Week 47

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend it with family.  We had a great one and felt blessed to spend time together with eveyone under the same roof.  The weather was also pretty amazing and soothing to the soul.  Can't beat that!

Take a look at last week's pictures:

Day 326- Monday, 11/22/21

Justin and I headed out to pick up our traditional See's chocolate turkeys.  They have new dark chocolate version this year that he is excited to try.  We also stopped by the eye dr to have his glasses properly fitted since they arrived after he left for school and had to have them mailed to him so couldn't get that done earlier.  The evening walk today was beautiful and after some windy weather most the trees around here have lost all their leaves.  This tree in particular was still very full of leaves just a few days ago and now look at it.  Winter is upon us!

Day 327- Tuesday, 11/23/21

Today I focused on getting Christmas cards and our annual photo calendar made through Snapfish.  Being able to work on the laptop also allowed me to binge watch a new series I haven't had a chance to check out until now and it's really good.  I like the concept of following this guys journey over 3 different paths based on which decision he made at a pivotal point in his life.

Day 328- Wednesday, 11/24/21

It's Thanksgiving prep day so Justin and I spent most of the day in the kitchen making cornbread for stuffing, baking muffins for tomorrow's breakfast and pies for tomorrow's dessert plus prepping the brine to soak the Turkey in tonight.  Thank goodness we ordered pizza for tonight's dinner because the last thing we wanted to do was to spend more time in the kitchen cooking.  We still have plenty of taht waiting for us tomorrow again.

Day 329- Thursday, 11/25/21

Happy Thanksgiving!  We started off the day enjoying our muffins while watching the parade, and the Smokey The Bear balloon passed by just after we got off a zoom call with my parents which seemed fitting since my dad worked for the Forest Service and Smokey most of my life.  Then we spent a lot of time in the kitchen preparing our turkey and ham feast with all the fixings to enjoy.  Afterwards there was pie and pool games with the boys.  It's great to have all 3 home again at least for a few days anyway.  

Day 330- Friday, 11/26/21

The weather this week has been amazing with clear blue skies and sunny warm days.  We're enjoying being home and being together.  Here's a holiday cheers to the start of the weekend, and on this Black Friday it seemed only fitting to finally get around to watching the Marvel Black Widow movie which did not disapoint even if we had to watch in 2 sittings because of internet issues.

Day 331- Saturday, 11/27/21

We started our Christmas shopping this week and have been receiving many delivered packages.  Let the games begin!  We won't get our tree until next weekend so we've got some time to sort through it all and wrap these before then.  I hate having a tree with no presents under it.  Later this evening we went out to dinner and drinks with the Wongs and ended the night paying pool and darts back at the house.  So many good laughs and fun had by all!

Day 332- Sunday, 11/28/21

The holiday is over so today was filled with chores and prepping for re-entry back into a work/school week.  I like to watch TV while doing chores so this week while paying bills or folding laundry or making lists I also binge watched the new season of Selling Sunset that just dropped.  It seemed like I was at the end before I knew it and wanting more as we all know there is more to their story that has unfolded in recent months.  Yep--as you saw this week was a lot about family but also about catching up on TV since I wasn't working.  The downtime was nice but now it's back to reality until the next holiday which is not that far away!

Wait!  One more:

November's Family Photo

Taken after Thanksgiving dinner but before I let them eat pie.  This was their ticket for that ;0)

Now I'm done!  Hope to see you next week as we get ready to start December and prepare for the Christmas season.  Bam!--just like that.

Week 46

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  We're all on Thanksgiving break right now which is nice especially since we have low-key plans and can just chill and spend time together.  It's been foggy and gloomy out again so hunkering down inside is the way to go and of course we can all use a break from school and work.  I'm maxed out on my vacation accrual so need to take as many days as I can over these next couple months before I loose them---not a bad problem to have.  I hope everyone else gets some good quality time with family this holiday season.

Now for last week's pictures:

Day 319- Monday, 11/15/21

Not only have I busted out the sweaters but also the fall and winter boots.  It's been too cold and wet/damp out for anything else and we're mostly seeing more leaves on the ground than on the trees these days as winter approaches.  At the end of the walk I found this interesting leafing vine that is kind of shaped like a tree as it grows on the cement-fence wall.

Day 320- Tuesday, 11/16/21

Rusty is the master at seeking out sunny spots for naps whenever possible.  Today he sought out some sunny comfort on the stairs.  For dinner I made some warm comfort food on this sunny but still cold day-- Pad Thai with chicken.

Day 321- Wednesday, 11/17/21

Recently, as we work through a huge sero-prevalence study in the Calif sea lion population, I've been tied to this scope reading slides for hours on end.  Sometimes it's relaxing and other times it's stressful trying to squeeze it in between other duties.  Hopefully we'll be finished by the new year or shortly thereafter.  Back at home, as long as I'm mindful about the time, I can get out for our evening walk before dark sets in and just before the sun sets.  The golden hour in the fall can be so pretty.

Day 322- Thursday, 11/18/21

Other days I don't make it out on our walk until well after dark.  Seems like we're turning the house and porch lights on before 4:30 pm these days.  Ugh!  That's way too early.  Our state actually voted a couple years ago to get rid of daylight savings but apparently the decision is tied up by some appeal court and is taking forever to get resolved. Inside, these two enjoy some time together at the end of their day.  She's still getting used to her new (too fluffy for her liking) bed after the old broken-in one had to be tossed when the cat was sick and peed on it.  Sometimes sitting with her helps.

Day 323- Friday, 11/19/21

TGIF and cheers to the weekend! Our Friday night movie was streamed on HBOmax, and was one I've been waiting for to be released.  The new Will Smith movie about Venus and Serena Williams' dad making his vision for their tennis stardom come true did not disappoint--so much dedication and hard work from everyone in this family.

Day 324- Saturday, 11/20/21

This train pulling into Davis has Justin on it!  He's home from HSU for fall break and we're excited to have him back. We crossed the deep channel waters near the port on our way home just after the sun set and the view was amazing with those sky colors reflecting on the water.  Rusty was also very happy to see Justin once we got home.  Tomorrow--haircut ;0)

Day 325- Sunday, 11/21/21

This morning I got my 3rd COVID shot.  With an increase in breakthrough cases I'm happy to have the booster for extra protection.  John has his too and our older boys are planning theirs soon.  This time my arm was less sore and for not as long.  Also there was no fever and chills, but I did have a pretty intense headache for a good day.  In the afternoon Justin who loves to bake helped me make some pan cookies for dessert tonight and as you can see he did get that haircut.  Can you spot the photo bomber in one of these pictures?  I had no idea she was there until I looked at them for editing later the next day.

That's it!  See you next week after Thanksgiving break.  Have a great Turkey Day everyone!

Week 45

Welcome back and happy Tuesday!  Our weather has turned very grey and gloomy so we are missing the sun, but we have had rain so at least there is that.  With the lack of natural light I'm less motivated and inspired to take pictures.  Our house in particular is very dark in these late fall and winter months as you'll see below. I try to find bright colors and moments to help. We're looking forward to the coming holidays.  Justin will be home for fall break Saturday so we're excited about that since we haven't seen him since August and then only a few week's later we'll have him back for a good month during winter break--Yay!

Take a look at last week's pictures:

Day 312- Monday, 11/8/21

It's time for the citrus to start ripening and the lemon tree in the side yard is full of some great looking lemons that will be ready soon.  We so miss being able to walk outside and pick a fresh lemon during the summer months and are happy to see these back.  We also got a little overnight rain which wasn't much but a larger storm is expected tomorrow.

Day 313- Tuesday, 11/9/21

This morning I'm taking my coffee while doing a morning class before starting remote work on this cold, windy, and rainy day.   The larger storm hit hard and thankfully I was home to help shuttle Brandon to and from school because riding a bike in this weather would have been miserable and unsafe.

Day 314- Wednesday, 11/10/21

I finally cracked open that pomegranate I picked up last week and it was so sweet and juicy plus brought back a good childhood memory when a friend's mom introduced me to the fruit. I also found a good chicken recipe that includes pomegranates that I'd like to try. Later, this is what dog walks look like these days--it's completely dark out unless it's more of a late afternoon walk.  At least this fall tree was lit up well by the street light.  It's this time of year when I'm waiting for those early Christmas lights to go up so things aren't quite so dark.  That will happen before we know it.

Day 315- Thursday, 11/11/21

Yay!  Finally a sunny and blue sky day plus it's a holiday so Brandon and I are home for the day.  Thanks to all those who are serving and have served to help protect our country on this beautiful Veteran's day.  We took advantage of the extra time and sunshine by going out to lunch at a place that had a nice patio where we could enjoy being outside after a week of being cooped in the house trying to stay warm and dry.  Then after that Brandon finished his UC applications and got them submitted.  He chose just all the ones closest to the coast.

Day 316- Friday, 11/12/21

TGIF!  John and I went out to dinner and then caught this year's Warren Miller ski movie at the Crest theater near the Capitol.  It was a super foggy night and eerie to be out in it but great to see such an inspiring movie that got us pumped for ski season.

Day 317- Saturday, 11/13/21

Today, with the luxury of time, Bella and I were able to get out for our walk early just before the sun went down and caught a beautiful sunset over by the local pond.  She was happy to take a different route, and I was happy to get some pretty pictures.

 

Day 318- Sunday, 11/14/21

It was mostly a chore day but in between loads of laundry, house cleaning efforts, and paying bills I was able to use my magazine clippings from last week to pull together a few collages. I also started watching a really good short series on Netflix.  It was a full day but ended with a nice family Sunday dinner helping to wrap the weekend up nicely.

That's it!  See you next week.

Week 44

Welcome back and happy Tuesday! It's time to also start a new month and I feel like November is already moving through too quickly.  I'm already making plans for Thanksgiving and hoping we can get everything we need for a good traditional meal without running into food availability issues. This means I need to do some shopping for that now.  Cue up the lists!

Until then here are last week's pictures:

Day 305- Monday, 11/1/21

I've started putting away all the Halloween decorations and bringing out the fall harvest ones including this turkey.  No Christmas stuff for us until after Thanksgiving.  Happy Novemeber as well.  I posed with the monthly marker in a nice warm fall sweater.

Day 306- Tuesday, 11/2/21

I'm taking another Tracey Clark class called Groundwork and the assignment this week was to browse magazines for future inspiration.  I haven't bought magazines in a while so it was fun to see what's out there and pick a few.  Boy have prices changed a lot!  Later for dinner we had another warm and comforting pasta dish to help us adjust to these fall temps.  Last time it was spaghetti and this time it's penne pasta in vodka sauce with chicken.

Day 307- Wednesday, 11/3/21

Some of the fall color out there is pretty impressive.  These leaves on this small tree look like they are on fire with that brilliant orangey red--totally caught my eye.  Then I settled down to watch Survivor with a little left over Halloween candy and a glass of wine.  What more could I ask for?  Maybe a fire would be nice and also survior like. Next week!

Day 308- Thursday, 11/4/21

The sun shone bright today and really highlighted this little spiny cactus in the window. I caught it just before the sun dropped which happens way too early these days.

Day 309- Friday, 11/5/21

All I had in the house earlier was that sad over-ripe banana so while at the store for weekend supplies I made sure to pick up some good fall fruit including a few avocados to go with dinner tomorrow and a pomegranate which I havn't had in awhile.  After school Brandon spent some quality time with Bella before needing and change and run off to work.

Day 310- Saturday, 11/6/21

That was fun--tearing up magazines to save things that I was drawn to and to list words that help bring me feekings of joy.  Next week we'll use the magazine clippings in a project of some sort.  Later we started making tacos for diner but the actual eating of the tacos was delayed by a 3+ hour visit from the cable company to fix our completely messed up wifi.  It seems better but still not all good so we'll see if another service call is warranted or not ion a couple days.

Day 311- Sunday, 11/7/21

Ugh!  I hate daylight savings.  It messes with sleep schedules, feeding schedules and moods.  I still woke up at my normal time and started my Sunday with some coffee in my winter pjs and my winter mug.   The mornings are quite brisk these days so we'll be needing the to turn the heater on soon but I'm holding out as long as I can using layers for now.  Much, much later after Brandon finally dragged himself out of bed and now with internet restored he started his UC college applications that are due in a couple weeks.  These ones are more involved than the ones he finished a few weeks ago so it will take him a couple sessions before actual submittal.

That's it!  See you next week.