Mom is 80 today

She has been at me and dad (and to a lesser degree my brother) about going out today. Honestly she's not wrong. December can be treacherous and my cousins didn't think this through well having a surprised 80th birthday party but they insisted and I said okay.

So naturally it was -3F (-19C) out there today but the real issue was the wind. It's gusting 30-40 mph and the real feel is -27 (-32C) All day long she was complaining but we got her there and the whole family was there. Took her by complete surprise (I had to listen all the way home about how did I a) let her buy her own cake yesterday b) not make more cookies c) not make more pasta. I'm like how exactly could I do any of that without you asking why and ruining the surprise birthday?)


It was at the Pig and Fire which is in the Quail House a historic home I've wanted to go into for years. It was built in 1837 and it was on the Underground Railroad. It had great bbq. It was wonderful seeing my cousins. My SiL came along with me on the house tour. Will need to go back in the summer months to see the outside structures.

Mom was surprised and very happy at least. Also we hit it at happy hour so the ridiculously overpriced drinks were affordable. They had a sugar cookie martini - whipped vodka, irish cream, amaretto and I can m ake this. the ain't it a daisy which was bourbon blood orange liquor, st germaine's, agave, lime and seltzer.

The downside of today was the wind which caused line galloping, knocking out power (luckily briefly) and frying a lot of dad's safety features (and if not for them the furnace, tv etc would have bit it)

Day 23 of tea

Adagio - Rooibos Noel - rooibos, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, apple pieces (OMG why) orange, almond and rose petals. For a rooibos it wasn't bad.

Yawn Brew - Chilly Willy Chai. I'll be honest my favorite teas are Earl Grey, Chai and Lapsang Sou Chong so I was going to like this right? It was black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamon, white and black pepper and it was lovely


Have a little holiday story

Title: No Gifts

Summary: Malcolm knows there’s a no gift rule but how can he stop himself when they’ve been so kind to him?

Notes: Written for spikesgirl58 for the six words prompt. The words were Pay, Point, Despise, Child, Recycle & Archive. And for mamzellehemry who requested a nice holiday with the Tarmels.



here.