Christmas in the East

Joy with her yearly Christmas Cake.

This is the master at work. Joy's been pretty much living in the kitchen the last few weeks. Two Christmas parties, Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas dinner, two cakes, and some cookies.


This is one of the Zupa da Pesce dishes Joy made for Christmas Eve dinner. Clams, Mussels, Scallops, Shrimp, and Lobster over pasta. It is amazing, but if you get any on your clothes, they will reek the following day.


This is one of Christine's labradors (annie) helping out with the dishes.


These are Gabriela and Olivia (Joy's great nieces) sporting their Christmas Garb.

This is the house with some garland around the lintel.


This is a page from my sketchbook where I'm doing a copy of a late Raphael painting. I got to talk to Anastasia on Skype on Christmas and she showed me a bunch of drawings in her sketchbook which are really good.



This is a painting I've been slaving away on, but have let sit for a while. I will return to it when I muster up the courage.

I'm really looking forward to the visit in CA. Joy got me a very portable video cam for Christmas, so maybe I can post some video of the trip. Thanks Geneva for keeping us updated. I'll make an effort to post more. Here's hoping for a great year in 2012.

Christmas Greetings!

Well, just as I figured out blogger some as%hole from Silicon Valley put together a new format so once again I have no idea what I'm doing! Blogger, schmogger. Well, now that my Scrooge-like rant is finished, let me wish you all Merry Christmas! Highlights from December: 1) me in Christmas shopping mode. Marks on my nose are not from slugging another shopper, just my sunglasses. I need a venti triple cappuccino! 2)Lewis Christmas tree- a live one from high in the Nevada forests. delivered by Dad's handball buddy who is a volunteer firefighter in Verdi, NV. 3-5) Took a drive up to Donner Summit- we are 10% of normal for snow this year. Nice for getting around but not good for ski resorts and those employed by them. VERY cold and windy but gorgeous and sunny! 6) Donner Lake viewed from the western end (taken by Dad- what a photographer!) ...will catch up with Debra, her partner Van, and the kids soon so will post more pics then. I think we're planning to visit Nathan in Sacto too. Matt, what's up with the protests in Moscow? Betty, are you home for the holidays or traveling? take care all, Merry Christmas!!! and to all a happy New Year!