Countdown to Christmas: 2 Days

 Monday, December 23, 2024

Woke up this morning around 5:00. Last night was Dale’s first night away from staying with his parents this trip. So nice to have him here this morning. Hot tub with John about 7:00 am. Talked family, (my) work, and politics. 

Nice walk with Dale up to the sundial on a nearby trail. 

You stand on the month. . .

...and your shadow points to the hour. This photo was taken at 10:53 am. Pretty accurate. 

The trail ends with the sundial at the top of a hill. 

The views from up top are pretty nice. 

Dale and I took the same hike last time I was here in February. 

After our hike we went to lunch at IHOP.  Dale got breakfast and I got the shrimp platter.  The regular shrimp platter not the 55+ version. 

Dale needed some clothes so we did some shopping at Kohl’s. He got a pair of pants and some shirts. I ended up getting a couple of shirts as well.  Next off to the cigar store where I picked up a couple of cigars. Our final stop for errands was Safeway where I got some cereal   and some premade Old Fashioneds. Those should last me through Christmas. One would hope. 

At Safeway I also picked up an Archie Christmas Comics Digest. It’s a throwback to when Pete was born in late November back in the day. Mom was in the hospital for a few days which was how they did it back then. No get-‘em-in-and-get-‘em-out like they do now. They also didn’t let kids in to visit so Dad bought Sam and I comic books we could read in the waiting room. Archies were my favorite at the time and by that part of the year Christmas issues were out so he bought me a few. 

When we got home we were at the high for the day...

Was feeling a little sniffly so I decided to take a soak in the sun but not the water. 

I read a ghost story for Christmas from the Seth series titled Captain Dalgety Returns. I may  have to reread it as I found it tough to follow. 

Gathering at the home of Candace and Doug, John and Dianne's next door neighbors. They had a nice gathering of folks who live on the blockc and it was nice to meet so many of them. I met a woman named Nancy who is a retired primary teacher who left the profession around the time of Covid. We talked about the many joys of teaching but also about the joys of not doing it anymore. 

John and Dianne's other next door neighbor, Kirk, came to the party as well and is pictured here with us on the left.  The theme of the party was Mele Kelikimaka which is the reason for the leis. 

Dale and I back at John and Dianne's place after the party. 

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.

Christmas Season 2013/2014 - Our Pastor's Cocktail Party

Tonight our pastor held a cocktail party for parish council members and their spouses. He and his spouse have a real tree with clip-on candles. Not electric lights that look like candles but REAL candles that you have to light. I've never in my lifetime seen a tree in with real candles outside a book. There's a first time for everything.