Christmas Eve at Light Forest's

The family loaded into the trusty Subaru and headed to Light Forest's abode in a sister state late this afternoon for an evening of food, fun and fellowship. Once there the camera was held hostage as the hosts are now shy but we were able to grab some shots of the delectable food including Prime Rib, Country Ham, homemade egg nog and an assortment of cookies made by the Pastry Chef.

Here is a small sample of the goodies:

The Prime Rib was a masterpiece, cooked to perfection by Light Forest. SisIggy, her brothers and her Heirs especially devoured that portion on the left while the Pastry Chef and I are full-heartedly from the right.

John-Boy (he doesn't mind using his real handle) provided
the Junior Johnson-cured country ham. That I knew it was
a NASCAR driver's company didn't bode well in some circles
but Johnson did have a nice product for LF to serve.

We washed it all down with a high-grade homemade egg nog concoction prepared by and in the aforementioned Light Forest's ample kitchen. There were two varieties, one with Jack and the other, generic. I really enjoyed the light version.












The Pastry Chef had friends over earlier in the week for a cookie party. Here are a few examples of the delicacies provided:

We missed getting back home to hear our adorable pets talk at midnight but want our hosts to know that we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and wish them and you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Finally, the Masterpiece

Not really. But since I haven't posted for a fortnight, this will have to be one. And, in reality, it is.
You see, Heir 1 and I had a paying job yesterday and that, in itself, makes Monday a good day.

We had a photo job in Fairfax County and this is one of the photos we captured.


The rest of the session wasn't very fruitful -- unless a clogged conveyance line makes you happy. It does us, because after a jetter gets done cleaning it out, we get to go back and do it again (and paid a second time too) :) .

Couple that with the beautiful scenery and the day was breathtaking: 20 degree temps with a breeze out of the west made it a Winnie the Pooh moment.

Here's a pic (if you look really close) of a flock of loons bobbing on the Potomac River with Gunston Cove in the background. The Maryland shore can be seen in the distance but in reality, the actual line is at water's edge.

This one shows the client's boat dock located approximately 70 feet downslope from the rest of the rear yard. The cottage sat on a cliff and the dock was only accessible via a winding staircase to the level below.

And here's one of Fort Belvoir in the distance. I took this one just to show off one of our military bases.

Today, as it is even colder outside (8 degrees this morning), I sit at the computer writing reports and staying warm. Now, I've got to get back to work...

Waiting

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile but I am working on a masterpiece that's taken more time than I hoped. Besides, I have a real job today...

It Always Comes in Threes

First it was no water because someone clipped an electrical utility pole in half. It took Dominion Virginia Power almost seven hours to fix.

Next, no water because there was a leak in the cistern. It took the landlord three days to get someone here to fix it.

For the past week or so the kitchen sink would back up whenever we drained the water after washing dishes. I was planning to buy a chemical to unclog it but after talking to my dad, he said to check the P-trap, which I did when I got home Tuesday evening.

The trap literally disintegrated in my hands.

I immediately called Dad. He arrived within the hour and off to Lowes we went for the repair parts.

Unfortunately, the drain baskets also needed replacing and now Lowes was closed.

We scheduled time yesterday afternoon to finish the task and, after two more trips and six more hours, the sink is back to normal.

We also found the real reason for the original problem -- the drain pipe in the basement was completely clogged. It was worse than the suspected cholesterol clog in my arteries; I mean there's no wonder any water was flowing.

We also cleaned the P-trap for the tub while we were at it and now, we believe, there is nothing else that needs to be replaced.

At least that's the thought right now.

Thanks to SisIggy for allowing me to copy her photo of the sink. In all the excitement of the past two days I forgot to snap a single photograph of the escapade.

Birthday clock

It's time to steal another idea from a friend. Kudos to John from Wisconsin.

WOW Less than a dollar a gallon

Filled up the old car today and was shocked to see the price: $0.999 a gallon.

Figured you wouldn't believe me so I snapped a photo from my Verizon camera phone. Then, after I got home, it took me the better part of an hour to figure out how to download the pic to the 'puter.

Finagled it somehow and here it is:

Post Thanksgiving Blues

A great meal at the Darks on Thursday was followed by this*, today:


Now, I feel I can get down to work and start producing. Stay tuned for some great family photos.

*Photo courtesy of John from Wisconsin.