Catherine's Christmas Dinner

 Good morning,

It's been so busy here that I haven't shared images and thanked Catherine for the beautiful Christmas Eve dinner that she prepared.  

I just love fresh salads and Catherine didn't disappoint with this one.  So many things I love:  fresh lettuce, blue cheese, bacon....  Yum!

 Catherine is famous for her mushrooms in wine sauce.  Oh, yes!

Also, I just love it that we use so many of my Mom's dishes, serving, and cooking items.  Wonderful memories of years past when she prepared dinners and I prepared dinners.

 The star of the dinner table was prime rib.  Perfectly made!

This was yummy, too.  No, not made at home, but surely terrific:  Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake.

And, finally, flowers for the table from Kjell. Thanks, Sweetie. He has a secret shopper who brought them home for us.  

Thank you, Catherine, for a marvelous meal and being the secret shopper.

Love you,

Mom

Kalanchoe Blossoms

 Good morning,

This sweet Kalanchoe is blooming once again.

This plant is one of many taken as cuttings many times from a plant we sent to Catherine when she was in the hospital many years ago.  

I just love seeing it alive, well, and blooming.  Just like Catherine.

All the best,

Lois

Lily Update

 Good morning,

Thanks to those who asked about Lily.  Our little Lily gave us quite a scare this week by swallowing a sock.  See yesterday's post.

Lily was pretty miserable for a few days and we were so very worried, but she's back to her old self now.  There she is on Daddy's lap watching TV.

We're so glad she is OK!

Now we can all have a Happy New Year!

Lois

Lily's Close Encounter

 Good morning,

These are our three girls last week after opening presents on Christmas.  That's Lily on the left with Elsa, center, and Wendy.

Our Lily, not quite two years old, swallowed one of Catherine's socks a few days ago.  We didn't know it until she threw up her breakfast and stopped eating.  Catherine called our vet who said to take her to MedVet, our emergency vet.

An ultrasound confirmed Lily had a blockage.  Yep, that sock was in there all right.  Treatment plans were developed that included one night of IV fluids and medications to help Lily pass the sock.  If it didn't pass, she would need surgery on New Year's Day.

Fortunately, after the MedVet staff had walked Lily twice during the night with no results, Catherine went over in the morning and walked Lily herself just hours before surgery was to take place.  Magic!  Lily passed the $1,800+ sock, was discharged, and is now home.

This was not a good experience for any of us, but we are so grateful to have a good result. Lily is fine and our New Year is off to a great start.

We've said prayers of thanks.

Lois

Happy New Year!

We Wish You A Happy and Healthy New Year!

From Elsa and her siblings:  Erik, Wendy, and Lily

And Elsa's humans:  Catherine, Kjell, and Lois