Christmas in the Desert

Monday - We cleaned in the morning and Gary worked for UPS in the afternoon.  He worked with Louie early afternoon and then with the Saddlebrooke driver in late afternoon.  I had a chiropractor appointment that afternoon, my first chiro appointment since we left Sioux Falls, July 2013!  Would not have gone this day, but I had a muscle pulling when I reached certain ways in my front collar bone area.  She made some adjustments and gave me new stretching exercises for my front shoulder muscles.  Very helpful!

Tuesday - Today, I gathered my recipes and ingredients and went to Deb & Joe's to do my Christmas baking.  I tried a new recipe for Bacon Candy, made Crispix mix and the annual batch of Peanut Butter Blossoms with miniature Reese's.  Gary worked both both drivers again, this was the long day of Christmas deliveries.

Wednesday - Christmas Eve   We visited with Ben & Kelsey by Facetime in the morning, they were leaving for Europe on Christmas Day.  Gary went to work at 12:30 and was done at 5:30.  I met Gary at Joe's - we spent Christmas Eve with him.  Joe made oyster stew for he and Gary for supper and made me some delicious chili.  I baked my Pumpkin Pie Dessert and we had that after supper.

Thursday - Merry Christmas!  We slept in, then went to Christmas Day Mass and talked to Katie and family on Facetime in the morning.  We were invited to Doris and Leo Smith's for a late afternoon Christmas Dinner.  I was to bring mashed potatoes in the crockpot.  We went to Joe's to cook and mash the potatoes, so had a nice visit with him before going to the Smith's.  Leo smoked a ham, Doris made roasted turkey and all the guests brought the other dishes for a delicious Christmas meal.  Connie G. made apple pie and chocolate cake for the dessert.  We had a great time visiting.
It was very different to not be with our kids for Christmas.  But Katie and family were hosting other family and Ben and Kelsey were off on their European holiday trip, so we will celebrate in other ways in the new year.  Hope you and your families or friends had a wonderful celebration.

Merry Christmas from our house

Friday - Gary checked in, but did not have to work this day.  We rested and worked on odds and ends, watched football and sent out our Christmas letter to friends.

Saturday and Sunday - more college football, enjoyed sitting outside and worked on finances and holiday thank yous.  Sunday night, Joe made steaks in his new smoker and I made pasta and vegetables for supper at his house with Lisa and Jeff.  After we arrived there late afternoon, we saw a roadrunner out on his patio.  We tried to take pictures, but it kept moving.  Suddenly, it flew up into a cactus.  Joe said they only do that when there is a predator around, so we went out and looked.  Two young bobcats were in the gully behind their wall.  We were able to get close up pictures of the roadrunner as he waited for the kitties to leave.  Later, we enjoyed a magnificent sunset.

Mr. Roadrunner

The two kitty cats

Early sunset colors

Same direction, ten minutes later