Dec 13, 2020
Que pasa
We remain on lockdown until January 8th but are quite happy staying in our own home, the fireplace is on most of the day, we have a beautiful view, lots of our own lights to enjoy inside & out and music, either Colin playing or our Christmas carols – in French mostly.
Our version of a sunrise this last Thursday, the 10th. As you can see the lake was thawing again.
When the music captures me, I tend to do some conducting of both the orchestra and the choir, singing all the while. It has taken me a while this December to let loose but I am finally there. What can I say, I love Christmas and music.
Saturday we had a frozen body of water again.
Colin’s early Christmas gift arrived late Friday so we were playing with it Saturday. It was a 338 foot string of 500 LED lights. They were the same brand as the larger tree lights but that was 1000 LED lights on an 83 foot string. I could not get that same set so I ordered the longer string with less lights. Great decision.
It actually was an involved set up and so no photos were taken. Fortunately there was no wind so the cold was tolerable. Colin used bungee cords to hold the light strand at the top of the fence post and a U type of hook to hold it down at the landscape tie. At the end we had many extra feet of lights so we went around the shed several times 🙂
We also managed to decorate the golf cart with a nine foot battery operated light set. Have not tried it  out yet but I know that it will be fun,
Taken while outside. Can you see us in the window? Â Where did all those presents come from? Â Colin is really enjoying Christmas, he is like a little kid, counting the gifts under the tree every day. Sometimes there is a new one, sometimes not. He put all of mine out over a week ago. Â I am keeping him guessing.
We spent the rest of the afternoon making spinach balls. A very tedious 2.5 hour process. I haven’t made these since 2005 when I made 20 dozen. We were in Acapulco that winter. Yesterday I only made 10.5 dozen. The majority are in the freezer. The balls are basically a mix of spinach, stuffing, eggs, butter and spices. Worth waiting 15 years for, just like we waited 20 years for eggnog. Life is good under lockdown – as long as I don’t run out of wine.
Our new lights addition. Here along the shed.
Isn’t this great? So many Christmas trees.
The lights on the tree are brighter because they are much closer together. I have an idea on how to better wrap the tree with these lights. Hopefully not for many winters to come.
Colin has his inversion table inside. During the day I have it covered with a giant red stocking.
Love my Christmas decor this year. Its not the Isla and my million fairy lights but it is special in its own way. As I have mentioned before, so many firsts for us this winter.
We could not wait any longer. Last night was the great unveiling of our first ever Christmas cake. Why oh why did I cut such large pieces? It isn’t going to last long at this rate.
It was so yummy and very moist and I really want to eat it all right now! I served it with some of the left over cherry brandy. We need to enjoy every morsel as this will not travel well to the Isla. How many years will it be before we make this again?
Unique way to decorate your mask. I think I would put tiny bells on mine if I was decorating it. Love the sequin hat.
Aren’t we all so very fortunate.
Have fun with this. Â I am Peppy Dancer, rather apropos I think.
Thanks for stopping in.
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Ya made me think of my dear former father-in-law and our “Fruit cake” we gifted each other yearly for so many years. LOL. I miss him often.
So – my “NEW” Kitchen toy (drum roll please) A AIR FRYER!!!!!!
Oh boy, that is the “cat’s meow” I tell ya. I’ve made chicken, and then ginger glazed chicken and like the homemade ginger sauce so much I made ginger glazed port chops too. Last night I made a prime roast in it and let me say that I have found the perfect way to make prime rib. I made Turkey bacon in too. And, even made potatoes I coated in butter with rosemary, dill, and thyme and they were PERFECT in 12 min.
I’ve ordered accessories so I can make a cake and pie in the future. Tonight, I made all veggies, and seasoned them with yummy herbs and butter, and let me tell ya, they too were perfect and tasted so good.
The best part… in under 3 minute clean up time. I couldn’t believe my sink was empty!!!
an air fryer for your garden yummy’s would be perfect for you…
Merry Christmas to you and Colin.
Kay
An Air Fryer. Someone brought one down to the Isla last winter on the plane! I never really checked it out. Now I will. So glad that you are enjoying your new toy. I like the empty sink and quick clean up idea.
Love your lights.
Thanks Sue. As you know I always have lots in Mexico as well.
Contessa you and Colin were in a good mood or was it the wine? Anyway your place looks very festive. Are you baking these spinach rolls and are they just appetizers? I’m not familiar with them but they look yummy to me.
We are just back into enjoying life at full speed and that has been brought on by all the lights and some gifts under the tree:) The spinach balls are served as an appetizer. I have been making them for close to 35 years. Way back then, my friends would make me some as a Christmas gift.
Nice job on the lights.
If you kept your Fruitcake in a metal tin as long as it is not exposed to extreme heat it will last for years.
Kathy became Bubbly Glitter Toes and I am now Frosty Dancer. It was fun.
Be Safe and Enjoy the season.
It’s about time.
We could not find a metal tin that was 10 inches round, best I could do was a plastic one with an airtight seal. Hmm sounds like you two two should be out dancing with those names.
MERRY CHRISTMAS CONTESSA & COLIN !!!!!!
Gracias amiga. Feliz Navidad.
Hahahaha, sparkly, glitter toes!!!
How fun! Now you can tell everyone what your elf name is.
Oh my, your lights are so beautiful! Love the yard with the fence all done up and the trees,it’s beginning to look a long like Christmas more and more each day. Your Christmas cake looks amazing, I will for sure be trying this out when you get the time after Christmas to send the recipe along ? I have never tried spinach balls I’m curious as to what you do with them? Are they like a appetizer or? Every thing looks so wonderful wishing we lived close so well could do a drive by.
Crusty sparkle pants ??
Thank you. We love all the lights. Colin just reminded me that he never got a gift under the tree today. I only have four left, but don’t tell him. As to the cake, it is just as good as I had hoped. I posted the recipe on October 26th when we made it. Here is the link. http://www.contessajewall.com/oldblog/2020/10/26/another-first-for-us/
The spinach balls are an appetizer served with warm or room temp.
Remember when we were in Gusave at Playa Los Glorias, how we would walk around the few RV’s to check out the lights.
Crusty sparkle pants!! What is that?
Merry Christmas Contessa and Colin. I love all the Christmas lights. Some of the folks in the park have decorated including us but lots didn’t this year. I also conduct the orchestra but I don’t necessarily sing along.
Merry Christmas to you three as well. Hey we could do a great job together putting on a Christmas concert. If feels good doesn’t it?
Smelly Little Feet?! My elf name is Smelly Little Feet?!! 😀
Oh my!! Maybe you need to change your first name?