15 December 2024

It’s finally starting to feel a bit like Christmas.

This was a full week of activities.

On Wednesday evening this week, I joined my friend Rafael for a night at the opera.

Verdi’s Il Trovatore was amazing! The sets, the costumes, and the singing were superb! And of course, all of it at the incredible Les Arts opera house.

We all know that pride cometh before a fall. Last week, I bragged about the awesome chocolate pecan pie I made. On Thursday, I made another with the intention of taking it to a Christmas Brunch on Saturday. Somehow, this one got too done, too done to inflict on others.

Fortunately, I made more “Forgotten Cookies.” Thanks to a new electric mixer, these came out much better than the ones last week. And on Friday, I also baked some peanut butter / chocolate chip cookies.

So, instead of the pie, I took a box of cookies. They were a hit!

This afternoon, some of the choir sang for an event in one of the neighborhoods affected by the horrible flooding. It was a chocolate festival (of sorts). The volunteers made hot chocolate and served it for free to all who walked by on the street.

It will take years for these neighborhoods to recover. Many of the family businesses simply will never reopen. It was my first time seeing all of the dirt and mud that still is everywhere. Across the street, there were lines of people receiving donated clothing.

Afterwards, I met a new friend, Vicente for dinner. He ended up cooking…steak with a baked potato, asparagus and carrots. What a delicious dinner and great way to wrap up the week.

My tree is decorated. My house is clean. My friend, Mike arrives next weekend for Christmas and New Years.

May all your holidays be bright.