Christmas Season 2023/2024 - 7th Day of Christmas Part 3: New Year's Eve

 Sunday, December 31, 2023

The 7th Day of Christmas

After cocktails Dale and I ate dinner. We had baked chicken breast with roasted broccoli and buttered spaghetti noodles. 

We watched When Harry Met Sally which culminates in a scene taking place on NYE. Dale's never really liked this movie before but this time he said he actually enjoyed it. He stayed awake for the whole thing this time so that probably helped. 

     

Leftover pumpkin pie from Christmas for dessert. 

I changed into my robe. Sylvester climbed up on my lap.

Had we gone out I'd like to think this would have been my outfit. 

However, going out was not how it unfolded this year. It was a quiet and laid back New Year's Eve at home and we were in bed my 10:00. Who knows what 2024 will bring. The 2020s have so far turned out to be a turbulent decade. A couple years ago I gave up saying the new year couldn't be any worse than the previous. I guess one can only plan for tomorrow but live for today. I've tried to live by that little nugget of wisdom in the past but going forward I'm going to really try to put even more of the emphasis on the live for today part. 

Christmas Season 2023/2024 - 6th Day of Christmas: Dinner with Mike and Charisse

Saturday, December 30, 2023

The 6th Day of Christmas

Mike and Charisse invited us over for dinner tonight. 

For the drive over we were getting a little rain that was trying to turn to snow.  Very slippery conditions. 

We brought over a bottle of white wine to share and a nice red velvet roulade from Lunds for dessert. 

We started with cocktails. Mike had martini makings set out for me.

They had quite a lovely smorgasbord set out for dinner with lots of tasty options. We had a good three hours to talk about all our surgeries, troubles at work, looking ahead and preparing for retirement, and of course our funny cats. I think we came to the conclusion that despite the trials that occur at this stage of life we're at least gaining a level of wisdom we didn't have before to help counter it all. 

While getting ready to leave we discovered the rain had indeed turned to snow and that there was a light dusting covering the ground. We said our goodbyes and were careful walking to the car and driving home because the rain had left a thin layer of ice under the snow. I can't remember the last time I had to brush snow off the car. Too bad this all didn't happen a week ago allowing us a bit of a white Christmas. Oh well, no matter. This holiday season has been quite wonderful even without the typical winter optics. 

Thanksgiving 2022 - The Dinner

 Thursday, December 24, 2022

We had Noel and Mom over for dinner. 

Mom brought and apple pie and Noel brought over a pumpkin pie. 

Imbolc/St. Brigid's Day

Saturday, February 1, 2020

The sun visited us briefly this morning and it was completely energizing to see it. The wonderful yellow orb has been absent for 10 days. 

Noel and I went shopping today and I bought an etagere at an antique shop. The proprietor said she thinks it dates to the 1920s. I asked if it was in the art nouveau style and although she said she could not say for sure, she acknowledged that it is definitely evocative of that style. The piece wouldn't fit in Noel's car so I'll have to pick it up at a later time. 

We also stopped at Bachman's for look for some signs of spring since they are not apparent outside yet. I looked at the seed packets. Noel bought some bamboo and an orchid for some greenery for her apartment. 

Dale and I completed our dry January. The one cocktail I love having over the Christmas holiday is the Brandy Alexander. I didn't get to it this season so I had a couple on this, the first day of February. It consists of one part brandy, one part creme de cacao, and one part cream or ice cream. I used half and half and it was wonderful. 

We made a chicken pot pie for dinner and had a roulade from Kowalski's for dessert. 

Today is also known as Imbolc, a Gaelic traditional festival that marks the beginning of spring. It occurs on February 1st which is just about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. St. Brigid's Day is also celebrated today by many, especially in Ireland. It is my understanding that St. Brigid's Day is Christian continuation of Imbolc.  

The Seventh Day of Christmas Part 2 - New Year's Eve

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Laid back day. Dale and I got some cleaning done, a trip to Kowalski's,  and some nice walks in. Again, it is so good to see the sun. 

For cocktail hour we listened to some Christmas music from Bing Crosby, Donna Summer, and the Ultra Lounge.

I had a martini and Dale had wine. 

For dinner we had steak, Brussels sprouts, and a pasta salad.

And for dessert we had pumpkin pie. 

During dinner and dessert we watched The Bishop's Wife - one of our favorites.

I find New Year's Eve to be a kilt-worthy holiday. Note: Dry January starts tomorrow. 

Tonight turned out to be a wonderfully quiet night in. We were in bed by 9:30 p.m. Looking forward to 2020. 

The Fourth Day of Christmas - Noel's 21st Annual Holiday Fete

Saturday, December 28, 2019

According to Noel this is the 21st time we've done this so tonight we started our third decade. After we all arrived, Noel started with a toast to her deceased parents. Her relationship with a couple of her living relatives is fraught so she mentioned how much she appreciates those in her chosen family. 

Her tree, as always, looked great.

And also, as always, ... 

...her place was decorated to the hilt. She credited her mother with her love of decorating including decking the halls at Christmastime. 

The conversation was lively.

And it was good to catch up with everyone, especially Caroline and Stephen who we don't see as often. 

Dinner was provide by Mrs. Kowalski and consisted of chicken dummies, fruit, cole slaw, and for dessert, chocolate covered strawberries. 

Caroline brought an awesome apple/blackberry crumble. After we finished that we played a card game Noel picked up called Unstable Unicorns. Sick but fun.

I got a mini deck of cards in my Christmas cracker. I decided to give it to Little Bear when I got home. 

Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Noel's Annual Holiday Fete

Saturday, December 30, 2017

The tradition continues. We figured that we've been doing this get together since 1998. 

Rosie likes to model but cannot sit still long enough to look at the camera.

Noel had to hold her so I could get this shot. 

Ella Bella is becoming more and more outgoing. She let me snap this lovely photo of her.

Noel's tree looked awesome. The teal lights are especially stunning. 

The conversation was lively as always. 

The menu included chicken wings and dummies   meatballs, cheese and crackers, fruit, and salad.

For dessert there were chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate covered cherries, and  chocolate torte (with no need of reform as it was perfect). 

Joe read and enchanted everyone with a ghost story titled Christmas in the Blue Chamber by Jerome K. Jerome.

And we all know Stephen is a tree hugger.  Chrissy the Christmas mouse made a brief appearance. She seemed a little miffed most likely due to her being more and more excluded from the event in recent years.