Christmas 2007

The holiday is finally upon us and as usual while we are mostly ready everything must be wrapped today. It feels very odd for me that this is the first holiday in a long while that I have not been on call or working in the days before and after Christmas. Somehow with the young people in the hospital pharmacy they all want the time and half holiday pay so I get to be home with the family. One of the those rare advantages to being old.

I spent some of yesterday looking after Gavin. For me that means time to get out the camera and take some wonderful pictures. Wish I could say that its my ability with the camera but I think Gavin just has a way of making most every picture I take look cute. I did have to touch up a few things. He is cutting teeth daily and drools a lot. Nothing I can't fix with some photo software. It sure is fun getting down on the floor and following him around.

Edward left yesterday to spend the holiday at Grandma's. We will hook up with him on Christmas day at Grandma's for dinner and gifts. He and I have had some good talks lately and I am working on getting him to wear pants when we are outside for winter functions. I will keep at him and see how it works. He is funny he makes a list and wants no presents that are not on his list, but will not discuss if he believes in Santa or not. Very practical that one you bring me presents and I will believe. I was able to make some suggestions for gifts that where not on his list and work him up to being excited about them. More on that after Christmas.

Teddy, Amber and Gavin are doing just fine. Teddy has completed his first semester of his senior year. We have not heard from the two colleges that he applied to but his preliminary SAT scores were excellent. He scored very high in the math but wants to major in Philosophy. A little help here family, it would be a true waste to see his ability not be put to good use as an electrical engineer or something in the physical sciences. If you see him this holiday season get on him. Gavin is motoring very well on his four wheels. Check out the picture of him on the go. He really is a great, good natured and healthy baby. We have been very lucky.

Revel got his Xmas present a day early so that I could work with him on not chewing it up and learning to enjoy it. Its been easier than I thought it would be. He seems to really enjoy the bed and while he does not sleep there 100% of the time, it is not uncommon to find him on the bed in the afternoon.

Hope that you all have a wonder Christmas and I will post again before the new year.

December 13th 2007

Teddy is honored at school.

Aptos High school choose 60 students today to be honored for there civic and academic achievements. The Visual and Performing Arts department selected Teddy as there senior for his work with the drama department.

December 9th 2007

The First Polar Express Train Ride

Today, Sunday December 9th, 2007 Dorothy, Edward, Aunt Sue and I took a ride on the Polar Express. We did this at the Train Museum in Sacramento. Edward spent to weekend at Aunt Sue's in San Francisco. Dorothy and I spent Saturday night at a bed and breakfast in Sacramento. We met up at the museum on Sunday had a very fun ride on the train. While the train was not much to look at on the outside and the destination the other side of Sacramento was nothing to write about the entertainment on the train was really fun. All the characters from the movie, hot chocolate and cookies were provided.

I made this for a potluck with some Tennis friends the other night and it was great. Not a lot of work, it takes a long time but most of it is just simmering on the stove. Made great left overs after the party to take to work also.

Spaghetti Bolognese

6 oz bacon slices, cut into 1/2" pieces
1 yellow Onion, Diced
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 Garlic gloves
2 lb. Ground beef
6 oz tomato paste
1 cup milk
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Fresh ground Pepper
1 lb Spaghetti, cooked , water reserved

In large pot over medium high heat, cook bacon until crisp 7-10 minutes. Spon off all but 1 tablespoonful of fat. Add Onion and 1/2 tsp salt; cook until tender, 5-7 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Add ground beef and 1 tsp salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is no longer pink. about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, milk and 1/2 cup of cheese.

Cook on Low until sauce thickens about 4 hours. Skim fat off sauce. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.


Add cooked spaghetti to sauce plus enough pasta-cooking water to loosen sauce; toss to combine. Transfer to individual bowls; sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately.