Olbrich Gardens

Jesse and I took the kids to a Christmas train display at Olbrich Gardens in Madison. Oliver is obsessed with trains so although the display was modest it was a great success. There is also a rain forest there. We had to shed our coats, it was so humid/hot in there.

Laurie's Winter Garb

This is my usual get-up as I walk to Jesse's or the library or the pool. Notice anything new (besides the coat)? You'd dress like this, too, if it was 18 degrees outside!!

Two Christmas presents

Pez in her stocking

Christmas Eve Dinner

stuffed pork loin roast, cranberry-grape salad, green beans, biscuits

Chef: Laurie

Laurie's New Stocking

seamstress: Jesse...... This is a gorgeous work of art!!

Drawing

Little Redfish Lake, Idaho

Can't Believe it!!!

Am returning to Wisconsin tomorrow. This was not a scheduled trip but Ted's surgery was much more complex than we imagined. It took three hours. Both the flexor and the extender on his left index finger were severed and had to be attached by a hand surgeon. It is difficult for him to do much with his left hand so.... I am returning. Not sure how long I'll be there. I am actually looking forward to spending Christmas with Ted and celebrated by buying myself a new Lands End parka that is rated to minus 20. I'll need it. I took my father to renew his driving license today. He passed the written test with flying colors. The driving test will be in February.

Alisal Pool

I swam for 30 minutes in this pool, then sat in the hot tub. Needless to say, the pool gets a lot more use in the hot summer months.

Alisal hike #2

Alisal Hike #1

Who (What ) is this???

Girls on Vespas

At the Vespa dealership in San Luis Obispo

Fancy Headband

Avila Beach, CA.

Gum Ball Wall

This is a well known and old landmark in San Luis Obispo.

Buddah's Hand

What fascinating fruit!! One of my parent's Asian neighbors gave this to my parents. It has a citrus smell. She told us to put it in a jar with water and leave it near a door to bring us happiness. This particular specimen is off a ten year old plant . Pretty cool.

Unexpected

Recieved a phone call last night from Madison that I thought was a joke. Turns out it wasn't. My hard working husband was working too hard again. It was late in the day and the scissors slipped and cut his index finger, severing the tendon. He was calling from the emergency room where they put 6-8 stitches in. Luckily Jesse drove with him. Surgery will be scheduled for right before Christmas. What a bummer.

Safe N Sound

Arrived after two very uneventful flights. I was shocked to have to stand on the tarmac in Denver in 9 degree weather though, as I waited for my curbside carryon. Luckily I had mittens with me. It was freezing. Super Shuttle whisked me to 240 in record time. It was 30 degrees at 11:00 when I left Wisconsin and a balmy 54 in CA.

Question

How can you tell that this tree was decorated by a Wisconsonite???

Ted's Tiny Tree

Our apartment is tiny so anything over 8 inches was out of the question. This tiny guy was perfect, complete with ornaments, tinsel, and a stand. All we had to add was a string of lights.

Beetle Puzzle

After stuffing ourselves with turkey we sat down and put together a 300 piece puzzle in 2 hours.

Chazen Museum of Art in Madison

The Saturday after Thanksgiving Ted and I went to two museums in downtown Madison. The first was the Chazen Museum of Art which is operated by UW. In October they opened a new wing and the exhibits were incredible. The top photo in this post is a closeup of the bottom photo. The artist was Tom Uttech. I know very little about him, but I loved this painting. I would recommend that you look up his work on the internet. The second Museum we went to was the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. The Building was great but the art was very contemporary and most of it was not that engaging to either of us.

Hiking with the Girl with the Beautiful Umbrella

Ted and I walked around some very close ponds the weekend before Thanksgiving. It was drizzling so Evelyn brought her gorgeous umbrella.

Helping

Yesterday, after doing the waterwalking class AND swimming 40 laps, I helped Ted change out the lane lines. The entailed being in the water almost 2 more hours and dragging lanes from one end of the pool to another. I didn't really mind at the time, but after also walking 4 miles, I was exhausted and fell asleep fully clothed at 7 pm. I haven't been that worn out since seventh grade!!

Savory Green Onion Noodle Cake

I was going to e-mail this to Teddie, but someone else might want to try it. It's taken from a cookbook I'm giving her for Christmas. (I am horrible at keeping presents a secret!)

4 eggs
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
1/2 teas. grated fresh ginger
8 oz. cooked, rinsed and drained thin spaghetti, tossed with 2 teas. sesame oil
salt and pepper
3 Tbs. peanut oil
Hoison sauce

Beat eggs. Add cilantro, ginger, and spaghetti and seasonings. ( I skipped salt)
Spread mixture in medium hot pan with half of peanut oil. Let cook till set and nicely browned.
Then carefully, with help of a plate, flip the fritatta like food and continue cooking. Ted and I drizzled hoison sauce on the top of our pizza shaped pieces. Kind of like a cross between spaghetti and quiche.

2051 - view #2

view from the patio - which do you prefer??