Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Busy Month

Before I attempt to finish our stay in Nice, here's an update on what's been happening at the Dillon-Willmon household.

All but two of the group. Eric, Don, Jenn, Jen, Amy, Dan, Victoria, Thomas and Robin's arm.
Thanksgiving was our usual gathering of friends, except this year I did most of the cooking.  Amy had surgery on her foot the day before, so she sat on the barstool with her foot propped up on the other stool and supervised.  She also arrainged the potatoes for the cheesy potato casserole.  Dinner was delicious.  Desserts were decadent.  A good time was had by all!
Different view.  Eric, Don, Jenn, Jen, Amy, Dan Victoria, (Thomas is hiding), Robin, Bill.
Amy's birthday was next on the agenda.  Lovely dinner out, with some of the best cocktails I've had in years! Then it was time to buy the Christmas tree and decorate the house.  During this we experienced our first cold winter weather, so plants had to be moved inside.  The delicate ones planted in the ground had to have lights put on them, then be covered for protection from any frost.

It has warmed up again, but still rainy.  Snow on the mountains, but not down here.  That's the way to have it!

Snow on the Santa Catalina Mountains taken from our back porch.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Technological Frustration

It has been a frustrating few weeks trying to blog.  Bill spent days editing the pictures from Nice, only to have the hard drive he saved them to go bonkers.  Another few days spent trying to get said hard drive to talk to him, then all it could say, "would you like to reformat?"

Blogger hasn't been helpful either.  I gave up trying to post pictures, but it wouldn't post just words!  Part of the problem may be out internet connection which is just faster than dial-up, but not all of it.  So I just gave up, until today when I will try again.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace

Two castle built during the same period, but for completely different uses.  Blackness Castle was a military fort on the Forth of Firth, whi...