELESS.”

It was two hours long …. so sometime after 2:00 a.m. – me and Alvin went to bed.

It was just after 7 a.m. when Alvin first woke up and wanted to go outside.

Then we hit the sofa for a bit more sleep.

I was shocked when we woke up and I checked my watch and it was …. wait for it ……

11:35 a.m.

I haven’t slept that late since I was a teenager or young adult.

Could not believe it.

WOW.

Yesterday was a quiet day.

I was still in my pyjamas upstairs on the computer when there was a knock on the door …. it was Teddy and his Mom.

They came in for a visit and some refreshments.

Then I quickly got dressed as one cannot go for a walk in their pyjamas.

Well I guess one could but why would one – especially in the winter.

Finally after over one week – we had a nice long walk.

YAY.

Yesterday was quiet …. did some laundry and just relaxed.

 

So here we are at Christmas Eve.

Teddy will be staying with us today from 1-6 p.m.

Miss Aspen and Baby Milo (grand-pups) are arriving between 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.

(They will stay with us while my daughter & son-in-law go to his family’s for Christmas Eve party).

The kids will return later when we will open gifts and they will sleep over.

Tomorrow will be eating and visiting.

I am also spending time with Humphrey while his Mom is at work and then away.

Cannot forget Cinder, the gecko.

So I am going to the four legged babies.

They will be mainly my company, today.

In between will have a quick visit and cup of coffee with one of my young friends who lives near by.

I will do that early in the afternoon when there is just Teddy and Alvin here.

 

So Christmas.

Here we are.

 

I would like to take this time to Wish each and everyone the most delightful Christmas.

May you be surrounded with love and kindness.

May you laugh and cry with joy.

May you have more than enough food to eat.

May you have all that you need.

Perhaps you will share that joy and food with someone less fortunate than yourself.

Share your stories and your recipes.

Merry Christmas.

 

From us, me and Alvin, Alvin and I ….. Merry Christmas.

 

Special Hello to: all my family and friends all over the world.

Always, Carol & Alvin