How was your Christmas? We spent two days driving (under the threat of stormy skies), two days shopping for last minute but absolutely critical (don’t ask) things, and two days cooking. We survived although arrived home … exhausted.
This year I tried to make linzer (jam-filled) cookies. They were okay but I learnt not to use mint jelly as a center. The cookies looked Christmassy but tasted like mouthwash.
I learnt about seals and sea lions with the other Junior Rangers. There are many differences between the two but the important one (the one I remember) is: sea lions bark and seals grunt.
I learnt that when newborn whales breach for the first time their puffs are heart-shaped. For some reason, that warmed my poor old heart.
I learnt to enjoy being on the coast.
Saying nothing in particular 
Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas… wishing you all the best for New Year 💜
Thanks Willow! Except for all the driving, everything ran fairly smoothly which is about all you can ask for!
Yes indeed, be safe and happy in the new year 💜
What a great trip south to spend time with family. When author friends finally get to see one another again in the coming year, we will emit a heart-shaped puff, too. Sending you love and virtual bubbly to celebrate a new year.
Thanks Jenn. Much love and virtual bubblies to you and your family as well!
That basketball photo made me chuckle. I don’t envy you driving through LA at any time. I’ve done it with our daughter and have never enjoyed it. Going around LA proper is no treat either. We had a fairly relaxed Christmas, going nowhere and Zooming with family from California to France, then spending time later on Christmas Day with my parents here. So thankful for Zoom for the second year but hopefully we’ll have more in-person next year. And speaking of next year, it’s almost here! How can that even be?
janet
Thanks Janet. The background for the original picture was a car lot so I decided to play with Photoshop. I’m glad you were able to keep in touch with everyone and be with your parents. Here we go into 2022….. ready or not!
Happy New Year, Jan!! Hoping 2022 is what we wanted 2021 to be. ❤
Happy New Year to you as well!
Hi, and Happy New Year!
And to you as well!
Hi Jan,
Of course, these sort of photos make me sad. You know that and I can’t help it. I’m glad you post them, but really … oh, well. Thanks for keeping me updated on your travels in the high country. Spent Christmas alone with the dogs. Cold here, but it is getting better. Omicron has not arrived. Can’t wait. Of course, who can trust the public statements of a flaying government. I miss Africa. I felt clean there. The trees huge, the clouds towering, so dominate, so white against the blue. I guess you felt the same way by the ocean, looking at those two whales. We both missed our calling. I should have kept gambling. I’d never gotten married, but that was the plan way back when. White suit, barefoot, island, drunk … Oh well … I’m good at, Oh well … that could be my main testament, Oh well. It’s the way I breathe. Maybe Aaron could write a song about Oh well. Hit for sure. I feel pretty bad about the end of the world. Unfortunately, I can see it. I can feel it. Right, Happy New Year! I mean that. Just like Merry Christmas! Love. Duke
We can always get lost in the oh wells. I frequently go there but decided to take a little break and breathe in the sea air. I’m worried to even think about the coming year. I hope you’re at least warmer there and that the dogs are well. Tender mercies are all we have. Love, jan
Jan … we will always have Paris. Duke
This is true. Last year at this time I was working with Carol on her book. I remember it so vividly. We both shared that only happy when working ethic. Arguing over spaces and fonts, commas and headers … nuts I know.
Sounds like fun. Other SF based friends spent time in Truckee and are well and truly stuck. The pictures look delightful, the lack of beer grating… have a good new year.
Love the photos. Here’s to a happy and healthy year ahead 🙂
Thanks Jonathan! Happy New Year to you as well.
Hhahha, what an enjoyable, entertaining and informative post. Thank you for the chuckles. Oh that mouthwash mint feeling. It reminds me when I made tea from all sorts of plants, including mint and sage, for a summer hike and the taste ended up freshest toothpaste.
I wonder if you got the email with my Calendar 2022 in your inbox four days ago. In case you missed it, it was this one and you can download it here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NZ01T3xFkb1nn2P2mdVAKUzMRGB8Wk0m/view
Happy 2022!
Thank you for sharing your sweet, sometimes funny, Christmas.
Let’s hope we can all experience a Happy New Year.
Those we have lost would want us to enter the next year with hope but it is so difficult. Still we do it for them. Forward into 2022! May this next year bring you many moments of joy.
Except for the traffic, I’d say it was all good. OK, nix on the mint jelly.
Yes, mint flavored sugar cookies are strange! Happy New Year Dan.
What a great Christmas, especially with a brand new, blue basketball under the tree. Driving home for Christmas can be a Christmas nightmare, but glad you made it. It’s nice to get out of the house, too.
Happy New Year.
It was a nice drive for the most part. California is at its best in the winter and spring. I wish we had a more comfortable car though!
Of course I believe that you are the one in the pink! Knew it immediately. Laughing at the idea of cookies that tasted like mouthwash.
If you like mouthwash flavored sugar cookies they weren’t too bad!
I also found Christmas exhausting. It was a week-long marathon of cleaning, cooking, and washing up. My family were very out of sorts this year so there were lots of tears and complains too (about life, not my cooking). For the first time ever, I was thankful when it was over and glad to get away on holiday. Hopefully, they’ve all cheered up by the time I see everyone again.
I’ve had many Christmases that turned out exhausting and stressful. This year we splurged at stayed at a nearby resort instead of with the kids. It helped tremendously. I’m not looking forward to the credit card bill but it was worth it.
That sounds like fun. I was keen to do something similar but the Omicron hit and I didn’t want to expose my parents.
What? You look fab in pink!
Heart shaped puffs! How cool.
Almost makes me feel like taking up smoking….again.
I could blow awesome smoke rings. Bet I could blow heart rings!
I don’t thing the baby whales were smoking but you never know!
BTW…toothpaste cookies….. i feel ill…..
Eventually we forget the driving and shit, and remember only the good stuff, which is good.