Solstice and Surrounding Parties

Image: Fire from Solstice Party 2008

16th – Thursday
(I’m on vacation from the 17th – the 2nd, going back to work on Monday the 3rd)
Prep house, do laundry, wrap presents ...

17th – Friday - John & Bill Arrive
Decide to make and send biscotti to friends for Christmas
• Gingerbread biscotti (not very good, tossed it)
• Double chocolate
• Chocolate mint
• Vanilla Almond
• Cranberry Almond
Decided there was too little and what I had was too ugly to send.

Dinner at Mama Inez with Heather, Duo, Bill, John, and Chrissy (plus her boyfriend and another couple of her friends). Later that evening exchanged presents at our house with H&D, J&B. (see: http://www.yellowbook.com/profile/mama-inez-mexican-quisine_1820761515.html)

Read "Hyperbole & a Half" blog posts out loud to the clan...

• This is Why I'll Never be an Adult http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/06/this-is-why-ill-never-be-adult.html
• The God of Cake http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/10/god-of-cake.html
• The Party http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/09/party.html

Seriously, we could not stop laughing. Some were of us were crying. Not me of course ... I had to try and maintain composure while reading aloud and showing the pictures. This woman is a genius.

18th – Saturday - Prep for Solstice party, Dinner

Went through holiday music, created a 190 song playlist including Ru Paul, Transiberian Orchestra, Enya, Twisted Sister, Loreena McKennit, piano, Nightmare before Christmas, Barbra Streisand, Axemas, Muppets ...

Dinner of Lasagna and salad with H&D, J&B at our house.

Made fudge & toffee with Heather

Read "Hyperbole & a Half" dog based blog posts:

• Dog http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/07/dog.html
• Dog's Don't Understand Basic Concepts Like Moving http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/11/dogs-dont-understand-basic-concepts.html

I recommend that you do not read these at a service point, or while drinking any sort of beverage.  I read the last one at the reference desk one evening and HAD to stiffle the laughter. I'm sure I looked like I was having a seizure or something.  Good thing it was at the end of the semester when everyone is out studying, not in researching.

19th – Sunday - Solstice

Made peanut brittle that morning for Bill

Nick loaded up the Jeep, and then reloaded it, adding stuff to Bill & John's vehicle.

We also brought the spare tree plus decorations, music, movies, bonfire stuff, wood, candles, butter, zip lock bags, tablecloths...

I forgot to arrange for a dog sitter so Barkley came with us. He was quite the hit. We rented the conference center at Aura Soma. http://www.aurasomalava.com/ It is a lovely facility with beds, hot pool, fire pit, views of the river and usually snow, and a big kitchen.

Attendees: Jenny, Nick, Shanna, John, Bill, Heather, Duo, Darci, Adam and Barkley

Had a GREAT TIME!

We decorated tree, then everyone went to Purple Moon to do some last minute shopping.  I hung out with Barkley reading Solstice myths, it was very peaceful. Next came the awesome feast...
 MENU

• Turkey - Duo
• Greek Broccoli Pie - Heather
• Creamed Carrots - Heather
• Rolls - John & Bill
• Dressing – Jenny
• Potatoes – Shanna
• Gravy – Nick
• Pumpkin Bread - Darci
Plus: all the biscotti, the cookies, mint divinity, fudge, peanut brittle & three butterscotch banana breads.

Then outside we trooped to the fire. Barkley scampered around in the snow eyeing the river. A couple of years ago I was taking a walk with a friend and Barkley decided to check out a different cold river and promptly fell in. He could not get out of the river on his own but was clinging to the bank with his cute little fuzzy paws.  I got wet and muddy pulling him out. Nick, Shanna and I kept a close eye on him. None of us wanted a repeat of that incident. Though Nick did say he'd take care of it if it did happen.  Alas he was not with me the previous time. 

The bonfire was warm and was a great way to welcome back the light.  Heather decorated a Yule with greenery and put it in the middle of the fire. Later we did the white elephant gift giving game and I managed to score three frogs doing yoga. Some went and soaked in the hotpools, others of us hung out and watched The 300. Lots of talking and laughing at all times.

20th – Monday - Shanna Birthday

Got up early, packed and stopped for Breakfast at the Wagon Wheel diner in Lava. Made everyone listen to

The Viking Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Hall
Not a creature was stirring, not warrior nor thrall.
And I in my armor, my shield and my helm
Was drunker than anyone else in the Realm.

I staggered upstairs and fell into bed
While four quarts of mead were ablaze in my head.
Then up from below came the sounds of a brawl
So I grabbed up my axe and ran down to the Hall.

I missed the last step and crashed down in a heap
Thinking, "Why can't those low-lifes downstairs go to sleep!"
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But two brawny strangers, wielding mallet and spear.

I said to myself, "We'll soon have them beat!"
Then I noticed ten warriors laid out at their feet.
I gave out a yell and leapt into the fray...
I'll always regret my poor choice of that day.

For the one laid his hammer to the side of my nose
And up, up, up to the rafters I rose.
Then came a lone frightened voice from the floor,
"Those are no mortal warriors -- that's Odin and Thor!"

Then they looked at each other and they said, "Battle's done.
Now they know who we are, it no longer is fun."
Then Thor raised his hammer, and his elbow he bent,
And with a loud crash, through the ceiling they went.

I crawled through the Hall and flung open the door,
Not really sure that I'd seen them before.
The snow bathed in starlight, the moon like a glede,
I saw them ride off on an eight-legged steed.

And I heard them exclaim, 'ere they flew out of sight,
"TO HELA WITH CHRISTMAS, WE JUST LOVE A GOOD FIGHT!"

http://www.odins-gift.com/poth/U-Z/vikingchristmascarol.htm

Image from Aura Soma Lava Solstice Party 2008

Headed for home, unloaded the Jeep and then I went directly to bed for a long winters nap (okay it was about 3 hours). Bill & John, visited other people for awhile. When I awoke we talked a bunch more. That evening the clan gathered again and we had a small party for Shanna. More Italian food in the form of a pasta bar Nick made alfredo and I took care of the marinara. Meatballs from the freezer, grilled chicken and steamed broccoli rounded out the pasta bar menu.  Heather brought a great salad with grapefruit and cilantro. Shanna had requested brownies for dessert, though really we'd already had so much sugar it was overkill.   Hung out a bunch more that evening. John and Bill took off early the next morning.  We had a great four day party with them.  :)

Christmas/Holiday Activities: Part 1

Decorating for the Holidays... We put up or Christmas decorations on Thanksgiving weekend. I take it slow and watch movies. Usually it's the extended Lord of the Rings series. This year, my family voted for the Harry Potter movies instead.

1st – Wednesday - Lunch with the Girls (Maura, Robin & Loretta) at Ruby Tuesday
This was very fun, talked to Maura about her hosting a New Years Eve party. :)

4th – 5th Satunday & Sunday
Cookie baking weekend
• 12 dozen chocolate chip cookies
• 8 dozen peppermint bark cookies
• 8 dozen peanut butter toffee bit cookies

7th – Tuesday
Not feeling well, stayed home from work. It ended up lasting the week.

8th – Wednesday - Xmas potluck at Work - skipped too sick
MADE: Applesauce Spice Cake in the morning, too sick to bring it to work, it was lovely to just eat instead.

10th – Friday - Cookie Exchange at work - skipped too sick
Bagged chocolate chip cookies and sent them in to work with Shanna for Cookie Exchange

11th – Saturday
I was supposed to go to Salt Lake City to visit Mom, Rebecca, Jessica, Doug & Rachel. I was feeling better, but didn't go down to visit. I was afraid of giving my illness to my pregnant sister and her young child. Instead Mom came up that evening for a visit, which was awesome.

12th – Sunday
Visit with mom till she left for Logan around 2:00

13th – Monday - Lunch at Remo's with reference crew: Cheryl, Kristi, Spencer, Regina and Emily
Another fun time, but we always have a good time hanging out or even in meetings. I am very lucky to work with such great people.
Work and work and work

14th – Tuesday
Work and work and work
MADE: Baklava for tomorrow's party

The fire alarm snafu...
Shanna and I made a baklava, we put it in a big jelly roll pan instead of the normal cake pan. It ended up using twice as much of everything but the Filo. Because of this it overflowed in the oven during the baking. As I pulled it out of the oven I saw big clumps of debris on the floor of the oven. I left the oven door open, as is my wont when I am finished baking. After all, why waste the warm air when it is so cold outside. What I didn't know was that there would be smoke from the remains of the clumps in the oven. It set off the fire alarm. We had recently purchased a new "for kitchens" fire alarm. It works. It emits a really loud set of three beeps then pauses and repeats, indefinitely. At first I just shut the door to the oven and the big door between the kitchen and me hoping it would turn itself off once the air/smoke ratio normalized. That didn't happen. Barkley started crying about the sound and Shanna, taking matters into her own hands pulled it off the ceiling. After turning it off she left it on the washing machine because it was way too high for her to put it back. We then went to bed.

Meanwhile, Nick had been out and about shopping for Christmas Presents. He didn't know what happened. Upon his return he saw the cooling baklava and this triggered in him a need to clean the oven. It is one of the self-cleaning type so he turned it on, never opening it, and went down to his office. Later the alarm went off, it penetrated my sleeping brain, but I assumed it was just a leftover alarm from the baking. It kept going, finally I smelled a new icky burning smell and thought, maybe the house really was on fire this time. I got up and went out and was greeted by the ferociously thick smoke emanating from the oven. I met up with a very confused Nick who explained that he had tried to clean the oven. I nodded and went back to bed.

The next morning confusion unraveled, Nick had banged on the sleeping Shanna's door accusing her of taking the alarm down but not turning it off. She became equally confused having decided to just ignore the second blaring of the alarm. We unconfused him by explaining the first alarm, and he explained how he hadn't looked in the oven before turning it on to be cleaned. I had gone to bed with the intention of scraping out the clumps in the morning, but that was no longer necessary. The only thing left to do was to vacuum out the ashy remains. Thank heavens the baklava didn't acquire any flavor from the smoke in the kitchen that night.  It was fine and yummy...

15th – Wednesday - Holiday party at Sandi's (Social Activity 8)
Work and work and work
Holiday party at Sandi's was great fun, lots of interesting people and the view from their house is stunning.

Holiday Plans: 2010 Thanksgiving - New Years

I didn't intend for this year to be the whirlwind of social activities it turned into. Fate intervened to eliminate a couple of them.

This was the plan that evolved over time:

1. Nov. 25 – Thursday - Thanksgiving
2. Dec. 1st – Wednesday - President's Christmas Party
3. Dec. 1st – Wednesday - Lunch with the Girls
4. Dec. 8th – Wednesday - Xmas Potluck at Work
5. Dec. 10th – Friday - Cookie Exchange at Work
6. Dec. 11th – Saturday - Salt Lake City to visit Mom, Rebecca, Jessica, Doug & Rachel
7. Dec. 13th – Monday - Lunch at Remo's with Reference Crew
8. Dec. 15th – Wednesday - Holiday Party at Sandi's
9. Dec. 17th – Friday - John & Bill Arrive - Dinner Out with Friends
10. Dec. 18th – Saturday - Prep for Solstice party, Clan Dinner
11. Dec. 19th – Sunday - Solstice Party
12. Dec. 20th – Monday - Shanna Birthday
13. Dec. 23rd – Thursday - Christmas Eve Eve party in Utah
14. Dec. 24th – Friday - Christmas eve with family Rebecca & Hannah visiting
15. Dec. 25th – Saturday - Christmas with family Rebecca & Hannah visiting
16. Dec. 26th – Sunday - Breakfast with Annie
17. Dec. 29th - Wednesday - Visit from Sarah & Lance
18. Dec. 27th – 30th date never decided for post xmas Extended South Family Christmas Party
19. Dec. 31st – Friday New Years Eve Party at Maura's

19, somehow I committed myself to be involved in 19 social activities. I sometimes think I'm a hermit. Times like this remind me that I'm not. I LOVED all of the stuff I went to. With cancelations the schedule ended up like this:

1. Nov. 25 – Thursday - Thanksgiving
NOT 2. Dec. 1st – Wednesday - President's Christmas Party too tired, skipped it (1)
3. Dec. 1st – Wednesday - Lunch with the Girls
NOT 4. Dec. 8th – Wednesday - Xmas Potluck at Work came down with flu, skipped it (2)
SORTA 5. Dec. 10th – Friday - Cookie Exchange at Work still sick, sent a proxy (Shanna)
SORTA 6. Dec. 11th – Saturday - Salt Lake City to visit Mom, Rebecca, Jessica, Doug & Rachel - Didn't want to expose Rachel to my illness, mom came to visit instead.
7. Dec. 13th – Monday - Lunch at Remo's with Reference Crew
8. Dec. 15th – Wednesday - Holiday Party at Sandi's
9. Dec. 17th – Friday - John & Bill Arrive - Dinner Out with Friends
10. Dec. 18th – Saturday - Prep for Solstice party, Clan Dinner
11. Dec. 19th – Sunday - Solstice Party
12. Dec. 20th – Monday - Shanna Birthday
13. Dec. 23rd – Thursday - Christmas Eve Eve party in Utah
NOT 14. Dec. 24th – Friday - Christmas eve with family Rebecca & Hannah visiting (3)
NOT 15. Dec. 25th – Saturday - Christmas with family Rebecca & Hannah visiting(4)
16. Dec. 26th – Sunday - Breakfast with Annie
17. Dec. 29th - Wednesday - Visit from Sarah & Lance
NOT 18. Dec. 27th – 30th date never decided for post xmas Extended South Family Christmas Party (5)
19. Dec. 31st – Friday New Years Eve Party at Maura's

Meaning I skipped out or had canceled five and sent a proxy to one leaving me with 13 marvelous, entertaining, fun get-togethers this past holiday season.

Thanksgiving



(Image from: http://www.cupcakestocarrotsticks.com/2010/11/i-survived-one-thanksgiving.html)

Menu
APPETIZERS
• Devilled Eggs
• Crudités
• Cheese Balls with Crackers - H & D

MAIN DINNER
• Turkey
• Mashed Potatoes
• Gravy
• Candied Yams
• Dressing
• Corn with Butter - oops forgot to buy
• Cranberry sauce - H & D
• Rolls - Geraldines - oops forgot to pick up or bake the substitute
• Butter
• Salt & Pepper

BEVERAGES
• Spiced Apple Cider
• White & Red Wines
• Water
• Coffee

DESSERT
• Cheesecake - purchased
• Banana Cream Pie - purchased
• Pumpkin Mousse - H & D

Gingerbread Houses

Nick's traditional/realistic house

It was entertaining to have all three of us begin with the same kit box house. We ended up with three very different houses. On Thanksgiving day we were lucky to get the walls up, it took us a couple more days to finish them.

Heather & Duo came for the gingerbread house raising and appetizers. They found a train kit that had premade frosting that was ready in its own piping bag. Now that was awesome cheating.  We watched cooking and house shows and then 'How to Train Your Dragon' and 'The Incredibles'.  Terry and Robin came for dinner and afterwards we watched 'Up!', the two short movies on Up! and 'Boneknapper Dragon'. It was an animation extravaganza.

Shanna's Viking/How to Train Your Dragon inspired Swedish Fish house

I had dinner prep interruptus. I was going to baste the turkey for the first time and got a severe steam burn when peeling back the foil. I ended up with second degree burns. And while we're on it, that dang turkey was quite the trial. First I wanted to brine it. I've never tried it before but it's all the rage right now, so why not. I made the brine on Monday and left it to cool on the stove. I remembered it the Tuesday morning and had to chuck it out. You do not cook with chicken broth that's been left out overnight. Then I needed to figure out how long to cook it the way I normally do. So I took the weight on the package and did the math. Good thing Nick figured out the weight was in kilograms not pounds and redid my conversion. Now I felt I was in a hurry, eep. Instead of using my tried and true Betty Crocker for the timing, I used the Joy of Cooking. It suggested to preheat the oven to 450 degrees then turn it down when you put the turkey in. I put the turkey in and forgot the turning down part for 30 minutes. I'm really glad I remembered at all. So the Turkey was finished about two hours before dinner was on. Nick is the hero of the day. We turned down the heat and he basted it every 15 minutes till dinner was ready to be served.

My Cinnamon Bear Fantasy Cottage

The burn on my hand gave me the opportunity to do two new things. One, let go of the control of the dinner. I continued to help as best I could with a cold pack on my hand, but everyone else had to do the cooking. Nick, Shanna and Heather pretty much finished the dinner, set the table, and served the food. The second one was to cry in front of people without freaking out. I was in real pain for about 8 hours even using the prescription burn ointment, cold packs and pain killers. I was also no longer in control of my dinner and it just kinda messed with me. I do not cry in front of people. It seems like a sign of weakness. I also feel that I'll be mocked or perceived as weak and or that it will be used against me. It's one more symptom of my inability to trust people. I seem to have a huge need to keep who and what I am and what I feel a secret in order to prevent mocking/shaming/dismissing. Well Thanksgiving 2010 seems like it was a breakthrough.

Friday was a day of rest for me if not for Nick who was the hero again cleaning up the kitchen, doing the dishes etc...

Journal Entry - Preparing For The Holidays

Weekend before Thanksgiving:

With some 13-19 social engagements for the holiday season, and being the control freak I am, we started our preparations early. It took all three of us but we managed to make and freeze a bunch of stuff ...

Nov 20 - Saturday
• Huckleberry Muffins (36)
• Butterscotch Banana Bread (26 mini loaves)
• Meatballs(40 some)

Nov 21 – Sunday
• 1 (foil) big lasagna
• 2 (foil) cake pan lasagnes
• 6 (foil) bread pan lasagnes (1 noodle wide)
• 1 (glass) big lasagna (had to add prego)
• 1 (glass) sml alfredo lasagna with broccoli, cauliflower & tortellini. Serve with grilled chicken.

Unfortunately I still want to get a bunch of cookies, biscotti, truffles and other candy premade.

Cheating...Sometimes it's good to know when you don't want to or perhaps don't
have the energy to do everything yourself. I broke my toe three weeks earlier so I wasn't feeling all that capable. Our sweet real estate agent sent us a letter gifting us with free rolls from a local bakery. Our persistent auto dealer sent us a letter gifting us with a free turkey if we test drove a vehicle. Instead of making our gingerbread houses from scratch we bought kits. And for dessert I purchased frozen cheesecake and banana cream pie.


The turkey operation was fun. We went on a very snowy day to the dealer and test drove a Toyota Highlander. It was awesome! I'd really love to have one, but can't afford it at this time.

The rolls became a comedy of errors. Hubby got them reserved then we forgot to pick them up. So late Weds night he was running errands and picked up Pillsbury crescent rolls, which I forgot to bake. First Thanksgiving in a long time without rolls of any kind.

The cheesecake was lovely with huckleberry jam (from the Idaho store) as a topping.

Heavy duty paper plates and glasses were the final, lifesaving, cheat.

Cheating. Definitely going to try it again next year.

(Images, I have no idea where I got any of these on this blogpost... Sorry)

 

Journal Entry - ILA Business Mtg in Boise

ILA BOARD MEETING - NOVEMBER 14 -16

As the Academic Chair for the Idaho Library Association, I went to Boise for a meeting in mid November. I left on Sunday the 14th, driving my little red car. I listened to Janet Evanovich's book 'Hot Six' (Stephanie Plum). I didn't stop till Mountain Home when necessity overwhelmed me. I ate a late lunch there at the truck stop, chicken and potatoes. Later I got to the hotel (Safari Inn http://www.safariinndowntown.com/). My foot was a problem and I was happy they had an elevator, I was not happy with the five stairs up to the elevator. Ack. After settling in I drove off looking for a grocery store where I could pick up cheese and grapes for a late snack/dinner. I then returned to the hotel and continued reading: 'One Hex of a Wedding' (Chintz 'n China, Book 5) by Yasmine Galenorn.



The meeting began at 8:00 a.m. in the hotel. A box lunch was provided so we worked on through the afternoon, finishing around 4:00. It was quite interesting, lots of conversation about the next conference, budgets, strategic plans, and subcommittees.



Phil and I arranged to meet up at 5:00 to do a little shopping - Cost Plus (Where I bought a bottle of wine for Nick) and Barnes and Noble (Where I got the Transiberian Orchestra Xmas album). Then to Bar Gernica http://bargernika.com/ for Basque food dinner. MMMMMMmmmmmm Potato/egg tortilla, which was more like a quiche for appetizers, then croquettes and other stuff for dinner. I can't remember all of what I ate, just that it was scrumptious.

On the drive home, I had planned to listen to another novel, but instead found myself thinking and listening to music. I LOVE driving. My brain always feels more relaxed after it has had that kind of time to ponder.

I did not take any of these photos but found them on various sites.

Journal Entry Oct 31-Nov 4

PUMPKIN TOSS & HALLOWEEN PARTY - OCTOBER 31



The ISU physics department sponsored a competition Pumpkin Chuck. Shanna and I went and had an awesome time. The trebuchet's launched pumpkins near, far and even in the wrong direction.



Heather, Duo came over later and we hung out and watched movies and feasted on candy (candy corn, mini chocolate bars...) and popcorn (cheese & caramel). We only had two kids stop by for trick or treating.

Movie List
Hocus Pocus
John Carpenter's Vampires
Van Helsing
Van Helsing Cartoon



BIRTHDAY - NOVEMBER 1
As fall roared in I made another change to my bedroom. I had fallen in love with the autumn jewel tone picture of a pair of tango dancers. I left it at the store cause I just didn't want to be spending the money. It was still there when we went back a week or so later. I bought it. It went well with the rich reds and golds I had as my regular bedding. Still, I was hoping to add another level of panache to my winter bed. I went shopping in Idaho Falls, looking for something in a jewel toned orange or amber. Kohls had a great set but it was over $500, TJMAXX had nothing, Ross had nothing, Bed Bath and Beyond was strike three. I had wondered about Target and there is where we found an amber velvet bedspread with pillow shams. It was fine. I brought it home and it turned out to be perfect. I swapped out the green palm leaf art for my autumn leaf painting in my yoga room. This was another perfect fit as the palm leaves echoed the palm tree (fake) already in the room. Now if I can just figure out how to get rid of a few more clothes, or shoes, or bags, or ...



THE TOE - NOVEMBER 4
Sometime in the middle of the night on the 2nd of November I had to get up. On my way back to the bed, fate decided to lend a hand and between me being groggy and the dog and a piece of furniture I bashed my little toe really hard. Apparently I broke it. I never did go to the doctor cause there's nothing they can do for you except tell you to stay off it. Friends encouraged me to tape it to my other toe but that was excruciating. My little toe doesn't move much when left alone.

For the first few weeks the weather was lovely and I was able to wear sandals to work. Then winter came in with a blizzard. Luckily my snow boots are large through the toebox. I wore them for the next couple of weeks. At week six I finally was able to wear boxy shoes. At week seven the tendon/muscle/ligament I damaged settled down enough to wear regular shoes, and by week eight I finally put my workout shoes back on.

I really appreciate being able to walk without pain and to be able to wear shoes. (dec 28, 2010)

Journal Entry - Reading

Most of October was spent recovering from September and reading. I spent a lot of time on the sofa reading and reading and reading.

I started binge reading on September 15th ...

1. Pawn of Prophecy (1982) by David Eddings
2. Queen of Sorcery (1982) by David Eddings
3. Magician's Gambit (1983) by David Eddings
4. Castle of Wizardry (1984) by David Eddings
5. Enchanters' End Game (1984) by David Eddings
6. Guardians of the West (1987) by David Eddings
7. King of the Murgos (1988) by David Eddings
8. Demon Lord of Karanda (1988) by David Eddings
9. Sorceress of Darshiva (1989) by David Eddings
10. The Seeress of Kell (1991) by David Eddings
11. The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt
12. A Charmed Death by Madelyn Alt
13. Hex Marks the Spot by Madelyn Alt
14. One for the Money (Stephanie Plum, No. 1) by Janet Evanovich (on cd)
15. Two for the Dough (Stephanie Plum) by Janet Evanovich (on cd)
16. Three to Get Deadly (Stephanie Plum) by Janet Evanovich (off audible)
17. Four to Score (Stephanie Plum) by Janet Evanovich (off audible)
18. High Five (Stephanie Plum, No. 5) by Janet Evanovich (off audible)
19. Witchling (Sisters of the Moon, Book 1) by Yasmine Galenorn
20. Changeling (Sisters of the Moon, Book 2) by Yasmine Galenorn
21. Darkling (Sisters of the Moon, Book 3) by Yasmine Galenorn
22. Dragon Wytch (Sisters of the Moon, Book 4) by Yasmine Galenorn
23. Night Huntress (Sisters of the Moon, Book 5) by Yasmine Galenorn
24. Demon Mistress (Sisters of the Moon, Book 6) by Yasmine Galenorn
25. Bone Magic (Sisters of the Moon, Book 7) by Yasmine Galenorn
26. Dead Witch Walking (Hollows, Book 1) by Kim Harrison
27. The Good, The Bad and The Undead (Hollows, Book 2) by Kim Harrison
28. Every Which Way But Dead (Hollows, Book 3) by Kim Harrison
29. Fistful of Charms (Hollows, Book 4) by Kim Harrison
30. Where There's a Witch by Madelyn Alt
31. No Rest for the Wiccan by Madelyn Alt
32. Ghost of a Chance (Chintz 'n China, Book 1) by Yasmine Galenorn
33. Legend of the Jade Dragon (Chintz 'n China, Book 2) by Yasmine Galenorn
34. Murder Under a Mystic Moon (Chintz 'n China, Book 3) by Yasmine Galenorn
35. A Harvest of Bones (Chintz 'n China, Book 4) by Yasmine Galenorn
36. The Seventh Witch (Ophelia & Abby Mystery) by Shirley Damsgaard
37. For a Few Demons More (Hollows, Book 5) by Kim Harrison
38. The Outlaw Demon Wails (Hollows, Book 6) by Kim Harrison

I continued to read in November and December but the real binge happened in October. 38 books in about 6 weeks equals a little less than a book a day. Yeah, I know, there's a twelve step program for this.

ILA Conference - Oct

IDAHO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE - OCT 5-10


Image - view from my balcony

Back to Coeur d'Alene... This is my second trip up in two weeks. Eep. At least this time I was more ready for the long drive. Shanna and I went to the public library the night before I left and found the first two Stephanie Plum novels: One for the Money (Stephanie Plum, No. 1) by Janet Evanovich and Two for the Dough (Stephanie Plum) by Janet Evanovich and a couple of Louis L'Amour. I listened to both Evanovich books on the way up. They were AWESOME! I then called Nick and used our Audible account to buy and download the next three for the way home. I also went out and bought a small iPod shuffle at Walmart. My own MP3 player, though enormous in space, does not have compatible software to use Audible books. :( While there I also read The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt, A Charmed Death by Madelyn Alt, and Hex Marks the Spot by Madelyn Alt. In other words, the reading binge continued...






There is quite a contrast between Alt's and Evanovich's writing styles. Evanovitch grabs you and yanks you along for a screaming rollercoaster ride. Alt's are slower, more of a cozy mystery where, while things are not all love and light, they tend to be more descriptive.

The conference was held in the small town of Post Falls ID. I arranged for a room with a view off the hotel main site. The conference rate was more expensive and the rooms were less good. I LOVED the room. I had a mini balcony and a view of the big river and it was awesome to sit there and look out. I brought my binoculars in and was able to watch a bald eagle eating a breakfast of fish one morning.

Image from http://www.skolaiimages.com/stock/displayimage.php?album=51&pos=37, not one of mine. I would have needed a telephoto lens to get a picture of the one outside my balcony.

I got there a day early in order to be ready to do my preconference session. It went well and we had a lot of fun although there were only 4 people in my session. I brought a box of handouts from my Learn Something Quick web 2.0 workshops and allowed them to take what they wanted. Unfortunately, I also brought too many mini candy bars. I think I will stop trying to bring treats to this kind of activity.

Image is not mine, but from Trip Advisor

For dinner I went with Cathy Gray and another colleague to the nearby mideastern restaurant 'The Whitehouse Grill' http://whitehousegrill.com/white-house-grill. The food was fine, though not as good as what Nick & I can do. I think the big problem was that I wasn't in the mood for it and really wanted something simpler. I also ordered poorly, hoping for something that wasn't there. Still, the company was good and it was entertaining. They dropped me back at the hotel and then trundled off to the reception. After a 4 hour stint of teaching, all I really wanted was my book and my bed.

I attended sessions the following day. For more details see my other blog Library Banter

I skipped out of the lunch Thurs, in the past year I discovered that I get canker sores in my mouth from grilled bread products from restaurants. Since this was a big part of what they were serving, I gave the mediocre convention center food a pass. Instead I braved the rain and found a marvelous little Mexican restaurant 'La Cocina' they had some of the best food I ate that week. I also took the time to find the Walmart and buy the iPod.

Friday I once again skipped their lunch. Heading to a diner 'The Corner Cafe' I had spotted earlier. It serves breakfast and lunch only. I used to order a lot of grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. Now I order a lot of fried eggs and hashbrowns... I stopped briefly at the nearby bookstore and then headed back to the conference.

More sessions were attended, see Library Banter http://librarybanter.blogspot.com/ for details.

I went to the for dinner and had a terrific steak. Then back to the hotel for more reading. In the morning we had the ILA business meeting. It was surprisingly short. I had reserved the hotel room for Sat night because I didn't want to be driving back after a long meeting. Oh well.



Since I suddenly had free time I drove into Coeur d'Alene and visited their public library. Or rather, I tried to, it didn't open for an hour or so. I went over to a bagel place and ordered, what I thought was a simple cheese bagel. What I got was a fiery hot jalapeno and cheese bagel. EEP. I didn't eat much of it, but I did enjoy the super hot mint tea. Then back over to tour the library. It's new and very lovely. My favorite part was the sculptural books on the stairs. I stopped for lunch late at the Breakfast Nook just before it closed for the day for another meal of eggs and hashbrowns. Then on back to Post Falls. I toured their library. My favorite thing here was the animal sculptural posts and walls. For more on the libraries see my Library Banter Blog.



For dinner I wanted something light so I stopped at Rosa's Italian Market & Deli. Nothing appealed so I left before being too noticeable. I ended up doing cheese, bread, and grapes for dinner. That evening I downloaded book 'Three to Get Deadly' (Stephanie Plum) by Janet Evanovich off audible. And readied my plan for the next day. I couldn't seem to get more than one book to function on the iPod so I needed to plan out stops every three hours. Hooray, McDonalds has Wifi.

Not my image

I left early so that I'd still be able to breakfast by the time I reached Missoula. I stopped at McD's, had breakfast and switched to the next book, 'Four to Score.' I also stopped at the Book Exchange on Brooks street and bought another pile of used/new books for Shanna and I. Next stop Dillon and another McD's for lunch. I had to sit in the parking lot to finish the last book. I then went in and switched to 'High Five.' When I went back to the car I turned it on and realized that the Low Fuel light was flashing. I had completely forgotten to watch my fuel gage. I drove/coasted across the parking lot and filled the car. I'm really grateful that it gets such great gas mileage, or I would have been stranded somewhere in nowhere Montana. I made it home just as the last book finished, very awesome.

Bowling Green Ohio

BOWLING GREEN 15th - 19th



Kay invited me out to speak to the librarians at her new job. She's the Dean of Bowling Green State University (BGSU). The idea was for me to present on my sabbatical and inspire them to go out and find new ways of doing things. On Weds September 15th I drove down to SLC to stay with Jessica. I had a lovely visit with Jessica, Doug and little Rachel. Rachel is sooo adorable. She's learning sign language and was signing and speaking. In the morning the girls drove me to the airport and I was off. Kay picked me up at the Detroit airport, which is freaking huge. It was quite the walk just to get out of there. We chatted and she drove us South towards Bowling Green. We stopped in another nearby town for some great Italian food. Next was a stop at a nearby Walmart for candy, pens, post-it notes and poster board, all things I needed for the presentations but didn't want to bring on the plane. Then she dropped me at my hotel (Holiday Inn Express) which was immaculately clean and pristine.



In the morning she picked me up and we drove to the library. The first session was packed with people. And it was FUN. I know that librarians are the most fun to be around, but it's always a mild surprise at how interactive, curious and fun they can be. I LOVE my peoples. Lunch was on campus at a great little place that had a flashmob dance thingy nearby. Kay had invited most of her key people and the conversation was great. Then came session two, and surprise, more great people attended. I think I learn as much as they do. Afterwards I crashed. Kay drove me back to the hotel so I could nap. Later she picked me up with her sister Karen and we went to dinner. We had planned on going to a local diner (Easy Street Cafe), but it was packed with football fans visiting for the big home game. Next door was a soup/salad place (Panera Bread Cafe) that served great food, and wasn't over-run by nostalgia fans.



Saturday and Sunday blend together now. I know we went to the Schedel Arboretum & Gardens which were AWESOME!! See photo set on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157625368778079/



And we toured the library extensively, see photo set on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157625368619369/ and blog posts on Library Banter http://librarybanter.blogspot.com/. We shopped for miscellaneous stuff at Home Depot, worked on unpacking clothes, talked, laughed, and generally had a great time.



Saturday night we finally got to have that dinner at the diner. Karen arrived Friday night then took of Saturday morning to take her loom to Michigan for repairs. She got back in time for dinner with us that evening. She and Kay are quite the pair. They remind me of me and any number of sisters.



We had another nice drive back to Detroit then I had the long plane ride to SLC. When I got there, Rebecca and Kristi Red Hair picked me up and drove me to Jessica's to get my car. The plan was for me to spend the night with R. Unfortunately I just wanted to be home. And the SLC valley was filled with smoke from a huge fire. See: http://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/local/Utah-fire-burns-hundreds-of-acres-threatens-homes-103260174.html It burned hundreds of acres and two homes. So I sang and drove and stopped and drove and got home in time to crash into bed.

(Written Dec 2010)

Journal Entry - Fair & TV

EASTERN IDAHO STATE FAIR



Nick came to visit and we took a morning and went to the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot. I made us leave super early so that we'd be there when they opened. I wanted to watch the Stock Dog Competitions again. They are so awesome. First the dogs herded sheep around then they herded cattle. The cows were much more frisky and argumentative than the sheep. One cow did a bunch of dog chasing. Behind the bleachers the dock dog people were set up and testing. Nothing like launching a dog out across the water... Those dogs really could move. We looked at travel trailers and horses.



I fell in LOVE with the Norwegian Fjord horse http://www.nfhr.com/catalog/index.php. I want one so badly. We ate bad fair food and looked at lots of stuff. I ended up having to buy a hat because the sun was more fierce than I was. It was fun to hang out and enjoy each other. We headed home in the early afternoon, worn out but happy.

Image from: http://www.zazzle.com/norwegian_fjord_power_house_card-137184665408827815

For more images from the state fair see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157625368901137/with/5218756622/

CLEANING THE CARPETS


We should have a rule. After the carpets are cleaned, I'm not allowed back into the house till all the furniture is back in place. Last time we cleaned it all out and had the carpets done I wouldn't let the sofas back in. This time, it was the TV. Shanna and I had been cleaning out and cleaning up all summer. We had removed plants and a bookcase and knick knacks and I knew that if I replaced my big square of a tv with a flat screen I could clean it up even more. Well, seeing it all empty I just couldn't take it. AND worse still, I had the money in my checking account. I went around and around with myself but ended up buying one from Walmart, the biggest and best I could afford. It is AWESOME. (Sanyo 46" LCD 1080p) I'm calling it my birthday present. Nick studiously avoided giving an opinion on the whole thing. I finally asked him if he thought it was a good decision or not and he admitted that he wanted one badly and did not want to influence my thinking too much. :) I love him.

(Written Dec 2010)