Sharon in AZ

Bon Voyage to all! ⛴⛴⛴

Good afternoon! I haven’t read the Daily yet, Craig & I went to the early showing of Christmas Vacation at our nearby movie theater. It’s so close that we could walk but today we drove. What a fun movie and a Christmas tradition for us. So nice to see it on the big screen. Afterward Santa was waiting for us.

Jacqui @kazu — We have had Club Orange on our last four cruises, all Pinnacle ships, and highly recommend it. It really helps if you go at the same time each day for breakfast and dinner and request the same server. The hosts also get to know your server preferences. We only had one long wait and it was for breakfast on the Nieuw Statendam and we ended up going to the MDR instead because we had an excursion. Enjoy!

I think I only played with them once or twice. I’m glad you reconnected and have more trivia partners. Say hi for me. Thank you Vanessa. Thank you Carolyn. Also, we are planning on staying at the Westgate in March for a few days. It’s just a land trip and the hotel looks fantastic. The ornament isn’t cheesy, it’s beautiful. Did you paint it freehand? Thank you Nancy. And Happy Birthday tomorrow! Enjoy your special day. Safe travels to your cruise. Thank you Graham. The side effects are supposed to diminish over time, hopefully. Thank you Annie. I did have to include total household income and savings. Since I’m on Medicare it had to go through a foundation. I’m glad your vascular doctor is listening to you and you are getting tests done. Thank you so much Lenda. And such great news about your DH improvement this past week!

Bon Voyage Jacqui! We loved the Koningsdam last year. I fell in love with the pea soup at the Dutch Cafe. I was concerned about the size also but now only want to sail on Pinnacle Class ships. Our embarkation was smooth but we noticed that they didn’t allow anyone past the gates until the ship is cleared of disembarking passengers. We waited too long when we disembarked however, so we won’t ever make that mistake again.

Good morning from a cold 27F start of the day here in Tucson. We live in an area that is always a bit colder than the official weather station (the airport) but still that’s just too many days below freezing. Yesterday I took DM to an appointment and we had Mexican food for lunch. When I worked I had several Christmas sweaters that would now be considered ugly. And I’ll celebrate the Wright Brothers and maple syrup. I’ll pass on the drink and wine. I’ve made chili Mac before but not vegetarian. I never told you all that I finally was approved by the foundation for financial support for the psoriatic arthritis medication. It took forever and I had to jump through all kinds of hoops and it didn’t help that I was traveling in October and November and then sick. So anyway, I started on it on Thursday and have had some side effects, which were expected. It’ll take a few months to see the benefits but I’m really thankful just to start taking it. How wonderful to see a picture of sweet Miss Camilla!! Thank you Terry @smitty34877 and good wishes for a successful surgery on Monday! Jacqui @kazu and Linda @lindaler — Bon Voyage!! Have a great day everyone!

Good morning from chilly Tucson. The overnight low was 30F, burrrr. We just aren’t used to it being this cold. The meal suggestion sounds wonderful and I’ve made a version using ground pork sausage and fennel from Ina Garten. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/rigatoni-with-sausage-and-fennel-1-4622116 We no longer have cats. I’ve regifted a few times, mostly took the regift to the work holiday party for Secret Santa. We were just in Saint John, NB (not to confused with St. John’s, Newfoundland) just two months ago. We took a trolley tour to the reversing rapids. The pictures don’t do it justice. And also the City Market that Jacqui @kazu mentioned. However, it was closed, I don’t remember why but it was a Sunday. Some vendors opened up just for the tourists. It’s huge inside. We saw Debbie @dfish and Carolyn & Henry @Cruising-along there but they were on a different tour. If we ever go back I’d like to take the tour Debbie did from the other side. They were able to walk on the riverbed. Refresh my memory if I’m wrong Debbie. 😉 Have a great day everyone!

I started to go back through the Daily and thank each of you individually for your Happy Anniversary wishes but realized that it would end up being too long to post. So I apologize but please know that Craig & I really appreciate all your wishes. Our lamb chops came out beautifully and were very delicious. Craig made his famous mashed potatoes too. This picture doesn’t do the chops justice. Oh, I almost forgot— Craig brought home a dozen red roses after seeing the dermatologist this morning. Beautiful.

Maxine, I didn’t think it was your Anniversary so held back on wishing you a Happy one. Thank you for your sweet remarks. Tell DH hello from us. And kick that covid! Okay!?!

Good morning from a very cold Tucson. It was 29F when I got up this morning. I didn’t sleep well either, I kept hearing the heater going on and off. Thank you all for your Happy Anniversary wishes. I can’t believe that I’m old enough to be married for 48 years. Well, we were young. I finished decorating but am still missing a moose. We may have missed a box in the garage. We started collecting moose for Christmas a few years ago. I found an adorable one at the Christmas store in Quebec City and I put her in the kitchen windowsill along with the tree I bought on the Rotterdam last year. It broke away from the base when I packed it in our suitcase but Craig was able to fix it with Gorilla Glue. When we were in Las Vegas we bought a large moose from the Christmas store at the Bellagio. I still haven’t found the right spot for him and can’t seem to get him to sit right. Have a great day everyone!

I purchased a Christmas Tree once onboard and loved it!! That was on the Rotterdam last December. I packed it as best I could but it broke apart. But my DH fixed it and it is now standing tall on my windowsill.

Wow!! That’s a Cruise!! Bon Voyage! ⛴⛴⛴

Bon Voyage!! ⛴⛴⛴

Good morning! It’s chilly and only going to be 49F for the high today. We had rain almost all day and night yesterday. Seems like we are having a colder winter than usual. I was busy over the weekend with DGD and then had a icky day after eating something that didn’t agree with me, so I’ve been away from the Daily for a few days. I will pass on the kale. I like baking with cocoa but not drinking it. I worked for a doctor/boss who played the violin beautifully and was in several orchestras, and traveled a lot with one. I like today’s quote. This day 48 years ago, December 13, 1974, was a Friday and the day before Craig and I married. We are going to celebrate by making lamb chops. I need to get the Christmas decorations that I’m not going to use put away. I have more ornaments than our tree will hold and they are all over the dining room table. I haven’t been to today’s port but have been to St Lucia last December on the Rotterdam. Joy @Seasick Sailor, your cabin looks amazing and so accessible for Allen. Please tell him hi for us. And the picture of you two looks like it was taken at “our” trivia table. Have you seen many of the same crew from last year? Jacqui @kazu, I’m happy to hear that you are going on your cruise. Have a great day everyone!

Good morning from SE AZ. Not sure why but I didn’t make it to the Daily yesterday. I have some catching up to do. I was in Curaçao in 2001, shortly after 9/11, with my DM on the Zaandam. We took a trolley tour which was fun and a great way to see the area in the heat. I really want to go back and one of my canceled because of covid cruises did but we ended up booking something different. Prayers for the fallen firefighters and their families. Prayers for all who are ill— lots of illness going around, including me. My cough is better but still get tired. I’m mad at myself for not taking a covid test after Thanksgiving. Oh well, it’s too late now. I rarely make homemade tomato soup but Debbie’s recipes look so yummy. I think I’ll put the ingredients on my grocery list. Today Craig is making hamburgers. Tomorrow I’m taking DM shopping and going out to lunch. Happy Birthday to Parker @ger_77 Gerry’s DGS and to Carol’s @mamaofami DGS. Karen @luvteaching, happy adoption placement day to you and your family and DS. I understand what you mean about it being a very special day. Our DD was placed with us on my 26th birthday and I have no idea what day it became legal. Have a great day everyone!

Good morning from a sunny SE AZ. We have a few days of nice temps in the forecast then we have a cold front coming. Looks like it will be chilly next week. Jacqui @kazu, I hear you about flying from your area to San Diego. We had the same problem flying to Quebec City in October. I’m sure everything will work out well though and those extra days will definitely help with jet lag. @Cat in my lap — Happy Birthday!! Enjoy your special day! Terri @smitty34877, I hope Tana gains strength every day and that you get relief from your hip pain. Jake @Crazy For Cats, Happy Birthday to Ashlee yesterday and I hope you post a picture of her after her spa day. She is really a beautiful cat. I must be the only person who likes polenta. I would enjoy today’s meal suggestion as is, polenta and all. However, I don’t have any short ribs and shouldn’t buy any because my freezer is so full. I do have some Korean short ribs that we might have though. Of course they are a different cut of the short rib and not the right cut for braising but yummy just the same. I do agree that gazpacho is better enjoyed in the summer. Have a great day everyone!

I realized tonight that I hadn’t read yesterday’s Daily after I posted. Vanessa @JazzyV, I’m sorry about your arrangement not arriving in time for the service. Have you thought about sending BFF a potted plant instead? My DM received several after her DH passed and they were very nice. She gave me several that I enjoyed for years. It was a lovely reminder of my stepfather. I make rabbit about once a year or so for my DH but I make it as a ragu with pasta. I’ve never tried it a different way. Do you serve your rabbit with rice? Welcome home!

Good morning from another addicted Daily-ite from an overcast but not rainy Tucson. I always feel like something is missing if I don’t read the Daily. Thank you Bruce @aliaschief for bringing it up, and also safe travels. Thanks to Rich @richwmn, our loyal leader! Yesterday I was able to get about half the ornaments on the tree, and I’ll try to finish it today. I also found out that our DS & SO are hosting Christmas Eve— what a relief after the stress of Thanksgiving. I still have a cough from my bronchitis and it has been interrupting my sleep. I’m taking Mucinex which helps. Joy @Seasick Sailor— We had a hard time finding the regular kind also and I didn’t realize that it would be behind the counter. I remembered that Costco had it so Craig ended up getting it there. Only problem is that you take it every 4 hours. How exciting you two are about to leave for your cruise. Are you planning on staying at the Centric? We love that place and love the bar there too, thank you for the recommendation. Not sure if I told you I made a big mistake booking it for our October after cruise stay. I put in the wrong dates and didn’t realize until a week prior and of course they were booked. But we still went there for drinks prior to eating down Las Oslas. Have a great day everyone!

Bon Voyage to Joy & Allen! Your itinerary looks delightful. I’ve always wanted to see the ABC islands. Enjoy! ⛴⛴⛴

Good morning from another rainy day in Tucson. I think it rained all night and the forecast calls for rain all day. We really do need it so I’m not complaining. It’s difficult to get Blue to go outside though. I love love patty melts! I never make them but if I did I’d definitely make the traditional one Debbie posted by Ree Drummond. It has to be made with rye bread only and Swiss cheese and I always get extra thousand island dressing. There is a local cafe we go to occasionally that has a good patty melt and their thousand island is homemade, yum! Maybe we can go sometime soon. Craig likes their biscuits and gravy and chicken fried steak. My DM spent her entire working career in banking. Cheetahs are beautiful. I didn’t make the tortellini soup yesterday so I think that’s on the menu for today. Have a great day everyone!

Good morning from a very rainy Tucson! I knew rain was in the weekend forecast but didn’t realize that it would last all day. The tree is ready for me to start putting on ornaments. Not sure what I’m making today, but I’m leaning toward a tortellini soup and ham sandwiches. I’ve made a version of today’s meal suggestion but really prefer my tortillas rolled up as enchiladas and with corn tortillas please. Flour tortillas are a Tex-Mex thing, IMO. Here flour tortillas are for quesadillas and fajitas. Since I have difficulty with stairs now I really appreciate handrails. So I’ll celebrate Disabilities Day. I really noticed a lack of handrails during our last two cruises. When on excursions I use one of my hiking poles, just in case. Thinking about Vanessa @JazzyV and her BFF today. Graham @grapau27, good wishes for your upcoming appointments. Gerry @ger_77, I watched the first few minutes of the video and it is beautifully produced and narrated. Have a great day everyone!

Good morning! I will catch up with the Daily later but wanted to say hi before the day was gone. Yesterday’s smoked chicken was very very good. However, next time I won’t use as much dry rub as the recipe suggests. I think the maple syrup brine makes it and using maple wood chips was really good. It looks really brown, maybe overcooked, but it wasn’t, that was just the dry rub. It was so tender and juicy with just the right amount of smoke. Today’s meal suggestion sounds really good. I’m looking forward to seeing Debbie’s recipes. Craig went to the movies this morning. I have the crockpot baked pasta going and it looks good. So easy. I’m going to make garlic cheese bread and meatballs to go along. Have a great day everyone!

Good morning and Happy Thursday. I don’t think we’ll have outside lights this year. It’s gotten too hard for Craig to do with his back problems. We like to watch the Great Christmas Light Fight, so we’ll do that instead. Pass on the mustard glazed meatloaf. I’m making the smoked spatchcock chicken today. I have it brining and will put a rub on it before putting it on the grill. Have a great day today!

Good morning and Happy Wednesday from Tucson. Even though it’s cool inside it’s going to be 74F later. I checked the forecast and next week it will be much cooler with possible rain this weekend. Craig isn’t done with the tree fluffing, he has two more rows to do but needs a break to rest his back. It’s still nice having the tree up even though the ornaments aren’t on yet. I do admit to being a bit like the picture @Rowsbyposted. I will pass on the pork chops today. I think I’ll make tacos, enchiladas or pasta. I haven’t decided. I found a crockpot recipe for baked ziti that sounds good. You just mix all the ingredients together with the raw pasta. Sounds easy. I also have a whole chicken I want to spatchcock and smoke on the grill. Yesterday’s mussels were good as usual. The tarragon makes it. This picture came across my Facebook memories from 12 years ago. DGD was two — gosh I sure miss those days. Look at all that curly hair! Have a great day everyone!

Good morning and Happy Tuesday! Craig put up the tree this morning and will fluff it up and out some, and then tomorrow I’ll start putting the ornaments on. It’s a pre lit tree, thank goodness. He and DGD put up the Nativity on Sunday, it’s become a tradition for them to do it together. I will pass on the pie and cauliflower. We are having mussels today. Craig had to go to 4 different stores to find fresh tarragon and ended up buying 3 packages so I better use them soon. Yesterday I made chicken and dumplings for the first time ever. I’ve made chicken pot pie, which is basically the base of the recipe, but never made dumplings. Oh my! They were so good. I used a recipe I saw on Facebook from Martha Stewart. https://www.marthastewart.com/1534051/test-kitchens-favorite-chicken-and-dumplings @MISTER 67 Congratulations! Enjoy getting back to golfing. Have a great day everyone!