If I’ve learned anything these past couple of years dealing with Covid challenges, it’s: don’t make plans you can’t change! When my plans do come together, I’m thankful, but when they don’t, I’m like General E Lee said, “surprised, but not taken by surprise.”
We’ve been planning for this year’s holiday way in advance and hope we can pull this off. Since Lutz has finally arrived and we’ve had time to relax and enjoy family, we’re ready for a family road trip with my daughter and her family. We will drive to Las Vegas, spend the night and see a show, then head to Springdale, Utah, to watch the new year come in with what I’ve heard is an impressive display of fireworks. We’re crossing our fingers and hoping our plan comes together. So check back in January 2022 for a peek to see if our plans came together!
As far as Thanksgiving this year, it was a bit odd. Since I’ve been living in Germany, this holiday tends to sneak past me; however, I’ve taken up a new ritual in its place. For the past three years, I wake and find one thing to be thankful for and end my day with one more thing to be grateful for. 
Yes, it’s easy to find fault, disappointments, challenges, and just life itself sometimes can be monumental. But if you take the step to practice this simple idea, it becomes a habit, and yes, I look forward to it, not like exercise!
So before you step out of bed each morning, find one thing you can be thankful for; your health, your morning constitution, sore tooth pain gone, whatever it is, say it out loud. Then before you go to bed, add one more thing that came your way that day to be thankful for. It becomes a natural part of your day and a healthy habit, one I’m sure you’ll look forward to keeping. It brings me pleasure and power during the rough days that sneak in!
Just a little food for thought this month! Thanks for letting me share. Now let me bring you up to date on our travels and adventures. It’s been one whirlwind this past month. We spent ten sunny days at Fiddler Cove on Coronado, enjoying the sun and sea.
On the tenth day, we packed up Cash, our RV, locked him up in storage, and headed to Camarillo to spend some time with my brother sharing some Pho soup and chatting up a storm.
Then it was off to Brookings, Oregon, for Lutz to finally visit with my mom, sister, and husband. The drive was spectacular.
Since the trip to Oregon is a fourteen-hour drive, we decided to stay in Woodland, CA. This nifty little town has a lot of history. The downtown is all remodeled and full of incredible places to dine.
We took a short trip around the block to check it out, and I “was taken” by the name of one of the allies. This town will be on our radar since it is halfway to Brookings! It gives you a feel for the city!
We finally made it the next afternoon to Brookings.
While there, we kidnapped my mom from Seaview Assisted Living and took her for an all-day drive! This home was built in 1898. It’s called Huges House and is on the farthest tip of the western edge of the USA (except for Hawaii and Alaska)! Can you guess where this is?
Then we had a lovely dinner out. Thanks, mom, for such a great meal!
The food was to die for like these Fresh mushroom pesto…
And these fresh caught seafood soup!
We did some day hikes with my sister, Melissa, and her husband, Steve, to the hills…
The beaches…
And up the mountains.
Plus, my sister and I had a blast in her gourmet kitchen cooking up a storm!
Like this Gingerbread Apple Cake. It is a keeper for sure. I will be posting them this month!
So will this delicious Chicken Pho! I need to “plan” time to post them both so hang on, Ill get there.
In addition to all the fun we had, Lutz had the opportunity to help cover the roof of Billy’s new cabin, my sister’s neighbor. Lutz stayed on the ground to make sure no one fell! LOL
Completing the roof covering called for a celebration, so dinner was in order. Thanks, Billy and Janet, for joining the crew! It was especially significant that my old friend Janet whom I grew up with, had moved near my mom and sister. She’s always so optimistic and has something to laugh about! It just cheers my soul.
After ten days of family and beautiful Oregon, we headed back to San Diego. Poor Lutz, he’s been dragged all over the country from San Diego to Oregon and back again. But it was well worth it. My mom was so pleased to see him. Thanks for taking the picture, Lutz!
We made it back to San Diego with our faithful truck, Johnny! I Had a quick visit with my grandkids, and we hooked up Cash and headed to the Borrego Springs in the desert on November 20th for a month!
On November 26th, my daughter and her family, Lala, her mom Maria, and Frank, our dear friends, and my sister’s daughter Oceanna and her two kids, Autumn and Levi, came to celebrate this Thanksgiving weekend with us. Jack and Marlena, the camp hosts, have become our dear friends since we hooked up 3 or 4 years ago in Borrego! Sorry for the last group shot… a little blurry but you get the picture right!
So good to see all these beautiful faces.
Lots of night games…
And fun days…
Golfing…
Oh yes, and sharing lots of great food!
We all shared the cooking, talked and laughed a lot, swam in the pool, and had a drink or two, or three (as you can tell from the above picture)! It was just a relaxing weekend and so nice to share it with family and dear friends.
We’re all alone now, so there is no excuse for being lazy all day. It’s time to get back into our exercise routine for the next 20 days. Our list is endless-walking, biking, eating right, and doing water aerobics. We plan to close down and head to San Diego on December 20th to celebrate Christmas with family, and then hopefully take off on our PLANNED December 26th road trip to Utah. I am grateful for your support and encouraging comments. Please have a wonderful holiday and a very memorable new year! Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for my January post to see how our best-laid plans turned out. Until then, remember to create something new each day; try cooking one of these new recipes for a start!
Fave Recipe:
Everyone is sharing their favorite soup recipes this winter, and I don’t want to be left out. This delicious soup, White Chicken/Turkey Chili, can be made with your left-over turkey or seared chicken! Click here or on the pic to take a peek! You’ll want to use this recipe year-round, but for sure, the holiday season makes the perfect setting.
I’m also sneaking in my Soup Advent Calendar post from last year. Click here or on the pic to take a peek! I’m sure one of these delicious soups will help to bring good cheer to all who take the first spoonful.
Fave Resource:
Are you ready to start your Holiday cookies? This resource is AMAZING. It has 37 gluten-free cookie recipes, and you don’t need the holiday to make a single one! Just click here and get baking.
I'm Melinda Stevens and living the life of a beach bum was inevitable since my father was a lifeguard for the city of Los Angeles. My memories of growing up on John Street in Manhattan Beach, California were filled with joy, excitement and adventures; until my world, as I knew it, fell apart when we moved to Del Mar, California. My father was offered the position as Captain of the lifeguards and we started the slow migration to the small deserted stretch of beach in 1963. At twelve years old, this seemed like the end of my life. Remember, I’m writing with clear hindsight now, ok somewhat clearer… Little did I know this would be the beginning of a new journey and give a bit more clarity to many of the events that led me to this new cooking adventure.
Always love reading your stories and seeing your pictures! Looks like a great thanksgiving celebration. Love you!
Thank you for following along! Always good to hear from a reader. Hope your turkey dinner was as good as the picture! Try out the White Turkey Chili with your leftovers. I’m sure you will like it. You will have to spice it up some…I know you’re partial to hot!