New Year's Eve 2012 - Christmas In Connecticut

I've mentioned how much busier the time leading up to Christmas was this year.  Due to this Dale and I were way behind on watching holiday movies.  One of our favorites is Christmas In Connecticut.  Unlike other Christmas themed films like Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life, Christmas In Connecticut is a movie I didn't see until well into adulthood.  It was worth the wait.  This synopsis comes from imdb.com: "Journalist Elizabeth Lane is one of the country's most famous food writers.  In her columns, she describes herself as a hard working farm woman, taking care of her children and being an excellent cook.  But this is all lies.  In reality she is an unmarried New Yorker who can't even boil an egg.  The recipes come from her good friend Felix.  The owner of the magazine she works for has decided that a heroic sailor will spend his Christmas on her 'farm'.  Miss Lane knows that her career is over if the truth comes out, but what can she do?"

New Year's Eve 2012 - Candles

We had planned to go out for New Year's Eve with Julie and Regina but the plans fell through due to Julie not feeling well.  We decided to stay in like we did last year.  I lit lanterns and candles outside to try to liven things up a bit and be festive.  Our neighbor Deb thought we might be having a party later due to the lights and came over to wish us a Happy New Year since it looked like we were home.  We told her there was no party but invited her in to chat for a while.  It was nice to see her since it's been a while.  Neighbors always seem to disappear into their houses for the winter.

New Year's Eve 2012

Dale, Athena and I had a quiet and very enjoyable New Year's Eve.  We put together a grazing tray consisting of shrimp, herring, apples, grapes, carrots, broccoli, brie with fig jelly, and crackers.  We drank champagne along with it an managed to get quite full.  For dessert we finished off the pumpkin roulade that we had originally brought to Noel's annual holiday fete.

New Year's Eve Day 2012

Dale and I went to Pizza Luce in downtown Minneapolis on New Year's Eve Day.  It's one of my favorite casual downtown restaurants.  I had the mostaccioli and Dale had the lasagna.

Advent 2012 - Greening of the Church

On Sunday December 23, I helped with the greening of our church, Gethsemane Episcopal, by putting together a couple of wreaths.  I think they turned out pretty well if I do say so myself...

Christmas Season 2012 - The First Sunday After Christmas

The above photo is the manger scene on the altar at our church, Gethsemane Episcopal.  I took the photo on the first Sunday after Christmas.

Christmas Season 2012 - Noel's Annual Holiday Fete

On December 29, Dale and I attended my friend Noel's annual holiday soiree.  For dessert we brought a pumpkin roulade which I mistakenly referred to as a Buche de Noel.  I included her response with the above photo.  Caroline and Stephen were there and her cat Ginger also made an appearance.

Christmas Season 2012 - Holiday Lights

At the Swedish Institute's gift shop I picked up some holiday lights.  They sure look beautiful in the front window of our house.  Dale and I had a Christmas season dinner on December 30.  His quote reflects how he felt about the evening.  I have to agree.  It was peaceful and quite lovely.

Christmas Season 2012 - The American Swedish Institute's New Addition

Mom and I had lunch at the Institutes new restaurant, Fika, which is located in the new addition.  We both had the cream of split pea soup.  I had the salmon smorgas and Mom had the chicken sausage with egg.  They were both delicious.  

Christmas Season 2012 - The American Swedish Institute

Mom particularly loved the solarium. I did too.  Having a place like this to hang out in every day during the winter months would sure work wonders for folks with seasonal affective disorder.  We also loved the hanging wreath with the dangling ornaments.

Christmas Season 2012 - American Swedish Institute

Mom and I visited the American Swedish Institute on December 28, 2012 to see the Christmas trees and the holiday themed rooms.  The above photo is of the Norwegian Room.

Christmas 2012 - Christmas Tree

I did not have the time or energy to decorate the tree as elaborately as I usually do.  This year I only hung the Christmas balls.  It turned out to be understated and still quite lovely.  Dale particularly liked it.

Christmas 2012 - Advent Calendar Before and After

Here are the before and after shots of the Advent calendar Mom made for Pete's family.  I hope the kids enjoyed putting the pieces up as much as Sam, Pete, and I did when we were little.

Christmas 2012 - More Photos

Christmas 2012 - Christmas Day

Dale and I stopped by the house of our friend and neighbor Warren on Christmas morning.  He hosted a light breakfast and we were able to meet his delightful parents.  After that we enjoyed a very relaxing afternoon.  It was very cold outside but the sun was shining brightly and it was lovely having snow on Christmas.  Last year was a brown Christmas - the first in about six years.  In the evening Mom came to dinner.  We served beef stroganoff.  Pete and Stephanie texted us to wish us a Merry Christmas.  The above photo is what we texted back to them along with a Christmas greeting.  What a beautiful Christmas it turned out to be. 

Advent Calendar - December 25

Calendar pieces for December 25.  The big day!

Christmas Eve 2012 - Mom's Christmas Tree

After dinner Dale and I went to Gethsemane for the late Christmas Eve service at which we both sang in the choir.  Before we left Mom's I snapped this picture of her with her tree.  She decorated it this year with many of the cross-stitch hearts she likes to make.

Christmas Eve 2012 - Fondue

Mom made the traditional cheese fondue for Christmas Eve dinner.  We also had steaks, salad, and dessert. It was all absolutely delicious.

Christmas Eve 2012 - Decorating the Tree

This Advent/Christmas season has been a little different than others due to my not feeling I've had the time to get set up in the way I like to.  I'm in a liscencesure program and in a class that just ended this past Friday and I've been busy as can be and finishing up a paper. I just didn't have the time or enegy to decorate in the way I usually do and that includes decorating the tree.  I decided that this year I'd just decorate it with balls and not the other numerous blown glass decorations I have.  I spent a fraction of the time decorating than I usually do and it actually looks great.  I certainly don't want to be this basic every year, but this year it just feels right. 

Christmas Eve 2012 - Thinking of Dad

Dad's been on my mind a lot today.