Friday, December 30, 2022
Friday, December 30, 2022
So sad that Olivia Newton-John died recently. Her Christmas collection from the turn of the century has been one of my favorites for many years now.
She has a number of other Christmas recordings that are fun to listen to as well.
Friday, December 30, 2022
The number of days left of my vacation from work are dwindling but I'm still REALLY enjoying myself.
Friday, December 30, 2022
Bloody Mary just before lunchtime.
I believe Sylvester is enjoying having us home from work.
Thursday, December 29, 2022
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| Seth by Seth |
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Dale and I dipped into the Russian Tea Cakes Mom brought over on Christmas Day.
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Recently, I noticed a headline in The Washington Post about the 100th anniversary of The Velveteen Rabbit by Marjory Williams which is a story I've read a few times over the years and have always enjoyed. I planned to look at some favorite Christmas stories from childhood today so I pulled it off the shelf to give it a look for old times sake.
The book's connection to Christmas is the setting at the opening of the book. The protagonist, known only as the Boy, receives the velveteen rabbit as a gift on Christmas morning. The relationship of the toy rabbit to the boy changes over the course of the tale. I've always loved the story but my reading of it today struck me in a more emotional way than it ever has before.
Maria Tatar, a Harvard professor specializing in fairy tales, is quoted in the article I mentioned at the beginning of this post as saying. “Love and loss, abandonment and suffering, and, yes, even death and resurrection are folded into this compact narrative that shows us how love can conquer darkness and animate us when we feel lost and vulnerable.”
After I finished reading the book I looked up at Dale who was sitting on the couch reading a book of his own with Sylvester on his lap and I was overcome with the awareness of how much I love him. Just as quickly I was aware of how empty I would feel if he were not here. It was jarring and upsetting but it made me realize how intense feeling that bring us comfort and joy would never be as intense with the assurance of them being permanent.
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Spent much of the day in a fatigued state. I took two substantial naps and felt better by the afternoon. We had our neighbors Breanna and Josh along with their kids Bran and Ada over for dinner tonight. We had a very nice time.
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Noel and I had every intention of hitting some sales today but, alas, it was not to be. I woke up fatigued, slightly nauseous, with a mild headache. I hated to cancel the excursion as it's quite an old tradition. However, Noel found a snowman for me on eBay she thought I might like. It's cute but I'll have to think about it.
Monday, December 26, 2022
Noel and I usually hit the sales the day after Christmas but the store we really want to go to doesn't open back up until tomorrow so we'll wait until then. Dale and I had dinner tonight at the house of our friends Alyn and Bill. They live over by Lake Como in St. Paul. We're still experiencing very cold weather but it's keeping all the snow we've gotten from melting and it still looks like a winter wonderland outside. Driving up the hill approaching their house with all the snow and a crescent moon over the lake was absolutely stunning. Dale and I really haven't seen Alyn and Bill since their wedding just over a year ago. It was nice to catch up and it turned out to be a delightful evening.
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Woke up this morning at 7:00 which is the latest I've slept in a long time. It was a lovely quiet Christmas morning. We transferred the stroganoff to the crock pot at 7:30 so it would be ready this afternoon around 4:00/4:30.
Noel was going to join us for dinner today but she messaged me to let me know that she's having a hard time dealing with the death of her brother Patrick a couple months ago and that she felt it was best to stay home. Of course I understood.
Mom and Warren came over around 3:30. Warren brought a nice cheese tray which we had with cocktails. He also brought over a delicious cheese and broccoli soup which we had as a first course before the beef stroganoff. Pumpkin pie for dessert. Mom gave me the sweet holy family figurine which is pictured above. I love it however I've had to hide it since Sylvester keeps trying to bite Joseph's head off!
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Dale and I went to "Midnight" Mass which actually started with a Prelude to Christmas with songs and carols which began at 9:15 p.m. It was lovely. The Sts. Luke and James choir sounded beautiful. There was also a string quartet. The Festival Christmas Eucharist began at 10:00 p.m. and it ended just after 11:00. It was a beautiful and meaningful service.
Saturday, December 24, 2022
After Kalle Anke Dale and I watched The Man Who Came to Dinner with Monty Woolley and Bette Davis. Neither of us had ever seen it before. The only thing related to Christmas in the movie was that that's when it happened to take place. The subject matter wasn't very Christmas-y at all.
For dinner we had a pre-made lasagna we picked up at Kowalski's. It was yummy. Nice not to have to get it prepared. Earlier today we pre-made the beef stroganoff we're going to have tomorrow for when we have company.
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Dale and I went to "Midnight" Mass which actually started with a Prelude to Christmas with songs and carols which began at 9:15 p.m. It was lovely. The Sts. Luke and James choir sounded beautiful. There was also a string quartet. The Festival Christmas Eucharist began at 10:00 p.m. and it ended just after 11:00. It was a beautiful and meaningful service.
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Started Kalle Anke at 3:00 p.m.
Found one of the old Disney From All of Us to All of You videos on youTube.
I don't think it's the same version that's broadcast in Sweden but it worked fine just the same. One of the cartoons was Donald's Snow Fight which was pretty funny.
Dale made himself some tea.
I had a Bloody Mary.
Sylvester slept.
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Moved the snowmen into the porch to make room for the manger scene in the dining room.
Saturday, December 24, 2022
More tree decorating this morning which intrigued Sylvester.
Got the star up.
