Christmas...southwest style!

Keith and I arrived safetly in Tucson on Thursday, albeit without our luggage. We got in the spirit by singing Christmas carols and then celebrated our arrival in Arizona with a fabulous southwest dinner at Poco Coso.

FRIDAY- picked up Grandpa and our luggage at the airport.

SATURDAY- tour of Saint Xavier Mission, shopping in Tubac, AZ

SUNDAY- Keith and Margaret hiked in Ventara Canyon, traditional Garner family Christmas Eve dinner of clam chowder and cornbread (the BEST ever).

MONDAY- Christmas Day, opening presents, Christmas brunch, swimming in the pool

More to come...

Hope you are all having a safe and happy holiday.

97 Hours

Things were looking bleak. How bleak you ask? Well, Keith had just started entertaining Margaret with shadow puppets. Then, miraculously at 11PM last night the power came back. We were 97 hours without light or heat. I feel very blessed to have power back given the number of people who are still living without. I've talked this morning to a half-dozen co-workers who are still without power, living in the cold, and smelling of campfire.

Who knows...maybe tonight I'll turn off the computer, the TV, and the lights and let Keith entertain me some more with shadow puppets (darn good show!).

THANKS again to Kristin and Noah for their hospitality.

Winter Refugee, Part Deux

Windstorm '06 was a doozie. For the second time in less than three weeks, I've sought refuge in
the warm comfort of a friend's house. This time I've made my way to Bellingham to stay with my dear friends the O'Malley's; Noah, Finn, Kristin, and Roarc (left to right on the couch).

The power went out at my house on Thursday night and as of Saturday night, it's still not on. On Friday, Keith and I made the best of our situation and lit candles throughout the house, cooked hamburgers on the BBQ and roasted s'mores in the fireplace. But, after two nights in the cold, the novelty of living without power has worn off. Today I decided to make my way north where they were less impacted by the storm.

It was a great relief to get to the O'Malley home where they have heat, tv, internet, microwave and all the other appliances that now seems like luxuries. Plus, I get to be with good friends. Thanks you O'Malleys!

I hope the power is back on soon (and Kristin and Noah are REALLY hoping too!).

Oh Tanenbaum

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas...

As I look around my neighborhood, I see houses with picture windows framing tall Christmas trees 6' to 8' high, all a glow with Christmas lights. Then there's my Christmas tree. It's only 18" tall and that's WITH the star on top. It's a little bit pathetic in comparison, but nonetheless, it makes me happy. Charlie Brown loved his Christmas tree and I love mine.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Cookie Monster

On Saturday night, Carrie, Wenmei and I made Christmas Confections! Carrie asked for a lesson on making Nanaimo Bars and Peanut Butter Fudge. I believe in learning by doing, so we baked...a LOT! It was quite an assembly line production and in the end, we made 4 pans of bars and 3 pans of fudge.

Despite my attempt to turn the event into a cookie-making sweatshop, it was a lovely evening due in large part to our hostess, Carrie, who made cheese fondue and pizza for dinner and served us with peppermint chocolatinis! Good food, good desserts and great friends. Thanks Wenmei and Carrie!