Your bike rides this week

December 23. I rode around the airport with Terri and Cheryl.

Laurie, Lori, Maria, Brenda:

Christmas Eve. Kristi, Laurie, Brenda:

Tuesday December 26. Brenda and Lori:

Thursday December 28. Maria and Tony:

BarbaraL:

Kathy:

Friday December 29. Brenda:

Sunday December 31. Brenda, Rachel, Jim, Kristi, Paul, Lori, Maria:

Celebrations everywhere

In between the big celebrations were little ones. After Christmas Eve with the family, I went over to Terri’s. Elaine, Terri, Steve, Jim, Nancy:

Tuesday: Boxing Day with Elaine at Mojo’s Local Tap & Kitchen.

Wednesday: lunch at Frank Fat’s

with Thais, Lenin and family. Jeff, Leah and Lauren joined us also.

Wednesday evening: Terri’s 70th birthday party. Terri, granddaughter Robin, Steve, Brett and daughter Sara:

On Thursday, lunch at Linda’s with Ade and Kathy:

Christmas Day

Everyone came over for brunch which was perfect because I got to try out a new waffle maker and recipes for yeasted waffles. Ham and Swiss with sour cream/mustard and orange-zested basic waffles with butter and maple syrup. Grandma was devilish this year with Carson and Avery’s gifts. Both were gift cards which required some creative packaging. Carson received a handmade felt cube filled with large dried lima beans. The letters and words on the outside formed two puzzles to solve.

I hid Avery’s gift card inside a large (heavy) box of walnuts.

And that’s where my picture-taking began and ended.

Christmas Eve

At Leah (Lenin’s sister) and Jeff’s. Jeff made a perfect prime rib roast via sous vide, smoking and searing, in that order.

Rita (Lenin’s mother) and Lino:

All the cousins. Leo, Jeffery, Lauren, Carson, Sophia, Brooklyn, Cameron, Cameron, Avery, Christian:

Sophia, me, Lauren, Brooklyn, Cameron, Cameron, Thais, Holly, Leah, Rita:

Alamar Marina

The parking lot is just off the Garden Highway and it ‘s bit of a walk down the ramp toward the river and the roof of the restaurant, then down the stairs to water level.

Kathie and I had a great lunch at Alamar Marina this afternoon. The food was excellent.

Brunch with Maria

Oh this is bad. Maria and I met in Auburn at Jane’s Cafe for brunch and had a great visit. I ordered The Mess – so beautiful, plentiful, and delicious – so worthy of a picture.

But I forgot to take a picture of us. Eye roll.

Holiday lights ride

We had 9 bike riders this year. It was a 7 mile ride that started at 7 pm. We met at “the Feet” – a public art installation in Natomas Community Park. N Natomas neighborhoods have LOTS of holiday lights but none is better than Rockmont. So popular, streets organized by residents for easier flow, many pedestrians, many cars. Best navigated on a bike. Rachel, Lennore, Minka, Elaine, me, Lori, Brenda, Julisa. Picture taken by Minerva.

At this particular location in a cul-de-sac, there is a huge tree in the center, and a barrel for food donations. Tonight neighbors had a fire going and free hot chocolate for passersby. A big shout-out to Brenda who is great at rallying people for these rides. And she has a selfie stick …

and she takes pictures while she’s pedaling. This picture is a bit blurry but gives you an idea of one long section of Northborough Dr – MANY hoops of lights on the sidewalk.

Bike Doc party

Jibe invited all the SABA mechanics and intake personnel to a get-together at

Excellent appetizers and many choices of beer. Anya from Jibe:

Mechanics and plus ones, Mellissa from Jibe in green sweater:

Winter is a bit of a break. Bike Doc returns to N Natomas in March. Fun evening. Thank you Jibe.