It is 70 degrees out there!

Not what you would expect between Christmas and New Years! It is going to drop back down into the 30's tonight and then waffle between 40-50 early next week. Craziness. Should dry out some and I might actually get some yard work done. Who would have thunk it?

Jean-Claude hates spiders

Mom's 75th birthday.

Mommy has a birthday.

I know. I am running a little behind here. Last week-end Jennifer, Denise and I took our Mom to Eureka Springs for her Birthday. We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast and Saturday we went on a Sweet Treats tour of 11 B&B's to sample their Christmas Cookies. We each got two cookies and recipes at each stop. We walked to some, took the trolley to others, and finally drove to the last few. It wasn't quite what we envisioned, but it gave us a nice look at the town. We went to a Christmas Chorale that evening. Sunday, after an enormous and delicious breakfast, we headed for St. Elizabeths for Mass, only to find out that I had picked a non-existent Mass to attend. We walked down to the church and were able to go in as Mass ended.

It is a very cute church, entered through the Bell Tower. We proceeded to the downtown, where Mom and Jennifer had mineral baths and a eucalyptus steam before we all proceeded next door for our facials. Once again, not exactly what we were expecting, but relaxing anyway. We then went back to the B & B and parked the car and waited for our trustworthy Trolley Man to pick us up and take us back downtown to shop. I did most of the buying somehow. Not sure how that worked out. We had wonderful meals and and enjoyable time, though Denise and Mom worried a bit about the nasty weather coming in Monday morning. We made it home fine and I had no trouble till it came time to pull onto Mom's street. Kind of slid past it and had to take the next one. Slid a bit there also. I didn't hit anything though, and we were glad to park the car.

Jon was there to greet us. Mom wanted Mini-meatloafs and bread pudding for her birthday dinner, so we went shopping and Jeff and his family came over to celebrate. Jeff made the home-made ice cream.

Happy 75th Mom!!

Thor doesn't like that doggie in the mirror.

It is time for a break!

Thanksgiving break!

I listed a few more auctions and played with the kitties. Packed up some books to take to the post office on my way out of town tomorrow. I am going to see my Mommy!

Meat loaf and pineapple upside down cake.

Ok, I was in a mood. A kitchen mood. I made my mini meatloafs and an upside down cake. I will be taking it in to work tomorrow. The meatloaf are in the freezer, except for the one for tomorrows lunch. I am heading over to Karen's tonight, then work tomorrow and I am done till Dec. 1st!

I will be heading to Mom's on Tuesday, and we will be working on her blogging and photo uploading skills so that she can keep us updated on her trip to Italy with Brian. I don't know what else she has in store for me. Always something though. Sometime, in the not too distant future, I will be there when she needs me.

I am really looking forward to the girls week-end in Eureka Springs for her 75th birthday! Jennifer has her plane tickets and is getting into Springfield at 10 pm. Friday night. Saturday morning we pick-up Denise and head south. 12-6 pm there is a cookie tour of 12 bed and breakfasts, and then there is a Christmas choral concert that evening. Sunday we have church at the only Catholic Church in the country that you enter through the Bell Tower. (Eureka Springs is very hilly) Afternoon we turn into spa nuts, facials and whatever. We will check out the lights Sunday night and do some shopping Monday before we leave town. We will be back in Springfield for birthday cake and ice cream!