Holiday Season 2018 - Signs of the Season

Friday, November 30, 2018

Holiday displays are beginning to pop up around the neighborhood.

Holiday Season 2018 - More Candy Jar

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Stopped by The Candy Jar after work and picked up the snowmen I saw in the window yesterday.  The place is old school. It's like walking in to a Hallmark store in the 70s or 80s and they have candy. I've been setting out seasonal stuff this week. Dale told me I'm funny and that it's sweet I'm making the house look so Christmasy. 

I also bought some chocolate covered pretzels.

Also listened to more Christmas music. 

Holiday Season 2018 - The Candy Jar

Monday, November 26, 2018

Walked by the Candy Jar on the way home from work today. I peeked in the window to get an idea of what they are selling for the holidays. I eyed some nifty snowmen. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Home with Dale

Sunday, November 25, 2018

So good to be home with Dale. This afternoon we listened to holiday music and read. 

We also listened to some kitschy bell music that I found on iTunes. What a bunch of retro fun.

For dinner we had leftover pot pie that Dale had made for himself on Thanksgiving Day. It was delicious. 

For dessert we had a nice roulade that we picked up at Kowalski's. It was a HUGE piece so we divided it in half. I reminded Dale that "that ain't no buche!"

I decided to partake in a little egg nog that Dale had picked up for himself for Thanksgiving. He didn't care for any tonight. I added some dark rum to mine. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Returning Home

Saturday, November 25, 2018

Mom and I returned to Minneapolis today. We had such a wonderful visit. Pete got us to the airport a couple of hours before our flight. I was surprised how quiet Dulles was. Tomorrow must be the big travel day. 

Stephanie suggested that we make a tradition out of coming for Thanksgiving. I'd be up for that!

I had two excellent Bloody Mary's on the flight home. My in flight drink is usually Jack and Coke but I think I might make the switch.

Holiday Season 2018 - The Christmas Chronicles

Friday, November 23, 2018

Mom and I sat with the kids Friday night as Pete and Steph went in to work at the brewery. I got to pick the movie we watched and I went with The Christmas Chronicles which had been heavily advertised during the Macy's parade yesterday.

It didn't disappoint. We all really enjoyed it. Kurt Russell plays Santa. A couple of kids hijack his sleigh on Christmas Eve and the success of Christmas for the year is thrown into jeopardy. Mayhem ensues. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Emma's Penguin

Friday, November 23, 2018

A penguin that Emma made in school last year. 

Nutcrackers from Mom to Pete's family.

Holiday Season 2018 - Thora Peaches

Friday, November 22, 2018

Mom read one of the books she picked up at Barnes & Noble for the kids. In the middle of it, Thora Peaches decided she just had to have a kiss. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Polar Express

Friday, November 23, 2018

The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who at Barnes & Noble

We got in a little Black Friday shopping at Barnes & Noble. Mom and I bought some books for the kids including The Polar Express. They said they had seen the movie but never read the book. I decided I needed to get them a copy to help solve that little problem. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Advent Calendar

Friday, November 23, 2018

After the manger scene was set up the kids moved on to putting up the Advent calendar. Mom made this copy for them based on the one we grew up with (Sam's family ended up with the original). 

Holiday Season 2018 - Manger Scene

Friday, November 23, 2018

The kids wanted to set up the manger scene and asked me for a little help with the structure. My Dad built the creche back in the late 1960s and Mom sewed the figures. As kids we helped set it up every Christmas. Mom offered to give it to me about 10 years ago knowing how much I loved it as a kid. As much as I would have liked it I told her no and to offer it to Sam or Pete because they've got kid I thought would enjoy it. Pete ended up with it after a deal was worked out with Sam. Pete's kids added the Grinch and his dog, Max.  

Holiday Season 2018 - Starting the Day

Friday, November 23, 2018

I found Thora Peaches was lounging on the deck when I got up Friday morning. 

Emma was helping Pete make blueberry muffins.

Holiday Season 2018 - Thanksgiving Day: More Mah Jong

Thursday, November 22, 2018

After the tiki bar experience we played some more Mah Jong.

Holiday Season 2018 - Thanksgiving Day: Abby's Tiki Bar Part 3

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Emma showed me her mermaid tutu because it went so nicely with the tiki bar theme. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Thanksgiving Day: Abby's Tiki Bar Part 2

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Abby designed a menu for her tiki bar. Which included drinks, snacks, and even pie!

I ordered both key lime and pumpkin pie.

Holiday Season 2018 - Thanksgiving Day: Abby's Tiki Bar Part 1

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Abby felt so badly that we couldn't get in a visit to Archipelago yesterday that she surprised me by creating a tiki bar just for me! Xander, Emma, and Abby's friend Kayliegh helped her set it up. She designed mostly non-alcoholic cocktails although Stephanie helped her concoct a signature tiki drink just for me that contained gold rum, light rum, lemon juice, lime juice, Horny Gator mix, and Sprite. She served it up in the shark tiki mug I bought her last year at Archipelago. I was so touched by the thoughtfulness of it all that I got a little teary. Thanks, Abby!