Showing posts with label St. Nicholas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Nicholas. Show all posts

Monday, December 8, 2025

Saint Nicholas Day

 Saturday, December 6, 2025

It's St. Nicholas Day today. Although I didn't get an ornament in my shoe I have more than made up for it by purchasing some ornaments today which I'll report on later in the post. 

Lunch at W.A. Frost's with Noel.

I had a pumpkin waffle and it was delicious. 

After lunch we headed to Anthony Scornavacco (the former Nakashian O'Neil) to check out what they had to offer. We tried a couple weeks ago but there was a line down the block and we weren't in the mood for that and decided to give it a couple more weeks. Funny cuz we weren't remembering there being any lines last year on our two visits. Anyway, we got there today and there was a line down the block again. We decided to give it a go anyway. We found a meter nearby and jumped in the line. It turned out the people in front of us and behind us had never been in the store and really had no idea what to expect only that there is something about Christmas ornaments and antiques. Noel and I figured the store must have done some promotional stuff this year. They were only letting in as many people who were coming out of the store at any given time. The doorkeeper mentioned that this was the first year they've ever seen lines. I have to wonder if influences are promoting it. If seen lots of postings on instagram for thing like 'the top five christmas markets in the Twin Cities' type of stuff. 

When we got in we found the place looking festive and fantastic as it always does. Noel found a couple of the Czech bejeweled Christmas trees she loves so much. They were selling them for half as much as what they were going for online so she bought a couple. 

I found another of the Schaller Family for Christopher Radko pieces done back in the 1990s. 

When I was settling up Mr. Scornavacco said that they probably wouldn't be seeing any more of them for a while. I'm assuming it's because of the tariffs. 

Noel told me she had talked to him while she was checking out and he told her they
got their inventory in before the tariffs hit which is why they weren't as expensive as they could've been. 

The store looked great. It's always such a charming experience being in there especially during the holidays. 


We also stopped by Gypsy Moon where a picked up a bunch of ornaments and a couple of old manger scene angel figures for St. Nicholas Day. I laid them all out as I showed Dale what I purchased. 

Noel gave me a bunch of her duplicate Kunstlerschutz animals. She's been collecting them for a number of years now. It was very kind of her. Sylvester knocked the animals over when he jumped up on the table. Curious cat. He's too cute to get mad at. 

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Pre-Holiday Season 2024: St. Nicholas Day

 Saturday, December 7, 2024

Yesterday, January 6, was St. Nicholas Day.



Mom texted me to acknowledge. 

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Holiday Season 2023 - St. Nicholas Day

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Pretty laid back St. Nicholas Day. Sylvester was on my lap during our pre-dinner snacks and kept batting at me and trying to nip on my arm. Pretty bratty of him if you ask me but I was reaching over him to access the snacks so maybe he found that annoying 




Sunday, December 5, 2021

Holiday Season 2021 - It's Beginning to Look [at least a little] Like Christmas & St. Nicholas Day Too

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Went to Warren's house last night for dinner. He made brats and pierogis and I brought some coleslaw from Lunds. We watched Tick Tick Boom with dinner. As I was getting ready to leave for the evening at around 10:30 we realized it had snowed during my time here. These photos show what it looked like this morning. It's good to see a little snow. It's December after all. 





And on the eve of St. Nicolas Day I'd like to acknowledge my Mom who brought the tradition of leaving our shoes out and the finding an ornament in our shoes the morning of December 6. 

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Holiday Season 2020 - St. Nicholas Day 2020

Saturday, December 6, 2020


St. Nicholas Day is here. I texted Mom a photo with a greeting. She responded by saying she hopes it's been a happy day for me. It has. 

Picked up the above ornament recently. We'll say it's for St. Nicholas Day although I didn't put it in my shoe. 

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Holiday Season 2019 - St. Nicholas Day

Friday, December 6, 2019


Busy week. I'm enjoying the snow that was dumped on us while I was away last weekend. Pictured above is Leo, the lion statue, in our yard.  The snow left quite a helmet of snow on his head.


I really enjoy my walks to and from school every day. 


I especially love the metallic silver/blue skies just before sunset. 


And the bluish light just after sunset.


Warren and I went to happy hour tonight and then he had Dale and me and Gary over for dinner. He has his tree set up in the dining room. 

St. Nicholas


Monday, December 10, 2018

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.


Thursday, December 6, 2018

Holiday Season 2018 - Happy Saint Nicolas Day

Texted Mom the following picture to wish her a happy St. Nicolas Day.


She responded, "Thanks.. but alas there was nothing in my shoe. He still is the greatest though!"


Yep. Not getting ornaments in my shoe anymore but I still like to recognize the day and the fond memories I have of setting my shoe out the night before. Marked the occasion with a little egg nog (with brandy, of course) at the end of the evening. 

Monday, December 25, 2017

Christmas Eve 2017 - Church Service

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Our Christmas Eve church service was lovely. The singing of carols beautiful. Dale and I were 2 of the 3 Kings in the Christmas pageant.  Here I am with my buddy Emma who played the lead angel:

After the service there was a visit from St. Nicholas. He passed out bags of treats to the kids. I took advantage of getting a photo op with him. Took 50+ Christmases to finally see him on Christmas Eve but I guess good things come to those who wait!!

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Holiday Season 2017 - St. Nicholas Day

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Texted the above meme to Mom today thinking she'd get a kick out of it. Here's another picture of St. Nick: 

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Holiday Season 2016 - St. Nicholas Day

St. Nicholas Day 2016
No ornaments in my shoe anymore but I still have many fond memories of receiving them on this day for so many years.

Monday, January 11, 2016

Christmas Season 2015/2016 - Odds and Ends: Porridge

This year's attempt was something of a hodgepodge of a recipe I have for porridge and simply following the directions on the short grain rice package. All in all it turned out well and was a noble attempt to get in touch with my Swedish heritage. 


According to Trine Hahnemann, author of Scandinavian Christmas, "The "nisse" (elf) lives where we can't see him. He is naughty, and the best way to stay friends with him is to leave porridge in the attic for him, with lots of butter, sugar, and cinnamon! Then he won't eat your cookies or hide your favorite things; instead he will leave little presents in your boots." (p. 57)



Maybe some of my Swedish ancestors grew up with this. As kids, St. Nicholas always left an ornament in our shoes on December 6 (St. Nicholas Day). 

Monday, December 7, 2015

Holiday Season 2015 - Happy Saint Nicholas' Day

Sunday, December 6, 2015

This icon was part of a showing of icons at church. St. Nicholas Day is December 6.