Saturday, December 23, 2023

Pat went out to get the last of the groceries early this morning. He needed to pick up a prescription but the pharmacy didn’t open until ten so I said when I walked to the library I’d stop in and pick it up.

I walked pretty much from one end of town to the other before I was done. I stopped at the Freshco pharmacy and the three small boxes fit into my backpack. Then I was off to Save On Foods but they didn’t have what I was looking for. Since I was at the mall I stopped at Shoppers but again wasn’t able to find what I was after. I was able to pick up the gift card I needed, although I had forgotten it was even on my list.

From there I stopped at Walmart and finally found one of the soda stream mixes I was looking for. My backpack was almost full by then so I took out the library book I was returning and carried it. By cutting across a couple of parking lots I was able to hit the library only a few minutes later.

I carried on down the hill to Marine and picked up the small birthday gift I was looking for. I almost called Pat to pick me up (and I’d invite him to lunch) but I powered on and made it back home. I’m pretty much done in now so I’ll sit for awhile and sew down the binding on a couple of birthday cards.

We’re off tonight for the annual Jazzy Christmas that I look forward to every year. We usually have to go to the Townsite for the event but they are performing just up the street at the United Church this year. We’ll still have to stand outside to wait for the doors to open but we won’t need to get there extra extra early in order to get a parking spot.

December 22, 2023

I found my Christmas mouse the day after we put up the tree. The only time I heard it sing was when I took it out of the shed and brought it upstairs. I changed its position this year thinking it would get more sun but until today it had been quiet as … well as a mouse! But today the sun shone enough in the afternoon for me to hear a chorus of Christmas songs.

I’ve been ready for Christmas for a week and I started my holidays about the time I got Kathryn’s birthday package sent off. I’ve spent long afternoons playing on my iPad and doing a bit of stitching. I’ve also been baking.

I had three recipes to try but so far I’ve only managed one of them. In my 12-Days package from Elizabeth I got a scone mix (I love scones). Pat was on Texada so I didn’t want to start any baking until he was home. I’ve tried scones before that didn’t turn out all that good but this mix worked really well. I think I’ll be more confident to try an original recipe; I think my mistake in the past was mixing them too much.

Also on my list were Squamish Bars (in competition with Nanaimo Bars). The recipe came from Connie Kaldor and they sounded good. They are every bit as sweet as Nanaimo Bars; they are mainly sugar, butter and peanut butter. I had to have Pat help cut them; the crust is quite chewy. I’m not sure I’d make them again.

I picked a recipe for Ted Lasso shortbread but Dave’s Mum sent us a package of her shortbread. The first year Dave spent Christmas with us he brought some shortbread and it is still talked about whenever shortbread is mentioned. And nothing has ever tasted as good. I doubt there will be any left for Christmas but we will enjoy every crumb. Perhaps when the memory of Mary’s shortbread has passed I’ll try my recipe.

I plan to make a Citrus Panna Cotta for dessert for Christmas dinner. Pat picked up the turkey today and I’ll make one more trip to the store for a few things.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

I’m not sure why I was dreading today’s appointment with the Oncology clinic. I’ve been noticing more and more aches and pains and worried it might be something. The doctor heard all my concerns and gave me credible answers to most of them. Healing takes a lot longer than I expected and certainly longer than I want. But I’m good for another six months; even knowing that there is follow-up every six months is encouraging as I thought I was more or less on my own after this visit. They have another Oncology doctor starting in April and that is good news for the clinic.

Because my appointment was just after lunch I decided to go to the Guild stitching rather than sit around the house and worry all morning. I didn’t get much done but visiting did take my mind off things. I had another reason for wanting to get out today. I had asked the woman in charge of Community Quilts for batting for a couple of quilts and I expected she might drop it off today. When I thanked her for the bundle she said it was one more thing off her list. I responded that it was two more things on my list.

It was almost two when I got home and had my lunch (leftovers from last night’s dinner) so I won’t be hungry for supper I’m sure.

Hockey game tonight so more crocheting.

Sunday, December 17, 2023

A couple of days ago I was noticing how dark it was in the sewing room and how much I was looking forward to longer days. When I had to move a light over to my sewing table so that I could see better I thought to look up and noticed that three of the four lightbulbs in the room were burnt out. And there were also two bulbs in the hallway that needed to be replaced. Now, when I turn on the light to come upstairs it is so bright.

I haven’t been accomplishing much these last few days so nothing to report and no posts. Our Guild party was lovely and I came home with one of the raffle baskets – full of wine and chocolate. I don’t do alcohol anymore but Pat still does – he can enjoy the wine and I’ll enjoy the chocolate! The M&M Casserole was a hit and there was lots leftover – I should have made a smaller batch.

We’ve spent a lot of time this weekend watching hockey and curling. With morning and afternoon games in both sports nothing much is getting done. I’m managing a fair bit of crocheting as we watch so that is good.

I’m still planning to do some Christmas baking and I’ve received three new recipes in the past few days that I want to try – Citrus Panna Cotta, Squamish Bars, and Ted Lasso Biscuits. In the meantime Elizabeth sent two batches of cookies – Peanut Butter and Ginger Snaps – plus in one of our 12-Days packages we got a scone mix. I have to go out tomorrow so I’ll gather all the ingredients and get to work.

For now though curling and hockey are calling.