Christmas Season 2024/2025: The Tenth Day of Christmas

Friday, January 3, 2025 

More Sunday scaries today but I talked myself down. Now it just feels like the verge of a regular weekend. Anyway, Mom’s decided recently that she needs an Apple Watch so we ventured to Southdale (It opened in 1956 and was the first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping mall in the United States. My family did a LOT of shopping there when I was growing up.) I asked her why she wanted the watch and she said that all the old ladies (the ones in their 90s which does NOT include her - her words) in her senior living building have them. The watch has an I’ve-fallen-and-I-can’t-get-up feature which is why all the old ladies (again, her words) in their 90s in her building have one. I know there are probably cheaper options but I didn’t feel like talking her out of what she wanted. We went to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch and took some time to get the watch set up while waiting for our food. She was actually quite giddy playing with it and was like a kid with a new toy. I hope Sam and Pete and I showed as much joy as kids with our new Christmas toys and that Mom and Dad witnessed it. It’s actually quite touching to see.

Another little cigar this afternoon despite the cold. Smaller cigars are the answer to freezing weather. I can last 20 minutes outside if it’s in the teens and I’m dressed for it. Besides, it wasn’t windy and the sun was out. Nice weather.

Simple dinner of a frozen pizza tonight and also broccoli salad from the Lund’s deli. Mom gave me a bag of Christmas candy today so we had that for dessert. 

We also got into the bottle of Prosecco that Mike and Charisse gave us on New Year’s Eve.

Christmas Eve 2024: Cookies and Lattes

 Tuesday, December 24, 2024

After dinner Dianne made lattes and we had some holiday inspired Milanos. 

I asked Alexa to play a few Christmas songs for us starting with Do You Hear What I Hear by Lincoln Brewster. 

Next a trio of Christmas songs from The Killers. Dale's favorite is Joel the Lump of Coal. He says it always makes him a little teary. Christmas In L.A. really resonates with me this year as it's about not being home for Christmas. It's evocative of the song White Christmas and actually incorporates part of that song into it. I'm doing pretty well not being home for Christmas and am enjoying it here quite a bit but am finding I'm missing Mom quite a bit. 

4th Snday of. Advent 2024

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Mom sent me this piccture of her Advent wreath for the 4th Sunday of Advent. We weren't able to get to church today due to care of Brenda and Irv.  

Pre-Holiday Season 2024: St. Nicholas Day

 Saturday, December 7, 2024

Yesterday, January 6, was St. Nicholas Day.

Mom texted me to acknowledge. 

Thanksgiving 2024

Thursday, November 28,  2024

Made a Bloody Mary...

...and turned on the parade at 8:30.

Sylvester burrowed into a pile of pillows making a little fort for himself.

He came out eventually and made himself comforatable on whichever of our laps was available.

Dale supervised the making of the feast but I helped quite a bit. 

Mom came over around 2 pm and we ate at 3:00. All in all it turned out great. 

Dale seems to think I do a great job carving the turkey. I feel like I'm hacking away with an ax to the carcass but I guess I do okay since there's barely any meat on it when I'm finished. There's gotta be a youTube video out there that shows the most efficient and perfect way to cut it up. Maybe I'll look for that sometime. 

Mom brought over a pumpkin pie that some friends from church had made. She said they usually make about 100 pies every year to sell to people for Thanksgiving. It was delicious and one of the better pumpkin pies I've ever had. That's sayin' something cuz I LOVE pumpkin pie. 

She also brought over some port wine. Dale didn't think he'd ever had any before. I poured some for us after the pie. Mom and Dale didn't like it. They said the alcohol level was too hight (turned out it was 20%) and they just didn't like the taste. I thought it was fine but what do I know. 

Christmas Season 2023/2024 - 1st Day of Christmas: Christmas Day Dinner

Monday, December 25, 2023

We had Mom and Warren over for dinner this afternoon. We had the beef bourguignon that Dale and I made a couple days ago. Dale also made some buttered peas as a side. Afterward we had some dessert which Warren brought over and then watched Ted Lasso. 

Holiday Season 2023 - 1 Days to Go: 4th Sunday of Advent & Christmas Eve Day

 Sunday, December 24, 2023

Countdown to Christmas - 1 Day

A few more things to set out. 

Dale and I went to Lunds this morning to pick up some last minute stuff. It's eerily warm outside. No snow at all but we're supposed to be getting some rain soon. 

Dale and I took Mom to Jax for their Sunday buffet brunch. 

We nabbed a parking spot in Lobster Lane. I think that's the closet we've ever parked. 

The buffet was delicious. I think Mom really liked it. 

Santa was out on the patio so I snapped a photo. 

 

I started to set up the manger scene. 

Holiday Season 2023 - 4 Days to Go

 Thursday, December 21, 2023

Countdown to Christmas - 4 Days

Today is the Winter Solstice.

I set the angels out today. 

Mom and I went to the American Swedish Institute to see the holiday displays. 

We checked out the display of Himmeli. Shown above are a couple examples. Himmeli predate the Christmas tree and they were traditionally suspended in a dining or living space during the Winter Solstice. They remained in place until the summer months to help ensure a good harvest. 

Mom got to sit in the Snow Queen chair. 

Mom got some ornaments in the gift shop. I got this kick ass PINK dala horse. Who knew they came in pink?

Dale and I went to Creekside Supper Club for dinner. It was delicious. Dale had the chicken breast and I had the fish fry with walleye. I had a Grasshhopper for dessert.