Christmas Day 2016 - Setting Up the Tree

Sunday, December 25, 2016

To get the tree ready for today I started setting it up on Friday the 23rd.

Holiday Season 2016 - Jewish Christmas (2 Days Early)

Friday, December 23, 2016

Warren and I headed to The Eagle for happy hour tonight. After we returned to his place,  Dale joined us for ordering Chinese. We celebrated Jewish Christmas 2 days early. I worked with a Jewish gal about 12 years ago who informed me of what many Jewish folks do on Christmas Day which includes eating out at  Chinese restaurants and going to movies. I didn't know it was a thing. This year I suggested we try it for ourselves. Our own version involved ordering in and watching a movie.

Pot Stickers

Lo Mein Noodles

Garlic Broccoli

My plate.

Wonton Soup

Holiday Season 2016 - Father Christmas

This one got his own place this year.

Holiday Season 2016 - Snowmen and Santas

They started in the dining room...

But were moved to the porch...

To make room for the...

Santas!

Holiday Season 2016 - Sandi's Holiday Party

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Sandi at work hosts a Christmas party every year - usually the first Saturday of Christmas vacation. I ran into old colleague and friend Nancy. 

Holiday Season 2016 - The Skyroom

Saturday, December 17, 2016

I recently heard that the hometown department store, Dayton's, would be closing sometime this coming year. Actually Dayton's closed a number of years ago but all of it's stores are now owned by Macy's which is actually what will be closing. The downtown and Southdale locations were so distinctive that I still often slip and call them Dayton's. Noel and I decided to make one last holiday season pilgrimage to the downtown store. Growing up we saw a number of holiday shows in the store's 8th floor auditorium which is also were you could visit Santa. 

We decided to go to the Oak Grille, Dayton's restaurant since about the 1940s, which Macy's continued to operate. We were told upon arrival that the wait would be about a half hour so we chose to check out some stuff. Neither of us had been in The Skyroom in years. The cafeteria style restaurant is  popular with the downtown lunch crowd. The views are spectacular.

The Skyroom circa 1949.

Holiday Season 2016 - Go Nuts

Friday, December 16, 2016

Word.

Holiday Season 2016 - Christmas Vacation

Friday, December 16, 2016

First evening of Christmas vacation. Someone looks happy.

Holiday Season 2016 - I Work With Some Wonderful People

Friday, December 16, 2016

Sandi was my Secret Santa this year.

Holiday Season 2016 - My Awesome Team

Friday, December 16, 2016

We have such fun together. They make me look forward to going to work every day!

Holiday Season 2016 - Fulton's Harvest

Silver Hour with Dale tonight and pre-dinner we listened to Dianne Reeve's Christmas album which is just lovely.  I drank Fulton's Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cream Liquor which always goes down smoothly. According to the Fulton's Harvest web-site, the liqueur is "made with and enticing blend of pumpkin, brown sugar and nutmeg."

Holiday Season 2016 - Christmas Cookies

My colleague Kelly was kind enough to make and put together an assortment of Christmas cookies for me. 

On the box she wrote "Happy Holidays Joe! Love working with you! Kelly." So nice 'cause I love working with her too. 

I never make Christmas cookies for myself and Dale mostly to keep from eating them all. It's nice to get a variety. 

Holiday Season 2016 - Little Bear

This little bear is one of my oldest possessions although this is the first time I've set him out specifically for Christmas. I find him to be quite sweet. I asked Mom how old I was when she gave him to me and she said I was about 4 years old.

Holiday Season 2016 - 3rd Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Sang the Winter Name of God by Michael Joncas at church with Cindi. It went very well if I do say so myself. 

Holiday Season 2016 - A Holiday Gathering

Julie and Regina had us over for a holiday gathering tonight. It also served as a celebration of their 8th anniversary. Christmas carols were sung.

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.

Holiday Season 2016 - Kacey Musgraves

Monday, November 28, 2016

Picked up a Christmas album on iTunes a few days ago by a gal named Kacey Musgraves. While browsing the sight I noticed the distinctive and retro looking album thumbnail. I clicked on it to find she sings a duet with Willie Nelson who's a favorite of mine. I sampled it along with a number of the other tunes it to have a fun retro country swing sound. I've listened to it a couple of times already and I'm loving' it. 

Holiday Season 2016 - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Watched Rudolph tonight on DVD. A couple years ago was the 50 anniversary of the first broadcast of the show. I've been watching it on and off over most of that time. Dale says he saw it the first time it was on. 

Holiday Season 2016 - Gypsy Moon

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Our third stop for Small Business Saturday landed us at Gypsy Moon. I bought a new snowman figure but sadly he toppled over when I took him out of the bag. Here he's posed next to my martini and still looks to be in pretty good spirits. His arm was where his pipe cleaner scarf looks to be blowing in the breeze. I'll repair him tomorrow after I pick up a little glue.

Holiday Season 2016 - Squire House

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Noel and I did our annual holiday run to Squire House in Afton. It was quite a lovely day.

Martin isn't putting out as much holiday stuff as he used to but the place looked lovely and he and Richard were, as always, very warm and welcoming to us.