Countdown to Christmas: 3 Days

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Hot tub this morning with John. 

He made a nice breakfast for me and Dianne. 

Dale came back at around 9:00 from staying with his Mom and Dad.  We took a nice walk and  then stopped by the club for 2nd breakfast. I had a Bloody Mary and some eggs, bacon, and potatoes and he had coffee and oatmeal. 

Took a nice swim around 1:00 p.m.

And sat in the sun for a little bit. 

At 72 degrees it felt just perfect.  

Brenda and Irv came over for cocktails and dinner. It  was good to see them. again and I think it was good for them to get out.  We sat on the patio for cocktails and then ate inside for dinner. 

Dianne brought Brenda and Irv home. John turned on the fire features and then he Dale and I went for an evening swim. 

Turned out to b e a very nice day and it's good to see myself relaxing. 

The neighbors watching Sylvester sent the above picute. God I miss him.

Holiday Season 2021 - Shopping with Noel

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Haven't seen Noel for a few weeks due to illness, vaccination reactions, and travel. 

We went to W.A. Frost for lunch. We weren't able to eat there during the holiday season last year due to them being closed because of the pandemic. 

Their trees were looking lovely. 

After lunch we stopped at the J. J. Hill House gift shop.

I picked up this most awesome Santa figure and Noel picked up some clip on glass bird ornaments. 

Noel gave me the above Santa figurine as she is downsizing her collection. I  quite like it. 

Christmastide 2020: The 2nd Day of Christmas - A Walk Through the Cemetery Part 2

Saturday, December 26, 2020

On my cemetery walk I noticed a path someone had shoveled out of the snow. I followed it. It led to a little opening which had also been shoveled. Two Christmas trees had each been placed at a grave site. They both had male first names names last names were the same. I’m assuming they were father and son as the older was about 30 years the younger one’s elder. The younger died 25 years ago but would have been my about my age now had he lived. The older one died 13 years ago. The same year as my dad. 

I mentioned this to Dale when I got home an he knew just what I was talking about. Yesterday during a cemetery walk he notice a group of people shoveling out the area and setting up the trees. They held a small gathering and looked like they were having a nice time. What a nice way to remember. 

Christmastide 2020: Christmas Day - The First Day of Christmas: Getting Dinner Ready

Friday, December 25, 2020

Made a Bloody Mary.

Got the balls on the tree. Decided to go simple and not ornament-pack it this year. It's a lot easier. 

Played sous chef to Dale and helped get the beef bourguingnon going. 

And listened to some Ella. 

Sign of the Season

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Yesterday as Noel and I were driving around near Summit Avenue and I saw the first tree tied to the top of a vehicle  (not pictured here) of the year. One of those signs of the season, ya know. 

Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Half Off

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Much to Dale's consternation I did a little mor post Christmas shopping. The green Santa cloche above and the red ornaments below were ALL half off. How could I say no?

Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Gathering at Susan's

Friday, December 29, 2017

John's sister Susan invited us along with John to her house for a post-Christmas gathering. Susan's friends Nancy and Liz made it as well and we were also joined by Susan's kids Ally and Nick. I haven't seen most of these folks in about a year so it was a reunion of sorts. We started with a lovely orange salad and Susan also made lamb, mashed sweet potatoes, beans, and bread. Dale an I brought pecan and pumpkin pies for dessert. I had a lovely chat with Ally about her current fellowship with a local arts organizations. She graduated from college this past spring so it was exciting to hear about  her working in her chosen field and her enthusiasm around it.

We were home by 10:30 and I indulged in a nightcap of Bailey's Irish Cream which was a gift from Mom on Christmas Day..

Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Warren and Gary

Thursday, December 28, 2017

My martini next to Warren's rum concoction.

Warren invited Dale and me over for a post-Christmas gathering with Gary at his place. He made a lovely turkey meatloaf and we watched the Judy Garland episode of The E! True Hollywood Story. 

His place was decorated more than I remember it being in recent years.

Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Bedroom Christmas Tree

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Last year I put up a bedroom Christmas tree for the first time in many, many years. With vacation not starting until the day before Christmas Eve, time was not on my side this year as far as having things decorated as extensively as I would've liked. Anyway, I found this one half price at Kowalski's tonight while Dale and I picked up ice cream and salad fixings to take to Warren's for a post-holiday gathering tonight. I put it on my bedside table.

Holiday Season 2015 - Deb's Trees

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Deb had not one but TWO Christmas trees in her yard today. Turns out she's using them to cut up and put in her window box. 

Christmas Season 2011 - The Swedish Institute

Mom and I went to the Swedish Institute today to look at their Christmas trees which are on display until January 8th. The tree pictured above was found in the Iclandic room at the Institute. This was of particular interest to me as Dale and I made a trip to Iceland in 2008. The room included information  on    Icelandic Christmas tradition and mentioned  the Yule Lads, a part of folklore that I remember reading about on our trip. 

Decorating the Tree

Got some ornaments on the tree tonight. I'm far from done but it's a start!