Panama Canal and Central America

Belated Happy New Year !  Hope that 2026 has been treating you well!

We started the new year on a Viking Ocean Cruise to the Panama Canal and Central America - and it was fabulous!

For the past few years we have been traveling over the holidays - this year we were home for Christmas but left soon after to spend the New Year and our anniversary on a cruise.

We started with a two night pre-trip in Fort Lauderdale

Included in our package was an airboat ride through the everglades!

It was a lot of fun...we did not see many alligators, but that was okay with me!

The next day we boarded the Viking Mars and had a sea day to enjoy the ship before we celebrated New Year's Eve.  We were upgraded to a two room suite and it was amazing.  Small world - we met people at the airport who live in the same retirement community we do, just in another building.   Since we had a bottle of champagne in our room we invited them for an early New Year's toast!

Then off to dinner and a great New Year's Eve celebration!

New Year's Day the ship had a huge brunch with lots of different foods and a fabulous Bloody Mary for me.

Our first port was supposed to be Montego Bay in Jamaica, but since that port is still suffering from hurricane damage we docked in

Ocho Rios - we had a rum and coffee tasting tour...and enjoyed a beautiful sunset as we sailed away.

Next up was the trip through the Panama Canal - and it was amazing!

Viking had coffee and pastry in the front of the ship Explorer Lounge and a historian on board that started commentary at 6 AM as we waited to enter the canal.

She was full of information about the canal, the ships going through the locks, and the wildlife along the shore.  

We ate lunch on the Pool Deck and the ship camera kept us up to date as we sailed into the lake and then back out of the canal.

One of the things we love about Viking is the on board historians who give wonderful lectures.  Later that day we attended a great presentation about the building of the canal.

Next day was a trip into Panama City.

Beautiful architecture and Panama Hats...

Next day on to Costa Rica and a great boat tour

and here we saw a crocodile...and some sloths, too.

and could not resist this fun photo!

Then another sea day...and we LOVE sea days as there is so much to do on the ship.  We enjoyed the spa pool with the warm whirlpool, and many cozy places to read and nap.

The head chef and the pastry chef did demonstrations of dishes that were being served that day...

We enjoyed the warm weather and just sailing along...

Lunch at the pool

and my traditional dessert each day...gelato - the flavors change each day - pictured here with red velvet cake and chardonnay. 

Food was amazing...here is a grilled beet and pineapple salad...

then scallops and shrimp for dinner...and more chardonnay!  It was  not a dry January for us...unless you figure that chardonnay is dry!!! 

That was our first week on the Mars...and we had another week and our anniversary to look forward to!

Do you like to travel at the holidays?  Thanks for coming along on our adventure and stop back to see the rest of our journey next time.  Please leave a comment below and let me know how the New Year is treating you.  I love hearing from you!

Thanks for stopping by Our New Vista!

 

Just One More Cookie!

I thought I was finished with holiday baking and then this happened.  You can see on the recipe card it says "Mrs. Buckman's Peanut Butter Cookies".  I had not made these in years.  I was talking to my sister and asking her a question about our home town and the neighbors who lived in the other half of the "double block" company home where we grew up.  She mentioned Mrs. Buckman and I realized that the Buckmans moved before I was born.  Then my sister said "remember we always made her peanut butter cookies"?   That was all it took.  I did remember my mother making them and knew I had a jar of peanut butter in the pantry....so just one more cookie!

Here is the recipe - 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 cup butter or margarine - I used Smart Balance

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup of peanut butter

2 eggs

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

dash of salt

Mix all ingredients well and then chill.  Roll dough into small balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet - I used silicone mats.

With a fork make a cross hatch on each ball, flattening it down slightly.  Sprinkle sugar on each cookie - I used red and green for Christmas.  Bake until golden brown - about 10 minutes.

I used creamy peanut butter, but I think you could use chunky if you prefer.

Cream the sugar, margarine together.

Add the eggs and beat well.

A teaspoon of vanilla...I don't measure - I just guess!

I used whole wheat flour to make them a little bit healthy!

Scrape the bowl and make sure everything is well mixed.

I folded the dough onto plastic wrap and covered it well.

Placed it in the refrigerator to chill - I waited overnight.

And then, I forgot to take photos of rolling the dough into balls, making the cross hatches on them, and John - continuing his sprinkle duty - putting on the colored sugar.

But then I remembered I posted about these when I made them for Halloween back in 2020 - and there are photos there showing how to form the cookies.  You can check it out here.

I did remember to take a photo of the finished product...and I don't recall exactly how many cookies the recipe made.

But, in case we don't eat them all for the holidays, John used some multi-colored sprinkles, too.  I put all my cookies in the freezer when I make them.  That way I can make them earlier in December and pull them out when I need them.  The ones that are not red and green will be good - if we don't eat them all - into January.

After this last batch of cookies was completed I lined up all the containers on the counter...

made a pile of kisses, too.  I just love those Santa hat kisses!

I had a list of neighbors I wanted to gift with cookies, so I purchased holiday treat bags from Dollar Tree and went down the line of cookies - and kisses - filling each bag.  John finished the assembly line by tying the bags with red ribbon and adding a gift tag.

You might remember we live in an apartment in a senior living community - so we have quite a few friends and neighbors.   I love these tags I printed from On Sutton Place blog - thanks, Ann!

Then we loaded up our basket and went out on Elf Duty!  Since we delivered the treats yesterday we have had so many compliments on the cookies.  And surprisingly, the most comments about the Almond Joy cookies I posted in my last post!   Usually, people love the snow people - but today several people are loving the Almond Joy cookies and asking for the recipe!

Delivering the cookies really put us in the holiday spirit.  Now we are all set to enjoy Christmas and our traditional Easter European Holy Supper on Christmas Eve.   Then Christmas Dinner at one of our favorite restaurants here at Willow Valley ( if you visit Willow Valley website, watch for our photo on the first page!) - and dinner with friends the day after Christmas. Then it's packing time as we head out on a Viking cruise to the Panama Canal and Central America.  We will be cruising for New Year's Eve and also on our 49th (!) Anniversary.   So, this will be my last blog post of the 2025 - thank you to everyone who visited, commented, gave me ideas and suggestions - and let me know when I messed up, too!   I am so grateful to this community and the blog friends I have made!  Wishing everyone joy, peace, love, and good health - in the New Year and always!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

Snow and Cookies!

Woke up this morning to a beautiful snow scene.  This is the view from the top floor of our apartment building - we have breakfast served there each morning and enjoy the view every day, but today looked like a Christmas village!

I know the snow sticking to the trees won't last, but for a short time it really looked like a winter wonderland.

OK...I felt I needed just one more cookie to add to cookie trays, but I did not feel like making anything time consuming. Luckily I had all the ingredients for Almond Joy Cookies.  They are delicious, easy to make, and just a few ingredients.  I found them on a blog called 

Mom On Timeout

I have been making these for a few years and everyone who loves coconut enjoys them!

Almond Joy Cookies - Just 4 Ingredients!

These easy Almond Joy Cookies take just four ingredients and don't even require a mixer! No beating, no chilling, just mix 'em up and throw 'em in the oven EASY! You're going to love these ooey gooey fabulous cookies!

 CourseDessert

 Prep Time5 minutes

 Cook Time12 minutes

 Total Time17 minutes

 Servings3 dozen

 AuthorTrish - Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

• 1 14 oz bag sweetened coconut flakes
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup chopped lightly salted almonds I used Blue Diamond Low Sodium Lightly Salted - light blue bag
• 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk regular or fat-free works

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 325F.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a large bowl combine coconut, chocolate chips, almonds, and sweetened condensed milk.
• Stir until combined.
• Scoop out dough with a cookie scoop onto prepared baking sheet.
• Moisten the tips of your fingers with water and shape into discs. Pat the tops flat.
• Bake cookies for 12 to 14 minutes or until tips of coconut are just starting to turn golden brown.
• Let cool on baking sheet.
• Store cookies in an airtight container.

The recipe says to make them on parchment paper for the best results, but I used silicone baking sheets and they come out fine.

If you need "just one more cookie" for the holidays, this one is easy and quick!

Hope you are staying warm and cozy on this cold snowy day.  Please leave a comment below if you have any cookie recipes you love...and thanks for stopping by Our New Vista !

 

Cookie Time !

For me, it's not Christmas unless I am making cookies.  The last few years we were traveling over Christmas and I did not make cookies.  I love making cookies...reminds me of my childhood as my mother made TONS of cookies - all different kinds.  This year we are home for Christmas and leaving for a trip a few days later. So...we needed cookies.  I like to have them on hand for tea time and enjoy giving them as gifts.  While I did not make as many as I used to do, four cookies are done and in the freezer.  Luckily I have an upright freezer in our laundry room and I have found over the years that if I freeze the cookies right after they cool they freeze beautifully...and defrost in a few minutes on plate while you make tea or coffee. 

So...here's what I made this weekend - 

First up...my mom's sugar cookies.  I usually use some heart healthy product but because we don't plan on eating that many, I used butter - as the original recipe calls for...then lining up all the sprinkles for John to get decorating.

Here is the recipe -

Sugar Cookies

He does an amazing job..."some artists work in oils, some in water color, some in pastels...John's medium is SPRINKLES!"

He does an amazing job...the trees are so beautiful and he makes sure that every reindeer is a Rudolph.

This recipe makes a lot of cookies...and they turned out great.  I thought that they "spread" a little more using butter instead of Smart Balance, but they look good and taste great.

Next was a batch of chocolate chips - during the holidays I substitute red/green M&Ms for the chips.  The first batch spread out too thin - I think because of the butter.  So, I made another batch with Smart Balance and they turned out great.

I use a little cookie scooper to make the cookies all almost the same size.

Next up - gingerbread!

Our home smells SO good when the gingerbread is baking!

Once they cool I just decorate with a little icing.

The last - and most time consuming cookie - are the snowmen!

I first found the recipe for these cookies in a magazine in 1986!  I have been making them almost every year since then.  Everyone loves them - and they are so delicious with cream cheese in the dough.  You can find the recipe and how to make them here - 

Snowmen Cookies

That's it for my cookies this year...though, knowing me I will probably make another batch of chocolate chips and maybe try another recipe if I have time. 

Are you a Christmas Cookie Baker ?  What is your favorite cookie to bake ?  Do you give them as gifts?

I would love to hear your recipes and ideas - please leave a comment below.  Until then, enjoy the magic of December !

Thank you for stopping by Our New Vista!