Happy Thursday, friends! Hope you're having a great week! I finished this book yesterday. It was another one that I got from Carole's recommendations at From My Carolina Home. I enjoyed the story, but got a little frustrated with the main character towards the last few chapters. Don't worry, though, it all ended well!
This week's air fryer experiment was egg rolls! Yum! We used this recipe, but tweaked it a little bit. I didn't have any oyster sauce or Sriracha, but used all the rest of the ingredients. We also had to lower the temperature and time we cooked them at. Apparently, my air fryer cooks hotter than some, and 400 degrees for 6 minutes (plus you were supposed to flip them and cook 6 more minutes) really over-browned the first batch. But we adjusted the time and temp, and figured out how to get them the way we liked.
Mike and I felt like getting out of the house for a walk in a different part of town yesterday afternoon because it was a really beautiful day. After walking a couple miles on our bike/hiking trail, we went hunting for a herd of elk that were supposed to be hanging out around town. We found them on the golf course!
Here's the view. It was a gorgeous day!
And Mike got a close-up of all the elk.
There's still snow on the ground, so no golfers, but the elk are enjoying their party!
Speaking of parties, the staff at my mom's place had a tree trimming party last night for residents and their families, and it was really nice. We worked on a tree in the hallway near Mom's apartment, with the help of a nice young man, the 8 year-old son of one of the staff members.
My most favorite holiday party of the year is always the one my quilt group has, and it's coming up next Thursday, Dec. 14th. We each bring a gift to put into the gift exchange, and then we have a blast choosing, opening, and/or stealing gifts from each other! Last year I came home with a gift certificate to our LQS, and a (now) very favorite mug!
I have read a few of Susan's books but not that one. Oh my that is a lot of elk on the golf course! That is sweet they get the residents involved in decorating at your mom's place. I hope she is liking living there.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous view! Can you see mountains from every area of your town? Those elk are amazing.
ReplyDeleteAt one of the churches I used to work for, we had one of those gift exchanges at a staff party every Christmas, and they were a hoot! One year everyone was fighting over a Chia pet, and my stomach hurt from laughing so hard. Those were fun times. My husband still laughs about how the minister, who hosted the parties at his house, stood up after the gift exchange and told everyone to feel free to stay and visit as long as they liked, then held up a couple coats and said "whose coats are these?" Guess he really didn't want us to stay after all - lol!
I remember one of those parties from when I was in a quilt group and I ended up with what I thought was the best gift a set of two casserole bowls - corning if I remember right - so many were not the best of gifts but those bowls kept coming back to me and to my home - I was pleased.
ReplyDeleteThe party for tree decorating is a good one for an assisted living center I think so many of the residents just get to a point where one day is like another and no longer want to celebrate. One of my sisters and I always made a point to decorate mom's apartment and make it festive and get her to help a little bit with it.
The egg rolls look really good. It's been windy here, so walking hasn't been a lot of fun. Looks like the tree trimming was fun. I'll be going to my first ever guild Christmas party in a couple of weeks. They have dirty Santa too. I don't know many in the guild, but from what I do know, I'm better some of them are merciless during the dirty Santa.
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice that the residents and their families get to help decorate! The quilt party sounds good! Love that mug.
ReplyDeleteThat's fun to help decorate with your mom! Our guild Christmas party is the same night as yours, and we do a very similar gift exchange as well. It makes it very fun to 'steal' someone else's gift. I especially like all the great food! Happy holidays for you, Diann!
ReplyDeleteI've seen the Susan Wiggs book on a few book blogs and as I enjoy her as an author I must keep my eye out for it or look at the library. This time of the year is busy with all the get togethers.
ReplyDeleteI imagine the golf course groundskeepers are not thrilled about the elk invasion. Hoof print divots eveywhere. How nice to have the tree decorating party at your Mom's facility. Our hexie quilt group had a similar dirty Santa exchange, although we stuff a pair of socks with $10.00 worth of "goodies", although people often spend more. Pat
ReplyDeleteIf I haven't said already, love that 16 across runner...that worked out beautifully in Christmasy colours. Meanwhile, how nice to help decorate at the home. I too love that mug. Mike got a great close up of the elk enjoying the manicured golf course. I've not seen elk here ever. What a great day out in the fresh air you two had!
ReplyDeleteWow - look at all those elk. I love that mug.
ReplyDeleteThat was one big herd of elk enjoining the golf course. Do they often come down to the golf course during the winter time? Such a sweet photo of decorating the tree at your mom's and darling mug. Have a great weekend, Diann. Hus.
ReplyDeleteI just finished the 12 Dogs of Christmas, too! I gave it a 3 out of 5, but I did think it ended well finally with the book she wrote! Wow, all those elk!!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a perfect day for a walk, and how fun to see the herd of elk! Those egg rolls look tasty. I don't have an air fryer, but have been tempted to get one. Enjoy your quilt party! Glad you could spend time with your mom and decorate a tree with her, too!
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