Christmas at the Waterfront

Had a lovely day yesterday. Spent the morning puttering around the house, including steam mopping the bathroom which is always hugely satisfying (the floor gets so clean, and there's no bucket to deal with! Makes me happy). My folks came over after lunch so we could go to the outlet sale at Meyers - they mostly do online and catalog sales, but their two warehouses are in Vallejo and right over here by me and they have warehouse sales annually, 30% off already discounted cookware, basically. Mom and Dad stumbled across the one in Vallejo over 10 years ago when they were coming back from a less than stellar visit to Babushka's. They were both ind of grumpy and didn't feel like going straight home, so when they saw the huge sale banner, they went to check it out. The salespeople and everyone else shopping were very friendly and they got some great deals and they've gone back every year ever since. It's always a good source of Xmas presents, and a good way to get the latest Anonlon nonstick whatevers, which since they cook using virtually no oil is vey useful for them.

Since I moved back to California, I've been going with them, and since I moved to Suisun we've been going to the warehouse over here and then out to dinner. Got myself a dutch oven that I don't strictly need but that will work on the induction cooker, a set of three cast iron frying pans that were extremely cheap, a muffin pan that I actually need, and a set of hot chocolate mugs shaped like penguins with a battery powered mixer and little hat like things that keep the hot chocolate from splashing out while you're mixing it up but you can pop off to drink direct from the mug. Mostly because they are penguins and they are cute, but also because my hot chocolate mixing technique with a tiny whisk and a measuring cup is not great, so why not try this?

Yesterday was also the big day of Christmas at the Waterfront - merchant stalls, an "ice" skating rink (ice skates on some sort of plastic surface) in the plaza, the lit up boat parade, lighting the city Xmas tree, fireworks and I think a bonfire. The merchants and skating will be there next weekend, too. I always enjoy the boat parade, it's just fun. Got some Sutter Buttes Meyer Lemon Olive Oil and Peach Balsamic Vinegar because they had set up a little tasting bar and OMG SO DELICIOUS. I could drink that vinegar. Or use it as a salad dressing with no oil, that's probably more practical. And the lemon olive oil is, mm, so good. t will be drizzled on many things, I'm sure.

There's a fundraiser thing where various groups put together fully decorated trees complete with packages under them that are auctioned off, with the money raised going to whatever cause the group designated. It's pretty neat, and the trees are pretty, so we browsed among those. It's pretty neat to be able to be among a couple dozen decorated trees at once. If I ever decide to have a tree, I'll get one of those, I think. Good causes, extra goodies, I think I could probably fit my few personal ornaments onto an already decorated tree.

After the parade we had a few more stalls to visit and as we wound up with that the fireworks started. Right over our heads. It was pretty sweet, I must say. In the summertime, fireworks don't start until 9:30, so I watch them from my porch, which is still pretty good, but being right under them was kind of incredible. And it wasn't super crowded, which I have always assumed it would be.

Then dinner at Main Street Bar and Grill, who have changed and simplified their menu a bit, but it was still absolutely delicious. For once I didn't get dessert. I have half a grilled pork loin special to munch on for lunch today, yum.

Got home between 7 and 8 and it felt like the middle of the night. I don't think I even got through a whole episode of anything on the DVR before I went to sleep. Did chat a bit with DH, who sounds like he is doing pretty well right now