I am hopeful that as people become vaccinated against the novel coronavirus this year the risk of contracting the virus will be diminished. I am realistic that this will not happen quickly, and that mask-wearing and social distancing will still be the advised protocols for most of this year, but at least we have hope for an eventual return to normalcy. I know I will continue to live cautiously this year, but as long as my family stays healthy I will be happy.
Our community was full of holiday cheer in December, and we were excited to have clear skies to see the historic conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter event occur far above our house. One neighbor dressed up as Santa Claus and gave out candy canes on certain nights, and another neighbor lit their home with a very creative light and music show. I enjoyed watching religious services streamed online during this Christmas season, all from different churches that have been special to me during my life. Online live streaming has been one of the unexpected bonuses of the past year. We also had fun zoom conferences with friends in lieu of get-togethers and parties. Life is different, but we certainly learned how to enjoy it as much as possible in its revised way.
This year I baked Gingerbread House Pumpkin Cakes for our children and grandchildren, using the Pumpkin Buttermilk Pound Cake recipe I posted here, and Gingerbread Men Pumpkin Bread Cakes for our friends, using this recipe I posted quite a few years ago which is still a favorite.
I love using my Nordic Ware pans to make both shape cakes. We wrapped them up and delivered them to my family along with some tins of favorite Christmas cookies I bake every year.
To remain safe, as they are not all practicing a strict quarantine, our children and grandchildren celebrated in their own homes this year. We were able to deliver some favorite seafood dishes that I made for them to enjoy along with our gifts on Christmas Eve. We wore our more protective N95 masks when doing so, and it was fun to be able to spend even a short time together!
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I agree that we will likely be having to take extra precautions for a while, but as long as we can begin to socialize a little more. the vaccine should also help, as long as most people will take it.Happy New Year.
We spent Christmas on our own, too. It was a very different year. I'm hopeful that the vaccines will change the trajectory of this virus. We are continuing to be very careful, too. Wishing you a very Happy New Year.
Pat - all of your baking looks amazing - I am glad you showed the pans you used - I was wondering how you got that pound cake to look like a house!!! I am optimistic about 2021 - we have so much to look forward to!! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday, and Happy New Year to you!
Hello Pat,
Hubby and I are taking precautions, he is considered at risk. He is waiting to get the vaccine. We all need to take care and wear our mask a little longer. Beautiful photos, the Christmas decorations are lovely. The deer are so pretty, I love the one looking in the window. The Pumpkin bread and cookies look delicious! Happy New Year to you and your family! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, stay safe! Have a great new week!
Your cakes are beautiful and I am in love with the deer! Happy Healthy 2021 to you!
Happy New Year. Things are going to get better, I am sure of it!
I agree..it's been difficult but when your family is healthy, you can feel happy. We are taking all the precautions and enjoying the life we have. Happy new year!
I just want to walk into each photo and live there. It is so beautiful, your holiday. I love the deer, the cakes, the whole joy of it. Yes, I will be doing precautions even after vaccination and probably most of the year but I feel hope. Healing will take a very long while, I think. Our country is so divided. But my dream is we can heal. Happy New Year, my friend.
What delightful looking food! Those are very patient does that let you take their pictures. They must have enjoyed looking back at you too! Hope you continue in good health for the rest of the pandemic!
Happy New Year Pat! :) I love those Nordic Ware pans....I have the skulls one and I'd LOVE to get more, they're so neat. You packaged your cakes so beautifully! Oh and the deer! You're so lucky! :)
The gingerbreadhous is fantastic. I'm delighted. Your visitors in backyard are adorable. What a nice Story beginning the new year.
Wish you and your family a good and healthy, happy NEW YEAR.
Cheers, Heidrun
beautiful landscape and wildlife. What more can you ask for.
And, of course, the deer watches you too.
Happy New Year
Your photos are beautiful! Fun to read about your holiday activities. We attended a Zoom gathering of old friends, too....it was fun! A blessed New Year to you and yours!
I'm shivering as I look at your snowy scenes! Happy New Year!
Wishing you a wonderful year. I'm praying it will be a MUCH better year than 2020!
Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/01/classic.html
Fun mosaics! That is such a crack up to have the deer coming to the window!!
This was the first Christmas in probably 35 years that I did not have fresh cinnamon rolls to deliver to friends and neighbors on Christmas morning. Family all trying to stay safe and healthy. We masked up and stayed distanced on Christmas. It was a good thing as our son and DIL tested positive the following week. My 80 yr. old hubby and I are doing fine. May you all be safe and heathy in the new year. Peace.
This is one pandameic common to us all and we re all in the same situation. Your photos really are amazing.
What a nice post and those cakes I hope you saved me some heheh! I enjoyed all your photos :-)
Happy New Year well as best as possible under the circumstances
Have a safetastic week 😷😷😷
Fabulous shots. Those deer are delightful!
...I hope that you will enjoy a healthy and bright 2021.
What a lovely post and those cakes are amazing! Your "friend" at the window enticed me over from image-in-ing's blog hop. I'm now following on Instagram. My hop is live if you'd like to join on Amanda's Books and More. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Pat. I love those little cakes you made. I may have to buy those cake molds for myself for next year. I too, hope that the vaccine will help diminish the covid contagion. I am longing to see my daughter in London again, as well as see other relatives and friends here in the states.
Ha! That is a close-up. Were you wearing antlers?
Cheers to a happy healthy 2021. Love the photos of the Christmas lights, baking pans and deer.
Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade
Such fun gingerbread houses! Happy New Year!
how lovely to have the dear deers coming into your yard. It looks like you have been able to enjoy Christmas and New Year in a new way. We all need to remain vigilant. I wish you and yours all the very best for 2021 and a quick and safe roll out of the virus vaccine. Stay safe and thank you for visiting my blog this week.
Happy New Year to you and yours. Your photo are fun to see and I really love the photos of the deer! Such beautiful eyes! Thank you!
A lovely post and fabulous photographs.
Happy New Year Wishes to you and yours.
All the best Jan
So funny to see a deer looking in your window. I guess they are as curious as we are! Like you, I'm cautiously optimistic about 2021. After yesterdays events, perhaps more cautious than optimistic!
Hi Pat, I enjoyed all the photos and that last one will leave a smile on my face all day! :-) Thank you for sharing. Take care and stay safe! John
Thanks for sharing at the Sundays on Silverado link party, Pat! I'm featuring your post this Sunday. Love the deer pictures! So funny!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
I bet your baked goods were cherished; they sure do look yummy! We had cloudy skies for almost the whole week of the Saturn/Jupiter event so we sadly missed it. You have some wonderful visitors to watch and it's quite funny seeing them peek in the window! So brave.
How wonderful to make personalized cakes to share! It's hard to bake when it's 80 degrees outside here! The visitors in the window are such a fantastic bonus!
I'm glad you are a part of 'My Corner of the World' this week!
You still managed to celebrate in style! Good for you! And all the best for this new year, I live in hope that it will be better and brighter.
Amalia
xo
Delightful post!Happy 2021! God bless.
I'm a big fan of Heartland, and that Skywatch shot with the ranch makes me think of that series. Thanks for sharing. Looks like a special place.
From your photos, it looks and sounds like you had a nice Christmas even though a very different one. Wishing you all the best in this new year.
Yes there is hope for 2021....Michelle
So many delightful Christmas ideas on here. And that deer! A special animal, indeed. I believe that when we see a deer, it is a gift. Wow, you saw one right in your back yard! What a great photo that is. I was told that deer sometimes roam right by my house, and I'm looking forward to seeing them living in my mountain home.
~Sheri
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