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.


Comments

Tabor said…
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! It looks as though you are getting some really beautiful shots with that new camera.
This N That said…
Glad you got some much needed rain..We need it as well but not as badly, I guess..Glad you can get out in spite of it.
Online browsing is very dangerous for me..I never go to stores any more..all on line..so easy..
We are in the single digits for a coupe of days.."Wintery mix" tonight in to tomorrow..Ice in the morning..After that we should be OK and above freezing for the next week anyway..It will be fun walking Mollie in the AM.
Your camera sounds wonderful..Love B&H..and your pictures..I went food shopping this AM..The whole world was there..All the lines were open and there were at least five people in each line with full carts...Friday and bad weather ???
Pillsbury has a great cranberry orange bread mix ;)
Good luck with those bathrooms ...always fun
Have a good weekend..stay warm
You seem to be pretty well organised for Christmas and I am sure you will come up with a lovely vegetarian meal. Good that you are getting out to rise your horse, I know you love that. I am off to Malawi tomorrow but will be scheduling posts in but unfortunately wil not be able to comment when I am away but hope you will still pop in when you have time. I hope you and your famuily have a wonderful Christmas.
Lynne said…
Photos are wonderful . . .
Loved the "pup" pic . . .
I did a bit of "in store" shopping yesterday . . .
It was enough for me . . .
Online works fine . . .
I look forward to more of your photos from your new camera . . .
Happy days snapping, clicking away. . .
My best for a dinner invite for my vegetarian friend will be a large full "oven to table" container of roasted vegetables.
Carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, peppers, broccoli, garlic, cauliflower . . . and maybe more,
with a small, pork loin on the side for us . . ,
Our friend loves fresh bread, (no butter), so Lodge Pot Bread will be on the menu too . . .
Easy . . . I will send recipe . . .
Merry Christmas
Happy Holidays
Happy Hanukah
Peace . . . Shalom . . .
Cloudia said…
You beautifully described the California winter we are experiencing in Marin. Fine post.
Have you tried the broccoli casserole with ritz cracker topping? It's a real hearty casserole that most love, good for a vegetarian menu.
I'm so glad that you guys are getting some rain. I hope you get lots more before the winter is over. I know its not always convenient but the long range benefit makes it so worthwhile.

What kind of new Nikon did you get? I have Nikon too, but a real low level DSLR.
Daryl said…
a new camera is always a fabulous reason to get out and about ...

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