Birthday Celebrations

DD#2 and I got up last Wednesday morning and headed for the ferry. We’ve started something of a new tradition where we spend Thanksgiving with DD#1’s in-laws. Last year, it was just them, their older son, and DD#2 and me. This year, DD#1 and DSIL came down from Alaska and DSIL’s maternal grandfather was visiting from Wisconsin.

I love DSIL’s parents and am so happy that our families can get together like this. His mom is an exceptional cook and baker and the food is always fantastic. And this year, my birthday fell on Thanksgiving Day.

Unfortunately, while we were sitting in line at the ferry, waiting to see if we could get on the 7:55 am run, the car behind us bumped into the BMW. It was a gentle tap, nothing more—I suspect the kid let his foot slip off the brake momentarily. He hurried up to my car with his name and number scribbled on a napkin and said that if both of us were able to get on the same ferry, he would come back and talk to me.

His car was right behind mine on the ferry after loading, so we took pictures of each car. I couldn’t see any damage, but the husband said that sometimes the clips holding the bumper will snap. As it turned out, this kid was a 2013 Gonzaga grad. (I have a Gonzaga Mom license plate holder.) I told him I would have the car checked out and let him know if there was any damage.

We arrived at DSIL’s parents’ house around 9:30 where we all sat down to a “light” breakfast of eggs, oatmeal, muffins and bagels, and fresh fruit. Oh, and apple crisp to put on top of the oatmeal. No one ever leaves the table hungry. DSIL’s dad went out and looked over the car for me. He said the only damage he could find was the faint imprint of a Phillips-head screw on the bumper, likely from the kid’s license plate.

DSIL’s mom had done much of the prep work for the day ahead of time. My contribution was to make the apple salad, of which I later had two big helpings, because what could be better than apples, grapes, and mini-marshmallows covered in homemade whipped cream? After a dinner of turkey with all the trimmings, we went for a walk around the neighborhood with the dogs. Several other neighbors had the same idea.

We came back for a dessert of apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies along with an ice cream cake for my birthday. The cake had an Oreo crumb base with Tillamook cherry ice cream on top. That was delicious.

Once everyone was stuffed full, we gathered in the living room for the evening movie. The kids chose “Top Gun Maverick.” I’m not a big fan of action movies because they tend to be thin on plot and heavy on blowing things up but I enjoyed this one. I’d watch it again.

DD#2 and I said our good-byes and headed for the hotel. I didn’t want to drive back to Seattle so late so we just got a room for the night.

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We were sitting in the car on the ferry the next morning when the captain came on the loudspeaker and said, “We’re slowing down because there is a pod of Orcas ahead. If you want to see them, they are off the left side of the boat.” DD#2 and I went up to the observation deck. It was cold and windy and raining sideways—and the boat was rocking—but we were able to see the fins of the whales and even got to see a couple of them breach. Apparently, this pod is in Puget Sound for a few weeks every year around this time.

I had already decided, at that point, to head back home early because of the predicted snowstorm over the pass. Neither of us had any desire to battle Black Friday shoppers at the mall, so we did a Costco run and a Trader Joe’s run and got DD#2 all situated with supplies. For dinner, DD#2 had made reservations at Ray’s Boathouse, where she had scallops and I had the most amazing crab cakes.

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This marathon month is almost over and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I had a concert rehearsal yesterday afternoon. Today, I’m teaching an all-day serger class, then going to dress rehearsal. The concert is tomorrow evening.

I am giving myself until Monday to play with clothing patterns and sweater knits. Starting Monday, I need to focus on quilt projects. I have this out, waiting to be finished:

The plan is to to finish this quilt, my college roommate’s Sunbonnet Sue quilt, and a quilt for my sister that is supposed to be a Christmas present but which may be a Happy 2023 present instead. If I time it right, I should have lots of quilt binding to sew down (by hand) while DD#2 is here for Christmas. The Q20 is in my office, which is right off the kitchen, so while I am quilting, I also will be canning beans, salsa, and tomato sauce.