Jimmy Carter Has Died

In case you have been hiding under a rock, Jimmy Carter, our 39th President, has died at 100.

He was the first President I voted for, so in that regard, he means a lot to me.

I ended up doing a query on this blog, and found out that I read two of his many books. I found re-reading my posts, interesting.

White House Diary

Our Endengered Values

This link is a painting that Americans can view, in the Smithsonian. I love it so much, as a cat fan

A Cat In The White House

So much has been written about the failed mission to free the hostages in Iran. Eric Haney was part of that mission, and gives behind the scenes information about the "ClusterFu@k" that occurred. Inside Delta Force

Godspeed Jimmy, and I am glad you are now reunited with Rosalynn.

Mike Luckovich drew this Editorial Cartoon, for the Atlanta Constitution.

The Pacific Ocean

My Water Post For Today.

It has been pretty wild this past week.

What has? The Pacific Ocean.

It has taken down piers in the Santa Cruz area of California, on top of attacking our coastline.

This photo was taken out our window, somewhere up the coast of California, and you can see how rough it can be.

It was taken back in April of 2019, on our cruise to Alaska.

Glad we don't live by the coast. :-)

I hope you enjoy.

The Turkey (2024)

As is our custom, we immediately cut the 21 lb turkey and removed all the meat we wanted.

The rest goes into a huge soup pot and cooks all evening.

As we strained out the bones and pieces of turkey, my Husband commented that it was excellent!

Somewhere down the line, we are going to have some decent turkey soup.

We split it into 2 freezer bags, so that we can add water to it, and thus make it less salty. I definitely recommend this for anyone who buys turkeys that are pre-injected, to make the turkey moist and tender.

Latkes!

After 2 days of mostly turkey, we decided to make the traditional latkes for Hanukkah.

Not a huge amount, just 15 were made, but it gives the house a holiday feel.

We have other things, that we have been eating, like soup, gefilte fish, and beats. So it is a normal holiday dinner for the third night.

The week between the holidays and the new year, roll along.

Are you getting tired...we are. :-)

Santa Came This Year (2024)

Santa made an appearance, at the angel house this year.

In a great thing, he brought me my package from Belgium. Woot!

Gina sent me a box with an angel on it, some very yummy christmas tree cookies, tea and coffee, with little ceramic cups, napkins, a chocolate santa, and some presents for Makenna.

All were appreciated, even the Makenna's presents.

I got my Husband Maker's Mark Bourbon, and some Sprite, so he can have a Bourbon Seven, occasionally.

I also got him a book I read about, called "The Maternal Genetic Lineages of Ashkenazic Jews". It claims that all Ashkenazic Jews originate from just 4 women.

Using DNA, they did the study and found this to be true.

Both of us will probably read it, because the concept is intriguing.

Where in the world were these 4 women? I guess we will find out when we do.

Christmas Eve (2024)

Here is Christmas Eve Dinner at the angel house.

I did not want to wander too far from my home, due to Makenna, so we ended up using something our Son mentioned. Trader Joe's Seafood Blend (Shrimp, Calamari, and Scallops), for the pasta. It was quite good and took no time at all, to whip together.

No stuffing calamari this year, and no cleaning them, either.

I made scungilli (conch) for me, marinated in white vineger...yum.

Then the usual, Fried Shrimp and Fried Calamari Rings. Both were great.

So it wasn't 7 fishes, but our NY family was never a slave to the amount of fish.

We probably got close, but we never went running out to get a 7th fish or anything.

I hope your holidays were peaceful.

Christmas And Hanukkah (2024)

Now that the shades are up, we finished decorating for the holidays.

It's a blessing that Hanukkah is on the 25th this year.

So here are the two rooms.

I did an elaborate Hanukkah decoration for the dining room, on top of the normal credenza decorations.

The tree, which we had up since Thanksgiving weekend, was moved into position, so that we could decorate the fireplace.

In food, we have a 21 lb turkey to cook. Are we nuts?

Yep, we probably are.

Makenna Under The Tree

This photo was taken on Saturday.

Makenna was in good spirits that day, but went downhill on Sunday.

We realized that her time had come, so on Monday, we called the Vet.

The Vet agreed with us, that she probably has so many things wrong, that it might be cancer.

We did not want to keep her in pain any longer then we had to, so she was sent to the Rainbow Bridge, to be with our other two cats.

We are both very sad, but wish her well, and we will see you on the other side, baby.

Bridgeport At Sunset (2010)

My Water Post For Today.

I did not get to Bridgeport, but I am sure it looks much like this photo.

I will say that if I do visit it again, I will stop at Makenna Coffee, after I finish, which is right across the street. :-)

Bridgeport is a lovely place to walk, and see the water and animals who live there.

I hope you enjoy.

The PBS Zoom Crew

It's been 4 years, going on 5, that this crew has been Zooming each week, to initially help with boredom, during the 2020 Pandemic.

Some of us are retired, some of us are about to, and the rest are still making their stations work for you, the Public.

I mostly join to laugh at how little things change, over the years.

Yes, the technology changes, but the problems are still around.

It's a hard job, keeping multiple channels on the air.

These are some of the best and the brightest.

It has been my privilege to work with them all.

Christmas At The White House (1996)

Once in a while I take this card out of my holiday boxes.

It is a Christmas card from President Bill Clinton.

How I got it is shrouded in mystery. It had to do with someone in Los Angeles government asking us if we wanted one.

Never to turn down something so cool, I said yes.

This year, I am not getting cards from people, or at least not yet, so I placed it on my credenza, with our Hanukkah decorations.

I am sure Bill and Hillary will be just fine with that. :-)

Our New Blinds Have Arrived

One of our blinds broke earlier in the year.

Every morning and evening I would have to somehow get them to open or close.

A very frustrating start or end of my day.

After our trip, and the paying of the property taxes, I was ready to attempt to buy some new ones.

Folks, blinds are not cheap, if you want some that look good.

These are Hunter Douglas, a very good brand.

They come with a decent warranty, which makes me happy, too.

It's a very different look, but when they are down, it does look very nice.

When we get these paid off, we intend to put a set in the other 2 bedrooms (with sun blocking). Yes, more money.

Glad this part of the project is done.

Chocolate Fudge And Cookies

Most of what I am baking this year, are cookies I have baked in the past.

The Chocolate Chip Cookies are the ones that turn up in the recipe on the bag of Nestlé semi-sweet chocolates.

The spritz cookies are the same recipe I wrote about on THIS post.

The only difference is that instead of using the cookie making machine, you roll the dough into a ball, and then flatten it. Decorate as normal.

A definite timesaver.

This year I went and found this recipe in All Recipes, for fudge.

Note, it is very creamy and good.

Aunt Teen's Creamy Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients

1 ½ cups white sugar

1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1/4 cup butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups milk chocolate chips

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped nuts

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Gather all ingredients. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil; set aside.

Combine sugar, marshmallow cream, evaporated milk, butter, and salt together in a large saucepan over medium heat; bring to a full boil and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and add milk chocolate chips and semisweet chocolate chips; stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in nuts and vanilla.

Pour into prepared pan; chill in refrigerator for 2 hours, or until firm.

Taro In Action, Or Is It Inaction?

This is how our Sunday Facebook chat went.

Taro, sitting on my Son's arm, the entire call.

Yes, I have to deal with the same thing, in regards to Makenna.

I asked him if his arm gets numb, and he mentioned that it does not, but that he is VERY hot.

Yeah, I get that too, so I kick off my blankie.

The blue on his glasses, btw, is because they are coated for computer work.

Always a pleasure to chat with him.

Christmas & Holiday Cards Are Done With Music

We decided to skip gym on Saturday, so that we could get the bulk of the Holiday cards in the mail.

So right after breakfast, we sat down at the kitchen table and began the process.

Note: I cleared this with my husband first, since he usually watches TV all day.

I pulled out the CD we bought just after Christmas last year: A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.

It is SO much better than the music in A Charlie Brown Christmas, because the different songs play in full.

Worth every penny we paid for it.

The Bridge At Fort Madison

My Water Post For Today.

The bridge that crosses just north of Fort Madison, is todays subject.

The cars were not allowed to cross, when we were there, though they can cross now.

What you see on the bridge, is train traffic on the lower level.

It is quite exciting to see, on top of the fact that you are on the Mississippi River.

An unforgettable experience and I hope you enjoy.

The Full Cold Moon (2024)

It's time for the full moon, and oh what a lovely one it is.

This is the Full Cold Moon, and guess what? It is COLD outside.

I guess it is named well.

Of course, we are in the fifties right now.

Not like states by the great lakes, where it is much colder.

If you have time, take a look at it.

Pandas For Sale

We took a mid afternoon ride over to Canyon Country, to try to get cleaned calamari.

Walking around a place called Pacific Seafood, I got the urge for Chinese Food for dinner.

So we stopped at our favorite location, Grand Panda, and look what they had for sale?

Cute little stuffed pandas!

I liked them, but my little guy is 34 now, too late for that.

We "semi" got our calamari, but it is cleaned rings, which I will fry.

For the pasta, we will use the seafood blend we bought from Trader Joes. My Son loves it, so we will try it.

Blow-Ups Lawn Ornaments

This is the view out my front window.

I don't know about you, but I find the blow-up balloons very unnerving, especially when they are deflated during the day.

It is not the worst display, by a long shot, we have lots of these things in front of houses in our neighborhood.

I believe that just lights, are fine with me.

Well, I would not be the one to tell them I find it weird, but I do.

A Beautiful Sunset

I was sitting on the couch, after doing several things.

I glanced out the window, and saw the colors in the sky.

I grabbed my camera, and ran outside (where it was cold).

The sunset was magnificent in the front of the house, though not so good in the back of the house.

Well worth getting cold for a few moments.

Makenna Aces Her Recheck

Makenna has been ill for several weeks.

The biggest problem was not eating, though her stools were small, runny and often.

The vet took bloodwork and stool samples, and after 2 weeks she is back in the running for normal.

Her Pancreatitis is better, her weight has stabilized, and she is not throwing up anymore.

I am glad to hear all this, and hope she enjoys Christmas and Hanukkah.

Calzones, A Little Early

I was thinking ahead, when I bought ricotta last Friday.

We sometimes have Calzones, during the holiday season.

Either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Being this year will be complicated by Hanukkah being on the same day, it may not happen exactly on time.

I have 2 packages of pizza dough in the freezer, and all the ingredients on hand, so I decided to make some on Sunday.

It was worth the effort, and actually minus the oil, it is a no mess dinner.

The Mississippi River At Burlington, Iowa

My Water Post For Today.

Burlington, Iowa is a beautiful area of the Mississippi River.

I mostly took photos of the bridge that lives there, but I did manage a few of the river itself.

It was late in the day, just before sunset, so the water and the sky both look fabulous.

I hope you enjoy.

Space X Launches, Once Again

This was the launch on December 5, 2024.

It went up just after 7PM, so we checked it out.

Unfortunately for me, it had no contrail to speak of.

Kind of a dud, but it got itself into space just fine.

I actually heard 2 sonic booms, before it came into view.

Something different.

The House This Year (2024)

This is the house, for Christmas/Hanukkah 2024.

We are down to 5 sets of lights (two have broken, and we have no way of figuring out how to fix them).

They are from 2011, which you can see, HERE.

So that is 12 years of service. I am good with that.

We have some blue ones we bought last year, I just have not decided where to place them.

Otherwise, this is it.

My Sleeping Baby

My Husband took this photo the other day, and I stole it from his photo feed. :-)

Every night recently, she takes over the arm on my side of the couch and makes my life a human misery.

As a matter of fact, she sits on the ottoman staring at me, until I finish on the computer in the evening.

Once I get there, I try to not disturb her, and we sit (and sleep in her case) for about 2 hours.

Sometimes she wakes up and watches trains with me. It's so cute.

I Have Post Office Problems

It's a new month, and I get bills.

One of my outstanding bills showed up on my Informed Delivery on Monday.

Great, I thought, right on time.

I get the mail and it is not in with the others.

This seems to happen quite often, I get things like magazines, and ads of different kinds, no problem.

The mail that I am waiting for? No such luck.

I gave it 24 hours and then went to the bank's website, to try to find out the amount I owed them.

No success there, so I am still waiting for the information the next morning.

Look what came in my Informed Delivery for Wednesday. It was my mangled bill!

I have mail that ends up delivered to other neighbors, which eventually ends up coming to me, but this one is definitely the machinery's fault.

The post office wonders why no one is using their service?

You need to be reliable!

The Metrolink Trains Look Terrible

I had to cross the railroad tracks the other day.

I knew a train was coming, so I was not surprised when we got stopped at a left turn that crosses the tracks.

I managed to have enough time, to get my phone and grab a picture of the consist.

My comment to my Husband was, "look how old those cars look".

I know some of them are being rehabbed, but there are still many cars that are in-service, some with the original paint colors, like that passenger car.

BTW, we also pass the station in Santa Clarita, and it is only about 1/3 full of cars now days.

In my day, the lot was full.

No full recovery from the Pandemic.

Angel Baby Blanket (Trigger Warning)

I have mentioned before that I lost a baby, while pregnant with my son.

I was not aware of it, but if the baby is far enough along, they call it an Angel Baby.

The parents can hold the baby, if it is big enough, and one of the things they do, is wrap the baby in a blanket.

About a month ago, a group I belong to on Facebook, asked if anyone could crochet.

As you may have seen, I am able to do that, so I volunteered to make a blanket for this project.

I picked up a skein of wool, and got to work. I didn't get close to done.

I picked up a second skein of wool, to finish it off.

When I got to the end, it was a trapezoid shape. Oh well, I ripped it all out and started again.

Finally on Thanksgiving evening, I finished it and brought it to the lady who requested it, on Friday.

I am glad that I am done, but the thought of a baby dying too soon, lingers.

Godspeed little one, who I will never know.

The Arizona/California Border AKA: The Colorado River

My Water Post For Today.

This was taken in the morning, as we passed Needles, California.

If you remember, we had our crew time-out during the night, so we went through Needles, in the full daylight.

Which gave us a beautiful view of The Colorado River, at the border.

It is always great to see it in the sunlight, instead of the middle of the night.

The road is I-40, in case you care.

I hope you enjoy.

My iPad Mini 2 Has Ended Its Time With Me

I just did it!

I bought an iPad Mini (17).

I did not want it, since my iPad is still working, but it is over 10 years old.

It runs through the battery much faster then it ever did.

The final nail in the coffin...they will no longer allow it to access the cloud, where all my photos and books are backed up.

Now that is definitely an issue with me.

The iPad owes me nothing at its advanced age.

I got my moneys worth from it, and I welcome this new one and all its fun new things.