{Not} Living Vicariously

Fiber Optics

The empty nest which is my parents' house is not so empty these days. My brother is in grad school and living in a studio apartment a few miles from campus. Thus a lot of his belongings are in storage and that storage would be our parents' home. As a result, they did not want to try and find room for the regular Christmas tree this year.

My father has always wanted a fiber optics tree and this year he finally got to have one. It is a smaller tree, maybe four feet tall, and it sits on the hearth by the fireplace. Due to the fragile nature of the tree, we did not put regular ornaments on it. Instead my mother and I cut up many old Christmas cards and hung them instead. It actually turned out looking quite nice and if my brother ever emails me the pictures of it, I'd love to post one.

I hope your holidays have been lovely. I'm getting ready to head back home and to my real life. Let's hope the travel is a bit less time consuming this trip!

Lights, Action, Pollution

My parents agreed that going down Christmas Tree Lane would be lots of fun this year and we planned a trip to visit family in the Fresno area around when Fig Garden would be having their annual event. This has been going on for many years, since 1920 when it started with the decoration of a single tree in honor of a child who had died. A tradition for 87 years, it is one of the longest running holiday events nationwide and was even featured on Good Morning America this year. So we packed my Grandma in the car after dinner on Saturday night and headed on our way.

We have not been down CTL in probably 20 years and were not surprised by the traffic, but were surprised by the many "bah humbug" houses within the first mile of the two mile stretch. Even the house that started the whole event was dark. Yet there were many other houses that were lots of fun to view and there were many oohs and aahs coming from our car. Then I got a headache. After that I started to feel feverish. By the time we'd been coasting along for about 3/4 of a mile, I was nauseous. Finally at Ashlan I asked how disappointed the others would be if we did not finish out the Lane. They agreed that it would be fine and we turned left . . . and left. I'm not sure if we were behind a gross polluter car or what, but we all agreed that if there had been a canary in the car it would have died. We definitely were feeling the affects of carbon monoxide.

Next time I go, I want to try and go on one of their Walk Nights when no vehicles are allowed.

On the plus side, there is a lovely little stretch in Nipomo called Candy Cane Lane. It is only about a block and a half long, but these are young families who get into the spirit of the holiday and decorate. Candy Cane Lane has grown in the few years since we first discovered it. We try to visit each year as it is on the way home from relatives. So on our way from Fresno back to Lompoc Sunday evening we pulled in and enjoyed the lights, music, and friendly atmosphere of the families hanging out in their driveways wishing all a merry time.

I hope you have a merry time as well and Happy Christmas to all!

Delta Dollars

Getting home for Christmas was quite an adventure this year. One to my financial benefit . . . but still an adventure. When we booked my flight I was going from BNA to SLC to SBA with only a 27 minute layover in Salt Lake City. At work we joked about how well I'd sleep Thursday night, in Salt Lake City. None of us were convinced I'd actually make the connection. However, we were set to leave on time and I was beginning to have hopes that all would work out in my favor. Then, once we were settled on the plane the gate agent came aboard to let us know we were weight restricted and would not be able to leave the gate until at least 4 passengers offered to change travel plans. Since I was now convinced I would not be making it to California Thursday evening, I decided to see what I could get by volunteering. It was a fairly nice offer . . . they gave me a travel voucher for $400 (perfect to get to Fresno for that high school reunion next September), 3 meal vouchers for the airport on the 21st, and a first class seat from Atlanta to Los Angeles as the bulk of my travel. So I went home and spent Thursday night in my own house instead of a hotel. I did wonder why they were weight restricted, my father explained to me. The plane was having to carry a lot of extra fuel due to the ice storms around Salt Lake City and the alternate landing sites being a long ways away. I'm fine with them changing my travel plans so that they have enough fuel.

I had to get up at 330 the next morning though to get back to the airport for the first flight out in the morning. Then I had a lovely layover in Atlanta . . . a nice long flight to Los Angeles in first class . . . another layover at good ole LAX where I also had to change terminals from Delta to United . . . then a short hop up to Santa Barbara where my luggage was sitting out waiting for me. It had made it there long before me. I was just glad to see it still there. Next we ate dinner and then we had the drive to my parents house. So by the time I got to bed last night I'd been up for about 21 straight hours. I'm tired. Tired, but finally in California and officially on vacation. I hope you are enjoying yours . . .

I lost my basket

Last week a gift basket was delivered to my department. After finishing the goodies no one felt strongly about taking the basket home so rather than throw it away, I adopted it. I grabbed it on Friday on my way out of the office. I was headed out to dinner with some friends so I took it with me to show them. After showing off my new acquisition, I set it on the table of the house I was at. We were hanging out waiting for the others to arrive when the cat of the household decided to inspect this new item.

She sniffed around it and wandered off, then sniffed in it and wandered off, then touched it and wandered off, finally she slowly decided to crawl inside. Then it was time to inspect the interior of the basket for a while. She turned around a few times, and curled up for a nap. We all watched her as she performed these actions. Later she got up and wandered off again. However, before we left for dinner, she came back by a few more times to claim her spot.

At that point I knew, the basket was mine no longer. It now belonged to her. So I left the basket. I'm told she is still using it as a nap place. I'm glad it found a worthy home.

Creating Memories

Yesterday I got to recreate a favorite tradition. Two girlfriends and I got together and made a slew of cookies and candy for holiday giving. We made Forever Ambers, Peanut Butter Squares, Spritz cookies, Oreo Balls, Cherry Dots, Bon Bons, Potato Candy and a few other items. I didn't take many home since I will be traveling over the holidays, but it was so much fun. I haven't done that sort of thing since I moved to Tennessee.

I used to do this every December with my roommates in LA. We would spend several hours creating all sorts of goodies and then making assortment trays for the people we worked with as holiday gifts. I haven't had roommates since I moved out here so even though I host a cookie exchange each year (which is another favorite tradition) I haven't had the pleasure of a sugar overload in some time.

The giggles and mishaps were hilarious. I managed to spill melted butter all over the floor, becoming Thing 1. Then Diana mixed two different recipes together and became Thing 2. I can't remember exactly when Jenn made her mistake, but she became Thing 3 . . . or we all became the Three Stooges. Apparently I'm Moe. Because I'm the responsible one. Hah!

Anyway, hope you also have some memories to create this season.

Culturally unaware

I have a joke with some of my friends locally. We tease each other about being culturally unaware. Many of us, due to various reasons, have gaps in our knowledge about various eras of television, toys, or events. We claim to be "culturally unaware".

When my parents were out visiting this past summer my mother got me hooked on Game Show Network. Pathetic I know, but I have a lot of fun watching some of the old game shows. One that she watches, along with my granny, and I will watch so I can chat with Granny about it, is Super Password. They have been airing a lot of episodes from the early 80s recently. During the last few weeks there have been some words that no one can come up with a valid clue for, or puzzles that I am shocked to find that no one can guess them.

Example: Tower of Babel. Clues included bricks, tongues, building, and other words that made it clear to me what it was. Another two examples that came up recently in two separate end games, G for Genesis and E for Exodus. Neither time did anyone give the clue Bible or Book. They were throwing around words like Beginning or Journey. Maybe it is the fact that I was raised in a family that goes to church and one that reads the Bible, but I can't understand why these puzzles are not more obvious to the players.

And since I am my mother's daughter, I too talk at the people on television. No, I know they can't actually hear me (through both space AND time) but I tell them how easy the answer is anyway. So I don't need dinner theatre, I have a television to talk back at.

Gasoline

I've had some interesting times with gas stations lately. I am not a fan of going to a gas station. In fact for years I managed to get others to pump my gas for me. It was not until I had moved to Los Angeles that I started to pump my own gas regularly. And that was only because I couldn't figure out how to get someone else to offer.

I was quite proud of the fact though that I had avoided paying $3+ a gallon for gas through all the ups and downs we have had in the last few years. That streak ended a couple of weeks ago though. I needed gas and meant to get gas on my way somewhere but managed to drive past the gas station I had planned to get gas at. I ended up in another part of town where gas was several cents higher per gallon and had to pay over $3. Then the following week I needed gas again and stopped to get some at the intersection by my house. There are 2 Shell stations and a BP at that intersection. The Shell on the left side of the street and the BP over there as well were under $3 a gallon, but I didn't want to make a bunch of left turns so I pulled into the Shell station on the side by me. Didn't look at their sign. Wasn't until I pumped that I realized they were $.07 a gallon higher. I was really irked. However, what's done is done and I went on my way. Imagine my feelings when I noticed on the way home they has also lowered their price to match the competition on the other side of the street. Argh! Oh well. I haven't had to pay over $3 a gallon since?

My favorite though is yesterday's trip to the gas station. My tank is on the driver's side of the car. I've had this car for FIVE years. It has always been on the driver's side of the car. I go to get gas yesterday and make an elaborate U-turn to pull up so the passenger side of the car is next to the pump. ?!?!? When I realize what I had done I thought, well I'll just stretch the line over the car. I've done that in the past. It works. Not this time. This station has lines that have no give, no stretch, no length. I had to cancel my transaction, pull the car out, and find another pump. What was I thinking? At least by canceling the transaction I did not lose my $.10 off the gallon discount I had earned from Kroger.

Anyway, I hope my upcoming trips to the gas station are less eventful. Because they sure aren't exciting.

Cookies!

I had my annual cookie exchange this past weekend. I love this time of year. I only have to make one type of cookie and I end up with this great assortment. I tried a new one this year, and it was very tasty (plus it makes a ton) so it is definitely staying in my repertoire. Coffee-Toffee for anyone who is interested. I think I will have to make my standard Cherry Dots though as I just can't imagine Christmas without them.

I have some great new appetizer recipes out of the party. I create an appetizer buffet, serve coffee, and some sort of spiced cider drink type thing. Nothing sweet in the food though so as to not compete with the cookies. I even think my mother would like this year's cider recipe, there wasn't any apple juice in it at all. I'll have to make some when I go home this year.

We had a lovely assortment this year, many of them ones that make an appearance most years. This makes me happy as I love J.'s Quick Kolachky and S.'s Bonbon cookies. They usually disappear first from my stash. And then I wait an entire year to eat them again. Because I never quite get around to making them myself, no matter how much I consider it. N. did not make her oatmeal cookies this year, which made me sad, until I tried the ones she did make. Which were very tasty. However, the best story would be the one of T.'s Oatmeal Cranberry with Walnut cookies. She is a fabulous cook/baker who had never been to a cookie swap before. She couldn't come but really wanted to participate. So she made her cookies and dropped them off in advance, then I was to bring her assortment back the next time I saw her. She decided that the cookie recipe she has been making for 20 years wasn't fancy enough and went internet searching for a new one. Found one that sounded fabulous to her, made it, then hated it. Her husband claimed they tasted "healthy". Luckily, many of us were fans of the cookies and are happily eating them. Next year though she is going to make the non-healthy ones so we can taste them.

Happy cookie eating to everyone this holiday season . . .

Holiday Edition 2007

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?  Both, but I prefer paper.

2. Tree--Real or Artificial?  Artificial as I keep mine up for a long time, but would love a real one.

3. When do you put Christmas tree up?  Supposed to be Thanksgiving weekend, I was a little late this year.

4. When do you take the tree down?  After New Years, which is why I use artificial.

5. Like egg nog? Yum!

6. Do you have a nativity scene? No

7. Favorite gift received as a child? Don't remember

8. Hardest person to buy for? My father

9. Easiest person to buy for? My mother

10. Worst Christmas gift? Apparently I've blocked them out as I can't think of one.

11. Mail or email a Christmas Card? Mail -- love to send, love to get

12. Favorite Christmas movies? Holiday Inn, followed by White Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? around January 3rd

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? While I have regifted, I have not recycled a Christmas present.

15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? same as every day, Chocolate!

16. Clear or colored tree lights? Both (on different trees)

17. Favorite Christmas Song? GoodKing Wenceslas, then 12 Days of Christmas (but not any 12 Day spoofs)

18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? I'd like to stay home, but my family is far away . . . so I must travel.

19. Can you name Santa's reindeers? Yes, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen . . . and of course Rudolph

20. Angel or Star on Tree top? a star that looks like the one we had when I was a child

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Both, on one Eve and the rest on Morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Cranky crowds. Either don't go out, or accept that it will be crowded with grace.

23. Your favorite tradition for Christmas? I have been hosting an annual cookie exchange with my work buddies for the past several years. It really sets the tone for the season for me.

24. Favorite Christmas Memory/ies? I will be recreating it this year, by going down Christmas Tree Lane in Fig Garden.