Baby, it's cold outside...

It's 32 degrees and raining in Petaluma and the big diesel furnace has been running since 6 a.m.  Motorhomes, I don't care how insulated and double-paned the windows are still leak air around the aluminum frames and slide-out(s).  Oh, the desert calls!  Anza Borrego here we come, heading out a few days after Christmas.

Fortunately, we have multiple methods of heat:  the diesel furnace which takes lots of power, not to mention fuel; heat pumps that work off the air-conditioning system and electric...we don't use; a small electric space heater...occasionally to take the chill off, but...the propane catalytic heater is the best.  Less energy but a steady, radiating warmth that makes no noise.  That's where we are right now, as we settle back listening to Christmas Carols on our little iPod with Bose docker....Fabulous music!

Hip hop dance class

We took a break around noon to go watch Christina's dance recital's Christmas performance at the Veterans Memorial Bldg. in Petaluma.  An hour and a half of various aged classes performing everything from ballet, tap, jazz, to hip hop.  Christina was in the younger hip hop group. 



Howard fixed the best dinner; aged rib eye steaks from Whole Foods with an arugula salad.  He dug out our French cookbook and found a recipe that could be cooked on the stove-top, no barbecuing tonight.  It called for a Bearnaise sauce of sorts...garlic, shallots, white wine vinegar, Marsala, tarragon, reduced..... then added whipped egg yolks, butter, and cream  Steaks were braised briefly in a heavy skillet, then topped with sauce.  Arugula, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic.  Delicious!

Let the kids decorate!

I so wanted to decorate; found the perfect little table-top tree at Whole Foods but we're driving up to Sutter Creek, then Sacramento, later next week, and to Half Moon Bay right after Christmas, so mobility wins out over festivity.  We do have a rather nice poinsettia though.  And we'll be enjoying gatherings with local friends, and family of course.

I'm still stressing over the annual card.  I used to ponder over the year's photos, chronicling our travels, reducing them to an 8 x 11 folded card, and printing out 50 or more for mailing.  Last year I decided to send an email linking to this blog, highlighting the year with links to various updates throughout the year.  But I still felt as though I was taking the easy way out.  Now I'm wondering if I'll get anything pulled together.

Regardless of what's forthcoming, please know that you are all in our hearts with the very best wishes for a most happy holiday season and New Year 2013!