Christmastide - Trying to Keep the Christmas Spirit Alive

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Back at work this past week. I miss Christmas vacation but reality came calling and ended it all. It's still Christmastide so I'm trying to enjoy some elements of the Christmas and winter seasons. Informed Dale recently that we're observing Christmas until Candlemas this year. He didn't say anything cuz, well, what's he gonna do. 

Been listening to my expertly crafted (if I do say so myself) currated classical oriented playlists. 

Trying to get outside to appreciate winter. 

I've been trying to straighten up the yard. 

Here I am finally getting some of the lawn furniture in the garage. 

Here I am taking my morning coffee outside. 

Doing a little snow shoveling/sweeping. 

I've been breaking down an unusually large cardboard box out in the garage.

I actually have no recollection of what was in this thing but it's huge. 

Trying to do this slowly over time so it doesn't end up taking up all the room in our recycling receptical. 

Saturday shopping with Noel. 

Some of our favorite shops still have holiday merchandise out. 

Fun to look around but I need more Christmas stuff like I need a hole in the head. So, no, I didn't buy anything. 

I've indulged in cigars but I'm cutting back.

I've only had two so far this past week. Compare that to about 5 per week over break. 

Dale and I are doing a dry-ish January. We didn't start until the first Monday after Christmas break. 

Overall we're doing pretty well. I had a couple Old Fashioneds this past Thursday when we went out to dinner at The Howe.

We went out to brunch this morning at Northbound and I had one of their Old Fashioneds. Compare that to however many I had per week over break (it was more than 3). 

When I saw Mike on NYE he told me one of his goals for 2024 had been to read something like 40 books, which I found quite impressive. He made clear that not all the books were massive tomes and that some were shorter and/or easier reads. Right now I'm working on Cher's memoir which is quite fun. She's been around my whole life and I've followed her over all these years. Not sure I'll make it to 40 books in 2025 but I aim to put more of a focus on reading.

Speaking of shorter books I read this one today for old times sake. It dates from the mid-60s and is chuck full of the good-grief-ethos of that time period. 

Went shopping at Kowalski's for groceries today. Quiche for dinner and Oh-ho cake for dessert (speaking of old times sake). 

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Christmas Season 2024/2025: The Eighth Day of Christmas - New Year's Day

 Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Brunch with Julie and Regina this morning at a restaurant called Book Club over on 54th and Penn.  They took a road trip to North Carolina and spent Christmas there. We told them about our Christmas in. Arizona. 

First cigar of the New Year.

Lit up around 3:30 while Dale was at the gym.

Finished up at 4:00 pm. The cigar would've lasted longer but it was just too cold outside and it's supposed to get colder and remain cold for the next few weeks. 

Leftover spaghetti from last night for dinner. Left over chocolate Bundt cake and ice cream too. Laid back New Year's Day. 

Christmas Eve 2024: Cigar Time

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Shifted into Christmas Eve mode around 3:00.

Provided minimal help to John by chopping onions as he was starting to get tonight's beef stroganoff ready.

Dale coached John by sharing what he does for his own beef stroganoff recipe. 

Cigar time arrived around 3:30. It was perfect out. 

We'd reached the high for the day. 

So I lit up. 

I moved on from gin to bourbon. John took a break from cooking and came out for a swim. He said my cigar smelled great. He was right. It tasted great too.

Countdown to Christmas: 7 Days

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Dale left for Arizona this morning. I'll be joining him later in the week. 

It'll be strange being away from home over Christmas. Especially someplace warm. 

Couple cigars for  me tonight. 

Third Sunday of Advent 2024

 Sunday, December 15, 2024

Church this morning for the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Dale had to count afterward so I took a walk down to Lake Harriet.

Brunch with Dale at The Howe. 

Sunday cigar at about 3:30.

Rather glum outside but that didn't make my Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur any less awesome. 

Pre- Holiday Season 2024: Enjoying Saturday

Saturday,  December 14,  2024

Cigar and coffee in the yard this morning. 

Not too raw out. Lunch with Noel at Heather's. We didn't hang out afterward as sleet and freezing rain started falling and Noel thought it best to get home. 

Played with AI on my phone and got the above images. 

Moon was officially full by the time  I  lit up my afternoon cigar. 

Romeo y Julieta this morning.  A Camacho this afternoon. 

Listened to my own holiday mix while outside. 

Cocktail hour with Dale once back inside. Drank a pre-made Old Fashioned from Cork Dork. 

And listened to some more music.