Just remember in the winter Far beneath the bitter snows Lies the seed that with the sun’s love In the spring becomes the rose-The Rose Bette Midler

The roses were planted over the past few years. The magazine Real Simple had a cover with roses grouped by color in a vase. I am happy that I planted enough to have enough blooming in different colors.

Gardening Tips I have Learned the Past 10 Years

1. Buy quality Roses. Roses in big box stores are grafted to an old rose called Dr. Huey. Dr. Huey is a hardy rose but blooms quickly and grows lots of canes. It will take over a rose bed. I bought most of roses from a local grower and they don’t revert to root stock. Also I have more selection for color and types.
2. Roses need to be fertilized several times during the summer for hardy blooms and to keep blooming the following year.

3) Hanging planters need to be fertilized to continue to bloom. Also remove the dead flowers, dead head, so the plant will bloom all summer and early fall.

4) Mix perennials with annuals. Your beds will have color all season. I have been every successful saving marigold and zinnia seeds. Geraniums are a great addition too. My garden has lots of green and blue color so I like bright colors to warm it up.

5. I have fertilized my rhododendrons and azaleas so they produce gorgeous blooms in May. Coffee grounds are cheap and plentiful in my house. If you don’t drink coffee, have a friend or family member save them for you. I planted geraniums for summer color. They love heat and will bloom if deadheaded.

Flower bed that I see from my kitchen window. I plant bulbs and pansies for early color. Then I add petunias, snapdragons, and dahlias for summer color. The catnip is a perennial and has small pink blossoms.

6) Flowers and blooms give our pollinators a food source. Water is important too. I have a small fountain that I purchased on Amazon that the birds love, including hummingbirds because they fly through the spray. A shallow bird bath or dish with rocks is helpful for bees so they don’t drown.

7) I love to eat fresh produce and grow vegetables and herbs in containers. Anyone can grow herbs in a window and tomatoes on a step or outside their front door.

My container garden on the side yard. The builder of my home used it for boat storage. Later we used it for a dog run. Gets lots of sun and heat so great for Mediterranean herbs and tomato plants. My husband added a drip system and timer so we can leave and not have the plants die.

People realized that vegetable gardening and producing food is important during the pandemic. Gardening is a positive thing to do when you are staying home but it is great exercise when you can rejoin the world too1

Oh, the canvas can do miracles, Just you wait and see. Sailing by Chris Cross

Herodias Concert Theater- still in use 3000 years later.

My husband and I returned after being gone for almost 3 weeks to New York City and the Greek Islands. What an amazing vacation!

We started in New York for the weekend and got to see our older grandson, Milan, take his martial arts and swim lesson. Little brother, Rohit, was happy watching. We walked the boys to school on Monday with our daughter, Jenni. We helped our daughter, Beth, hang photos in her apartment. We enjoyed evenings at Jenni and Aveek’s apartment and having tacos for dinner in Brooklyn.

We flew to Athens and spent 2 1/2 days touring the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, and did a food tour in the oldest part of Athens. Sunday we boarded a small ship-only 46 passengers- and toured 10 islands. We had such a congenial group of fellow passengers. Most were international. We had Australians, Canadians, a French Family, a Spanish Couple, a couple for Belgium, and 16 other Americans. The ship was very informal so we got to know everyone. Dinner was often on an island. It was fun having new friends on excursions or exploring the islands. We only had sails up the first night because the engine power was faster and less work but the ship could have been power by wind. It was in the past.

Things I learned:

1. Unlike many older European Cities, Athens has no city planning. Very little green space and the streets are random.
2. Pirates were a huge problem for the citizens of the islands for centuries. We visited on home in a small fishing village. The citizens had secret escape doors to flee into the street beyond them and hide in the mountains. The older island cities built the streets in mazes so the pirates would be delayed and they could escape. Women and children would be sold as slaves in Turkey if they were captured! Syros, the capital of the Cyclades Islands was built on the highest point. The Catholic Church had a secret room in the basement that the citizens could barricade themselves. The climb was long and the roads were confusing so the pirates would be worn out.
3. A Minoan settlement was on Santorini. It was discovered by a farmer less than 10 years ago. 3000 BC their cities had sewage systems, flush toilets, and running water. No bodies have been found, not even animals. Archeologists are assuming that they were able to get away before the volcano erupted and then collapsed.
4. Like the Hamilton song lyric, “Who tells your story?” Athens built the theaters and the temples on the Acropolis and had poets, philosophers, and advances in science/art/health during a time of peace told to us by the tour guide on the Acropolis tour. On the island of Delos, a sacred island for the Cyclades inhabitants for Apollo, Athens was a hated imperialist! The island of Delos had the offerings to the God, Apollo. Athens conquered Delos which was commercial and religious. They took the gold to build up the treasury for their Golden Age. They banned people to be born or die on the island until the population declined to 1. Rome later allow people to return but Anatolian pirates that hated Rome, sacked/burned/slaughtered the entire community. The population is now about 30 to maintain the World Heritage Site and Researchers/Restoration workers. The last residents left in 69 AD.
5. Most people do speak some English and the signage in major areas is Greek and English. I could only master Good Morning and Good Bye.
6. Sea Buses are small boats that go around islands since many don’t have roads. I first thought someone was saying “Sea Bass.”
7. Greeks uses geraniums to keep away the mosquitos in early spring. Later when the weather is warmer, they replace them with basil which is also a natural insect repellent.

Travel ideas that work well.

Download books on your Kindle. You can read your Kindle when you don’t have internet connection.

Pack extra socks and underwear. You may not have time to wash them or get completely dry.

Buy a foldable nylon duffel bag on Amazon. I got a bright purple so it always is easy to find. I put it in my backpack. It is great for bringing items back home or dirty laundry. If you have fragile items on the return trip, you can take the bag as carry-on and check your carry-on suitcase. We did that coming back from Spain because I got Spanish wine at the duty free store. This trip I just checked all three bags coming back. The walk through the airport was much easier.

Buy a hotel room for the night before your arrival if you are doing an overnight flight. It is so nice to come in, unpack, shower and nap.

Take time to enjoy the experience. One highlight was being hosted by a lovely lady in a small fishing village on the island of Paros. Another was being the only tourists in a small restaurant near our hotel where the owner helped us with our Greek and gave us a special dessert and digestive alcohol shot. Feeding one of the hundreds of mellow cats at dinner. The Greeks love cats and everyone gives them a little treat on the islands. I never saw a skinny one. They must have neutering programs because none had battered ears and I never heard a cat fight. I even have a post card of Greece with the classic white, thick walls, blue trim, geraniums, and a black and white cat sitting on the wall of the house.

Secrets of Adulthood

Gretchen Ruben is coming out with a book about Secrets of Adulthood. I shared with my husband, Steve, and we discussed some of our family mottos.

Be the first one to see the humor in the situation. I recently was in Tucson and thought a dog was a coyote at a hiking parking lot. It became a running joke. Visiting my daughter, I got the baby lock on the top of the door off track. I kidded that I came to visit so I could break things. When you make a mistake and don’t get defensive or embarrassed, it isn’t a big deal. I had to be serious in my job so this concept took me time to implement but it has made life so much more fun.

If you can’t say YES, immediately, say NO. You can say, “I need to check on my calendar or check with family-if your first inclination is yes.” It is much better to say NO than Yes and cancel at the last minute.

Just say No. Don’t make excuses. You can say, “Thanking for thinking of me./Sounds like you will have a great time/I am looking forward to spending time together in the future. Let’s calendar soon.

Decisions had to be made. Sometimes we have to make a quick decision that has been discussed but not getting final approval.

Don’t force it. This motto is different that preserving through adversity or difficult situations. We find when planning something fun, but there are many complications, may be reschedule or cancel. We did this last fall trying to plan a trip to Old Quebec. Also seeing my cousin in Arizona. Neither of us had a free night in February so we just met for lunch. We couldn’t schedule a trip to Bisbee with friends in 2023 so we did it this year and it was a blast!

Be Open To New Things. Steve and I are always learning about new things that we didn’t know even existed. My cousin, Mike, was in a Barber Shop Quartet and there are competitions. I wasn’t excited about geology but I went to a mining tour and rocks are amazing!! My friend, Karen, expanded my horizons.

Have you found out things as an adult that wish you knew when you were younger?

There can be miracles, when you believe. Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill. Who knows what miracles you can achieve. Prince of Egypt, Pentatonix

…in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. From Isaiah 30:15

Our pastor shared several sermons from Isaiah about change and uncertainty.  People of faith have always lived in times of stress, political upheaval, and financial uncertainty.  This scripture was about Israel being attacked.  The people looked to allies or were fleeing their homes.  The prophet told the people to remain steadfast and trust in God to be their saving power. They didn’t need to depend on their own strength and devices.  I will try to live in quietness and confidence as well.

I have started my 25 goals for 2025.  Some are simple and done, others are continual.  Some I have to revisit again and again. 

1. Make my own granola.  Done.  I froze most of it which is good for 3 months.  I can’t seed  eat seeds which is surprising how flax and sesame seeds are added most granola. 
2. Update address book.  This project has been a good one for the dark, cold days of January.  In the process I have reached out to family and friends.  I sent a text to a co-worker.  When it was not returned, I thought maybe she switched phone numbers so I did a Google search.  I was saddened to learn that she died in 8/23.  We hadn’t worked together since 2004 but had stayed in touch.  Lisa helped my late sister-in-law start the process of getting her home in shape to sell. Lisa and her husband, Mark, would send us a Christmas card each year.  I hadn’t gotten on in 2023 but sometimes people stop sending them. My friend, Jess, stopped the year is wife, Laura, died as well.

11) Cook vegetarian meals twice a week.  I seldom cook red meat.  I cook seafood twice a week and vegetarian often.  Now I am just focused. 

3) and 4)  were easier last year.  Only alcohol on Friday and Saturday and treats on T/Th.  Haven’t done it one week yet!  I baked for a New Year’s Eve Open House and an event at my church.  My husband makes such good cocktails and they are cheaper at home.  Also it is my reward for planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning up healthy meals.  I need to switch to herbal tea most evenings when we chat before dinner.  I have lovely tea from Tucson that feels special. It is almost empty.  I will buy more next month.

Listening to Gretchen Ruben’s podcast, her sister, Liz, did a 2 plus 5 for 7.  She is going to 7 live events.  Below is the link.  My word for 2025 is Harmony.  Harmony with people in my Community.  Harmony in my family.  Harmony with physical, mental, and spiritual.  Harmony in my physical environment being enjoying nature and my yard in the seasons.  How are you going to design your year?

Roses organized by color

Design Your Year: 2025

Don’t look so sad, It’s not so bad you know. It’s just another night, That’s all it is, it’s not the first, … It’s not the worst you know, We’ve come through all the rest, We’ll get through this. Barry Manilow Another New Year’s Eve

Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. We’ve invited neighbors over for an Open House early in the evening.

I took a class in reducing stress by organization years ago. Below are several ideas that I continue to use.  I hope you find them helpful.

Calendar-Near the end of the year, I take the main calendar off the wall and transfer all the birthdays to it and upcoming appointments for the new year.  My husband and I keep a joint paper calendar.  It is faster than grabbing the phone and scrolling through dates.    Also I can set a deadline and then quickly visually set actions needed.

Another is be proactive. Don’t wait until you need to send a card or mail a package to shop for supplies.  Have more than one meal of food in the house. Keeping a running list of things that are running low.  Nothing more frustrating to have to shop for a spice or oil for example, when you are in the middle of cooking.

Buy duplicates of toiletries if you travel often.  I learned this quickly traveling often for work.  I have travel sized toiletries, extra tooth brush, makeup and first aid in my carry on sized suitcase.

If you have daily medication, pack it the day before you leave in your backpack or purse that you will have on the plane.  I take mine out of my backpack the night before I leave and the morning of travel.  I never forget to pack it that way.  I also make food for the plane the night before travel.

Go old school at times. Print out boarding passes, hotel reservations, and addresses.    Coming back from New York on December 7, we met a woman from Canada.  She was staying at a hotel near the airport. There are 6 of them.  She didn’t print out the name of the hotel and her phone wasn’t working.  She couldn’t reach her daughter traveling for the name of the hotel.

Don’t depend on Google for directions.  Look at a map and get a general idea.  Find landmarks before you need to turn and something that you went too far. Carry paper maps in your car.  There are still areas without cell coverage and batteries can slowly die.

Carry cash.  Small businesses often only take cash or check.  Some use cash apps but may not have great WiFi.  Power goes out.  Cash increases you ability for charitable donations like dropping coins in the Red Kettle or supporting a youth car wash.

Use humor and don’t take yourself seriously if you make a mistake.  As Big Bird sung, “Everyone Makes mistakes.”  Can’t remember someone’s name, “I am getting older/the music was loud/I was hungry and thinking about the food- can you remind me of your name again?”  No one ever gets mad when you ask their name again.  My friend and I were recently at an event that we thought started 1/2 and hour later.  We arrived when it had started and had to sit in the very front.  Later someone chatted with us and said, “I saw you two come in.”  Rather than being embarrassed, “I laughed and said, Yes, everybody did!”

Happy 2025!

2024- Active was my word of the year. How did I do for 24 for 24?

1) Do Dry January– Lasted a week. Good goal for 2025.

2) Brush Mr. Carson on Saturdays.  I didn’t do it once.

3) Go to SNAP once a week and walk 2 miles. I did start walking two miles before going to Tucson when snow was on the ground.

4) Take another Tennis Lesson.  I took one lesson and it went great!

5)Get ping pong table out in the church so people can play. We got it out for a game night. The youth wanted to play corn hole. We were the only ones playing. Tried but not successful.

6) Stretch at least 4 minutes before bed or do a short online yoga video.   I started restorative yoga twice a week and it helped more that short yoga practice.

7) Practice Spanish 24 minutes 2 times a week.  I did and did well in Spain. Steve and I stayed in local neighborhoods.

8) Buy a Snow Pass and go snow shoeing.   Found out only good for winter and we didn’t use. Used snow shoes once in backyard.

9) Go to MUV yoga once a week if I am in town. I ended up doing restorative yoga instead and did more Fitness for Retirement Classes. I did go to Planet Fitness in Tucson for 2 water aerobic classes.

10)Plant beets and potatoes in community garden plot. I decided just to do beets. They did well and last two jars are in the refrigerator.

11) Swim 4 times a week during the summer.  I did swim. We didn’t replace the hot tub. The deck has more room.

12) Only Eat Treats on Tuesday and Thursday.  This strategy worked for several months. Another one to try in January.

14) Find Books to Download for road trip to Arizona.  We flew to Arizona but listened to books driving to Arcata from Medford this summer.

16) Take another Pickle Ball Class. Did and it was fun.

17) Bake a new type of cookie twice a month from new Cookie Cook Book. I didn’t do twice a month but I baked several new ones in December.

18) Fast and Pray during Lent.  I did but not through all of Lent.

19)Get a cookie press and make spritz cookies. I will try in 2025. I have everything.

20) Have a dinner party before April with dinner party group. I saw my friends in 2024 but not all together.

21) Use ear-pods to cook, work out and weed. Worked out well.

22) Practice piano 2 to 4 times a week for 24 minutes I had to get the piano tuned. Another for 2025.

23 and 24 involved my bike. Never got down. I may have to revisit those goals.
23) Ride bikes to Harrison
24) Ride our bikes on longer trail like Centennial or Fish lake.

Now I have to do my 25 for 2025. It can be 25 minutes. Or 2 things for 5 minutes. I hope I inspire you to make your 25 for 2025 list!

I don’t get tired of the singing. Or eating the same old things. Love every one of the rituals Christmas, never gets old-Jaime Callum, The Pianoman at Christmas

I discovered a new artist at Big Band Christmas yesterday, Jaime Callum. He wrote a new album of Christmas music. One of the cast sang, “Christmas Never Gets Old.”.

My husband, Steve and I, celebrated Thanksgiving in Long Island City with our family. Long Island City is across the river from the Island of Manhattan. All the B Roll, background images of the skyline of Manhattan- U N Building, Chrysler Building, Empire State building are shot in Long Island City. The riverfront is now a state park with playgrounds, a dog park, and soccer fields.

The above photo was taken at Annabelle Basin restaurant in April just before we left for Madrid. We like to combine visiting with international trips. JFK has so many direct flights and we can see family. Our friend is home for Christmas this year so we can’t use her condo close to our daughters. Maybe we can celebrate Christmas in NYC next year if she travels. Also Airbnb maybe available again since rents didn’t go down and hotel prices tripled. We did celebrate the first Sunday of Advent at a Methodist Church in Manhattan with our daughter, Beth. Daughter Jenni joined us for brunch.

Christ Church United Methodist photographed by John Muggenborg. Lighting by Tillotson Design Associates. http://www.johnmuggenborg.com

In years past, my family celebrated Hallmark movie Christmases. Now Steve and I are the only ones in town. Our extended family has died or moved away. I read a devotion about a young, Christian woman living in a Muslim country, Indonesia, with few Christmas decorations. She enjoyed the ones that were in businesses besides hotels for tourists. One business that had decorations and lights in the past, didn’t participate this year. She was sad until she realized that the season of Christmas is about the true Light coming into the world. Emmanuel- God with Us.

Our pastor suggested to do things that bring us joy in days of anxiety and worry. She shared that our feelings have been shared for thousands of years. I did many things to bring joy to the season. The main thing was attending church during Advent. The carols, the sermons, the fellowship are the “reason for the season”.

Others were decorating the house even though it was just Steve and I. We got a smaller tree so we don’t hurt ourselves bring it up from the basement storage. The Christmas Village collected in the 90’s was set up. We put up Christmas lights on the front porch and garage when we had a break in the weather. I baked cookies while listening to Christmas Carols on Pandora.

Doing loving acts for others that the donor has personal involvement has shown to bring joy. Steve and I started the Christmas season celebration before we left for NYC. Our church supports a local elementary school that has a high number of low income students. Members provided lunch for the teachers during conference week. Steve and I delivered soup and salad for the teacher’s lunch on late conference day. Later in the month was the PTA ornament party. I baked cookies for this event and left them with a friend to deliver to the church while we were still in NYC. We bought jeans and tops for a Christmas Drive at the Mission Outreach Community Center. MOCC’s director is a member of our church and an amazing young woman.

Working Christmas Tree Elegance to raise money for the Spokane Symphony. Attending a friend’s Open House. Going to a local Christmas Theater production. Sharing baked goods with neighbors, the mail carrier, and workers at two small family businesses that get slammed at Christmas. My book club had a potluck and bookmark exchange. We talked with our family over the internet. Dear friends invited us to share Christmas Day dinner with their family.

I know that for many people, this time of year is filled with sadness. They are grieving missing loved ones. Others are facing loss of health and quality of life like church friend, A.J. She was hit by a car in the Macy’s parking lot before Halloween. She was a dynamic older woman and now has to live in a skilled nursing facility. Our former personal trainer, Arthur, is ending his struggle with pancreatic cancer. This Christmas is his last.

Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep

Be with those you come in contact where they are this holiday season.

But, I’ll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour. I’ll be there for you, like I’ve been there before. I’ll be there for you, cause you’re there for me too. Theme from Friends

In our current culture, we use the word friend to describe many types of social relationships.

A co-worker is often described as a friend. If you are involved in a project with someone, they may be an ally or an associate. The parent of a child that is a friend or your child or on their team, would be an acquaintance. Someone in the same field but not in the same business, maybe a colleague. A member of a yoga class or tour of a museum maybe a companion or fellow member.

Social interactions are important. Introverts are told to schedule, brief social interactions like going to the dog park/grocery store/coffee stand/library the same time each week to establish these interactions.

We have friends that were established by location. In our neighborhood as children, our playground at school, or children of friends of our parents. These children are often playmates but no contact is continued outside of the location. Later we start to build relationships beyond one location. We might be in a club together or spend time on the weekends. The effort expanded is still minimal.

The difference between a co-worker/colleague/associate/acquaintance is not the amount of time spent, but the effort beyond the normal situation of meeting. Often our social circles reduce when children grow up, we stop an activity, or change careers. True friends become important.

Friends spend energy on you. Maybe they live across the country but will return the phone call/text/email quickly when you reach out. If they are visiting your area, they will try and visit. They invite you to see them or join them on an adventure. They know your life situation and share the details. They come through for you and you come through for them. I am blessed with true friends that are there for me and I am there for them.

Las ramblas, I’ll meet you. We’ll dance around la Sagrada Familia (Barcelona). Drinking Sangría -Freddy Mercury Barcelona

I am in the last week before leaving for Spain. My husband, Steve, and I are doing the final research. So different than when we first traveled back in the late 90’s to Europe with You Tube and internet booking. I used to have to call early in the morning. I also sent faxes. Now I have tickets loaded on my I phone.

1. Walking and taking the metro can be the fastest way to get downtown.  There are taxis and Uber but many of the streets are just for pedestrians. Spain used to be high cash but now takes debit, credit, and many places,  50% use tap.
2. We can buy a metro card for 10 rides and share it.  Similar to using the subway in NYC.
3. Restaurants open for lunch late and dinner really late.  Stores open around 10 AM and stay open until 8. 
4. We are going to avoid the main plaza in Madrid for food and the famous restaurants because reservations are hard to get during a visit.  New, upcoming restaurants are easy for lunch and reservations are only a few days out.  
5. We learned in traveling through the years that  tours are the best way to see museums or famous places because tours have separate entrances so you skip the wait in line.  Also you get more background and hit the highlights.  We are doing a tour of the Prado Art Museum, Reina Sofia modern art museum, Sagrada Familia and Gaudi Park Guell in Barcelona, and the Cathedral in Toledo. We are doing a food & history tour in both Madrid and Barcelona. 
6. Take a food tour any time you visit a city. You find out so much about the city and the culture.  We have taken food tours in Seattle, New York, the Azores, and Tucson. 
7. The Sagrada Familia and Gaudi Park Guell tickets need to be purchased online days before because they limit the number of visitors.
8. Don’t put your I Phone on the bar, table, or back pocket.   They are easily picked up if you are distracted. A tour guide and his wife both had them stolen and they are travel professionals!
9. Really check out tours. We found that going directly to Toledo and getting a tour in the city saved us time on a shuttle and spending time in shopping places.  Also you may not be able to spend time at places you want to go like the El Greco museum which was one of the most famous Spanish artists.  I would rather see the museum than the former Jewish synagogue and roman ruins if I were a visitor. We are spending extra time in the city so we can pick visitor highlights with time and energy.  We can take a cab to the famous vista after lunch for example. 
10. Try not to look like a tourist for your safety. Leave the baseball caps, logo tee shirts, hoodies and flip flops at home.  Also bright colors which I love. Looking like a tourist makes you more venerable for scams and pickpockets.  The newest Book Club movie has the characters being targeted by scammers.  They act as porters for the train.  The trains don’t have porters to help you! Your luggage has just been stolen.
11. Pack a water bottle.  You can fill it anywhere. You also want to stay hydrated walking.
12. Go to the other markets, not just the famous ones.  You can still get great food without the crowds.
13. Learn a few words of Catalonia in Barcelona.  It is like a combination of Spanish and French since it is so close to France.  You can use Merci for example.  Bon instead of Bueno.

We are Family – Sisters Sledge

Many people are starting to plan family vacations. I read several years ago in the Wall Street Journal how to reduce stress and make sure everyone is happy.

1) Don’t plan or fill every moment.  Leave time for something spontaneous, time to read, take a nap, etc. I am a planner so this concept was hard for me but I have experienced the benefit. 

2) Allow members of the group do have separate activities.  Someone may want to spend hours looking at art.  Another reading in a park.  Come together and share your day at dinner.  Give members time to discuss with they want to do without group pressure.

3) Discuss responsibilities.  If your group can’t share cleaning, cooking, shopping, and meal planning-go to an all inclusive resort.  A good rule is to keep all shared/public spaces picked up.  Put dishes in the dishwasher and wipe the containers.  Throw away trash. Put food in cupboards.  Bedrooms can look like a bomb exploded, personal choice.  When we shared a house in Portugal, each unit planned one dinner and shopped for it.  Everyone picked up breakfast foods.  It worked well with 10 people!

4) Relax if everything doesn’t go perfectly.  The difference between an adventure and annoyance is attitude.  We have some of the best stories when things went sideways.

24 for 2024— Next 10

11) Swim 4 times a week during the summer. Use the Hot Tub when it is replaced. This is a seasonal goal although I can use the indoor pool at the gym.

12) Only Eat Treats on Tuesday and Thursday. I have not gotten there yet since I tried a cookie recipe from my new Taste of Home Cookie Cookbook. I made Double Chocolate Turtle Cookies. They are amazing and easy. Baking cocoa, crushed pretzels for crunch, pecans, and Rollo Chocolate Caramel Chocolates. 

13) Finish Better than Before by June. Carry over from last year.

14) Find Books to Download for road trip to Arizona. I find autobiographies by actors and comics usually do a great presentation for their work. 

15) Plan trip to Madrid and Barcelona. 

16) Take another Pickle Ball Class.

17) Bake a new type of cookie twice a month from new Cookie Cook Book. 

18) Fast and Pray during Lent. My massage therapist is a devote Evangelic Russian Christian. She is such a spiritual guide for me. She and her husband fast for the first 12 days of the year for guidance for the year. 

19)Get a cookie press and make spritz cookies. Get more fun cookie cutters. Learn how to pipe.

20) Have a dinner party before April with dinner party group.