This is the End

Another NaBloPoMo has come and gone.  Thank goodness, I am plumb out of things to discuss. I'm happy for the opportunity that it gave me to finish blogging the trip to France, I really should have done better at posting as we went along but it's hard to do that and stay in the moment. Luckily we took plenty of pictures and my memory didn't fail me completely after a year. 

I'm wondering what kind of trip would be able to top that? We've tossed around ideas such as Scandinavia, New Zealand, and Japan - I think I would enjoy any of those, but France will always have a special place in my heart because of the memories made and fuzzy friends left behind.  

Motivation

I typed the title of this post with the intent of lamenting my post-Thanksgiving laziness, but the second I typed it I got a burst of energy and broke down the table that had been set up since last week, put the dining room back in order, and put the china and glassware away that had been sitting out on the counter since Thursday night/Friday morning. I think the tryptophan is finally wearing off.

Addendum

When I said she was an attic cat I wasn't kidding. These shots are from the pre-job inspection. 

 "Back wall looks good"

 "What is this shiny thing?"

"I give you the all-clear, you may proceed."

Leftovers

Trying to use up Thanksgiving leftovers: curried turkey salad with cashews and red globe grapes on a toasted croissant. We've been eating turkey and pie until we agreed that this evening we will have anything but turkey. We're thinking sushi. 

The fridge is still chock-a-block full of food, and I found ANOTHER pie still sitting in the warming drawer this morning so tomorrow is "bring your pie to work day".  If there is one thing I know - food never goes to waste around that place.

When I Hear the Words Attic Cat

... This is not what comes to mind.




Minou likes spending time in the attic on warmer days, and has even been known to climb the nearby door casing and hoist her butt up and into the attic using the styrofoam affixed to the inside of the door. My lazy habit of pushing up the stairs but leaving the door open is cured. I would not have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes but knowing her level of determination I should have guessed she would at least make the attempt.

In other home improvement news, we're insulating the attic.




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Kitty Brings a Surprise

The vet came out the day before Thanksgiving to give our new kitty Matilda (Tilda or Tillie for short)  a general once-over. They think she is a little older than Minou and has some tooth issues that need to be looked at but is overall in good shape considering the life she has had up to now. Since whoever she lived with originally had her declawed (!) we thought they may have also had her chipped so we asked the vet to scan her - no chip. So someone "cared" enough to cut their cat's toenails off but not enough to make sure she could find her way home again... sometimes I hate humans. 

Minou also had a quick visit with the vet with a booster feline leukemia shot and "well kitty" check. She's in great shape but is ready to have her teeth cleaned so she had some blood drawn in preparation for that. The SURPRISE came when, because the vet had it at the ready, used the scanner on Minou to see if she had a chip - low and behold she does indeed. Needless to say I was shocked, we thought she was left behind by neighbors who moved but the chip made me think she may have run away in the chaos of their moving. After many tears and a discussion with Jim I logged on to the website to at least see if we could contact her former people. I was so scared when I entered the chip number to look up Minou's info (including what her name used to be), what if the people missed her and wanted her back? It has been over a year since she came to stay and we would be heartbroken if we had to surrender her to someone who might not take care of her. 

I hit enter and got the answer: the number was not registered. I checked an alternate website that was suggested and nothing. I checked the "universal" animal chip website, the number did not bring up anything there either. We think she may have been chipped by a shelter with the idea she was to be registered at the time of adoption. I dried my tears and hugged our kitty. Apparently she's home for good.

Tryptophan - My Achilles Heel

So sleepy. Must. Clean. Kitchen... dining room is a disaster area... 

That aside we had a lovely Thanksgiving with friends and family. I must go start cleaning while there is still a chance of actually tackling the task.  

Zero Minus One Day and Counting

I should really "cook for people" more often. In reality I only cook for myself and JPP and even that is not everyday  as our schedules sometimes put us in different places at dinnertime. I have found myself this week wondering alternately if: Mr Turkey will be thawed in time, do we have enough chairs/spoons/beverages, will our guests mesh well - a couple are blood-family, a couple more are friend-family, and a couple more are work/other so it will be an odd mix but they are all great peeps so I highly doubt there will be any fisticuffs, still I want everyone to feel "at home". The only part I'm not particularly worried about is the food, I'm going to use the K.I.S.S. theory "Keep it Simple Stupid" - nothing tricky, nothing fancy. I figure the classics never go out of style, right? So, some simple pre-dinner snack trays, then turkey, potatoes & gravy, stuffing, yam bake, carrots, cranberries, rolls, fruit salad, sparkling cider, sorbet, pie & coffee for dessert. 

I will miss my family in Eastern Washington but will be home for Christmas so with that in mind here is a blast from Christmas past. 

Barbara does know how to prepare a meal. This Thanksgiving I will try to live up to her high standards, however I am going to pass on the Black Friday festivities she is no doubt gearing up for. By Friday it will be all I can do to just recover and put the kitchen to rights again and that's enough for me. 

Scrabble

How did I not know that I loved this game? I've been playing online with a friend, and also my cousin and because the game is so well known I thought I had - at some point in my long life - played it before. But now I realize that I have never owned a Scrabble game, and if any of my friends or relatives have, they have never busted it out when I was around. It's kind of like a having new crush on someone you thought you already knew but didn't. Yay!

Feeling Drained...

...and it's only Monday.

Argh... so many errands to run, projects to finish, and cleaning to do - I really feel like skipping Zumba tonight and just chilling, but with the onslaught of calories that the next month will surely bring it's best to get out there and move it. I think part of my general malaise is the rain... it's not so energizing. I have a feeling that the sun is gone for a while, the weather is supposed to be wetter - relative to what I'm not sure - if it wetter than our "normal" weather it's going to be one long, gray, soggy winter. Oy.

I'm going to think warm and happy thoughts, and pretend that the sun will come out tomorrow and eventually that will be true. 

La Niña can suck it.

Vacation Sets In

I can't even describe how much I am looking forward to a week away from work. I'm wondering where to start trying to get everything ready for Thursday and thinking the kitchen would probably be best. I moved Mr. Turkey from the freezer to the fridge and decided it should be cleaned out to make more room. I thought I would find some frighteningly unidentifiable items somewhere in the back but it wasn't too bad. I did find a giant zucchini and a cucumber from late summer that were still lurking in the bottom drawer - those could have gotten ugly if they had gone unnoticed until spring. 

So now, a trip to the store for the not-so-perishable items, a couple loads of laundry, pulling chairs down out of the attic... I may even need to pick up a couple while I'm out today - or maybe a bench. I'm worrying that a couple of our rickety folding chairs may be un-sit-down-upon-able. That would not make for a relaxing dinner if I worried the whole time that one of our guests may crash to the floor at any moment. 

So, here's to a week of spending time with friends and loved ones - that is truly something to be thankful for. 

Tumult of Liberty

Could the police not have arrested them without spraying them?




That's not a rhetorical question. Do we, as a nation, think that it's ok for police to use pepper spray on peaceful protestors? Would it be ok if they were protesting something else besides corporate greed, like say if it was a group of "right to life" protestors sitting in front of a clinic?  

What is going to happen when we no longer have the right to shine a light on the injustices of our society? It may be time to decide exactly what kind of country - and world - we want to live in.

From Montecello.Org:
"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical." - Jefferson to James Madison, January 30, 1787

Vacation

Starts today and I could not be more pleased. So ready for some time away from the work place. I'm going to spend the week doing the fun catch up type projects that never seem to get done; finishing up with the mountain of leaves from the neighbors Maple, locating a missing stash of winter clothes, painting a wall or two, maybe a batch of soap (I have not made a batch since we moved to Kenmore!). Other than that there will of course be some major grocery shopping and a tad bit ofcooking. When I'm done with my turkey pan I'm going to save it, just in case... you never know when one will come in handy.

Back to Paris, and Home

We have such great memories of France, and Spain, as well.  It truly was a once in a lifetime trip - from the hustle and bustle of Paris, to the blustery walk in search of a meal through the dark streets of St. Malo, to the brisk mountain tops of the Pyrenees, to sunny San Sebastian. We enjoyed every moment, even the unexpected "adventures" like being stranded outside of a dark, deserted rail station in Bayeux. 

Thanks to the charming people of France, from the waiters in Paris (who really were quite gracious) to the car rental clerk who saved us from spending a night in Paris without a hotel room, and a special thank you to our hosts who were not only the best tour guides ever but really made this trip possible. Merci.  

Au Revoir

This makes me sad. Especially since I think I inadvertently took a picture of one of the trees in question. 

 On our last evening in France we spent checking into the hotel and driving around Toulouse, which is  one more beautiful city in the string of beautiful cities we were fortunate enough to visit - lots of brick, lots of statues, the canal, and last but not least...

... the Airbus plant. The Boeing boy was not impressed.

Last Day in Orincles

With the ongoing strike, we continued to hear of flight delays and cancellations including the flight we were to take from Toulouse back to Paris. That, coupled with the picketers blocking airport entrances, drivers not delivering fuel, and air traffic controllers on a work slowdown had us worried over the last few days of our trip that we may not get a flight out but the day before we left Orincles the sky was filled with contrails which we took to be a very good omen. 

  

If I told you once, I've told you a thousand times there is NO SUCH THING as too much Chou-Chou.

Getting ready to say good-bye to Orincles.

Grottes de Betharram

We took a tour of these caverns with a guide who looked and sounded just like Le Beau from Hogan's Heroes. As soon as he was done explaining each stop in French he would come back to our group and give the explanation again, this time in English. It's an amazing formation the goes deep within the mountain and is traversed by foot, boat, and train. There was a good amount of stairs leading both up and down - don't wear heels and make sure you are up to the trek as we saw a couple people who fell off the back of the peloton. I think they eventually caught up but they really struggled. 

Where the train exits the cavern is a cafe/gift shop and I believe what used to be a hotel. Very Charming.

We had run into this type of restroom before in Port en Bessin but I was able to pass that time and wait until we could fine something more accommodating. This time is really was a necessity. It took a little coaching but I managed. I would hate to have been the gal with the heels trying to navigate this thing. 

Paradise Found

We went downtown today to hit the Dr. Martins store and took a little side trip to Pike Place Market. We were looking for a little Indian Grocery store, which we eventually found, to pick up some fenugreek leaves and Garam Masala so we could try our a Butter Chicken recipe this week. What we found was almost too good to be believed.

There is really nothing else to be said.

I'm Falling

I don't know if I have ever been so in love with fall as I am this year. The deep maroon-colored Maple in front of our house has turned the most vibrant crimson. I love seeing it when I pull in the driveway.

It is even more magnificent in person. Mother Nature really knows how to do her thing. 

 Here is a shot of the little lace-leaf Maple that overhangs the fence from our neighbor to the South from the living room. I think we get more enjoyment from this little guy than the neighbor does. So beautiful!

I am less enamored however, with the Maple that overhangs the fence from our neighbor to the East. As much as I love the tree itself as it is a wonderful shade-giver in Summer, I just spent the last hour raking and stuffing this mountain of leaves into bags... and the tree still has half its leaves still to fall.

Regardless, I am loving the blustery weather and the beautiful trees up and down the street. I hope I love winter just as much - now that would be a surprise.

Regarding Previous Post

Just let me say... I love being right!

Hold Your Horses

We came across these horses near the Orientation Table near Orincles. Somewhere in France there is a cave with horses just like these painted on the walls, I understand that the general public is no longer allowed in due to the fear that light will deteriorate the paintings. There is a replication that allows visitors to see what the original looks like without the constant wear and tear. 

I have no idea what breed these horses are but they were beautiful and almost looked like something that survived the ice age - very stout and durable. 

Odometer Milestone

Am I the only dork that takes note every time my car reaches another big round number? I think by the next one it will be time to trade it in.


And before you ask, no I wasn't driving when I took this.

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Back to France

Or make that Spain - check that Basque Country. Getting near to the end of our trip we took a trip to the San Sebastian on a warm and sunny fall day. We did a little shopping, dining, and site seeing. 

The inner harbor has this beautiful enamel railing, which is an icon for the city, all along the walkway. If you look closely you may see a skinny dipper behind the lower left corner of the center section. Ok, maybe he wasn't completely bare... and maybe he's not actually skinny, but he's definitely there. 

This is what we would look like as Basque peasants, I just realized I've got a water jug on my head. 

After an outing to a tapas bar where we encountered several unusual items, including a curiosity we coined "Wonder Balls" we headed for the playground, I'm not sure which kid is having the better time.

New Kitty on the Block

The new addition has finally arrived. We've been waiting since my class reunion in July for this young lady to come join our family. She was a stray that showed up in the middle of winter at a friend's place in Eastern Washington. This friend is now closing up that home for the winter and couldn't bear the thought of leaving her behind. 

The first time I met her I was staying over at my friend's place and that evening as I was lying in bed Miss Kitty came in the room, hopped up on the bed, laid down on my chest, and started purring.  

You've heard of Cat in the Hat?

How about Cat in the Hat Box?

I wonder if she knows her world is about to get rocked with the addition of a new rescue kitty. We are going to introduce them slowly and hope for the best. We think she will be happy... eventually.

Maybe she will remember back to the day when she was the little stray who showed up on our doorstep, hissing and growling  from hunger and in need of a little love. It's been over a year and time has come to add four more little fuzzy feet to our little family. More to come sometime after Monday evening. 

Col du Tormalet

This is my favorite shot of our trip to the summit. The clouds were pooled up on one side of the summit and spilling over the other side like a waterfall - a really dramatic and beautiful site. 

For the former cycling racer among us, this was surely the highlight of the entire trip. This location has been the site of many dramatic moments in Le Tour.

We spent an unexpectedly large amount of time on the road and let me tell you, you run across a lot of jackasses on the road in France. No literally. Ah yes, that joke never gets old. 

Remember when I said there's no such thing as too much Chou-Chou?

Wait for it.... 

If I ever finish blogging our trip to France...

... it will be a miracle,.

Say hello to Chou-Chou, best French cat ever. He even meowed with a French accent. And he never met a lap he didn't like. We loved Chou-Chou. 

Pont de España was high in the mountains and a bit chilly but SO beautiful. 

And because there's no such thing as too much Chou-Chou... 

And speaking of kooky kittens, take a look at these goofballs getting ready to take a ride up the Pic du Jer on the funicular.  

Seems Like the Right Time...

for giving thanks, and I have so much to be thankful for. Where does one start? With the big things, or the small? I'm gainfully employed, have a roof over my head, a good man, friends that I couldn't live without, a sweet kitty (and one on the way), loving parents, a halfway decent car... that's right, I'm living a Jann Arden song. Lucky me. 

NaBloPoMo!

It's that time of the year again - time for a post a day, every day, all month long and I must say I am feeling up to the challenge.

I've just taken stock of my current personal interests concerning well-being, home improvement, family, holiday, major purchases, world events, and other misc topics and I think there will be enough to cover the whole month.

I've also learned a trick from a blogger friend that I didn't know existed so I will be "pre-blogging" when possible and "back-blogging" when necessary . How did I not know about back dating posts?!

Here's to NoBloPoMo!




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