Holiday Season 2025 - Christmas Eve Day 2

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

New lights for the tree this year. Had to string 'em out to get a visual sense of what I'm dealing with. I bought a number of packs with about 25 lights for a total of 200 lights. I double wrapped the tree using about 175 of them. By the way, the lights are actually pure white even though they showed up looking yellow in this photo. Now I just need to decorate it. 

Before putting the lights on the tree I strung all of them out to eyeball what I was working with. 

Also set out the stable for the manger scene. Too tired to unpack the whole thing so I just set out the ox. Figured he was probably the first of all of them there. One of the nice things about celebrating Christmas until Epiphany is that I don't feel it all needs to be done by Christmas Day. 

Christmas cigar.

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.

***

Christmas Season 2023/2024 - 11th Day of Christmas: Lights and Candles

 Thursday, January 4, 2024

The 11th Day of Christmas - 11 Pipers Piping

Got home from work a little earlier than usual and had a cigar in the garage. First cigar of the New Year. 

Not much else going on tonight. Dale had to work a little later than usual. 

 

Lit the candles.

Turned on the lights.

And tried to enjoy the atmosphere during the waning days of the Christmas Season.

Holiday Season 2023 - 6 Days to Go

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Countdown to Christmas - 6 Days

Listened to Patti LaBelle while I got some more lights and ornaments on the tree.

Started from the bottom and am working my way up. Still more to do. 

Took some nice walks today. Still decompressing and walking always helps. 

The sun was out before noon. A bit gloomier this afternoon. Dale got in a nice bike ride. 

Holiday Season 2023 - 7 Days to Go

Monday, December 18, 2023

Countdown to Christmas - 7 Days

I love waking up on Monday mornings during break and being fully aware that I don't have to go to work. 

Dale and I lounged about for quite a while this morning. I had the cat on my lap a good chunk of the time. 

I found the Cozy Christmas Coffee Cafe on YouTube and it played some Christmas piano jazz. Very relaxing.

Got the rest of the Belsnickles set up.

AND I got the lights on the tree. The LED lights give off a much cooler light than the old fashioned white lights I just got rid off. I'd still be using those if they hadn't conked out. These'll have to do. 

After getting a little lunch we went to Southdale, which, by the way, is a shadow of its former self. 

I picked up a turtleneck which looks fabulous. It should. It was very expensive. 

Dinner at Warren's tonight. We made Old Fashionds to sip on before dinner. Warren made a delicious pot pie and we brought a red velvet roulade from Lunds Byerly's for dessert. 

Holiday Season 2023 - 9 Days to Go

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Countdown to Christmas - 9 Days

Wonderfully slow first day of vacation. Dale and I went out to Bachman's to get some new lights for the tree. Picked up a strand of 300 white lights which should do it for our tree. Tree's already up and I'll get the lights on tomorrow. 

Cigar in the back yard.

Listened to more Xmas music including many of my own playlists. 

Xmas party tonight at former colleague Sandi's house over by Lake Nokomis. I ran into lots of former colleagues and it was fun to catch up. 

One of the highlights of her party every year is singing the 12 Days of Christmas. She coordinates who will sing which parts. Ashley, Goldi, and I were the four calling birds. 

Sandi oversees the singing of the 12 Days of Christmas

Holiday Season 2023 - Another Cozy Day

 Sunday, December 10, 2023

Dale and I skipped out on church and went shopping at Macy's for pants. We got some great deals. We also stopped at Target where I picked up some hats and gloves. 

We then went to brunch at Pittsburg Blue at the Galleria. I had a Bloody Mary and a seafood Cobb salad. Dale got coffee and a chicken salad sandwich. It was all very good. 

When we got home Dale went off the gym and I put up the tree. I meant to get the lights up also but two of my three strands don't work any more and one strand is not enough to cover the tree. I'll have to pick some up at Target or Bachman's this week. 

Another cozy day. 

Christmastide 2020: The 8th Day of Christmas - New Year's Day: Decorating

Friday, January 1, 2021

This season's star. 

Finally got the gift boxes around the base of the tree.

Added the shepherds to this manger scene. 

Holiday Season 2020 - Lights On the Tree

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Got the lights on the tree today.