More Christmassy Stuff and Other Stuff

 I see that my last blog was December 11th,  so here we go on a small wrap up of some of what I got up to over the last three weeks.  I hate when I don't blog at leas weekly because it means I miss things. This month being an example of that...

Found an animal carrier for Buddy in the Salvation Army.  $10.  Made in Italy.  I then saw it on Amazon for $40 new so I was pretty pleased buying it second hand.  One of my resolutions for 2024 is to thrift/buy secondhand more: less landfill

Last blog I mentioned my instagram Christmas Tree little project.  This is Patrick and Buddy's addition to the album.

When I unpacked the Christmas decorations I found Patrick's childhood bear "George".  Buddy loved him!

Went to a gingerbread making house thingy with the Squad :) There were three prizes up for grabs and our table got two! Nicki won best "Key West" themed house.  And I won best costume lol.  I just threw on an apron over my dress and called myself "1980's mom on Christmas Day"

We drank this wine with the special wine label with Patrick's mam and dad.  They loved the label....little did they know that I had a bottle with a special label for them and Aisling later that December! No photo am afraid, sorry :( 

I made 120 "teddy beds" for my work Christmas party for dessert.

Packed nicely into three boxes!

They were a hit!

Work Christmas party

Bill and Feliz were invited to the hotel party too!

I bought special label wines for my colleagues for Christmas!

Holiday season = Baileys Coffee every morning

Christmas Day arrived!

Another lovely Christmas day hosted by us :)

Yesterday evening I prepped this baby (brisket) and popped it in the fridge for the night.  Today we smoked it for 2 hours and it was great!! We had it for dinner this evening.  And tomorrow when we go fishing we will bring brioche bread brisket sandwiches!

Happy New Year, dear readers!

Christmassy stuff!

My tree is up!

We didn't do any decorations this year because of that bold cat.  I think it works out "okay" because of the white tree, a green ornamentaless tree might look more odd.  It was quite effortless I have to say. I may never do decorations again lol!!!

A couple of years ago (during covid) I started a little project of asking all my friends to pose with their tree and send to me.  I recorded the photos in an instagram album.  Since then, I have continued the tradition and the little fun project has really grown to something lovely, I believe.

Click here to see the ohotos: @christmasportraits • Instagram photos and videos

Plus, please send me a pic if you would like to be included!

For more Christmassy stuff, why not check out my twin's blog where her and her husband have come up with a mad little Christmas sandwich competition where they travel all over Dublin tasting and scoring sandwiches to find the "Best Christmas Sandwich This Year".  Apparently, they have been doing it for the last few years but this is the few years that she has documented it in her blog.

Teddy bears tucked up in bed

I made another batch of teddy grahams in pastry

I was much more precise with my measurements as you can see!

How addorable

Finished product was so much better than first batch, I think you will agree?!

I brought them into work and everyone thought they were just adorable

Jamon Iberico de Bellota

Wow! December 11th and I have not blogged much at all.  Lots going on but not many photos, which of course means I have forgotten it all so only three blogs coming up (including this one).

One of the main reasons that I have not blogged much is that Patrick's parents are here so we are busy with them during every evening which is very nice. 

Star of the show of their visit is that Patrick (again) bought a Jamon Iberico for us all in honour of their visit.  Pure divine, melt in your mouth.  A lot of work cutting it etc, but boy is it worth it.

Thanksgiving 2023

 Another beautiful Thanksgiving spent at our friend's Joe and Emily house.  Last year Patrick had covid - I did a (negative) test and went on my own - it was nice to be going together again this year.

A big massive rush, but we made it work:

I was in work 9-5 but thankfully my boss agreed I could leave at 4 when I asked him. Patrick picked me up on the dot at 4 and we rushed home where I immediately set about making the dessert I had promised to bring, teddy bears tucked up in bed!

My sisters were teasing me all day and sending me awful photos of baking disasters and considering I had literally 25 minutes to make them, I think they turned out "okay".  Emily thought they were adorable and said "I redeemed myself over the cookie party" incident. Ahahahahahahahahha.  That was last christmas when we had a cookie party and I didn't have time to make any, plus I didn't know how serious of a COOKIE party it was (I thought we were just making an excuse to drink wine) and I bought everyone a Starbucks snowman cookie. Not Acceptable apparently ahahahahahhaa

Speaking of Emily!

Well she just made the beautiful feast of all times. Look at this turkey!!!

For 14 people!

It is Joe's job every year to carve the turkey, and for this he takes out his electric carver and we have a big discussion about the joys of an electric knive versus a regular one.

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!

Island Life

Friday night we met up for a (good) sushi date.  We have not had GOOD sushi for ages so when Patrick suggested we go to our favourite restaurant Origami, I didn't have to be asked twice.

It was a nice evening so we sat outside.  Plus I had forgot a cardigan/sweater so I didn't fancy sitting in AC for too long.  We reviewed the menu for a little bit - deciding on some new bits and pieces - drinks in hand and order in we sat back and relaxed.  And then, suddenly, the restaurant and indeed the whole island was pitched into blackness!  This sometimes happens - end of the line and all that.  But it had been a while since it happened in then evening time imo.  Ha! Of course our immediate concern was our food but jeez we got so lucky, it must have been just ready when the power went off because it arrived at our table a minute or two later.  We ate it, and enjoyed it, by the light from our bike lights which we had removed and brought in my purse.  How funny is that :)

Just as we got the bill the power came back on which was good because it was getting a bit complicated as they had to write down card and phone numbers etc etc.

Next day I found out the power was out all the way up to Big Pine.  It appears a turkey buzzard attacked a line and electrocuted itself.  Poor bird :(

Photo above was taken after power came back :)

November Rain

So, June is rainy season here in Key West.  But strangely, on Tuesday, we got the craziest rain ever - just like the Monsoon-like rain of June, but add in that it was cold!

It started early around 7am and looked like there was a break forecast around 9 so I figured I would wait and try go in then.  Now, alot of times when I am cycling in rain I wear old clothes and my rain jacket and bring a change in to work for the day.  It is anyone's guess why I did not do that on this day??

Instead, the second Patrick yelled at me there was a break and I should go, I jumped on my bike and off I went.  I was literally down the bottom of our street when it started bucketing, in fact more than bucketing.  At times it was so bad I could not see in front of me.

Anyway, dramatics aside, I made it in to work.  Absolutely soaked.  I was thinking what I might do....put a hotel robe on and throw my clothes in the dryer was one option but not the best I think you would agree.  Imagine sitting in your office in a robe!!!!  Ha! No thank you.  Next thing I was thinking was I'd ask Patrick to send me in clothes but who knows when he would be free to do that...

And then...right in front of me...in the back office I spied a pair of sample housekeeping trousers and some sample bartender shirts.  Beggers can't be choosers.  This is what I spent the day in:

Bahahahahahahahahah!  Two of my Gen Z colleagues told me it was "verging on being on trend".  I think they were just being nice to me, feeling bad I had to wear old yokes for the day.