Survival TV, Scrabble, Scones, and "Sully"

We made New Year's a 5 day celebration, even though we spent most of our time at home.  Backtracking to last Thursday, we watched a marathon of the survival reality show "The Last Alaskans" on Animal Planet.  Seriously, we don't do marathon TV but I had a bad episode of pain in the wee hours of Thursday morning that took away much of my sleep time, and I needed to rest and distract.  At 1 p.m. we sat down to lunch and I turned on this show.  Joel and I both like survival type stuff so it held our attention.  I can't believe I am writing this, but 9 hours later we headed to bed fully brain fogged from too much TV!  We did other things during the time including nap and wash, dry and fold laundry, but we tuned in at 1 p.m. and turned it off at 10 p.m. We even woke up the next day feeling draggy from too much TV!  Lesson learned.

Friday we headed with friends on a road trip which I wrote about here on Saturday's Scribbles. I ended up having to rest again most of Saturday, but that night we watched the movie, "Sully" about the pilot who landed the plane on the river in NYC.  It was both fascinating and stressful, and we enjoyed it very much.  Joel found it very interesting how Sully kept his focus and made such calm, calculated decisions during the short 3 1/2 minutes he had from the time of the bird strike until the water landing.  Steady, calm, focused, and following his instincts brought all 155 passengers to  safety.  Truly a miracle on the Hudson.  He did not let the voices of the traffic controllers, the plane's warning sounds, etc. distract him.  He did what he knew he had to do in a dire situation.  Pretty good analogy for much of life!

Sunday Joel preached at a church an hour south and I worshiped online.  Joel and I have been watching another reality show "The American Baking Show" on ABC.  For some reason we love this show......but it makes me want to bake.....and it makes Joel want to eat!  So Sunday morning while Joel was gone I made him a surprise.  Maple scones.  We both enjoy the scones we pick up at Farmer's Market but I have been thinking about how to make them using maple syrup instead of sugar.  And eventually almond flour in place of white flour.  It was a bit labor intensive, but using and adjusting The Pioneer Woman's recipe, I made scones.  We have enjoyed our New Year treat very much.

Today Joel and I played Scrabble.  We used to play quite often and I can tell I am rusty......You know, I sometimes worry about Joel's brain because he cannot pull names up very well.  He has always been this way I guess.  I think I better worry about my brain though since he beat me today 299 to 164. Yeah....that bad.  It has been awhile since I have picked up a Sudoku or crossword puzzle....a good goal for 2017.  Keep my brain active!

It has been an interesting holiday as we ushered in 2017.  My goodness, I still can't believe we are this far into 2000......With so many countdowns behind us, we give thanks for this brand new year that lies before us.

As I look outside I see Joel scrapping ice off the driveway.  Fog is settling in, ice is expected to continue to accumulate.  Winter is making itself known.  We are grateful for it all. Fellowship with friends, a warm house, family texting, survival TV, scrabble, scones, and a movie that makes us think.....We are here.  We rejoice~

Happy New Year!