Happy new year, girls! That ugly ole 2016 is finally over. Hallelujah! Now we can look forward to a shiny 2017 full of hope and promise. Hope your celebrations were bright and that your first days of the new year are restful and restorative.
Time for a progress report on my winter bucket list. I am afraid I may have had “the big eye” as my mom would say. One has the big eye when she takes too much dessert and can’t finish it all. Or fills her plate with seconds that she can’t possibly eat. As far as eating goes, I seem to have no cap, no ceiling, no boundary. Can eat every bite of everything put in front of me (except squishy tomatoes). It’s quite the art.
But on my winter bucket list, I may have dreamed too big. Let’s find out…
My Winter Bucket List
Bake Cookies
Done. But not without issue. And forgot to take any pics. I could post a pic of my big belly, which is full of cookies and other things. But I will spare you that sight.
Have baked the same cookies for years. Have two pages torn from old magazines with the recipes on them. Had both recipes out when I made my grocery shopping list. Guess I got hungry and ate one of the pages because it has FLAT disappeared. It is the recipe for a lemon cookie that calls for slivered almonds that are chopped up in one’s food processor (or poor woman’s food processor – the blender). When I realized the recipe was nowhere to be found, Brennyn and I scoured the Internet to find it or something similar.
These lemon cookies are Lauren’s favorites so we decided not to tell her that the recipe was gone and used the new recipe to see if she could tell the difference. She couldn’t. She liked them so well, she hid them in a Tupperware container so no one else could find them. And has requested I bake another batch for her to take home to Albuquerque. Old-fashioned Lemon Almond Cookies. Click here to check out that recipe. Sadly, there are no pics with the recipe. Or of our cookies. Like I said, Lauren hid them.
The other cookies I baked are called “Caramel Heavenlies”. And they invariably stick to the cookie sheet no matter what I do. So I put them on aluminum foil this year.
And how ’bout that recipe for the oatmeal chocolate cookies? Can you tell we like these cookies, too? We call them ‘no-bakes’. But didn’t make any this year because we were too busy eating all of the other things we made.
Yeah, the foil didn’t work out so well. It was a labor of love peeling it from the back of the cookies.
Build a Snowman and Play in the Snow
We tried. Went up to Cloudcroft, New Mexico with just that intent. No snow. Except for a little mushy slush on the side of the road. Instead there were lots of low-hanging clouds and fog.
Equally beautiful but not ideal for building snowmen. I don’t want to mark this off the list yet. We usually have at least one snow in El Paso every winter. Keep your fingers crossed.
Decorate Inside and Out
Oh, yeah, baby, I-got-this. Read all about it on a post from last year. Tee hee! I love saying that. Actually from last month, December. Click here to check out my holiday cheer.
Hike
Woo-hoo, did this, too. And that rhymes. We hiked up to Aztec Caves on Christmas Eve. Day. Say what? During the daytime on Christmas Eve (day). Whatevs.
Pick Name from Tree or Find Child to Adopt for Christmas
Dear ones, you are going to have to trust me on this one. No photos to prove that we did it. But our technical school called to offer us two-hour massages in exchange for the donation of a new $25 toy. They were going to be giving the toys to underprivileged children in the area. PC bought a remote control truck in exchange for his massage. I bought two Monster High dolls for mine. Did take a picture from the massage bed. Aren’t you excited?!
I think I might need another one before going back to work.
Ruidoso Shopping
When we went up to Cloudcroft, New Mexico in search of snow, we drove over to Ruidoso for some shopping and gambling and eating and sleeping and more eating.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Elf
Yes and kinda. We bought tickets to both. Went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and loved it.
The concert was much more than just Christmas music. There were even gargoyles.
And I really dislike gargoyles. They are right up there with Hitler. But the music and light show were so good, I could overlook the gargoyles. I was feeling pretty crummy and wound up missing three days of school right after that.
Then came our date for Elf. I was still sick. We got dressed to go, ran to Wendy’s for a quick cheeseburger beforehand. PC could tell how bad I felt and we wound up going back home. Which made me feel worse in a way because I hated knowing we spent money on the tickets and then didn’t go to the musical.
We did go to the Junior League’s “A Christmas Fair”. Can we swap that out with Elf? I was still sick. In fact, I am STILL sick. Going to call the doctor tomorrow. It’s been six weeks of this junk. But back to the Christmas Fair…it was lots of fun. PC was really good about letting me stop at the booths and ooh and ahh over everything.
Two Months to Go
So, I’ve done 6 of the 20 activities on my winter bucket list. Little more than 25%. Not worried yet, though. Still have two months of winter. Lots of time. Hope you will stick around to cheer me on and come back to see how I’ve fared by the end of January. Will put together another progress report then.
How About YOU?
What kinds of plans do you have for this winter? Are you going any place special? Do you have an special activity in mind for date night? Would love to hear about your bucket list.
Thank you for being my friend and bringing in the new year with me. Hope you will come back again (and again and again). Have a blessed second day of 2017. It’s going to be a golden year.
Hugs and kisses,
beeclaire2014
I am a new follower, and didn’t realize that you are in Texas! Enjoyed this post, and am impressed with your Bucket List progress! I work best from a list myself.😜Since you are not far from Cloudcroft, and if you or someone you know loves good BBQ, please try Mad Jack’s Mountaintop Barbecue on your next visit–you won’t be disappointed. I grew up with the owner, who started his business here in Lockhart, as a food trailer. I am still longing for his pulled pork sandwich… Just thought I might lengthen your Bucket List a tad… Happy 2017!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh my gravy! Welcome, BeeClaire! So, so excited to have a new follower. May I ask how you found me? So glad you did!
Aren’t lists the best tool? I just need to remember to 1) make a list AND 2) look at it!! But I work much better
when I have a list to guide me. I will certainly look forward to trying Mad Jack’s on our next trip to Cloudcroft.
We always drive through Cloudcroft on a trip to Ruidoso because the scenery is breath-taking. Thank you for the suggestion.
Totally worth lengthening the bucket list for FOOD!!
And thank you for commenting! I really get very few comments and often wonder if anyone is out there. So glad to know
I am not talking to myself.
So you are from Lockhart? Looking that up now. Between San Antonio and Austin, I see. Lovely area. Have you ever
been to El Paso? I get out your way every so often. Usually for vacations or for a Texas Library Association Conference.
Are you a blogger? Tell me more about you! And please come back.
Happy new year, girl!
beeclaire2014
I was drawn to your blog because you are from Texas, retired, empty-nester, and I can relate!
I am a year and a half into retirement, after 29 years in Elementary Education, mostly reading and dyslexia intervention. Our librarian was one of my biggest allies!
I have a daughter who has begun her career as a Speech Pathologist in one of our elementaries, and a son who will graduate with a marketing degree in May.
I think that I have only passed through El Paso on the way to Ruidoso (I think we flew there, then drove the rest of the way that time).
I’m not a blogger–not enough of anything to share! I’m still looking for my next distraction/passion! I think I found you on Instagram, and I look forward to reading more!
beeclaire2014
Oh, and if you go to Mad Jack’s, ask for James (the owner), and tell him that Betty the Pin-setter sent you! He’ll get a kick out of that! 😉
Leslie Roberts Clingan
So glad to know more about you. My hat is off to you, sweets, for working with the children struggling with dyslexia. My oldest daughter was never diagnosed with dyslexia, although she was tested for the spectrum of reading disabilities. But she certainly has dyslexic tendencies. I know you made a difference in all of the students’ lives you touched.
I am always looking for new ideas for my blog posts so please share anything you think of. If you are reading a great book and would like to do a book review post with me, holler. If you put together an outfit you’d like to share, prepare a recipe, create a DIY or craft project and want to share, let me know.
I need to look for you on Instagram. We are doing a very casual – no pressure – photo challenge for January on Insta. Why don’t you join in? It is really fun!
I will be sure to ask for James when we get up to Mad Jack’s and then let him know Betty the Pin-setter sent me. Looking forward to it!
XO
beeclaire2014
Thank you, Leslie, for the warm welcome. I’ll keep all of your invitations in mind, and see how brave I feel!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Yay! If you decide to join me for any kind of project, I would be tickled pink.
beeclaire2014
Instagram is beehinddoornumber2
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Found you!
dsimair
I absolutely loved TransSiberian Orchestra and I need to see them again in my lifetime.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
It was such a treat seeing TSO. Hope you get to see them again.
curlycraftymom
We haven’t gotten a lick of snow here! Just one evening where we had ice and luckily I was home already when it hit. I have always wanted to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I always make sugar and gingerbread cookies each year, same recipes, too!! Oh and homemade icing, of course. I have been itching to try some new recipes this month to satisfy my sweet tooth. Happy New Year!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I am going to email you the lemon cookie recipe and the recipe for the caramel heavenlies. They are easy and
different. Would you share your recipes with me?
I really enjoyed the Trans-Siberian Orchestra but just felt yuck. It isn’t something I would want to see
every year but it is a great experience. Put it on your bucket list!
I would think you guys normally get at least a little snow every year. But this year has been so strange
weather wise for us, and a lot of areas. I just would like a dusting. It is so pretty. So quiet and hushed.
Glad you were home when the ice hit.
Thanks for coming by, dear one.
Michael Ann
That’s a great list, Leslie! And I’m glad you’ve been able to do several of the items already! Way to go! I must admit I winced when I read you decided to bake your cookies on aluminum foil…and then winced again when I got to the picture! I’d suggest using parchment paper next time! That should do the trick. We make no bake cookies here too. Well, my SON makes them. He texted me from Alaska and asked me to send him a picture of his recipe card! I think he made them to take to a friend’s house on Christmas Day. Fun stuff! I think the only big thing Gene and I are hoping to do in January or February is to go camping. We enjoy cool weather camping, so we’re trying to get that in before the weather starts warming up again. (Note: it’s pushing 80 degrees today. *sigh*)
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hasn’t this been THE craziest winter weather? We had rain, of all things, which is a rare commodity, for an entire
day. Just hoping for one dusting of snow.
So you can bake on parchment paper? Ha! I have some. But figured it would burn up! Oh, girl, I need a keeper
over here. Someone to help me get my shoes on the right feet and to help me do things like cook and hold the book
right side up when I read. My mom always said I didn’t have the sense to come in out of the rain. But my hair
looks so much better when it is drizzled on and gets a little curly.
How do you stay warm when camping in the winter? Dumb question? You are tent campers, though, right? I could
probably figure out the answer if you camped in an RV. I bet that is some great sleeping. Nothing like the
quiet of the outdoors at night.
How cute that your son bakes! And asked for a pic of HIS recipe card. You raised him right, my dear. No Bakes
are so delicious. Might have to mix some up. I keep seeing a 21 Day Fix-friendly recipe for them. Worth
trying, me thinks.
Thank you for the tip about parchment paper. I bought it just for this recipe but then got scared it would
catch fire in the oven.
You are a dear. So glad we met. XO
Michael Ann
Forgot to mention, my husband and our daughter go to a TSO concert every year before Christmas! It’s their tradition! I’m very happy to not be included on that one! I can take TSO only in small doses!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I love that your husband and daughter do TSO (glad to have an abbreviation for them, too) together. So important
to have traditions. I am with you, though. Once for enough to last me for awhile. Give me John Denver (I know,
that would be a miracle), or Dan Fogelberg instead.
Have a good week.
Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side
You did a lot of fun things this break, even if you didn’t finish you list, you did some fantastic things!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Still working on my list so there’s hope I will get most of it done!