The Fleet Report and Daily for Monday December 19th, 2022

[puppycanducruise]

@smitty34877Hope the surgery goes well.

[marshhawk]

Good Monday Morning Dailyites!  I love chocolate more than hard candy, but I really miss the old fashioned hard  Christmas candy.  The spices and flavors were great, but I'm not sure it's made anymore.  Haven't see  it in about 5 years.

 

DH got that decorating bug yesterday, and we put lights on the holly, hung the big wreath, put out some Christmas flags,  a tree, and our snowman, which looks good during the day, but his lights don't really give you an idea of what he is at night.  

 

I love the quote.  I need to do that more, get out and see more friends, but I am more anxious about Covid and the flu, so I hope that when I do go see more friends, that we can hook up outside.  I am getting together with two old friends today.  

 

The Bubbles cat was attacked by son of Bubbles yesterday, fur flying every where.  I went over to break up the fight, but i cant tell if it was a fight, Bubbles didnt get a shot in at all, but Uggles is afraid of humans so he took off, Bubbles limped off, but was on the porch the minute the sun went down.

 

Computer says the temperature is 28, NOAA says our low on Friday going into Saturday will be 12.

We are going to stock up on fire wood, and soup.  I hope that you all have a wonderful Monday.

 

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, puppycanducruise said:

@smitty34877Hope the surgery goes well.

+1.

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

We will have a couple days of decent weather before we get dumped on with snow.  Thursday and Friday are looking bad.  I hope Sue makes it down either Thursday right after work or Friday morning before the Friday storm.  Due to snow on the ground and cold temperatures, I am going to the gym this morning instead of doing an outside walk.  

 

@smitty34877 Thinking of you today.

@grapau27 It looks like you have healed up well!   

 

Today's meal sounds really good to me.  I did something similar years and years ago in the slow cooker.  This first recipe comes to us from Australia.  Use whichever chicken parts you like.   https://www.lovefood.com/recipes/103275/braised-chicken-with-almonds-olives-raisins-and-lemon-recipe

 

 

Here's another Australian version.  We're still using chicken marylands.  Again, use the chicken parts  you prefer.   https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/recipe-collections/neil-perrys-braised-chicken-with-olives-and-almonds-20190415-h1di8o

 

 

Here is a west coast version.  It is a version of the restaurant Barbacco's dish.   https://gregnelsoncooks.com/2021/04/02/braised-chicken-thighs-with-olives-and-almonds/

 

 

This is the recipe for Barbacco's version:   https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/barbaccos-chicken-thighs-50103162

 

This last one is chicken with olives and herbs.  You can add in some toasted almonds if you like.  https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/braised-chicken-thighs-with-olives-and-herbs

 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

 

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  Trying to get back on schedule here and got up to do the treadmill work.  Also trying to walk up and down our staircase 20 times a day to compensate for the steps I was taking on the ship.  Then I tried to start my laptop but it wasn't having it!  We finally got it to open and it immediately went into updating mode.  Just trying to get there took 1 hour so I am late today.  

 

Thanks for today's Daily Rich @richwmn.  I remember the hard candy some of you are talking about.  It was called ribbon candy - at least the kind my parents liked.  Hurray for the heroes and heroines all over the world.  Looking for an evergreen is what we did this morning when we looked out our window and noticed the next door neighbor replaced a shrub next to the driveway with a new pencil evergreen

 

.

 

I wonder what else is new around here? 

 

I liked the menu suggestion so thanks Debbie @dfishfor the recipes.  I hope the weather isn't too terrible later this week.  We are driving to Ohio Saturday, and DS is driving from Ann Arbor to Cincinnati on Christmas Day so praying the roads will be clear for us all.  Santarem Brazil is a recent addition to DH and my ports of call, having just been there Nov. 28.  I don't even know if I have the photos ready to go through but will see later.  I have a lot of extras to do today, like get groceries and cut DH's hair.  It's a mess having not been cut since before our cruise.  

 

Thanks Roy @rafinmdfor the Care and Celebration lists.  Prayers for all on the Care list, and the poor people of Ukraine.  Also praying for safe travels for all this holiday season.  Cheers to the celebrants! 

 

Here is a link to Rich's post on Santarem, Brazil in Aug. 22, 2021 to help in retrieving your photos as needed.  Have a wonderful day everyone.

 

 

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info ..

[StLouisCruisers]

1 hour ago, RedneckBob said:

Is that a row of toilets on that boat 😳

 

 

 

1 hour ago, summer slope said:

Not sure what those back marks are for.

The black marks are to show where the "butts" go if they are packing a lot of people into the tender during an emergency.  You would be sitting up there on that ledge.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Good morning Daily-ites from Grand Turk. A short day on shore, all aboard is 1:30.

 

Prayers for Terry's surgery today. Sandi how is DD foot? Graham your scar looks good.

 

A few pictures from yesterday in DR.

 

 

I think DD's foot is doing okay but we'll know more tomorrow after the surgeon visit.    Looks like a great time on your cruise.  The lobster looks good! 

 

And for Graham @grapau27good to hear the stitches are out and it's looking like a great healing so far.  

[grapau27]

Evergreen conifers in our garden.

[Lady Hudson]

Back home again from shopping before 9 am.  I am liking these very early morning trips - very few people out.  Just food today and one gift card.  Hopefully done except desserts.  Having company 12/24, 12/25, and 12/29 so 3 dinners to prepare.  And then there is New Years Eve!

 

Prayers for our care list.  Thanks Rich and Roy for all you do.  Have a great day. Katherine 

[Cat in my lap]

Happy Monday!  Today I go to dentist for cleaning.  Hopefully I will be told all is good since we will be at sea soon!

 

Last night we saw Christmas Carol and it was so well done with singing and humor that I enjoyed it!  
 

Tonight we are having drinks with our next door neighbors!

 

Best wishes to all!

[aliaschief]

Good morning! It’s another cold morning in NW Florida and it appears that will be the norm all week through Christmas. It’s laundry day and a few errands. Today we will have a bowl of home made chili as the weather begs for some spice and warmth in our dining.

@smitty34877 Your in many of our thoughts and prayers today for a successful surgery.

Thanks for the reports and post. Have a great non stressful holiday week.

Bruce

 

 

[RedneckBob]

43 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

The black marks are to show where the "butts" go if they are packing a lot of people into the tender during an emergency.  You would be sitting up there on that ledge.

 

 

 

 

I think DD's foot is doing okay but we'll know more tomorrow after the surgeon visit.    Looks like a great time on your cruise.  The lobster looks good! 

 

And for Graham @grapau27good to hear the stitches are out and it's looking like a great healing so far.  

Come on StLouisie Cruiser. You let the cat out of the bag. Based on my butt size, I may need two of those black marks to sit on 😀

[travelingbums]

THANK YOU EVERYONE.

 

Have a  great day.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from a wet central Texas.  It looks like for once the forecast and the weather agree.  It will continue to rain off and on all morning.  At least, our temperatures will remain in the mid 40sF until later in the week.  Thursday night, the low is now predicted to be 11F and the high Friday will be 20F, then it will begin warming and be in the 70sF by next week.  That's our Texas weather!

 

DH likes hard candy, and ribbon candy this time of year.  I'll salute Heroes and heroines on their day.  It is not difficult for us to fine an evergreen.  We have three cedar trees in the yard, and a lot more lining the back of the right-of-way between our house and the highway behind us.  

 

The A. A. Milne quote  is true, and the last couple of years have prevented us from going to see people.

 

The meal sounds good , but we'll pass on the drink and the wine.

 

We visited Santarem twice in 2006 on the old Regal Princess on b2b's from Florida.  I'll post my pictures in a few minutes.  

 

@smitty34877  Terry, I'll be thinking of you today and sending good thoughts for a successful surgery and a quick recovery.

@RedneckBob  Yes, I remember the song.  Here's your A.

@mamaofami  Carol, thanks for the great picture of your family.

@kochleffel  Thanks for the picture of the menorah, and I'm happy the dinner was a big success.

@Cat in my lap  I'm glad you enjoyed the production of A Christmas Carol last night. 

@aliaschief  Bruce, I had to laugh at your UPS meme.  Once when we had been gone for a month or two one summer, the first time the UPS driver dropped off an Amazon box he welcomed us home.  😄

 

Lenda

 

Edited December 19, 2022 by Quartzsite Cruiser

[ottahand7]

Happy Monday!   I have already been to my lung doctor downtown and am now back and picking up all the rugs, dusting and getting ready to mop the tile so we come home to clean floors.   Our decision to move our departure ahead a day puts a crush on final prep and details.    Looking at our Thursday weather forecast it was a really good idea.  

@smitty34877 Praying your surgery goes smoothly and a speedy recovery!   Prayers for all on our care list and the people of Ukraine.   @summer slope Thank you for the photos of Santarem.  I will check in later for more.    Have a nice day!!   Nancy 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

We have been to Santarem twice on the old Regal Princess in 2006, as we did a b2b roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale.  Flying into and out of Manaus, unless you are on a charter flight, is difficult.  Besides, who could pass up an extra 14 days on an ship, even if it is not a BHB.

 

The first time we stopped in Santarem, we took a tour out on the river, which was very high as it was the end of the rainy season.  Houses that are on land during the dry season are more than waterfront property during the rainy season.

 

Not sure what type of fish this is, but it looks like a member of the catfish family.

 

On the boat, they gave us privative fishing gear baited with red meat.  This is the one that DH caught, but it was a small piranha

 

One lady caught this big guy.  The crew filleted it and cooked it.  We were each given a bite along with some manioc.  The fish tasted like perch and the manioc was hard and nearly broke teeth.

 

A couple of pictures of Santarem as we returned to town.

 

The sunset that day as we headed towards Manaus.

 

Heading back down the Amazon, we stopped at Santarem again.  That day, four of us hired a taxi to take us to Belterra, one of Henry Ford's rubber plantations.  I posted pictures of Belle Terra on an earlier Daily.

 

Our first stop was to watch the locals prepare manioc.  After our experience on the river cruise, we did not taste it again.  Besides being hard, I don't remember it having much taste.

 

Two boys with their green parrots

 

When we got back to Santarem, we stopped at this museum.  

 

The museum gardens

 

The street outside the museum.

 

Lenda

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Here are some pictures of Belterra.  We stopped at the "city hall" to ask about the town, and we were taken to a back room to view an old map of the town and the rubber plantation.

 

 

 

A rubber tree scored to collect the rubber.

 

 

Pictures of the town.

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

[travelnap]

37 minutes ago, RedneckBob said:

Come on StLouisie Cruiser. You let the cat out of the bag. Based on my butt size, I may need two of those black marks to sit on 😀

That's a very cheeky comment, if I have ever heard one before.

[aliaschief]

Just stole this one from FB!

 

[rafinmd]

Another sunrise taken today on the way to my morning walk.  The vantage point was a parking deck I have never been to before:

 

Roy

[RedneckBob]

33 minutes ago, travelnap said:

That's a very cheeky comment, if I have ever heard one before.

That’s very funny,  butt for the original photo of the black marks. 😀😀.

Tell me when to stop!

[AncientWanderer]

Good morning.  Extra thoughts and prayers for @smitty34877Terry with her hip surgery today.

 

The old spicy hard candy that @marshhawkAnnie mentioned is the smell of Christmas to me.  It was always down at the bottom of the stockings.  The smell of Christmas morning.

 

Thanks @GTVCRUISERfor the beautiful photo of Balboa Park.  Your photos are always a treat.

 

You have a beautiful family @mamaofami.  The photo is a treasure. @kochleffel, happy that your Hanukkah dinner went well, also.  We will have a Hanukkah dinner with DD and DSIL on Wednesday. 

 

@Seasick Sailor, Amber Cove looks beautiful.  It looks like you're enjoying wonderful weather -- and food!

 

@grapau27, they did a good job on your face.  Your backyard is amazing.

 

@dfish, the recipes look really good.  I think I've concocted something similar before -- but not as good.  Definitely saving the recipes.

 

Thanks @Quartzsite Cruiserfor the great photos.  And also @StLouisCruisersfor providing the link.  We'll never get the yellow fever vaccination, so photos of that part of the world are a treat.

 

Thanks everyone for the wine, drink, jokes and other photos -- and especially for our care and celebration list.  Wishing everyone a rock solid Monday.  Get those presents wrapped!  

[grapau27]

44 minutes ago, AncientWanderer said:

Good morning.  Extra thoughts and prayers for @smitty34877Terry with her hip surgery today.

 

The old spicy hard candy that @marshhawkAnnie mentioned is the smell of Christmas to me.  It was always down at the bottom of the stockings.  The smell of Christmas morning.

 

Thanks @GTVCRUISERfor the beautiful photo of Balboa Park.  Your photos are always a treat.

 

You have a beautiful family @mamaofami.  The photo is a treasure. @kochleffel, happy that your Hanukkah dinner went well, also.  We will have a Hanukkah dinner with DD and DSIL on Wednesday. 

 

@Seasick Sailor, Amber Cove looks beautiful.  It looks like you're enjoying wonderful weather -- and food!

 

@grapau27, they did a good job on your face.  Your backyard is amazing.

 

@dfish, the recipes look really good.  I think I've concocted something similar before -- but not as good.  Definitely saving the recipes.

 

Thanks @Quartzsite Cruiserfor the great photos.  And also @StLouisCruisersfor providing the link.  We'll never get the yellow fever vaccination, so photos of that part of the world are a treat.

 

Thanks everyone for the wine, drink, jokes and other photos -- and especially for our care and celebration list.  Wishing everyone a rock solid Monday.  Get those presents wrapped!  

Thank you for your lovely comments.

Graham.

 

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

Here are some pictures of Belterra.  We stopped at the "city hall" to ask about the town, and we were taken to a back room to view an old map of the town and the rubber plantation.

 

 

 

A rubber tree scored to collect the rubber.

 

 

Pictures of the town.

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

Great selection of photos Lenda.

They give a good insight to the port of the day.

Graham.

[StLouisCruisers]

I moved some photos around this morning and uploaded to Shutterfly which works perfectly here at home (unlike on the ship!).  So I found the photos we took on November 28 in Santarem Brazil.  Since we had no intention of heading out into the wilderness we stayed in town.  The population of this city was over 300,000!

 

We got on a Volendam tender to go to shore.  But there were large local boats taking on passengers from a large barge they tied up to a different tender platform.  The boats were tall and must have been difficult for people to board without the barge.  I assumed these boats were there for shore excursion people.  We would see how this would cause problems later disembarking the people at the pier.

 

 

 

The bus driver waiting for us once on shore.  No AC by the way.

 

Typical view from bus on the way to the Fishermen's Square drop off point.

 

 

As Dixie showed you, this was where everyone was dropped off and picked up again.

 

We walked across the street where there was supposedly a tourist information center, but it really was a shopping spot, and a place where locals hawked their tour/taxi service.

 

 

On that side of the street was a wide, sunny (HOT) esplanade along the water.  We took that route and saw lots of boats pulled up to shore.

 

A street scene across the street from the esplanade.

 

And the "ugly wiring" look.

 

Our target was the pretty turquoise cathedral we had spotted on the way downtown.

 

 

 

 

Across from the church was a place where vendors set up tents.  These soccer jerseys were probably big sellers.

 

From there we walked back to Fishermen's Square using this pedestrian shopping street.

 

Once at the Square we took the very warm bus back to the pier.  We waited in a few square feet of shade for the tender, but first one of those large boats arrived with Volendam passengers onboard.  However they couldn't figure out how to get them off due to height differences in the pier and boat decks.

 

They lowered this "gangway" from the bow but I wasn't sure how this would work with some of the unsteady walkers on the boat.  

 

I never did find out how it was done because our ship's tender arrived to ferry us back.  

 

That was our day in Santarem.  Just another view from the Amazon