December 3, 2019

Holy Moly, how can it be this close to the end of the year.  Feels like we have jumped into warp speed this year.

Let me do a couple of updates.  Christmas PJ's were completed in time, even #10 shirt.  During the night I awoke and thought I need to try changing the top thread or at least re-thread the needle.  As I attempted that move I realized the needle was slightly bent.  If I had not been standing up to do the work I do not think I would have realized the issue with the needle.  The light was hitting the machine from a different angle causing the needle to show up better.  Anywho,  needle changed and #10 complete.  The final result was given to the kids on Thanksgiving evening.

As you can see not all the kids were thrilled with the prospect/reality.

Finally all were almost on board with the silliness.  Thanks, Baby Sis, for the use of your bed.

Bonus Grandson appears to be unhappy with the view, teehee.  Youngest though it was just fun/silly.  And for what it is worth all except MCH kid wore the PJ's the rest of the evening and slept in them.

The above photos are out of sequence as they were taken on Thanksgiving night, but what the hey.  Bonus Grandson required some unusual auto arrangements to make the trip from Round Rock to the Dallas area.  Wednesday evening Sis provided food and a small bonfire.  The kids usually love that but it was raining a bit.

The rain did not keep Uncle D. with help from my grandsons from getting the fire going.  Just a bit of petro and instant bonfire.  While the bonfire developed a bed of coals under the watchful eye of some of the kids, #3 Grandson and Uncle D. put together a peach cobbler.  The dutch oven containing the fixins was sat in the coals to bake.  Thirty minutes later the cobbler was done.   Grilled hot dogs, beans and chili were even better when one of the guys that smelled of smoke stood nearby.

Last minute instruction video, maybe?

Here are a few more snaps of the final Thanksgiving Day food prep. The sofa is holding all the food filled folks following the meal.  Football was the remainder of the day.

Uncle D carving the masterpiece. 

THE STAR OF THE DAY!

Turkey filled, pre-comatose family members "watching" football. The view of Bonus on Thanksgiving Day was mostly a blanket covered recliner.  He was still on pain meds which put him straight to sleep.

Black Friday found no one of this group wanting to brave shopping.  After meeting for lunch at the Star complex in Frisco the crew began to disperse in different directions.  DIL, Bonus grand son and daughter headed back to Round Rock.  Cause boyfriend and girlfriend needed to be looked at some more.  Son, Hubby and grandsons headed for TCU football game that would be watched in a drizzling rain.  Uncle D (aka Youngest BIL), Nephew, and Niece's family bail on the TCU game.  Rain and 5-10 year old boys typically do not mix well.  That last group chose to go to a local high school state playoff game in a covered stadium.  Sis and I went to see A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood  about Fred Rogers, aka Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

Later Friday evening the whole troop reconvened back at Sis' home for, you guessed it, leftovers.  There were beans, chili, ham, turkey, sweet potatoes, dressing, rolls, cranberry sauce and desserts to be eaten.  And we did eat but there were still left overs to divvy up between all the folks before we started returning home on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday was slow for Hubby and I.  Sis, BIL and Nephew visited BIL's mother.  We dog sat Leaping Lucy.   Son and his boys visited Niece and her family till time for them to get on the road back to Round Rock.

Maybe Leaping Lucy flies with those ears!

Val

Our Saturday afternoon and evening would be, yes, another meal and a Christmas Lights tour of areas in the Park Cities of the Dallas area.  Park Cities is the name given Highland Park and University Park.  Folks such and the late Ross Perot, Jerry Jones (owner of the Dallas Cowboys), former President George Bush live in these exclusive cities.  The tour included stops at Val's, a cheesecake shop, Cocoandre's, a chocolatier shop, and last Joy, producer of macaroons and ice cream.

Val's specialized in cheesecake cause his mom had immigrated from Haiti to New York.  In New York she worked in a Jewish cheesecake shop.  When Val's Mom became ill he spent every Sunday with her.  They baked a different type of cheesecake each week.  His story is on his website.  Click here.

Part of downtown Dallas skyline.

Chocolate, family and shopping.  That is a great way to spend and evening.

Chocolate high heels.

   Moving bus + night shot =

Just realized I never posted this.  And now it is December 28.  Christmas prep and most celebrations are in the rear view mirror.  My breathing is greatly improved so long as I take the meds regularly.  Missed a couple by accident and could tell the difference.  Nothing left of the shingles.  And there are a few added pounds from all the festivities. 

For all you folks on the Georgian calendar, have a happy and safe new year.