For the First Time In Forever.....A Disneyland reopening TR, Dark Ride photos and The End 5/8

[pkondz]

Don't have time to read, let alone comment right now, but...
Merry Christmas, Alison (and Fran!)

 

[franandaj]

Doing a read n run, but wow that cornering the cat story!

Yeah, that was tense few minutes. Michael got there at 9AM and I was just wrapping up feeding the other cats. We were in that guest room until 9:30 before we could declare victory!

 

[franandaj]

Don't have time to read, let alone comment right now, but...
Merry Christmas, Alison (and Fran!)

Well I'm glad to see that I haven't lost all my readers!

Merry Christmas to you too!

 

[Steppesister]

I super miss DLR at Halloween time. It's so far superior to WDW IMHO with the HM overlay and Carsland. Someday, I'll make it back there.

Sounds like quite the travel adventure! That traffic is an absolute nightmare! But, glad you're getting some downtime; enjoy the time away from the daily grind! Merry Christmas, you two!

 

[franandaj]

I super miss DLR at Halloween time. It's so far superior to WDW IMHO with the HM overlay and Carsland. Someday, I'll make it back there.

I didn't get out there for Halloween festivities as much as I would have liked! I think I might consider attending an Oogie Boogie Bash next year, sounds like a lot of fun!

Sounds like quite the travel adventure! That traffic is an absolute nightmare! But, glad you're getting some downtime; enjoy the time away from the daily grind! Merry Christmas, you two!

I'm hoping the drive home tomorrow is a lot less painful.

 

[pkondz]

Hey folks! Remember me? Who hasn’t posted an update in over a month!

Hmm... I'm not sure.... Allie, something? Alicia? I'll figure it out eventually.

So I have to apologize for another absence. Life has just become so hectic.

That's okay. I totally get the hectic part. Today's the first chance I've had to read and comment since you posted.
(I do occasionally get some time on a break at work, but I can't see your photos at work. Nor Liesa's... nor mine!)

I have three more after this one, until we go back, the day after we drive home, and then there will be a fourth one….

The Christmas crazies on our eBay stores

Oh! Yeah, I guess that would be the case.

Bear with me

skip the text in green and in red.

Nope! It's too festive.

We’ve taken two on a journey from South LA to Hemet to folks who adopt out cats.

Sounds like you've adopted cats out there before... to the same folks?

So I wasn’t surprised when she volunteered us to transport a cat from Downey (not too far from us) to Sacramento. We wouldn’t drive all the way to Sacramento, but the lady taking the cat would meet us at my mother’s place in San Jose.

I Googled that. Long way to go!

Now I believe it was on this thread when I mentioned Clancy to you folks.

I think so? I do know the story, but not 100% if it was this thread.

He may have been using the litter box in the bathroom and tried to get away and ended up getting stuck in the shower.

Oh dear.

I tried to give him some treats and when I dropped them in front of him he ABSOLUTELY freaked out. He started hissing and running around like a wild animal. Bouncing off the walls, and getting himself trapped in the corner of an open door, he finally ran into the laundry room and tried to climb the closed door. He crawled up the walls and eventually landed behind the washing machine.

Holy crap!

when Michael and I got in his room (wearing long sleeves, him a leather jacket, and thick gloves) there was no sign that the cat had been drugged.

Oh, no...

At one point he climbed the walls and I was fearing for my Disney artwork because he knocked two different pictures off kilter and clawed the frames trying to get away from Michael.

Michael was able to grab him and I had the carrier ready but he wiggled out of Michael’s hand as he tried to get him across the room.

Yikes. You guys must've been plenty scared that he'd claw up your legs.

Have you tried a blanket? I've caught both cats and squirrels that way with no damage to either myself or the animal.

Until we hit Frazier Park. I know most of you don’t know where that is

Googled that too. About an hour and a half north of you (barring traffic.)

This is what it looked like getting off at the off ramp where we exited.

Ugh! Nope!!

and people were still driving like there were normal conditions.

Well... it depends.
Weather that would have you holed up and shivering with fright wouldn't even slow me down. (Talking snow, not rain, but you get the idea.)
Some people are more comfortable than others in poor conditions.

Also... some people are stupider.

We gave her a wad of cash, the carrier and the towels and finally our problem was solved.

Phew!
Nice of you to do that, by the way. All of that.

Just a note, she is someone crazier than us! She has 32 cats in her house. All Feral. She has a wing for the ones who are FIV positive. This woman is a saint!

A few other folks are going to be there at the same time and now we have a bunch of plans together for the last portion of the trip.

Hey! That's great! Sounds like you'll have a wonderful time.

Fran and I will be celebrating 25 years together with a swanky dinner and some of our closest friends!

25 years already.
Congratulations to you both! (in advance.)

A week later, Su-Lynn (chunkymonkey) and her hubby came to town. I met up with them on their second day at the parks.

Nice! I haven't met Steve, but Su-Lynn is really nice.

This is one of the random things on the wall in there.

Um... what?

And Peter Parker preparing you for your tour of the facility.

Cool! Didn't know about that.
Of course, I don't know about most of the ride.

Steve kicked butt on the ride and later he shared with me some of the "tricks" he used. I’ve been on it a couple times since then, and his advice was, “Don’t shoot the Red Spiders who are the lowest score, try for anything and everything else.” I’ve blown up some really cool stuff since then and unlocked some neat effects. I can’t wait to try it again next month!

Good tip. I'll have to remember that if/when.

Su-Lynn wanted to do some shopping and she doesn't like that ride at all.

Doesn't. Like. The. Ride.........

I realized I need to rewatch all the Marvel movies again!

Oh, that won't take any time at all.

And we finally finished with The Falcon and the Winter Solidier and Loki.

Haven't seen either, although I think I'll start Loki soon.

Now we need to catch up on the New Boba Fett series (even though that isn’t Marvel.)

I think that hasn't started yet? Soon? I think?

I got the X-Periment. Patrón Silver Tequila, with Mango and Habanero Syrups, and Mango Flavor-filled Boba. I was a little concerned about the Habanero syrup and it was a tad bit spicy but not too much. I was able to finish it.

I'd try that. Don't know if I'd like it, but... I'd give it a try.

She ordered the PB3 Superb Sandwich. warm PB&J with Banana and Candied Bacon on Pym Particle Bread, served with Micro Banana Smoothie and crispy Potato Bites.

Sounds interesting. I'd try it, despite your feelings on it. What did Su-Lynn think?

And the Quantam Pretzel. 453.8 grams, Bavarian-style, with Sharp Cheddar Cheese-Beer Sauce

mmmm... yes please!

I thought the PB&J was gross

Too bad. Do you normally like PB&J?

Oh, noooooooooooo...

Then we tried to ride Radiator Spring Racers but it was down.

Well, shoot.

I did get a few snaps of the holiday decorations.

Those are cool! I'd like to see them in person some day.

we went over to Disneyland to ride HM with the NBC overlay.

<sigh>
Someday.....

I did one last ride with them on Buzz and I got my best score ever!

Good for you!

It may have had something to do with getting stuck in front of a 10,000 point target for about 3-5 minutes where I could continually point and shoot at it.

That's cheating!

Cute top.

 

[pkondz]

Well I'm glad to see that I haven't lost all my readers!

Never.

 

[franandaj]

Hmm... I'm not sure.... Allie, something? Alicia? I'll figure it out eventually.

"What's her name?" Works just fine as well.

That's okay. I totally get the hectic part. Today's the first chance I've had to read and comment since you posted.
(I do occasionally get some time on a break at work, but I can't see your photos at work. Nor Liesa's... nor mine!)

Well from the employers standpoint that probably means you can't look at porn either. Been there done that.

Well you'll be relieved to know we had to cancel our Disney plans today case there was full of rain predicted for today.

Oh! Yeah, I guess that would be the case.

Yes it was quite hectic up until the day that they said packages wouldn't arrive before Christmas.

Nope! It's too festive.

Well, thanks!

Sounds like you've adopted cats out there before... to the same folks?

Well no, those were the same ones I mentioned earlier, they were just for emphasis.

I Googled that. Long way to go!

Well we weren't going all the way to Sacramento, but San Jose was pretty close.

I think so? I do know the story, but not 100% if it was this thread.

I checked. It was this thread.

Oh dear.
Holy crap!

Yes. All of that.

Oh, no...

Yikes. You guys must've been plenty scared that he'd claw up your legs.

Have you tried a blanket? I've caught both cats and squirrels that way with no damage to either myself or the animal.

We never worried about him clawing our legs. He mostly wanted to get away from us. I'm not sure that we could have used a blanket as there were no areas that we could have thrown it on him. There were too many little hiding places in the room.

Googled that too. About an hour and a half north of you (barring traffic.)

I usually figure two hours until we reach the bottom of the Grapevine if not more (because of traffic). That's when we generally switch drivers, and I drive the flat part, but that didn't happen this time.

Ugh! Nope!!

Well I think we did save some time by taking the frontage road, but really there is only one way down that mountain. We got back on the freeway a few miles later and it still took us forever to get down to the Valley floor.

Well... it depends.
Weather that would have you holed up and shivering with fright wouldn't even slow me down. (Talking snow, not rain, but you get the idea.)
Some people are more comfortable than others in poor conditions.

Also... some people are stupider.

Well there is no situation where it is safe to drive 80 miles an hour in torrential rain.

Phew!
Nice of you to do that, by the way. All of that.

Well considering that she had to get him spayed and all,, it was the least we could do.

Hey! That's great! Sounds like you'll have a wonderful time.

I hope so, as long as no one gets covid....☹

25 years already.
Congratulations to you both! (in advance.)

Thank you! It's coming up really soon!

Nice! I haven't met Steve, but Su-Lynn is really nice.

He's very nice, and super knowledgeable about Marvel lore. He had lots to offer that I didn't realize.

Um... what?

OK what d I you mean by "um...wat?"

Cool! Didn't know about that.
Of course, I don't know about most of the ride.

It's a cool rde!

Good tip. I'll have to remember that if/when.

You need to come out!

Doesn't. Like. The. Ride.........

I know a lot of folks who don't like ToT/GotG

Oh, that won't take any time at all.

We started rewatching them in July 2020 and finished about a year laterish.

Haven't seen either, although I think I'll start Loki soon.

It's good!

I think that hasn't started yet? Soon? I think?

I saw something that it's available today.

I'd try that. Don't know if I'd like it, but... I'd give it a try.

It's worth a try......

Sounds interesting. I'd try it, despite your feelings on it. What did Su-Lynn think?

She liked it ate it all.

mmmm... yes please!

This was good.

Too bad. Do you normally like PB&J?

No I don't, and with banana and bacon. That makes is sounds even wose!

Oh, noooooooooooo...

<sigh>
Someday.....

They are letting Canadians back in....and for now you don't have to quarantine when you get back.

Good for you!

That's cheating!

Cute top.

Thanks!

Never.

 

[franandaj]

Halloween at the DLR. This isn't one particular trip to Disneyland but various pictures taken over the course of my trips to DL last fall. I decided that it was better to group all the Halloween pics into one post as opposed to trying to describe the individual visits, since some days I only took a few snaps.

I love the Pumpkin Characters greeting you at the turnstiles.



And the train station with its Fall colors.



Oh looky! There’s Goofy in his skeleton costume on the steps of the train station!





And the Giant pumpkin at the end of Main Street.



Let’s stroll down Main Street with all the Happy Halloween decorations!



And look over here, there’s a Mrs. Potts pumpkin!



Even if it’s not decorated for Halloween, we’ve got to have an obligatory Castle shot!



Jack and Sally even came out to play on this fine day!



Though we didn’t attend any Oogie Boogie bashes this year, we did happen to be in DCA when folks began to arrive all dressed up. Here were some of the more imaginative costumes that we saw. But first the man himself Oogie Boogie!



I thought this one was cute



Fran liked this one as it was something she could do in a scooter.



These two were super cute as well!



Obviously we couldn't go down the treat trails. I don't think they were even open while we were still in the park. But this was one of the markers for the treat trails. I'm really considering attending an Oogie Boogie bashes next year!



-------------------------------------------------------------------

On another day, we decided to have breakfast at Goofy`s Kitchen. It reopened mid August and Jenny and I were anxious to go, just because! It was a very early breakfast hence the cold weather clothing! It was probably in the low 50s that day, so not cold for most of you, but it was for us!









We were seated at a table quite near to the buffet.



That entire curved counter you see there in the foreground is all desserts!



I have no idea what this was and I didn't think to catch the sign in my pictures! I think it was Mickey shaped polenta.



The menu is super kid friendly with Mac n cheese with eggs and chicken nuggets.



One of Goofy's Kitchen's signature items is the PB&J Pizza. This isn't that one, but they also had breakfast pizza and cheese pizza.



But I was in search of more traditional breakfast fare, and Mickey waffles. Especially Mickey waffles.



The characters would come out every 20 minutes or so. I didn't get a lot of good pictures of them unless they came into our area. That wall behind Chip extended in a circle and encompassed our table. The characters mostly paraded on the main path, which was on the other side of the wall. Those pictures didn't come out as good since the characters feet or lower torsos we obscured by the wall.



I'm pretty sure that I missed taking a shot of several of my plates because fruit is usually the last course. I know I had a plate of desserts, and I think I had another plate of breakfast type foods. But this is the only photo evidence I have.



Pluto also came by our table for an extended visit. Jenny took a selfie.





Next up Festival of the holidays!

 

[traceyg]

I know Los Al! I'm not sure why TX likes to suck people in, but I know a lot of people who have moved there and never come back!

We moved between my 8th grade and Freshman year- talk about homesick, terrible timing and culture shock! I was one unhappy and miserable teen.

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope that you are recovered!
In March I will officially be cured, however my oncologist keeps a close eye on me like forever. I guess the tons of chemo can cause other cancers to pop up later. I’ve gotten at least 4,75 good years ahead of where I was so life is good! Every day is a blessing!

Well at least he has granted you DVC membership. I think that's one of the best things I've ever bought!
Me too! It’s horrible to have to use my points, sigh.


Not familiar with the movie, but I get the concept.
The wife (I can’t remember her name) has a dream of making furniture so she creates these chairs. They keep getting bought up so she makes more. Towards the end of the movie she finds them stacked up in the barn. Turns out that John Travolta had been buying them secretly and thus supporting her dream.



I'm not a member, but from what I understand they are two different entities, you have to pay initiation and dues for locations on each coast to have access.
Note to self: unattainable bucket list item, member at all Clubs.


I have only had the privilege of dining at the original Club 33, but from what I understand all other locations have just appetizers and snacks, not full meals.

Well that’s a bummer. For the price, I want the whole package! I mean if I’m going to pursue this bucket list I cannot survive on bread alone!

I hope to post more! I hope things slow down a bit now that the holidays have arrived.
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

 

[pkondz]

"What's her name?" Works just fine as well.

So which is better. Being called "What'shername" or being called the wrong name???

Well from the employers standpoint that probably means you can't look at porn either. Been there done that.

Actually... that's exactly why one guy in my office got fired!
But there's another reason we can't see that. Well... maybe two?
One I won't go into, but the other is... maybe you can download a virus from a 3rd party? I'm not sure.

Well you'll be relieved to know we had to cancel our Disney plans today case there was full of rain predicted for today.

I'm not relieved! I'm sad you had to cancel.

Well no, those were the same ones I mentioned earlier, they were just for emphasis.

Ah. Okay.

We never worried about him clawing our legs. He mostly wanted to get away from us. I'm not sure that we could have used a blanket as there were no areas that we could have thrown it on him. There were too many little hiding places in the room.

Ya gotta be quick.

Well I think we did save some time by taking the frontage road, but really there is only one way down that mountain. We got back on the freeway a few miles later and it still took us forever to get down to the Valley floor.

Ugh. I think I'll stick with a bike down there. It was sooooo much quicker.

Well there is no situation where it is safe to drive 80 miles an hour in torrential rain.

Oh, no? None?

Well considering that she had to get him spayed and all,, it was the least we could do.

Still nice of you.

I hope so, as long as no one gets covid....☹

It's looking more like it's not "if" you'll catch covid... but "when".

He's very nice, and super knowledgeable about Marvel lore. He had lots to offer that I didn't realize.

Well all righty! I'll be prepared to be intimidated!

OK what d I you mean by "um...wat?"

Just no clue what it's referencing. I think maybe the design for the ride?

You need to come out!

Yes I do!!!

I know a lot of folks who don't like ToT/GotG

I noticed you said "folks" and not "friends"...

We started rewatching them in July 2020 and finished about a year laterish.

Wow! Impressive.

It's good!

It's on the list next. That and the Fett.
Right now I'm finally watching Squid Games.

I saw something that it's available today.

No I don't, and with banana and bacon. That makes is sounds even wose!

Ah. So...
1. You're already at a disadvantage.
2. You'd never survive with Mark's family.

They are letting Canadians back in....and for now you don't have to quarantine when you get back.

Yesss... sorta.

But for me to go, I'd have to drive 2 hours to Grand Forks (or 3 to Fargo) first. Because if I test positive outside the country, I can't get on a plane to come back. I can however, drive back. The other problem is my work. They are requiring that if you travel, you have to get management approval for an additional two weeks leave after your return. Not a huge problem, except in my office, we're short staffed so only one person can get away at a time. And if someone else has leave booked after yours... someone can't go.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Happy New Year!
Happy Anniversary!

 

[franandaj]

@traceyg

I'm not sure exactly how to quote your post as it is contained inside mine, but glad to have you onboard!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

So I have to apologize for another absence. Life has just become so hectic.

No apologies necessary! It's much easier to keep up with this way.

I tried to give him some treats and when I dropped them in front of him he ABSOLUTELY freaked out. He started hissing and running around like a wild animal. Bouncing off the walls, and getting himself trapped in the corner of an open door, he finally ran into the laundry room and tried to climb the closed door. He crawled up the walls and eventually landed behind the washing machine.

Holy cow. This kitty's a few fries short of a Happy Meal.

After that, we knew there was no way to catch him and put him in a crate. So we gave up and started seeking out rescue organizations to take him. None of them returned our emails.

"Feral cat? Uh...no speak-a de English!"

He was crazy nuts! First we took the mattress and put it straight up on it’s side. Then we moved the boxsprings (they were two splits under the King Size mattress.) Clancy kept moving around the room from hiding place to hiding place, hissing and swatting at Michael. At one point he climbed the walls and I was fearing for my Disney artwork because he knocked two different pictures off kilter and clawed the frames trying to get away from Michael. At one point he grabbed the moulding on the top of the window and hung there. Michael was able to grab him and I had the carrier ready but he wiggled out of Michael’s hand as he tried to get him across the room.

Good grief. This is quite the adventure! Hope nobody was hurt in the attempt!

I looked at Google directions that were telling me to get off the freeway and take a frontage road to save 1 hour 30 minutes.

This is what it looked like getting off at the off ramp where we exited.

Looks like Google was very wise.

And this wasn’t just some rain, this was torrential rain coming down hard. If you’ve driven the I5 in the Central Valley at night, there are no lights, there are barely any reflective thingies to show you where the lanes are, and people were still driving like there were normal conditions.

We've actually had some studies done suggesting the reflective pavement markers are not good in rain--they give drivers a false sense of confidence to drive faster than they should in bad conditions.

We ended up meeting the cat lady about halfway between my Mom’s and Sacramento, I mean she WAS taking this nutso cat! We gave her a wad of cash, the carrier and the towels and finally our problem was solved.

Thank goodness!

Just a note, she is someone crazier than us! She has 32 cats in her house. All Feral. She has a wing for the ones who are FIV positive. This woman is a saint!

I can't even imagine. I wouldn't want any part of that!

On another front my 60 day window recently opened for my WDW trip. I really wasn't feeling it, when the window hit. I didn't even get up at 3AM to make dining reservations. But over the next week, I somehow got my Disney fever again and made a bunch of reservations and other plans! A few other folks are going to be there at the same time and now we have a bunch of plans together for the last portion of the trip.

Sounds like fun! I haven't really been feeling Disney fever lately either with all of the price gouging going on.

Now I'm really looking forward to this trip! However, even before WDW I've got a trip to the Grand Californian with more friends from the DIS at the end of January. And before that Fran and I will be celebrating 25 years together with a swanky dinner and some of our closest friends! Lots of good times ahead!

Wow! Lots of good news on the horizon. And an early congratulations! In case I forget later.

Steve kicked butt on the ride and later he shared with me some of the "tricks" he used. I’ve been on it a couple times since then, and his advice was, “Don’t shoot the Red Spiders who are the lowest score, try for anything and everything else.” I’ve blown up some really cool stuff since then and unlocked some neat effects. I can’t wait to try it again next month!

Ooh, I'll have to look this up. Sounds cool.

Finally I got Elvis’ Burning Love, the last of the six songs, since the reopening.

Ah...the collection is now complete.

And we finally finished with The Falcon and the Winter Solidier and Loki. Now we need to catch up on the New Boba Fett series (even though that isn’t Marvel.)

And Hawkeye! That's the newest Marvel show.

I was a little concerned about the Habanero syrup and it was a tad bit spicy but not too much. I was able to finish it.

I don't think I'd enjoy a spicy drink.

I thought the PB&J was gross and ate mostly pretzel.

With the bananas in it, it sounds gross.

By this time park hopping hours opened up and we went over to Disneyland to ride HM with the NBC overlay.

NBC? Was Jimmy Fallon there? The Saturday Night Live cast?

After that I was starting to tire out, I did one last ride with them on Buzz and I got my best score ever! It may have had something to do with getting stuck in front of a 10,000 point target for about 3-5 minutes where I could continually point and shoot at it.

Hey, whatever works!

I’m sure that they stayed almost to the bitter end of the night!

That's how it's done.

 

[traceyg]

@traceyg

I'm not sure exactly how to quote your post as it is contained inside mine, but glad to have you onboard!

I posted from my phone and somehow it got all tangled up but not in a good Flynn Rider kinda way. Sorry.

 

[afwdwfan]

Clancy is one crazy cat! Wow! I'm glad you were finally able to secure him and get him off to a new home. I'm pretty sure he'd have killed you in your sleep if he had the opportunity.

Steve kicked butt on the ride and later he shared with me some of the "tricks" he used. I’ve been on it a couple times since then, and his advice was, “Don’t shoot the Red Spiders who are the lowest score, try for anything and everything else.” I’ve blown up some really cool stuff since then and unlocked some neat effects. I can’t wait to try it again next month!

That looks like so much fun!!!

I thought the PB&J was gross and ate mostly pretzel.

That was my reaction based on description and pictures alone.

Halloween at the DLR. This isn't one particular trip to Disneyland but various pictures taken over the course of my trips to DL last fall. I decided that it was better to group all the Halloween pics into one post as opposed to trying to describe the individual visits, since some days I only took a few snaps.

I love how Disney does Halloween! It looks so cool!

But I was in search of more traditional breakfast fare, and Mickey waffles. Especially Mickey waffles.

I can always go for some Mickey waffles.

 

[pkondz]

This isn't one particular trip to Disneyland but various pictures taken over the course of my trips to DL last fall. I decided that it was better to group all the Halloween pics into one post as opposed to trying to describe the individual visits, since some days I only took a few snaps.

Nope.
I insist you categorize them by subject, theme, date and time.

Oh looky! There’s Goofy in his skeleton costume on the steps of the train station!

Love it!

And the Giant pumpkin at the end of Main Street.

I need this for my front yard.

And look over here, there’s a Mrs. Potts pumpkin!

Cute.

I thought this one was cute

Great idea!

I'm really considering attending an Oogie Boogie bashes next year!

If it's anything like MNSSHPs, then you definitely should go!

It was probably in the low 50s that day, so not cold for most of you,

It's -18F right now. It warmed up quite a bit last few hours.

We were seated at a table quite near to the buffet.

So... good or bad?
You were close, so convenient... or you were close, so crowded and noisy?

That entire curved counter you see there in the foreground is all desserts!

My kind of buffet.

The menu is super kid friendly with Mac n cheese with eggs and chicken nuggets.

I repeat... my kind of buffet.

One of Goofy's Kitchen's signature items is the PB&J Pizza.

The what????

 

[franandaj]

Well howdy folks! I thought I would just pop in for a sec and apologize for my absence. Again. This time I can tell you exactly why I've been missing!

Ever since we got home from the parent's house, I've been preparing for their visit. Two years of no house guests whatsoever can really let your housekeeping slip! Our house became a storage locker, with little winding pathways through the various rooms in the main part of the house. What were once wide open walkways became barricaded with boxes and everything else you could imagine. After seven trips to storage, full trash and recycling bins, and a LOT of consolidating, we finally have a house back. My parents went home this morning.

We had a lovely visit which included a SUPER fun dinner party to celebrate mine and Fran's 25th Anniversary. So now it's back to the grindstone. Sort of. We will be staying three nights at the Grand Californian next week. Not the trip we had originally planned, but at least we salvaged something and didn't have to cancel the reservation and put the points I to holding. More on that later....

I just wanted to check in and hopefully I'll be back a little more often. Especially now that the house is relatively clean!

 

[pkondz]

Two years of no house guests whatsoever can really let your housekeeping slip!

I get it.

Our house became a storage locker, with little winding pathways through the various rooms in the main part of the house.

Oooohhhh... everyone loves a maze.

We had a lovely visit

Good!

which included a SUPER fun dinner party to celebrate mine and Fran's 25th Anniversary.

Oh! Wow! Happy anniversary!!

 

[whoever]

Fran got three orders of the Bacon au Poivre for the table.

I cure my own bacon from whole belly and cook with Pork Belly frequently uncured. This looks AMAZING. I'm gonna have to replicate it.