December Days

It has turned into California winter.   It's chilly and cloudy and we're having some rain.   Not a lot here on the Central Coast, but heavy rains up north.   Enough to bring Lake Tahoe back up to a normal level.   Enough to flood rivers.   Even though it brings treacherous road conditions and potential rock/mud slides, it also provides much needed relief to drought conditions in parts of our state.

I go out and ride Beau on nice days.   It's such good exercise for both of us and gets me out in the fresh air.   Inside, I've been running the heater more often, bundling up in sweat pants and other warm clothes (such a pretty look!), and finding ways to stay busy.   I've done my Christmas shopping with maybe one or two exceptions.   The only online browsing I'm doing now involves things for me/us here at home.   Nothing necessary, just thinking and browsing.   It's like window shopping without having to go out in the crowds and weather.   

I have had my Christmas gift for a few weeks.   It's a new camera.   I've wanted it for a while, it was on sale at B&H, and Erik wanted me to have it.   I'm enjoying being back with Nikon and the familiarity of it.   So of course I've been to the coast to try it out and some of the photos I've already shared.   I use it around here too, when my subjects stand still long enough for me.

Today I am going to the store(s) for food shopping.   I'm figuring out what to make for Christmas meals as one of our girls will be here and she's a vegetarian.   Truth be told, Erik is the only one here who really cares about having meat at meals.   And he doesn't like fish.   So that generally leaves chicken and beef.   I may just cook a small tri-tip and then potatoes or pasta or some such thing, as well as greens.   I haven't yet done any baking because I would have eaten it by now.   I used to have a recipe for a very good cranberry orange bread, but I have no idea where it could be.   When we remodeled the kitchen, so many things went in boxes and never found their way back to the kitchen.   

Speaking of remodeling, we are now thinking about updating our bathrooms.   We aren't going to do anything fancy or an overhaul or anything like that.   Just new vanities, sinks, and perhaps lighting.   I'll make some choices, get bids, and see how far we can take it.   It's an early 2017 project so there's no need to scurry about and get it done.   

I hope you're having a good week.   If you're in a cold region, please stay safe as the temperatures are dropping severely.   Thanks for stopping by.