All Cleaned Up

The tree and lights came down today. Decorative mercury glass ornaments (those set out on surfaces and not on the tree) and all other remaining Christmas tchotchkes were put away as well. Ornaments on the tree were taken down at the end of Christmas vacation. Last year I had it all cleaned up by Epiphany.

The Mood of Christmas by Howard Thurman

The Mood of Christmas
by Howard Thurman

"When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart."

Christmas Season 2013/2014 - Mom's Tree

Mom texted me a picture of her tree as we didn't make it over for Christmas Eve dinner like we usually do. She said she'd keep it up a little longer this year as she was away in Leavenworth visiting Sam and his family between Christmas and New Year's.

Christmastide 2013/2014 - Summary

The Christmas season this year was joyous. I found that I didn't get nearly as much done as I would have liked. Much of the joy came in being just fine with that. It was nice. I just really appreciate having some time to slow down and reflect on the past year but also to look with anticipation and without stress what the upcoming year might hold. The only stressful part was singing for two services on Christmas Eve but that worked itself out quite quickly. Christmas Day was peaceful and it was great being able to spend it with Mom and Dale. It think this was the most meaningful part of the holiday for me. The wonder, magic, and anticipation that come with the season never cease to amaze me. Every year I get to relive being a kid again. New year's Eve day at the Swedish Institute with Dale was quite enchanting. Drinking glogg, eating Swedish food, touring that beautiful mansion all decked out for Christmas, seeing the kitchen section of the house opened for the first time, feeling a connection to my Swedish ancestors and also to old Minneapolis was more pure magic. Spending time with Dale there with whom I've spent 21 of my 48 Christmases. That's just about 44% of all my Christmases! I love having a connection with my past and feeling the continuity with the present. 

Christmas Season 2013/2014 - Odds and Ends 7

Nutcracker shadows.

Christmas Season 2013/2014 - Dale's Story to Tell

Christmas Season 2013/2014 - Odds and Ends 6

Christmas Season 2013/2014 - Odds and Ends 4

I've been collecting mercury glass ornaments over the years. I love the colors.

Christmas Season 2013/2014 - Odds and Ends 3

My Secret Santa gave me this dishtowel with a black lab on it as a nod to Athena. Thanks Rachel!

Christmas Season 2013/2014 - Odds and Ends 2

The dala horses were set out on New Year's Day.

Christmas Season 2013/2014 - Odds and Ends 1

This was a table decoration in the Norwegian Room and the American Swedish Institute. I like the deco look.

Photo taken December 31, 2013

Christmas Season 2013/2014 - Frigid Cold

School's been called off again today due to subzero temperatures. Drinking coffee and listening to Christmas music I didn't get around to hearing this season.

Christmas Season 2013/2014 - Livvy

I'm listening to lots of Christmas music on my day off from school due to the cold. Livvy's always been one of my favorite singers dating way back to junior high. Every Time It Snows, a duet with Jon Secada, is beautiful. 

Ephiphany 2014 - Bitter Cold

I woke up at 8:00 this morning and the temperature was 20 below. Still that cold an hour and a half later.

Ephiphany 2014 - Windchills

These are the windchill temps from 3:00 am today. Governor Dayton has called off school. The last time school was called off for extreme cold was by Governor Carlson about 20 years ago. As far as I know, that's the last time the winter chill was this frigid.  I remember Dale  and I waking up in 1994 on a Saturday or Sunday and seeing the battery operated clock on the kitchen wall being behind due to being slowed down by the bitter cold. A 12-pack of Diet Coke that was pushed up against this same wall was starting to freeze too! Granted, the old apartment wasn't very well insulated - but still!

Twelfth Night 2014 - Three Kings

The 3 Kings finally made it to the manger scene at church today.

Twelfth Night 2014 - Downton Abbey

Very low key Twelfth Night. Dale and I watched the season 4 premiere of Downton Abbey on PBS. 

Twelfth Night 2014 - Luminaries

Made some ice luminaries using a Bundt pan mold. They look quite festive.

Twelfth Night 2014 - Gingerbread Cookies

Didn't make a fancy dinner tonight but did bake some gingerbread cookies. They made the house smell wonderful. These came pre-cut and ready to put in the oven. 

Christmas Season 2013/2014 - Holiday Brunch

Dale and I invited Phyllis and Julie & Regina over for our holiday brunch this year. Dale made the egg-bake, I made the rum cake, Julie and Regina brought cinnamon rolls, and Phyllis brought the makings for mimosas. 

Top left: Athena smelled lots of good smells coming out of the kitchen.
Top right: My martini.
Bottom left: Dale serves up the egg-bake.
Bottom right: Stairs leading to the front door. Yes, our holiday brunch occurred at night time (long story).