Merry Christmas

 I hope everyone had a truly wonderful Christmas.  We spent our Christmas here in Yuma with a small group on Christmas Eve.  This year our food theme was potluck finger food

and Marleen and I decided to try some creative skills. 

We did get accomplish this by making some roses from deli meats.  We did have to stop at just the one creation as we did not have enough time for more.  We rounded the evening off with some exciting games of bingo.

Christmas day was celebrated with another potluck but this time it was around a campfire.  In spite of a forecast for rain, the weather was absolutely perfect once again.

We keep going for our daily walks and we still come cross some interesting things.  One day it may be some iron sculptures in a front yard;

a fairly large pig which was joined by a dachshund;

a water and coffee station for whomever needs a drink;

a wood carving; 

a pathway from one place to the next (personally I think a gate would be better);

or a cute sign. 

It sure does keep the walks interesting.

For many years, a particular street decorated based on "The Night Before Christmas".  All the homes had lights and decorations - some small, and some large and elaborate.  This year is different.  Many homes did not participate, and the traffic driving by has greatly reduced.  That; however, is indicative of the greatly reduced traffic everywhere, as well as the increased number of places for sale.  There were some homes that still had some great displays.

We are just around the corner for another new year.  I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday and may mother nature be pleasant again with some nicer weather for many of you!!

It's Hard to Believe

We have been coming south for at least part of the winter for a good number of years.  The weather has always been pleasant but this year, it is beyond pleasant - it has been terrific.  We arrived in the southern USA  just over two weeks ago and every day has been sunny, 25-26C, and no wind.

Of course with this weather, one tends to just enjoy the weather without much else happening - most days.

This week, we had a bit of a celebration with our friends.  Gerry completed another trip around the sun so we spent an evening having pizza, cake, and singing our wishes to him.

Of course, there is a shopping trip weekly.  We went to a Del Sol IGA which had just opened up recently.  Generally, a grocery  store is a grocery store with items that are typical from one to another.  Well this one had some items that one doesn't usually see on a shopping trip.

Beef Tongue

Tripe (beef stomach)

Beef Lips

What a variety of olive oils

With Christmas just around the corner, we attended a local parade - mainly of decorated ATVs.  There were 100+ vehicles - some with quite elaborate decorations, some with just a few lights.  I have included a couple of photos we took but good quality photos are just not possible for moving night shots.

There is also the dressing up with santa hats.

This lady was so cute.  She is a hospice nurse and off to cheer up folks

This donkey is the cutest

Today, I was surprised at how the doves seemed to like to perch on top of flag poles rather than in the trees

Another week has come to an end.  I hope anyone who is travelling has a safe trip as many roads have been so treacherous.  Have a very Merry Christmas - may all your wishes come true, and we would like to wish everyone peace, love, and joy - not just for the season, but all year round.