{"id":22594,"date":"2023-12-16T17:45:06","date_gmt":"2023-12-17T00:45:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/?p=22594"},"modified":"2023-12-16T17:45:07","modified_gmt":"2023-12-17T00:45:07","slug":"countdown-to-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/2023\/12\/countdown-to-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"Countdown to Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I love this time of year!  Kind of funny as I have had quiet days at home with pets for many years &#8230; no presents but lovely music, good food and hopefully enough snow to snowshoe!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Enough snow is doubtful this year but you never know!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Friday, December 15, 2023 &#8230; my last coding day of 2023.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I started the day with a delicious mocha latte &#8230;  That was followed by Emmett throwing up and then&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"891\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Morning5399.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22595\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Morning5399.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Morning5399-236x300.jpg 236w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Morning5399-118x150.jpg 118w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Morning5399-31x40.jpg 31w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oscar pushed the little Christmas tree onto the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All was cleaned up and no damage to the tree or any creatures, but Oscar and I did have words!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Onward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Emmett and my first daylight walk &#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"1023\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mtns5400.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22596\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mtns5400.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mtns5400-205x300.jpg 205w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mtns5400-103x150.jpg 103w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mtns5400-27x40.jpg 27w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So pretty that it made me forget the morning messes :)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"889\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Work5412-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22601\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Work5412-3.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Work5412-3-236x300.jpg 236w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Work5412-3-118x150.jpg 118w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Work5412-3-31x40.jpg 31w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I finished my coding tasks including uploading the project, documentation and my final 2023 timesheet &#8230; at 1:20 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have 13 hours left to work off my final contract and those will be spent in January when the code completed today will be deployed to production.  I will likely have a few meetings, some code adjustments and ?? before I run out of hours.  I am ok with this &#8230; the stakeholders for this code were caught in the same snafu that the rest of the tech team was.  I am happy to be able to deliver a good solution and then be done on a positive note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"952\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Snow5402.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22603\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Snow5402.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Snow5402-252x300.jpg 252w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Snow5402-126x150.jpg 126w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Snow5402-768x914.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Snow5402-34x40.jpg 34w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Current snow &#8230; enough to look a bit Christmas-y but not enough for snowshoes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, that is my glove or a glove.  The routine is as we get close to home, Emmett gets a glove to carry home.  I finally smartened up and carry a spare to throw &#8230; took me a while :( .  At any rate, he considers it big fun and brings the glove inside very proud of himself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My watercolor journey so far has been wonderful!  It did not really take off until I bought the little art table.  I had a number of supplies for I think 6 weeks and used them once or twice.  Once I had the art table and sitting down to paint or draw involves only filling some water jars &#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5421.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5421.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5421-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5421-150x104.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5421-768x532.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5421-58x40.jpg 58w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have been spending 20-30-60 minutes early evenings learning and experimenting.  I am finding it incredibly relaxing.  When I stop, I walk around with a big grin on my face as I reflect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"663\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5419.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5419.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5419-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5419-150x111.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5419-768x566.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5419-54x40.jpg 54w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of my favorite YouTube watercolor persons is Harriet de Winton:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Watercolour Advent 2023 Day 15\" width=\"658\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aMv9GkVXXtY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">She has been doing an Advent Calendar mini-watercolor series.  Every morning there is a short video on the day&#8217;s image.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This skill level is far beyond mine but on day 11 I decided to try the candies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5420.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5420.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5420-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5420-150x93.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5420-768x478.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Art5420-64x40.jpg 64w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I tried them multiple times and practiced brush strokes and tried again.  No masterpiece but I learned a lot and I think it is good to keep trying to gain some experience or ??<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The snowman is out of my own head and uses some techniques that Harriet demonstrated on the candies which is what gave me the idea.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am dating all of my stuff so that hopefully &#8230; next year, when I hope to be able to do the Advent Watercolor Calendar &#8230; I will see progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, I am actually very pleased that some of the items look a bit like what they are supposed to be :) !!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I might try some of the others from the calendar:  the gnome, the stocking, Santa stuck in the chimney &#8230; And I will have another go at my snowman!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nine days until Christmas!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I love this time of year! Kind of funny as I have had quiet days at home with pets for many years &#8230; no presents but lovely music, good food and hopefully enough snow to snowshoe! Enough snow is doubtful this year but you never know!! Friday, December 15, 2023 &#8230; my last coding day [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-front-porch-musings"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22594","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22594"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22594\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22609,"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22594\/revisions\/22609"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beardogco.com\/theroadhome\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}