Fourth Sunday of Advent

 Sunday, December 21, 2025

Getting closer.

Calvin's here for the weekend. He went to church with Mom at Nativity. 

Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 14, 2025 

Third Sunday of Advent today. Christmas party at Mark and Betsy's last night. Dale and I both had a great time. It was a big music Sunday at church this morning. I sang with the choir but we also heard from our bell choir, our children's choir, and a string quartet. Dale and I had brunch at The Lowbrow afterward. 

Second Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 7, 2025

Second Sunday of Advent.

Brunch at Northbound after church at Grace. 

First Sunday in Advent

 Sunday, November 30, 2025

Advent wreath at Grace. 

Advent

Earth grown old, yet still so green,

  Deep beneath her crust of cold

Nurses fire unfelt, unseen:

  Earth grown old.

  We who live are quickly told: 

Millions more lie hid between

  Inner swathings of her fold. 

When will fire break up her screen?

  When will life burst thro' her mould?

Earth, earth, earth, thy cold is keen,

  Earth grown old. 

                                 -Christina Rossetti

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. 

Third Sunday of Advent 2024

 Sunday, December 15, 2024

Church this morning for the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Dale had to count afterward so I took a walk down to Lake Harriet.

Brunch with Dale at The Howe. 

Sunday cigar at about 3:30.

Rather glum outside but that didn't make my Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur any less awesome. 

Second Sunday of Advent 2024

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Church this morning at Grace.

Dale had to count afterward so I took a walk to the lake. 

After that, brunch at The Howe.

I felt pretty bunky this afternoon. I think it was a reaction to my Covid and regular flu vaccinations I got on Friday. All I wanted to do was sleep. However I did listen to some holiday music. 

First Sunday of Advent 2024

Sunday, December 1, 2024

"Advent Sunday, also called the First Sunday of Advent or First Advent Sunday, is the first day of the liturgical year in the Western Christian Churches and the start of the Advent season;[1] a time of preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. Advent Sunday is the fourth Sunday before Christmas." (Wikipedia)

Dale and I plan to mark it by skipping church.

Ready to put away the fall color schemed Fiesta Ware.

After church Dale and I went to the Lowbrow for brunch. Last Christmas by Wham was playing so I experienced Whamaggedon on the 1st of December. Last year I think I made it to the soltice. Neither Dale nor Dominic, our server, has heard of it so I had to explain. In addition the song was released 40 years ago this year. And I remember when it was new. 

Holiday Season 2023 - Third Sunday of Advent (and 8 Days to Go)

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Countdown to Christmas - 8 Days

Lessons and Carols service at church today. Kids made these decorations and passed them out. 

Brunch at Jax. 

I had the prime rib hash and Dale had the grilled chicken breast sandwich. 

When we got home I took a walk and set out some more tchotchkes. 

Quiet afternoon and evening. 

Holiday Season 2022 - 3rd Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Church today on this 3rd Sunday of Advent. Dale and I started attending Sts. Luke and James recently. We attended the 1st and 2nd Sundays as well. 

Holiday Season 2021 - Finishing Up the Grocery Shopping and Decorating the Tree

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Lazy morning followed by a trip to the gym and then the grocery store to finish up getting everything we need for now through Christmas. We're entertaining tonight and then have Mom coming over for Christmas on Saturday. Kowalski's was busy-ish but not inhumane. I'm guessing this afternoon through tomorrow will be pretty nutty. 

Upon returning home from the store I spent some time decorating the tree. I got the medium and large Christmas balls up but that's it so I only made it up about half way up from the bottom. Not worried about having it only partially decorated for company tonight. As I get older I'm growing tired of imposing deadlines on myself that are not for life or death situations like, say, decorating a Christmas tree. 

You have to look hard in this photo to see the top half is sans balls. 

Advent 2019 - Third Sunday

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Alyn invited us to the Christmas pageant at her church. Ellis was the narrator. There's no way any of them could mess up because, even if they did, they'd be so adorable it wouldn't matter. 

Alyn took us to brunch after the service at the Louisiana Cafe. I had the biscuits and gravy and it was awesome. 

Advent 2018 - Advent 3

Sunday, December 16, 2018

The third candle was lit today. Dale sang in the choir which sounded great. 

Advent 2018 - Advent 2

Sunday, December 9, 2018

I wasn't able to get a picture of the wreath today before the candles were extinguished. I did, however, find this statue of St. Nicolas on the hospitality table. I'm assuming it was set out since St. Nicolas Day was this past week. 

After the service we stayed for a light soup lunch with Reverends Cindi and Tim. Chicken wild rice soup was served and it was awesome. It was nice to hang out and talk and not talk church shop. Great fellowship.

Advent 2018 - Advent 1

Sunday, December 2, 2018

I always welcome a Sunday service during Advent. The spareness, calmness, and peacefulness is in stark contrast to the hyperactive building up of the secular Christmas outside. Yes, I realize I'm somewhat a part of that  acceleration but mass during Advent is a reminder to calm down, 

Advent 2017 - Advent 4

Occasionally Advent 4 falls on Christmas Eve. Double church duty today.

Emma joyfully greeted me at church this morning and informed me they had found a rainbow tiara for me to wear in the Christmas pageant that will be performed during the Christmas Eve service tonight.  I didn't even know I was in it!! Well, if I get to wear a rainbow tiara, I'M IN!!!

After the service I helped set the candles out for the service tonight. I think I do pretty good work. However, I told everyone involved that if anyone else asks who was responsible for the candles to tell them that they have no idea because this is SO not about me. Tonight it's all about the baby Jesus.
:-)

Lot's of other folks helped set stuff up too.