10 pm UPDATE – ah … nothing like cooking a full turkey with all the fixings in a tiny trailer oven, and then carrying it from the cook house to the main room outside through a hurricane. Big Sur living at its best. I asked my family for holiday combat pay, and they agreed. Does it get any better than this?

Sorry, but the holidays and family kept me busy all day. I hope it did you too!

Love and blessings to all!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I woke this morning to high winds and slight rain, which was quite a surprise, as the last time I looked at the forecast, the rain was predicted to come in this afternoon or evening. Of course, I went to NOAA discussion and discovered:

THE LEADING EDGE OF THE FRONT REACHING THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA COASTLINE BETWEEN 1500 (7 am PST) AND 2100Z (1 pm PST). AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH GALE FORCE ACROSS THE COASTAL WATERS AND WINDS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO REACH ADVISORY LEVELS ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COASTLINE, THE SALINAS VALLEY AND MOUNTAIN FORECAST ZONES.

[There is] A FAIRLY STEEP COLD FRONT WITH OMEGA VALUES UP TO 20 UBARS AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT. WITH THIS STRUCTURE IN MIND EXPECT PERIODS OF MODERATE RAIN, WHICH COULD BE HEAVY AT TIMES, WITH THE FRONTAL PASSAGE BETWEEN 1800 (10 am) AND 0000Z (noon). MINOR HYDROLOGICAL CONCERNS MAY ARISE DURING THIS PERIOD OF STEADY RAIN AND MAY RESULT IN SMALL STREAM FLOODING AND PONDING ON THE ROADWAYS.

BTW, over an inch of rain expected in the mtns of Big Sur, and looks like an inch and 1/2 in the Santa Cruz mtns! Oh, boy!

Stay warm, dry, and above all, SAFE! Now I’m off to put a turkey in the oven. Enjoy the gift of family and friends. I am!