2020 is the year of the Corona Virus. It started in Wuhan, China on December 29th, 2019, and within 90 days has spread world wide. Of course, the news hypes it up and maybe even blows it out of proportion, but there is the other side of it as well, and that is that any virus that is capable of spreading that quickly and has a 1% - 3% death rate needs to be taken seriously.
Throughout the United States, they have started taking some pretty drastic measures, closing public spaces and canceling events. Disney Land has closed it's doors, along with major league sports, college sporting events (yes, even March Madness), theaters, schools, universities and libraries. Many companies are also asking their employees to work from home if possible.
We are also starting to see the results of public panic, in the stock market and stores, like stores having to close their doors because their shelves are empty.
But the thing we are not seeing yet in our little town is people taking reasonable precautions. We live in a tourist town, so people come and go from all parts of the world on a regular basis, and yet all of the restaurants and bars in town are still packed. It isn't that hard to just stay away from crowded places for a few weeks to let this thing die down, but so far, we just aren't seeing it.
Our nephew who is getting his PhD from a university that is now closed, is calling it a social experiment to see how much we can do remotely or on the internet, and what the impacts will be, and if we do things remotely, and it stops the virus from spreading, will we then think we over reacted? I really love the way he's thinking.
Being cautious doesn't mean you have to be cooped up. Get out and enjoy some sunshine, play a game of golf, or take a hike, just don't hang out in large masses of people. It's pretty simple, if we all do our part, we can stop the virus from spreading any further and be back to our normal activities in no time.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
We Are Leaving Paradise (Friday, March 13th, 2020)
It's been a crazy few months for Steve and I, so I'll fill you in on our most recent adventure.
We have loved Lake Havasu City since we started coming here in 1996. It has been an amazing vacation spot, and for the last four years, it has been a great home. But as with everything in life, our perceptions and priorities change.
Paradise for us used to be a warm location with a lake, where we could relax and boat. But with changes in our lives, and our love for travel, our new paradise is defined as a warm location with an airport, where we can relax and move around more easily.
So late last year, we started looking around the Phoenix area to see what it might have to offer. We eventually found a spec home that meets our needs, and put down earnest money to hold it for us until it is complete. Since then, we have once again been purging our lives of anything we no longer need or use. I love simplifying. It just makes me happy!
On Tuesday, February 25th, we put our Havasu house on the market, hoping not to have to move twice, but knowing that might be a possibility. And today, Friday, March 13th, we are completely moved out and closed on our house. 16 days from start to finish. Apparently we like living in a whirlwind, because we just keep doing it to ourselves.
We are once again temporarily homeless, with our things in storage, living in our motor home, but what better way to spend spring in the beautiful desert.
We have loved Lake Havasu City since we started coming here in 1996. It has been an amazing vacation spot, and for the last four years, it has been a great home. But as with everything in life, our perceptions and priorities change.
Paradise for us used to be a warm location with a lake, where we could relax and boat. But with changes in our lives, and our love for travel, our new paradise is defined as a warm location with an airport, where we can relax and move around more easily.
So late last year, we started looking around the Phoenix area to see what it might have to offer. We eventually found a spec home that meets our needs, and put down earnest money to hold it for us until it is complete. Since then, we have once again been purging our lives of anything we no longer need or use. I love simplifying. It just makes me happy!
On Tuesday, February 25th, we put our Havasu house on the market, hoping not to have to move twice, but knowing that might be a possibility. And today, Friday, March 13th, we are completely moved out and closed on our house. 16 days from start to finish. Apparently we like living in a whirlwind, because we just keep doing it to ourselves.
We are once again temporarily homeless, with our things in storage, living in our motor home, but what better way to spend spring in the beautiful desert.
Friday, January 3, 2020
New Year's Announcement (January 1st, 2020)
What better way to announce new beginnings than on New Years Day! Our oldest daughter and her husband are bringing joy and new life to our family!
We are truly blessed!
South African Christmas (Wednesday, December 25th, 2019)
Now that the house is done, our youngest daughter and her boyfriend were kind enough to host both families for Christmas this year. Since they spent part of their fall in South Africa, they decided to make it a South African Christmas, complete with all of their favorite flavors from that part of the world.
The preparations started the day before, with so much to do before the big day. She prepared ox tail stew, bobotie, turmeric rice and rhiannon flat bread and did all of the chopping for her salad.
The flat bread was rolled out, and rather than cooking it on the traditional open flame, it was baked in the smoker. Ingenious!
The number of spices that went into the bobotie and ox tail stew were tremendous, and brought the entire house to life with aromas that were out of this world!
No one can stay away, not even the dog! Everything smelled so good!
Christmas morning, our family came over early so that we could celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts before everyone else showed up. It was a perfect opportunity for all of us to be together one last time.
As the rest of the guests started arriving, the final preparations for the South African dinner were under way. The special condiments of coconut, raisins and bananas for the bobotie were placed in ramekins.
The oxtail stew was checked one last time.
And this delicious meal that had been taunting us for the past 24 hours was ready to be served!
Sixteen people, one new home, and the love of families coming together at Christmas made this a day to cherish!
We can't thank our youngest daughter and her boyfriend enough for making this a Christmas we will never forget!
The preparations started the day before, with so much to do before the big day. She prepared ox tail stew, bobotie, turmeric rice and rhiannon flat bread and did all of the chopping for her salad.
The flat bread was rolled out, and rather than cooking it on the traditional open flame, it was baked in the smoker. Ingenious!
The number of spices that went into the bobotie and ox tail stew were tremendous, and brought the entire house to life with aromas that were out of this world!
No one can stay away, not even the dog! Everything smelled so good!
Christmas morning, our family came over early so that we could celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts before everyone else showed up. It was a perfect opportunity for all of us to be together one last time.
The oxtail stew was checked one last time.
And this delicious meal that had been taunting us for the past 24 hours was ready to be served!
Sixteen people, one new home, and the love of families coming together at Christmas made this a day to cherish!
We can't thank our youngest daughter and her boyfriend enough for making this a Christmas we will never forget!
A Fabulous Overnight (Sunday, December 22nd, 2019)
While in Colorado this time, we were invited to Karen's house for some food, fun and phrases. We have never been up to her house, so it was truly a treat.
We started out the night with a beautifully laid out charcuterie of nuts, cheeses and fruits with gluten free crackers. And of course, the finest of beers was pulled out for the occasion.
What a chef she is, squid ink pasta and the most scrumptious shrimp and scallops we have ever eaten!
We started out the night with a beautifully laid out charcuterie of nuts, cheeses and fruits with gluten free crackers. And of course, the finest of beers was pulled out for the occasion.
What a chef she is, squid ink pasta and the most scrumptious shrimp and scallops we have ever eaten!
We finished our night with some games of "Catch Phrase" that she gave to us as a guest gift, while reminiscing over wine, just enjoying the company of Karen and the kids.
We stayed the night in her beautiful basement suite, complete with everything anyone could ever need, including a puzzle in progress just in case someone couldn't sleep.
After a brisk walk in the morning, winding around her neighborhood, golf course, athletic center and lakes, we enjoyed a fantastic healthy breakfast at First Watch before heading back toward Denver.
Karen, thank you so much for hosting us, everything about your place is amazing!
Norwegian Dinner (Saturday, December 21st, 2019)
We're back in Colorado for a few whirl wind weeks, and so excited for all that is in store for us! It's always so much fun to see everyone, and walk the steps that once were our home.
One of the things Steve's mom really wanted to do while we were home was to prepare a traditional Norwegian dinner for all of us to enjoy together. Unfortunately, some of the family couldn't be there, but for those of us that were, it was amazing!
Steve's parents were so proud to be able to do this for all of us!
We started out our day with a final gift unwrapping for a birthday already gone by.
Then the kids went out to take some pictures while they were all together. It's so fun for them to have some time with just the four of them.
It was finally time for our big dinner, and the preparations were on. There was pickled haring and Gjetost cheese for appetizers. With fruit soup, lefse, Norwegian meatballs, boiled potatoes, lutefisk, peas and lingonberry jam for the main course. A feast fit for Norwegian kings, served on the family china.
Our fantastic day ended with some family football time, just hanging out and enjoying the company of those we don't get to see often enough.
One of the things Steve's mom really wanted to do while we were home was to prepare a traditional Norwegian dinner for all of us to enjoy together. Unfortunately, some of the family couldn't be there, but for those of us that were, it was amazing!
Steve's parents were so proud to be able to do this for all of us!
We started out our day with a final gift unwrapping for a birthday already gone by.
Then the kids went out to take some pictures while they were all together. It's so fun for them to have some time with just the four of them.
It was finally time for our big dinner, and the preparations were on. There was pickled haring and Gjetost cheese for appetizers. With fruit soup, lefse, Norwegian meatballs, boiled potatoes, lutefisk, peas and lingonberry jam for the main course. A feast fit for Norwegian kings, served on the family china.
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Friday The Thirteenth (Friday, December 13th, 2019)
It has been an unusual winter here in Havasu. It has been a rainy, foggy, humid year, with dew on the ground on a few mornings. Unfortunately, with all of the rain, there has also been some flooding and damage to buildings and land. Several of our favorite golf courses have had some pretty extensive damage, either to the course, or the clubhouse, which of course has hurt their business, but it has also allowed us to play more than usual because the rates are so good!
We have played our old favorite courses, along with some that we have never played before, like Emerald Canyon in Parker and Cerrat Cliffs in Kingman.
This Friday, when we were playing at Laughlin Ranch in Bullhead City, Sharyn and I both got a birdie on the back nine! This is our birdie sign language!
And that gave us a great excuse to go celebrate at the restaurant afterwards. Endless soup and salad for $10 a person, and $3 Kilt Lifter beers at an amazing golf resort. You certainly can't beat that!
Golf at Laughlin Ranch was so great that we had to play a second day! No birdies for us this time, but Steve got a birdie and 4 pars on the back nine. Now that... and these amazing views will definitely keep us coming back!
We have played our old favorite courses, along with some that we have never played before, like Emerald Canyon in Parker and Cerrat Cliffs in Kingman.
This Friday, when we were playing at Laughlin Ranch in Bullhead City, Sharyn and I both got a birdie on the back nine! This is our birdie sign language!
And that gave us a great excuse to go celebrate at the restaurant afterwards. Endless soup and salad for $10 a person, and $3 Kilt Lifter beers at an amazing golf resort. You certainly can't beat that!
Golf at Laughlin Ranch was so great that we had to play a second day! No birdies for us this time, but Steve got a birdie and 4 pars on the back nine. Now that... and these amazing views will definitely keep us coming back!
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