Rummikub

Last night my friends, Janet and George, introduced me to Rummikub which is a tile game that plays a little like gin rummy. This is really fun plus you have to think a bit as well. Today I tried to find it but ended up ordering it from Amazon.com. I was hoping that we could have played it tonight but that's not going to happen. Can't wait to play it again.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to keep up with Flylady. I've been getting a head start on that this week. Today: detailed vacuuming. Sound exciting? No, but it's only for 15 minutes! :D

Resolutions

I'm thinking that one of my New Year's resolutions should be to do a better job keeping this blog updated, but you know how good intentions go...

Yesterday I took down the Christmas tree and once again felt that vague sadness when carrying it out to await the trash pick-up. The house always seems strangely empty after Christmas with the absence of decorations and lights. However, today the arrival of the boys to spend the evening changed that. They ate dinner, played games on the Wii, had cookies and hot chocolate, and then settled down to watch Peter Pan which they said they liked better than the cartoon version. It was a little dark and I think Owen was somewhat disturbed when Captain Hook was eaten by the crocodile, but when they went upstairs to bed they were hoping to go to sleep and dream that they were Peter Pan. Since the door to the boys room was left open, Sookie spent the rest of the evening sneaking up the stairs and dragging stuffed animals back down to the living room one by one. When Rick and Jessi came in, Rick brought me a new 2010 calander for the kitchen. It was a perfect choice.

It's Cookie Time

Today starts the fun of baking cookies for Christmas. The first project will be cinnamon scented tree ornaments. This is a great activity for children and tonight the boys and I will be making "gingerbread men" to hang on our trees. These are not edible cookies but if carefully made can last for years and a few drops of cinnamon oil can replenish the scent. I still have a couple from years ago when Amber Corgan Finley gave me the recipe: 3 cups applesauce and 3 cups cinnamon. Some people put white glue into the mix as well.

Scary Happening

I went over to my daughter's house to meet the grand children when they got off the bus. Put the key in the lock and opened the door. As I did I heard a door slam somewhere in the house. I thought it was just the wind slamming an interior door. So I made snacks for the kids and when they came in we noticed that the kitchen window was open and the screen on the ground. Turns out that someone was in the house when I opened the door. They got away with a computer. Needless to say we are now installing ADT security in both our homes. Guess I was lucky that the thief wasn't violent.

The Marina

Charlotte Plummer's Seafood Restaurant has a wonderful view of the marina. The shrimp boats were all in so I am supposing that it isn't the season for them. Notice the white caps on the mooring posts. That is to deter birds from roosting there. Not fair in my opinion. Birds are what give marina's their charm.

Sunrise, Sunset

Fishing pier at sunrise

Campground at sunset

The Fishing Pier

The evening and night was the time to fish off the pier. Who knew? Well, everyone except me. The fish are attracted by the lights on the water and in came spotted trout, sand trout, perch, and other small fish followed by big ones like red fish. One night a dolphin was swimming just outside of the light glow. With a borrowed pole, I caught quite a few little ones but nothing big enough to keep. I was happy with catch and release because I really didn't want to eat them.