Friday Food 12-16-22

It is a dessert time of year, isn't it?  So many pictures of desserts in my photo files.  I just went through and chose six.  Now I want to dig through the freezer and see if there is something sweet to eat before I go to bed.   Since the photo program Picasa disappeared I don't have captions on most pictures before that sad day.  But you can mostly tell what yummies these are.  

Three varieties of cookies from our local "Cookie Elements" shop.  Not as large or as expensive as Crumbl, but I like them better. 

A lovely looking and delicious dessert served to the Book Group one day. 

A chocolate cake topped with whipped cream at Il Vecchio in Pacific Grove.  Three ladies, three spoons, not a crumb left. 

Scoops of ice cream topped with blackberries and a mint leaf. 

"Take the gun, leave the Cannoli."

A great homemade cake topped with fresh strawberries...  and whipped cream on each slice. 

#   #   #

Christmas Countdown #6 12-16-22

 

#   #   #   

Photo Fail 12-15-22

Worked hard at staying off my feet today, but we did go out.  KoKo just piddled in the backyard, no walk, and then we went to Starbuck's drive thru.  On the way I could see the snow covered mountains so we drove up to the top of Bastanchury (bas-tan-CHUR-y) Hill which is the highest place around.  Unfortunately the trees have grown up to block a lot of the view.  But the problem today was my cell phone camera (I think).  

Below is a gated community, above that the Brea Hills, and that light streak is the snow on the distant mountains.  Unfortunately they just blend into the sky. 

Same with this one, perhaps slightly more clear.

 

Did I take a breath and jiggle the cell phone?

And really extended.  Not my best effort. 

And then we were driving right by The Hat, which has the best pastrami around, so we drove thru and picked up a huge sandwich (ate half for dinner tonight).  When we turned on to Imperial Hwy I decided to stop for $3.99/gal gas at Arco!  Then east to our favorite Starbuck's and home to sit in my chair to read, have a nap, and do some paperwork - with my leg elevated.  Only 198 steps yesterday, but I didn't have my phone in my pocket all the time.  Tina did the honors for KoKo this evening.  What a friend!!!

He resents my lap being full of paperwork, or anything but him.

#   #   #

Christmas Countdown #5 12-15-22

#   #   #

 

Busy day 12-14-22

Yesterday I did 105 steps!  Those were almost all trips to the bathroom!  Don't know how many steps today, but I was out and about a lot.  Thoughtful friend Tina took KoKo for walks both morning and night.   However, the boys in the cul de sac needed rides to school, which isn't a lot of steps, just get in the car in the garage and drive them to school and drive back to park in the garage!  But then today was the Book Group Xmas lunch, where I parked in the spot closest to the restaurant door, gimped in, sat, ate, visited, and then gimped back to the car, picked up Julian and delivered him to his house, parked in my garage and sat for a nap!  Then to the PTherapist where I didn't have my phone to count my steps, but there weren't a lot.  Finally home to the garage again,  Don't I live an exciting life? 

It was nice to see the Book Group ladies, except Carol who stayed home to protect us from her cold.  Thank you, Carol.  We talked about our Christmas Day plans and caught up with all our lives.  I left before we discussed the book.  I didn't finish it, only read about halfway and struggled with every page.  It is on Kindle if I decide I need to finish it - NOT.  Instead I started "The World According to Garp" that I enjoyed so much in 1979 that my husband asked me to not read it in bed because I kept chuckling and keeping him awake!  So far I am not finding it funny at all, but I'm only about a 1/4th of the way in.  

We always exchange smallish gifts and this year was a good year.   I showed you the bags I gave containing a book gift card, a long skinny Lindt bar, and a FIRE EXTINQUISHER!  Seems like something everyone might not have and may never need, but good to have if one forgets a pan on the burner or sets a fire in the toaster oven.  These extinguishers are a one shot deal, so no need to remember to have them recharged periodically.  I have five that require that and have to mark my calendar to remember to do the recharge.  

So, now it is almost 10pm PST and I am very tired.  I think pain does that.  So, early to bed and tomorrow is maybe another 105 step day.

#   #   #

Christmas Countdown # 4 12-14-22

 

#   #   #

Still gimpy! 12-13-22

A friend told me today that I am stubborn!  And she is correct, I just want to do things my way.  And sitting/laying around with my foot elevated is not something I choose to do.  So, I pay the price by extending my ailment - who knows how long.  I don't know how long my neighbors will indulge me and take KoKo for his walks.  That is a large part of my continuing pain because I have been walking him.  Not the full half an hour, but just up to the corner and back, so maybe half a walk.   By last evening I could hardly put my foot on the floor, which is a big problem when I have to make it to the bathroom.   Dear Tina walked KoKo today both morning and evening.  Thanks, Tina!

I had to skip the Surfside QGuild meeting today, which was one of the special meetings of the year.  Several members took over the photographers job, including the newsletter editor who will have many more pictures to sort through for the January issue.  They have sent me images of the members hard at work stuffing stockings and writing Holiday Greetings to go with each stocking.  Don't remember how many stockings, something like 160.  The members who did the acquisitions for things to go in the stockings outdid themselves and the excess will go to other non-profits in the area.  I hope we will do this again for future Christmas meetings.  

Everyone was stuffing away.  

As always the refreshment table was sooo appetizing.

While I was sitting with my foot elevated I finished the packages for the Book Group Christmas luncheon tomorrow.   I think I can make it from the parking lot to the restaurant especially if I get a handicapped spot near the door.  There are only seven of us now, but I always gift everyone with a gift card for Amazon or Barnes & Noble (their choice) and this year I also am giving them something I hope they will never need.  Since some may read this I won't say what it is until tomorrow.  

Gift bags from 99cent store for $1.29 - about 15" long. 

Made little sleeves for the gift cards using Grinch fabric from last year's after Christmas sales. 

#   #   #