Friday, December 27th, 2024
Friday Five
TGIF! It’s the last Friday Five of 2024! 2025 is pounding rather demandingly on the door 
Okay, let’s get into sharing five random things about our week:
- We had a lovely Christmas Day. In the morning we were alone, opened gifts and had breakfast. All good. Maggie has the silly story here: Santa got her a new bed all wrapped up. Maggie knew it was a bed for her, and immediately curled up on it — while it was still wrapped! Oh Maggie…you’re priceless. Once I ripped a bit of the paper, she got into the game and unwrapped it. But she seems to love it.
- In the afternoon, we went over to Biker Witch’s house (my sister) and had a pretty low key but totally fun dinner. I got to catch up with her step daughter whom I haven’t seen in a while. That was awesome and really made me happy. And Maggie came with us — she had a blast until she got tired, then she found a quiet spot to rest in.
- I know this will sound crazy: But we took down the tree yesterday and got it all cleaned up. The house had gotten pretty dirty and both of us were ready. If feels good to have that done. Now I can get the house reasonably clean for the new year. I think we are both just ready to go back to our normal schedules.
- Every year, I SWEAR I won’t bake that much again. We’ll see. For the record, I’m the problem — I want to make everything while my body laughs in my face at my delusional thinking that I can bake everything in 5 days at my age.
- Wizard’s not feeling well. It may be a cold. Or it’s part of ongoing allergies plus another issue he’s having treated (nothing real serious as far as we know). I mean it’s good that he got through all the holiday stuff, but I hope whatever it is, he feels better soon. He could just be really tired too — it happens.
Now it’s your turn to share! I really hope you all have an amazing last weekend of 2024!
December 27th, 2024 at 8:11 am · Link
Yay for a lovely Christmas! LOL, silly Maggie. Yay for spending time with family! Hey, if taking everything down the next day helps you, then I’m all for it. Heh, baking addiction… I haz it, too. Big hugs and well-wishes for Wizard. I hope he feels better soon. Here’s to an amazing end to 2024 for us all.
1) I made myself a vow to get back on track. But I’m not waiting until 2025. It doesn’t matter when I start, so long as I start. And keep at it.
2) What a year this has been.
3) My lasagna turned out awesome. Which is good because we’re eating it for lunch and dinner every day until it’s gone. LOL
4) If I can keep on track and everything falls into place, I could actually publish a new book by the end of January. February at the latest.
5) Right now, I’m reading Child Star by Shirley Temple Black. It’s really interesting. It’s also a slow read, so this will probably be my first finished book of 2025 rather than my last book of 2024. Oh, well. I reached my goal and passed it, so it’s all good.
December 27th, 2024 at 10:30 am · Link
Sweet, sweet Maggie! Yay for family time and good food! Our mini-tree will probably come down this weekend so totally understand wanting your house back to “normal.” Baking is tiring and yeah, the brain thinks we’re still young but the body? Not so much.
Poor Wiz. Sending good thoughts for him to feel better soon! Okay, my five:
1. I was all ready when Christmas arrived. The roll dough was perfect and I delivered two pans to the two “close” neighbors. The cinnamon rolls were perfect. Yes, bragging, but I’m quick to point out when my dough flops.
2. The Kids arrived mid-morning. We had cinnamon rolls, coffee and hot chocolate.
3. This was a much better Christmas than last year–quality and quanity of presents. Also, I’m healthy and so was NOT last year. In fact, at this exact moment last year, I was in the ER. S’all good this year.
4. Stormy got a 1942 edition of “War and Peace.” Hey, he’s the one who said he wanted to read it.
Everyone enjoyed their gifts–thank Santa for lists!
5. After presents, we watched the Chiefs game and ate turkey sandwiches. The gang went through a whole loaf of Texas Toast bread so I think they enjoyed. Then we had pumpkin and pecan pies.
5a. Bonus Pete story. I made the “mistake” of balling up a Reeses Peanutbutter Cup foil wrapper. I missed the trash can and Pete went nuts, batting it all around the floor. Well, I made a few bigger “balls” over time and he had a ball (no pun intended) with them. But they disappear. Until yesterday. I found SIX of them tucked under the edge of the throw blanket he sleeps on on my bed. He HID them from Loki!
Have a great weekend, all. I’m going to try to follow B.E. on “starting” but I may “start” tomorrow.
December 27th, 2024 at 3:38 pm · Link
1. I love Maggie. She’s so smart.
2. Nice that you got to go to Biker Witch’s house. Sounds like you all (Maggie too) had a great time.
3. Wow! That was quick. Good for you guys being able to get it all put away.
4. 🤣You not bake🤣. C had the same delusion and thought she could bake everything under the sun too. Wore her out and she’s only 29, damn kids 😉💕.
5. Poor Wizard. Even if it’s “just” a cold, it can make you feel awful. Sure hope he gets rid of it quickly and that you don’t pick it up.
1a. Hubs was all ready for C&C to pick him up for church Christmas morning at 7 when he was told several times that they were picking him up at 8:15. There was a situation between the two of us until C&C arrived. Then all went well.
2a. Hubs insurance called today to set up their free in home medical assessment. He was fine with me setting it up until I got off the phone. I told him it was required by Medicare, even though it’s not. He’ll still drive me crazy about it.
3a. There is a new Indian restaurant near by. Last week C&C got take out from them and liked it. I’m hoping to get dinner from there tomorrow. We’ll see what the day brings.
4a. I bought a half pork loin for New Year’s Day and I’m going to dress it up like I would a crown roast. It will only be the two of us so I was thinking of cutting the roast in half again so I’m only doing 1/4 of a loin. We’ll still have leftovers.
5a. The bread pudding on Christmas turned out very good. I’m glad I made a half batch because I still sent a large portion home with A&A.
I hope you have a great weekend and that Wizard recovers quickly!
December 27th, 2024 at 4:08 pm · Link
B.E., Maggie is definitely silly, LOL. Yeah, the baking thing must be a dominant gene or something in a few of us. Thanks on Wizard!
1) Yay for starting now not 2025!! Just show up and do what you can, the rest is out of your hands. We put way too much pressure on ourselves!
2) I hear you on that!
3) You must make amazing lasagna! It’s usually better leftover so that’s a plus.
4) That will be awesome to see you have a new book out!!
5) Congrats on passing your reading goal. And glad you’re enjoying Shirley Temple’s book.
Hope you have a great weekend!
December 27th, 2024 at 4:14 pm · Link
Silver, both of us are happy to have the house back to normal. I know it’s weird to some — but also I needed to clean the floor under the tree
Wizard is feeling a bit better today. He does appear to have a cold, but it’s mixed with the cough he’s had for a long time (under a doctor’s care) so it was a tad confusing to figure out at first.
1) You have all rights to brag!! It had to be a ton of work, and you were working with dough that sometimes has a mind of its own. So yay!! You deserve the kudos!
2) Wow that’s a lovely way to celebrate the holiday!
3) Your good health is a gift to all of us for sure! Always nice when the gifts work out too.
4) That’s a book Stormy can keep forever! Nothing wrong with that.
5) Sounds like everything was a hit this year! You outdid yourself for getting called up to bat at the last minute!
I think you deserve a few days rest after pulling off Christmas. Starting tomorrow is probably best. Enjoy your weekend!
December 27th, 2024 at 4:21 pm · Link
Viki, I feel better that a 29 year old wore herself out too! Wizard is a bit better today so I’m happy with that. Crossing my fingers I don’t get it too!
1) That must be hard when he confuses things. I’m sorry it was a struggle first thing in the morning.
2) Smart of you to handle it that way!
3) Hope you can get food from the new Indian place and a break from cooking.
4) That will be good for New Years! Can you freeze it cook into serving sizes? I don’t know how that freezes since I rarely eat pork. Cutting it in half is a good solution too.
5) Your pudding must be so good! I’m sure everyone appreciate how much work you put into providing a special meal.
Thanks again on Wizard and hope you have a good weekend too!
December 27th, 2024 at 4:22 pm · Link
Silver, I left out Pete’s bonus story! Loved it!! Hiding the balled wrappers cracked me up! I’m wondering now if Loki was looking for them?
December 28th, 2024 at 10:29 am · Link
Jen, that’s the funny part. Loki could not care less about them.
Ahhh, cats. 