Holiday Season 2025 - Shopping and A Tree

 Saturday, November 29, 2025

Shopping with Noel at the antique shop this afternoon.

We cut it short due to snowy weather conditions. 

Put a tree up in my room. 

Holiday Season 2028 - Christmas Wreath

Friday, November 28, 2025

Got the new Christmas wreath up today. 

Holiday Season 2025 - New Tree Decorated

 Friday, November 28, 2025

Finished decorating the new Christmas tree today. 

Thanksgiving 2025 - Oh, You Turkey Coloring Contest

 Thursday, November 27, 2025

During our breaks in between cooking and cleaning up the house to get ready for Mom's visit Dale and I relaxed while watching the parade. I worked on coloring my turkey for the Strib's coloring contest - not that I'll submit it. I've been coloring this most years since I was a kid. 

Turned out alright. 

I think it's fridge worthy. 

Thanksgiving 2025 - Dinner

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Got the table set for the big meal. 

Pulled out the Fall Fiestaware colors. 

The preparation was overall seamless and stress free. Dinner was fantastic. When I drove Mom home she told me what a wonderful time she had. 

Thanksgiving 2025 - Good Morning!

Thursday, November 27, 2025 

Thanksgiving is here and were getting a little sun to go with it. Snowed yesterday overnight. The above picture is the view from our front stoop.

This is the view from the back stoop. 

Tuned in to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at 8:30 am. Some highlights:

Cynthia Erivo opened the parade.

Debbie Gibson sang my favorite Debbie Gibson song, Only In My Dreams. 

Darlene Love sang Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). 

The Rockettes performed. 

And, as always, Santa showed up at the end. 

We got the turkey in at noon. 

The dog show came on after the parade....

Which was my cue to play Puppies Are Forever by Sia. This song drives Dale nuts but I usually play it for him to help ring in the holiday music season with the promise I won't play it again until next year. 

Also got started on the Stribs turkey coloring contest. 

Thanksgiving Is Tomorrow

 Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Cna't believe it's already here but Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Set up this display on the porch.

The platter is from the Currier and Ives dinnerware line which was introduced by Ives dinnerware line to the American market in 1949, and produced an extensive range of items. to the American market in 1949, and produced an extensive range of items. 

The platter is from the Currier and Ives dinnerware line which was manufactured by the Royal China Companty and introduced to the American market in 1949. We had a set of these dishes when I was growing up and whenever I see it it reminds me of the house on Stevens. I seem to remember Mom inherited a set of it from someone although I can't remember who. 

New Christmas Tree

 Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Dale and I bought a new artificial tree today. Last time I bought one was in the early 90s the December before I met Dale. 

I think this one looks pretty cool. 

AND it's pre-lit.

AND Sylvester loves the box.

***

Pre-Christmas Shopping

Monday, November 24, 2025 

Mom wanted a new Christmas tree so we went shopping recently. Home Depot didn't have a very good selection of trees in the store although they had tons of them online. We decided to try Menard's instead and they had a few good options which met her criteria. She went with the one pictured above. It's narrow so it fits in her smaller space well. It's also pre-lit which I didn't think she wanted. This one has nine different light setting options. 

She sent me the above picture this morning. She's starting to put on the birds she displays during Advent. She'll decorate it for Christmas on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. 

While at Menard's I picked up this wreath for me and Dale. It's not currently on the door. I just put it there to photograph it. I'll put it back up the Friday after Thanksgiving. 

Noel and I stopped by Gypsy Moon this past weekend. Marcia had these snowmen so I snapped them up along with this mercury glass tree. These are the only winter-themed items I've set out thus far. Thanksgiving is coming up so I'll put the rest of the snowmen out the Friday after. 

Shopping with Noel

 Saturday, November 16, 2025

Lunch with Noel. She was playing Christmas music in the car. I think it's too early for that but I didn't say anything. 

                    

We stopped at A Rare Bird Antiques. Kelly had lots of Christmas stuff out. 

We also stopped at Chloe. She was selling these Shiny Brite ornaments she aquired from a 90 year old man. These ornaments get more and more rare each year. 

Noel found this old dime store nativity set. She said she had one just like it as a kid. 

We both remember satin balls. Noel's family had a lot of these as they'd hang them at the bottom of the tree so if their dog's wagging tail knocked them down they wouldn't break. 

We also stopped by Bachman's.