Larry, she doesn't seem to like people food which is good, nor feline wet food which isn't so good. I had a number of cats who didn't care for people's food and or tuna or fish, but never before one who didn't prefer wet food over dry.

She will eat perhaps a third of a can of feline liver if there is absolutely nothing else available and she will not eat the rest cold or warmed up and I am too cheap to throw out one and more of those ridiculously expensive three-ounce cans. 

Farrah had a moment this morning. She tossed her felt mouse all about and growled impressively while doing it and she sat beside the closet where her treats are and tried to look very somber and downtrodden, crying "Win," until she saw I wasn't that impressed. So she decided a nap was in order instead.

I have a good friend who recently retired from the US Marshals and returned to Minnesota so I have tried lutefisk and didn't care for it. It's another of whatever floats your boat as Joan is fond of saying.

My shopping was completed back in October when I sent out Christmas cash and one engagement gift. The youngest in our family is twenty-one and thousands of miles away, so cash is always welcomed. I don't decorate; there are trees, bulbs, and swags enough all over the building.  I did bake several types of cookies and some sweet potato fudge to go out with the cookie platters the crafts club always makes for volunteers, police, fire and ambulance.

At one time, I always seemed to be the Christmas recipient of fruit, coffee or cheese from those monthly clubs my nieces and nephews favored if they lived far enough away. The ones close by tended to pajamas, robes or liqueur. Somehow I always had an issue with believing that an elementary child just knew I'd prefer wine or a bottle of scotch for the holidays. Especially as I rarely if ever drank.

As I was on the other side of holiday sales for so long, I seriously enjoy not having to be in those malls during the holiday season. Unfortunately for those in retail, the season begins the beginning of August and finishes the month of January with sales and inventory.

In the middle of the night, Kendrick was bouncing here and there on my bed.  I was half awake, half asleep so I  have no idea what was going on.  He often ends up sleeping on my bed, but not this morning.  I wish I knew how to talk "cat" so he could tell me what he was doing. 

Fortunately, none of my gift givers have given me liquors because I seldom drink. 

When I worked downtown, I did my shopping at noon and there were three department stores to choose from.  Now there are specialty stores but I haven't been downtown in years and I hate going to malls because they're too busy and crowded.  I do not like crowds!

Mary Ann

^{MaryAnn, I have a favored website named "What to do away from the masses." Sometimes I need long breaks to revive!}

I chuckled a bit about the lutefisk.  My ex husband's family was 100% Norwegian on both sides.  I am 100% Irish.  My sister-in-law married a guy who was mostly German. 

Every holiday, the menu was lutefisk, lefsa and other Norwegian foods.  Rick and I tried the lutefisk and other foods, and liked them but but our spouses and the other kids wouldn't touch any of it with a ten foot pole .  We were raised to eat something of everything that was served whether we liked it or not, but my inlaws didn't require it, and as a result my ex was the pickiest eater I think I have ever seen.

Mary   

We held our Christmas time in UK different. Was not from a big family . Mother side went to church. Not fathers side. they lived different town. We got together for dinners all year long as all lived withing eye shot of each other. GM. Aunts . The for 7 years of the war the men all gone. Not much could be bought and so I was used to that until I came to US. Then I enjoyed the 2 girls and making a US Christmas for them. Was just Inlaws living close. (Fact moved next door). Enjoyed doing it for the Grandchildren. 2 lived close but rest in Texas. Soon as they all grew up and ended up with about 26 people on a Christmas list. I decided to go back to my English way. So I just don't get involved in it now. All are over a thousand miles and I sure not about to fly this time of year. Took them awhile but they accept my way now.  As I go in the stores and see the people going so crazy I am one happy person. It last just one day and then its over. Leaving lots of upset people it seems.  Do not miss Christmas at all. Even the GGchildren had grown past the little tot stages.   It is just way to commercial .

MaryTX - lots of jokes and funny stories about lutefisk.  I think the majority of people dislike it . . . even a lot of the Norwegians and Swedes dislike it! LOL  I have a coffee mug that says  in bold letters - "Just Say NO to Lutefisk"! 

I'm not Scandinavian at all, but my husband is Swedish. We mostly enjoy the fun and comradery of the dinner and family.  However, I genuinely do like lutefisk, and look forward to it every year. I tend to favor bland foods, that don't require a lot of chewing.  There are other things served at the dinner . . . Swedish meatballs, potatoes, cole slaw and white sauce.  Not very colorful!

We have had snow since early afternoon and I think we'll have several inches by morning.  It isn't the first snow but I think it will end up as the heaviest - maybe three to five inches.  Tom has some snow tires in the garage and until he moves them, he cannot park in the garage.  Knowing Tom, he'll try to get James to come up here to move them.  Tom is a delegator.

Patricia, if I want to get away from it all - on the computer - I go to jigsaw puzzles or simple solitaire card games. 

Mary Ann

MaryAnn, this site lists activities you can do on your own away from home more than on the computer, such as going to a zoo, the water or bicycling or eating on your own.

Its nice to have ideas for singular activities when you need a break which I sometimes do.

Hi everyone on another overcast morning after a night of rain.  We will only get to 59 degrees today and late tonight and into the early morning hours we have 100% chance of more rain.  The rain is welcome as we are in a drought here in South Carolina.  Pat did go to church with me yesterday and then we ate lunch out.  The housekeeper had the flu last week and missed on Friday but Pat talked with her last evening and she will be here this morning.  I plan on attending my Monday noon meeting and I don't know what else we may do today.  We need to go to COSTCO for some major restocking but not sure it will be this afternoon. 

Mary Ann and Patricia, we do a bit of cash Christmas giving also but Pat likes to have a package or two for our son and for her sister and we usually have a gift or two for each other.  With cash there is no returning after Christmas and folks can get what they want.  We have no idea what our great grandchildren have so we always gift them with small cash gifts and they enjoy getting to pick out things they want. 

Mary, I was raised the same way in having to eat a bite or two of whatever mother fixed for a meal.  However, I am adult now and don't feel that compulsion and certain things I just do not like or what to try. 

JeanneP, enjoyed reading of your Christmas experiences over the years. 

Mary Ann, hope you aren't snowed in this morning. 

Patricia, I am not out alone by myself to do any of those things.  For one thing, I have no car now so have to rely on others for transportation.  Then, my walking is not good so I don't go to such places, much as I might want to.  I haven't graduated to a walker or rollator yet and I can see one in my future, but not right now.  I do get the mail and I have to walk for that - along side the garage, across the front of the garage and across the road, then back again.  I am happy I have the puzzles and card games.  I find the places on the computer are dwindling too.  I used to have two pages of forums to choose from and now there is about 3/4 of a page and I do not read from all of those. 

Last night Kendrick raced down the short hallway to my bedroom, bounced on my bed, jumped across my body and back again and wanted attention, which he got.  He'd stay a few minutes, leave and in about 15 to 20 minutes would return, doing the same thing.  I have no idea what caused such behavior.  It could be that he was hungry because I had mixed Fancy Feast with his dry food and it looked this morning as if he had eaten none of it.  I gave him some fresh dry food so he is set for the day.  When I got up, there was Kendrick, fast asleep on my bed.

We have a white world this morning.  I read it might have amounted to six inches, but I think the readings are taken at the airport which is about 15-20 miles south of us.  But there is an accumulation.  Winter has arrived.

Mary Ann

Tis 28 degrees at 9  expecting a high of 38 today.  BRRRRR

Good morning from a still dark Interior. Our temperatures were cold yesterday but have warmed up about twenty degrees. We were told to expect 3.6 inches of snowfall scattered throughout the week and colder. Now they are saying, no colder weather and zero chance of snow.....

We generally have five hours of daylight now with about two and a half hours at dusk. December twenty-first is the winter solstice where we begin to gain between five to six minutes daily and lighter, less cold. The summer and winter solstices are important here as they influence the amount of light, the temperatures, and people's moods.

Doctors have found that often "cabin fever" or a case of "SADS," corresponds with a severe lack of vitamin D in the body. If this is found, they suggest supplementing it with 1400 milligrams daily. It is something people here have to be aware of, and doctors warn against supplementing if you haven't had your levels checked as the vitamin is not water based.

MaryAnn, I've been told that cats have an issue of prey instinct that builds up and what we see as irrational behavior is a way for them to release some of that as they no longer hunt. Farrah was running around the other day, growling and leaping up and down off the furniture. It was clearly manic behavior.

She never gets on my bed, and I miss having a cat sleeping on the end of the bed. With  Sarah, there was the bedtime ritual when I would go in to wash and brush my teeth, and she would go in and get on the bed. Farrah stays in the living room at night, and she no longer goes under the bed as she first did. I really miss the soothing evening ritual and the company even if I occasionally kicked Sarah off the bed in my sleep.

I am finding the same issues with the computer. I have scrabble, poker, jigsaw, and mahjong games and I do photography and Paint Shop Pro graphics and classes, but I find I'm doing less than before. The folks here can be overwhelming at times, and once you have gotten involved in a committee or endeavor, you are expected to continue doing that. I am also finding myself not as steady on my feet or comfortable with what I used to do, so that is an issue. Sometimes I find myself hiding in my apartment and not answering knocks on my door.

MaryAnn. You got more snow than we did. Fact what came down has already melted even though it is only about 37 deg out. Will not get any warmer. Did go out with the garbage and brushed the snow off my car.

I need to go out today and get some exercise. Will have to be indoors. Think will go get the Cards to send to Overseas.  Pick some Christmas and some New Years. Not many anymore.  I try to put long letter in the ones I send. How I miss writing letters. Specially my aunts and elder brothers. Was always at least once a month for 50 years.
Right now I keep starting things and quitting. Funny how when sun is out one can just keep going and going all day. I jump for reading book. then on Ipad. than today I put a couple more books on my Tablet.  I try the puzzles and playing cards.
Some people I use to spend time on phone now liking just using Texting. Say things in one Line.  I refuse to even put that on my phone. Same with Facebook. Boring.  But we are into December already will be a fast winter. Not really bad weather I hope.  If I can get outdoors for a while I will stand it.

We have the big County Nursing home close to me I may go over and see if can help a little there. Lots don't have visitors. I enjoyed going to one of the other Nursing homes when I had 2 friends in with Alzheimers and really liked that. both passed now. It was sort of like  working with young children in that Dept.
Will just give the bird lunch. Have some myself and then get to moving.

Good Evening Everyone!  '=

My parents never made me eat,
or "clean my plate",  or eat anything
that I didn't like.   

And I never made my children eat
when they didn't want to. 

I am the only obese person in my
family  (I had two tall and slender brothers)...  And all my grand kids
are tallish with great  slender bodies...

My Great Grand is a chunky rolley polley...  but that  probably will go away when she starts to eat table  food and stops nursing.

I have cleaned out my kitchen cabinets gotten rid of the peanut butter and butter,
and sugar, and ice cream...   

So I am hoping to start
losing again... 

I still have a long way to go... 
but I can do it  !!!
If I control what I keep in my kitchen..
and out of my mouth!

Well, according to the weather forecast online it is snowing here in Richland.  Too dark out there cannot see anything so cannot confirm or dispute.  Will have to wait til morning and let you know.  LOL

Hi everyone on a overcast and still lightly rainy morning.  We have had about 2 1/4 inches of rain in the last two days.  It looks like it is about over as the prospects are low for the rest of the day and evening.  I got up this morning and fried up a pound of sausage and mixed up a new batch of sausage muffins for Pat's breakfast over the next few days.  I will try not to drop one of them on the floor as I did last time.  There is nothing specific on the calendar for today although we may make a trip to COSTCO later today as long as it is not raining.  Yesterday I did not attend my noon meeting as planned as my heart was letting me know it was there and that I needed to rest.  I didn't want to cook last night so we went to Ruby Tuesdays and had a delicious dinner. 

Patricia, it seems your weather forecast can change drastically.  I notice that ours does the same as will look at the projected forecast for the next 48 hours and the next day it will have changed a lot. 

JeanneP, I bet there are folks in the nursing home that would very much enjoy your company as they probably don't get many, if any, visitors. 

Sandy, it sounds like you threw away all the staples from your pantry.    Good work and if it isn't there you won't be tempted to eat the ice cream, etc.  I have started not buying ice cream to have in the freezer here at home and only having some occasionally when I am out. 

Joan, it is nice to look at and see freshly fallen snow before it is all walked over and becomes dirty.  However, I prefer to see snow on the TV news reports and not on my yard. 

Larry, I wondered as I read about your 2 1/4 inches of rain, how much snow it would have produced.  Our snow is still on the ground and it may be the start of a winter of white stuff.  I have read that our winter will be mild but that does not mean no snow.  As I no longer drive, I really don't care but I do ride and I hope my drivers take it easy.  I'm not worried about Tom, but I do worry about Dot!

I know as long as it is cold and snowy, Kendrick the cat will not want to go out.  The only time he's gone out, he hugged the slider and let me know he wanted to come back in.

You were wise to listen to your heart and not go to your meeting.  Your Wisdom class is working!

Mary Ann

    Here is a link to a picture of the batch of muffins I just made: http://photopeach.com/public/upload/data3/farm5/s/s/i/siteman81/2526814c63fa692f59e1fe5a6911d3c8.jpg

Good Morning Everyone from the
icy cold, rocky coast of Maine.

I have lots of walking errands
to do but it is going to be too
cold and windy to get out there
and accomplish any thing.

So I will stay in and watch
the series "Billions" on Show Time.
And let Kelly take to me do my
errands tomorrow.   

I am playing catch up on all the
series that I have desired to see
but overlooked these last few years..

I blame that on my having too many
choices.   Now I just have to learn
to enjoy the ones that I choose
to have. 

All is well here,  but it 
"Old Man Winter has his boot on
my face" ..   (giggle)

Larry...
Yes,  I had to eliminate many
tasty items from my kitchen,
because I have no self control.
And if they are there,  I will
pig out on them..


I am so very weak. 
Those muffins are making my
mouth water... 

BAD LARRY  !!!! 


Have a good day,  Everyone.
Sandy

We only got a dusting and this morning barely visible.    LArry. LOL

Larry. Those muffins do look good. Not tried making but think I will. Have the makings here.  Now if I can find your Recipe again on here. You remember what number it was.  Pat must really enjoy them.
So cold here now. Maybe a little more snow tomorrow. I had better go and fill my gas tank. Always afraid of the Battery going dead as I don't drive it as much. So should maybe go out on the interstate and put a few miles on to charge it up.
I don't have a garage. Battery pretty new but still needs to be run.

Another dusting this morning.

Larry, those muffins look good enough to eat!  I'm glad Pat enjoys them.

The Women's Fellowship at church put on a Christmas Tea for all of the women in the church.  They served cupcakes, nuts and chocolates, plus coffee and tea.  Our organist was the entertainment and played several pieces, two classical and others with a Christmas theme.  I was disappointed that he did not have us sing Christmas hymns, but he didn't.  It was a good afternoon.

I was unable to do other Christmas stuff by not being here, but if it is supposed to get done, it will be done. 

I am tired now and probably will take a nap.

Mary Ann

Just checked the weather for tomorrow, expected high of 18 degrees.  Good grief.

Joan, we're not much ahead of you - in the mid 30s.  I have a company retiree party tomorrow and fortunately Tom is driving.  We don't have much snow, none on the roads today and I don't think we'll have more snow for a couple of days.  Cold I can take care of because I have a warm jacket.  It isn't dressy, but it is warm and I've even had strangers comment on how warm it looks.

Mary Ann

Starting to get a little cooler.  But Thursday they say we will stay in the 40's.  Now folks for here that is coooooooollllllllldddddd........chatter

Hi everyone on this Wednesday morning.  So far it is overcast but to get to about 60 this afternoon. While the rain stopped yesterday it was a very dark and damp day outside.  I worked here at home all morning, rested and then went to COSTCO and stocked up on several things. No riding carts were available so I walked the store very slowly.  Fortunately I have now been there often enough to have a general idea where things are located on the shelves and in the freezers and coolers.  There is no dinner at church tonight so we will prepare dinner hear to share with Scott when he comes out late this afternoon.   

Mary Ann, the rain we had would produce a lot of snow.  Sure glad we didn't get it in the form.  It sounds like Kendrick is pretty smart in wanting to stay in the house.  Your Christmas Tea sounded very pleasant.  At our adult luncheon the group did sing several Christmas songs, both secular and sacred, as a part of the program our choir director/pianist put together for us.  It was most enjoyable.

Sandy, glad you were able to get out and do some of your errands yesterday.  It sounds like you are already making a good adjustment to not having the cable.  Sorry to have tempted you with the muffins. 

Joan, I wanted you all to see that I really am making the muffins.  I should have taken a picture right after they came out of the oven as they fall a bit as they cool.  Stay warm as that 18 degrees doesn't sound pleasant at all.

JeanneP, I did a search for the recipe but didn't find it.  So here it is again: Preheat over to 375 degrees and fry up 1 pound of sausage (and break it up into small pieces).  Mix 4 eggs in a bowl, add 1 cup of heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 cup of protein powder.  Mix these ingredients together and add 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of Swiss or Parmesan and stir in.  Finally stir in the sausage, having drained off the excess fat from the frying, and  stir it into the mixture.  If you use muffin tins be sure to grease them or you can use a greased small baking pan.  I have two silicon muffin pans that make small muffins and can get 12 muffins from the mixture but a the recipe says it makes 4 to 6 larger muffins.  These can be reheated in the microwave.  We store them in a plastic container in the refrigerator and they hold very well. 

Hal, we sure do get used to warmer weather than our friends up North experience.  It looks like we will be getting into the 50's for several days ahead.  Not bad for December. 

Good morning from the Interior. Nothing going on here except for cooking, cleaning and paperwork, all the fun things! 

I hope everyone has a great day!

The rain has ended. The sun is peaking out from behind the clouds. My car is up the street for inspection. My sister and I will be doing lunch at Hoss's Steakhouse, after which I have no big plans for the afternoon other than to work on Latin lessons for tomorrow.

Today is our company retiree Christmas party.  It is a good one to go to because someone from GO will be there to explain benefits for the coming year.  As retirees, we may not see too many, if any, changes, but regular employees sometimes see their benefits changed - having to pay part of the costs, for instance.  And it is good to see friends you no longer see on a daily basis.  I have been retired 30 years so many people have come and gone in that time.  I join three or four other women in good weather for lunch each month and those are my long-time friends now as friends from high school have died.  Tom will take me to the luncheon then find a fast food place with WiFi where he will eat and work on his business.  I take my phone with me so I can call him to pick me up.  I offered to have him eat with us but he doesn't know any of the retirees and I sit with all women - not that Tom minds women!

We are at 32 degrees and I think it will not get much higher but we are not expecting snow which is good.

It's windy at Grand Haven, lots of whitecaps and out as far as the outer lighthouse.

Mary Ann