Thinking About a New Year...

Its 3:30pm on New Year's Eve. I should be in a cabin in Jackman looking at a frozen lake and getting excited about cutting holes and setting traps in the morning. Instead I'm in my house with my dog on my lap, waiting to have Chinese take-out with my wife and enjoying the weekend at home. I'm a happy man. Though my plans were changed by El Nino, I'm still looking forward to the next few days and especially the next year. As far as the next few days, I'll be:

• Ushering in a new year with my two best friends - one canine, one beautiful brilliant woman.
• Going on a long walk with both in the morning and hopefully a snowshoe in the afternoon.
• Having brunch with good friends on Saturday.
• Doing some much needed chores around the house on Sunday.

As far as 2016 - I look forward to:

• Spending as much time as possible with M-S and Bax.
• Seeing my healthy and happy dad more often.
• Continuing to enjoy all the professional roles that I play, and loving my work.
• Admitting that I need to change a few things about my diet now that my ever-aging body has sent me a few more hints.
• Getting into the woods. A lot. I plan on pushing myself a bit this year beginning around my birthday. 
• Following the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of Sarah and Chris. They make me proud every single day.
• Seeing more of Maine and America and perhaps the world.

I plan to have a great 2016 and I wish the same to you and yours.
Life is good,
~MET

A Quick Stop in Boston to See Chris

 M-S and I spent last night in Boston to see Chris before the holidays. My son will be driving to Florida this year to spend Christmas with his mom and new years with friends, so we decided to celebrate with him a little early.  We stayed at Taj-Boston, which I believe has become our "Boston hotel" It has a great location and we really like it there. Last night we had dinner here:

 Its one of Mario Batali's restaurants and the pizza was phenomenal.

 We also had a drink after dinner with Chris at Whiskey Priest in the South End of Boston. When M-S and I got back to the Taj (which is right on Boston Common) we decided to take a walk to take advantage of the ridiculous temperatures.

 It was beautiful and there were lots of people doing the same. This morning we took another walk looking at all the shops on Newberry Street.

 The stores were decorated for the holidays in many different ways:

 We then met up with Chris again, but this time in Davis Square in Somerville.

 We gave him some gifts and enjoyed an AMAZING brunch at Orleans. They had a very fun Bloody Mary bar:

 And the food was outstanding. M-S's breakfast pizza - complete with tater tots:

 And this is my hash platter:

There is nothing better than a great brunch. It was wonderful to see Chris, and it looks like both of my children will be someplace else on Christmas this year, which is fine. Sarah and Karl will be stopping in a few days after the 25th and we'll find time to spend with Tut and Winnie during the holiday week. It looks like the holidays will be more than one day this year! Life is good.
~MET