Category Archives: Of This and That

Gadgets Can Be Good…..

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Notwithstanding the number of amazing gadgets of all sorts that can be found today, there remains the questions of, “how much will you actually use it”; and “is there space?”. Thus, even though Hubby did like when son made his own light saber at the workshop during our Disney trip in the spring, and lots of people were getting their wands from Harry Potter World during that trip, he declined both. Cool, and appreciated, but past the time when we need to add those to the household.

As I may have mentioned, the recent addition of the toaster oven/air fryer/grill to replace our previous toaster oven is so far nice, and we will learn to use it more although the size (larger than I was expecting) has caused some rearranging. Anyway, for once this year, I did request a gadget for myself. If you follow this blog you know I have insomnia and am also an early riser. My regular morning routine is make coffee and come upstairs to the computer. If Hubby has morning boat, I’m not up here long, then come back up after he heads out. In either case, I will have 3-4 mugs of coffee (one of chamomile tea if I’ve up with insomnia.) I now have a desktop warming pad for my mug. It plugs in and has three settings. It works really well and I am quite happy with it. A bit larger than the base of the mug, it also doesn’t take much space.

I did have to request a new Kindle as well because mine was probably six or seven years old and the vinyl cover was flaking off. Hubby ordered both for me and made sure all my content was transferred over. This is the Paperwhite model although I have no idea where that is in the line-up of the types you can buy.

One Visit Done…

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Happy New Year is of course in order at least from a traditional perspective. I did get the kids off to the airport yesterday although there was more traffic than I was expecting at that time on New Year’s Day. Bowl games were disappointing for me so I don’t care which of the two teams win the National Championship. Hubby will probably watch next week.

Let’s see, kids discovered the Berry Farm and it was a big hit. Since they didn’t have time to enjoy all the activities, it might be on the list for next year. Not being able to be in the pool because of an unusual prolonged cold front was met with more understanding than I was expecting. (Yes, in the 50s at night and only 70 at peak is “cold” here) Kids had 1.5 “date days” as they did the movie “Ferrari” one afternoon and enjoyed it, then went to the Miccosukee Festival by themselves. I took granddaughter to Coral Castle which she enjoyed, then lunch at Wendy’s and she decided not to go fly the drone with Grandpa later.

New Year’s Eve party was good although dining outside was not feasible this year. That required definite “resetting” of how we usually do things, but it worked and the fire pit along with sweaters/sweatshirts was doable. The one remaining guest leaves tomorrow and I don’t plan to worry with cleaning up the guest room for a while as we don’t have anyone else scheduled. None of the other events have slowed down though and I’ve been juggling multiple things – well, okay, a couple more than usual. In other words, 2023 closed out very much on a busy note and at the moment, 2024 looks to be about the same.

Am still sorting through the leftovers as to what can be used, what can be given away and so forth.

Juggling Activities……

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Well, lots of rain caused a slight change of plans, but was manageable. The cold front – yes, I know still nicer than the frigid climes – means no pool time this year. Am waiting a report on how the Berry Farm is. That’s a place that was a traditional Berry Farm for decades and another branch of the family took it over. Their vision was more activities and especially big additions for the holidays.

Dinner was here last night as we did do Suvi Thai Wednesday. It’s White Lion tonight and again, part of the charm for them is being outside with all the decorations and the numerous cats. Too chilly for that, but there will still be good decorations, good food, and wonderful cake, so it will fun. Tomorrow, kids are having for real “date day” and I’ll take granddaughter on grand adventure to Coral Castle. She’s a great age for it and there will quite possibly be lunch at McDonalds, too. If the wind behaves, when we get back, Grandpa will take her for a drone session. The weather didn’t cooperate last year. Am still having to intersperse several tasks and have tried to tie up the loose ends today to leave the next three days clear in prep for party and the other house guest who comes in Sunday.

 

Really Early Christmas Morning…..

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This is one of those rare occasions when my insomnia strikes early. I barely made it for two hours and am obviously on the computer with my mug of chamomile tea at 1:02 a.m. Christmas morning. I am a little concerned that one of the neighbors a few houses away is still blaring music and there are lots of voices singing, etc., Not that I want to be “Grinchy” and  I am awake anyway, but I’m thinking of other people. Ah well, I suppose if someone wants to have security remind them of the accepted noise “cut-off” of whatever the time is, they will.

Anyway, TBS is running, “A Christmas Story” back-to-back for like 24 hours. While it is not one of my favorites, it is for many. Right now, the really old version of, “A Christmas Carol” is on and I imagine they will run the different versions. As I have mentioned before, my favorite is with George C. Scott as Scrooge, although the take-off of, “Scrooged” with Bill Murray is good, too.

Today’s schedule will be a bot odd as I go at 3:00 to help a friend get ready for the rest of the guests at 4:00 with meal planned for about 5:00. Back when we grew up, noon was always the big meal. I don’t recall the early Christmases, but except for those occasional years we went to my paternal grandparents in Arkansas, the holiday was with my maternal grandparents in Louisiana. Only once did we live more than half hour from them and that was a two-hour drive for a few years. Dressing is (or was) more common in the South than stuffing and my grandmother’s was really good. Another of those family recipes that wasn’t written down and my sister spent years later trying to replicate it. She did get close enough to write it out and I’m not sure what happened to it after that. I’ll try and remember to ask her.

Anyway, I’ve finished my tea and hopefully will get back to sleep soon. Not sure about those neighbors; they’ll have to call it quits at some point.

 

Been Ages…..

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Okay, so I had to bring Hubby up for an appointment. As it turns out, the facility has absolutely no place to wait. I can understand the business decision not to include a spot, but the individual providing information to the patient could have had the courtesy to explain this. However, I had intended to go somewhere for the 2+ hours, and then I remembered. A Barnes and Noble was about 15 minutes away and I haven’t been here in years. Despite being sorry that Borders didn’t survive, it is nice to know B&N did. I am having a coffee and resisting the pastries although I will get one or two for Hubby when I leave. He had to fast since 10 p.m., and something packed with sugar ought to make him smile later. Oh, this is nothing serious; just one of those routine things.

Anyway, I always get him magazines as stocking stuffers and will take care of that task. I mostly buy e-books now as we have packed all our bookshelves. I will also try to resist buying real books while here. Probably the only was to do that is not look. Continuing on……If I had thought about going to B&N last week, I wouldn’t have ordered one present for granddaughter to have under the tree when they arrive. There were only about 30 things I could have gotten her at B&N. I did buy one small thing and I do now have magazines. Hubby opted for the chocolate chunk cookie when I picked him up and the banana nut bread slice can be for later. I really wasn’t expecting traffic in Kendall to be so busy at the time on a Thursday. On the other hand, I haven’t been up for a while. At least the drizzle stopped on my way back to pick up Hubby and we seem to be done with that for the day.

Rain in the Sunshine State……

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In an unusual twist, we are in our fourth day of rain and gray skies, plus significant winds at times. A number of holiday events have been postponed or cancelled and most of us are trying to stay tucked in. As annoying as this is – and I always feel badly for events that have been planned and have to be changed – the fact is we had a mild hurricane season. The other factor is visitors who came here and cannot enjoy the outdoor activities, which of course impacts the businesses as well.

Our hope, of course, is that not only will “normal winter” return, but we that we also get a little extra warmth so granddaughter can enjoy the pool as much as she wants. She is of a height and age now one of us doesn’t have to be in the water with her if she doesn’t want a companion. Kids can generally be fine in water a few degrees cooler than we adults. Last year was the best in a while and there was really only one afternoon I was uncomfortable. I am usually the one in the water with her as Hubby is often working and the kids like to have a bit of a break.

The other point of good weather is because most of the options we’re looking at are outdoor activities – after all, that is why people come to Florida in the winter. I think I mentioned previously I especially want to take granddaughter to Coral Castle; she’s the perfect age for it. She is curious about things like it and is still the right age to enjoy climbing all over the “furniture” made of coral stone. Hubby is supposed to be off two days for a change because otherwise, we’ll have to juggle a vehicle in order to let the kids have a “date day”. Now with the Nutcracker done – and it apparently went well – they will give some thought to what activities they want to do.

Menu Planning….

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Ah, the holidays and extra to plan for. There’s Christmas Eve meal, dinner with the kids and the neighbor on their second night, then the New Year’s Eve party, New Year’s Day and probably out for lunch on the 2d; the last day the friend is here. This is the only time of the year when I consistently make hot breakfasts. This allows the adult kids to sleep in – granddaughter and I are the early birds. She gets cereal as “early breakfast” although at times she only wants milk, then it’s for real breakfast later. Weather permitting all meals are of course taken on the terrace.

Sushi is generally the first night out and dinner with the neighbor is normally pork chops and lamb chops because daughter-in-law loves lamb, but son and neighbor don’t care for it.The other two nights out will depend on mood. White Lion is a favorite because of the decorations as well as food and setting, but Exit One Taproom has possibility, too. The Hotel could be in the running, as can Capri. We’ll play those by ear.

For the first time ever, I am picking up catered dinner for New Year’s Eve. We’ve done sit-down, then just large quantities of something like sliders, along with shrimp cocktail, salmon, and three-four more heavy appetizers. This year is a brisket meal with limited appetizers – we’ll do those – before the buffet. After the main meal, I’ll put out the charcuterie and sweets just to have something for people to nibble on in the run-up to midnight.

Back to Christmas Eve. It will be the two of us and it’s usually seafood. We’ll probably do carryout from either Krab Kingz in Florida City or Red Crab. Messy, but good in either case. Christmas Day will be late lunch/early dinner – depending on how one views the time – and Hubby and I aren’t actually preparing food for this one. I will go over early to help with prep and keep wine poured for the hostess.

On the Sideline With Photography….

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Just as I don’t “proud mom/grandma” too much in my posts, I also don’t often “proud wife” even though I do frequently mention Hubby. Today is the exception. I’m not the world’s worst photographer, but I’m not very good either. (Granted, the sophistication of today’s smart phones significantly help.) My husband bought his first underwater housing for a camera for scuba in the latter months we were in Puerto Rico. He took some photos in becoming adjusted to the camera and then there was a lapse during the process of our move to here. He didn’t do much with photography for a while, but this is a wonderful environment for photography.

Fast forward a few years as he did more, bought new cameras and lenses, learned the computer software for processing, printing techniques and so forth. When they established the South Florida National Parks Camera Club within Homestead Center for the Arts, that was major step as was his designation to become the primary photojournalist for our community paper. While teaching scuba is still a priority focus, photography comes in close. He of course especially loves shooting motorsports and spends much of his leisure time in the Everglades. His range is amazing and for the second year he’s exhibited at the Artz305 event one of the County Commissioners sponsors the first weekend of December. In fact, last month, he sold a couple of pieces at another event. I don’t try to understand how he does what he does, especially when it comes to printing on canvas and on metal. I admit I’m not overly enthused when he photographs insects and he makes sure not to show me any he does of spiders. Aside from that, I love his work and not long ago, we did install a gallery hanging system in the front room to accommodate more of his pieces. He has been on a couple of photography trips and that’s why we have some from areas like the Smoky Mountains.

All That Techy Stuff….

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This is not exactly rambling, merely an interesting observation. As I have mentioned on multiple occasions, my technical abilities are limited. Hubby has learned the mutterings  or even first volley of curses coming from my office might not warrant immediate offers of help. He does call out and it is often more my error – or the way the computer does those weird things like the cursor jumps around causing me to inadvertently delete sentences or passages. Not being able to locate a file is another frustration. I will go into his office to ask him to come over, or in the case of me being on the computer really early, I’ll explain the issue as we are having our first mug of coffee together. He can, in general, fix the problem or explain what I’m doing wrong.

Shifting into another associated world is that of social media. I’m marginal with Facebook and am routinely puzzled by it. I’m also marginal on Twitter – now X or whatever. I guess I have a Pinterest account set up by someone and have never used it. I don’t have Instagram, YouTube, nor any of the many others and I am fiercely opposed to even logging on to TikTok. I do go onto YouTube at times. From a financial perspective, I do have Square although it’s been so long since I’ve done a transaction, I’m not sure how to do so any more. Hubby has Venmo and I think he finally added Zelle because so many people use it. I can’t bring myself to do any of those.

The fact is all of this changes so much and so often I don’t have the desire to learn how to do it. I’ll probably be forced into a few more things as the “old-fashioned way” can become literally obsolete. After all, I do still have a bunch of hard disks with files and no idea of how those could be accessed. Oh, speaking of changes, it never occurred to me our new vehicles would not have CD players. We listen to audio books when we travel and the first time we were going to take a trip in the new truck, Hubby explained we couldn’t do CDs any more. He has the deal where he downloads audio books and then plugs his phone into the truck to play them. Once again, I have yet to make that happen on my phone. Maybe that can be a task for the new year.

Double Turkeys……

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Okay, this year is definitely a bit different. While we frequently travel to Georgia for Thanksgiving, this is a year when we had already planned not to. When we stay here, we usually go over to friends who live in a neighborhood we could walk to if we weren’t carrying a platter of fried turkey. (Our contribution to the feast).

As it turns out, the unexpected loss of a friend added another aspect. The friend had been struggling with health issues, however, the rapid decline last month took us all by surprise. The couple has no children nor family nearby. I’ve been helping a fair amount and for those who have ever suffered a loss right before the holidays, it can be especially difficult. In order to try and bring some semblance of “normal”, we’ll have Thanksgiving lunch at our place for this friend, a neighbor, and another friend who will travel for Christmas, but be alone this week. Nothing elaborate and that will still provide time for Hubby to do the second turkey for the late afternoon at our other friends.

I’ll do a traditional roasted turkey with only the basics for noon – turkey, ham, dressing, kicked-up mashed potatoes, rolls, and apple pie. Friends are bringing cranberry sauce, green beans in some form, and cheesecake. Timing the oven temperature will involve putting the apple pie into the oven between 7:30-8:00 in order to get it done, then turn the temp down to 325 to manage everything else. It will also mean making the herb butter the evening before as Hubby does the chopping and I don’t want him to have to deal with that part on Thanksgiving morning. Oh, I’m not doing the dressing from scratch – am using one of the Publix ones from the deli case. Also not doing potatoes from scratch (never do). Those are again refrigerator ones that I add butter, sour cream, maybe milk, salt and pepper and bake for approximately half an hour.

I will remember to pick up cold slaw and potato salad at Publix today though for Hubby to have to go with turkey sandwiches later.