Fourth Day of Christmas - Off to Phoenix

Friday, December 28, 2018

1. Listened to 70s era Rosemary Clooney Christmas music in the car while taking Athena to the kennel. Always hard to leave her. 

2. Arrived in Phoenix and got a shuttle to the Drury Inn. Checked in and then admired the big tree in the lobby. 

Third Day of Christmas - Taking Down the Tree

Thursday, December 27, 2018

This is, as far as I know, the earliest I've taken down the Christmas tree. EVER. I got the tree, ornaments, and most of the tchotchkes down while Dale was out running errands. I wasn't hard to do and didn't take nearly as long as usual as I didn't set as much out this year. When Dale returned he made a comment about how empty the house looked. It surprised me because he usually wants the visual (to him) over-stimulation to go away sooner than later. I told him Christmas would just have to live on in his heart.

Second Day of Christmas - Jewish Christmas with Mike & Charisse

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Mike and Charisse came over for dinner tonight. We ordered Chinese food so we had our own little variation on Jewish Christmas although we didn't watch a movie. We listened to lots of Christmas music and had great conversation the whole evening although I zoned out the last hour or so they were here. Oh well, chalk it up to holiday backlash. I'm exhausted!

I put the expanding cowboy that Charisse got for me in water. We'll see if he expands.

Holiday Season 2018 - Noel's 20th Annual Holiday Fete

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Noels annual holiday gathering was last night. At the beginning of the party she told us she did the math and figured that this is the 20th year of having us over! I hadn't been feeling great during the day but not so poorly that I didn't think I could make it. Sadly, I was wrong. About 2 hours in the nausea overtook me and I ended up in the bathroom for a while. Everyone felt terrible for me and Dale took me home. 

This morning I texted the above pictures to Caroline, Stephen, and Noel saying, "So sorry I had to leave last night. I felt we were just getting started! Although, as you're aware, based on how I was feeling there was not other choice. I continued to get worse after getting home and I was up multiple times throughout the night. Woke up this morning feeling better - no more nausea and so far everything is staying down. However I'm feeling week, exhausted, and dehydrated. On the couch now. Here's my view. I've been joined by this mouse who stowed away with us upon leaving last night. Says her name is Chrissy..."  [See above two photos]

Laying low today. Ate a little bit and trying to take in some coffee even though I'm not in the mood for it. However, I don't want to go without it and risk a headache later. 

Noel texted me back a bit later saying, "Don't apologize! So glad your'e feeling a bit better today. Take good care of yourself. I hope Dale stays well too. Peace."

Caroline responded, "I'm glad you're feeling better! I had that little bug too - quick but feisty. Take care and give Chrissy some cheese!"

Holiday Season 2018 - The Solstice

Friday, December 21, 2018

The solstice occurred today at 4:23 p.m. Mike texted me a picture as I was taking a screenshot of the time. 

It was of a retro pin-up picture done by a pin-up artist popular in the 1940s & 1950s named Peter Driben. The red and green garments have to be a nod to December. 

Mike also texted me a picture of Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen from White Christmas. I forgot a copy of the movie over at his place the last time I was there. We didn't get a chance to watch it. I'm hoping he's saving it to watch with me...

Holiday 2018 - The Tree is Decorated

Monday, December 17, 2018

The tree is up. I've decided to decorate it only with balls this year to make the take down easier. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Merry Kiltmas

Sunday, December 16, 2018

I posted this on Facebook and a friend responded, "Now I know it's really Christmas!"

Holiday 2018 - The Bumble Has a Tree

Sunday, December 16, 2018

The neighbor's inflatable Bumble now has an inflatable tree to put his star on. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Holiday Cigar

Sunday, December 16, 2018

This was too nice a day to pass up a cigar outside. Sat in the backyard and listened to Christmas music. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Rudolph

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Dale was out for the evening so I watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by my lonesome. It's probably the best thing Burl Ives did to keep his name in the spotlight well beyond his earthly life.

Of all the old Christmas specials this one is probably the most dated, especially in terms of gender roles. However, Feline and Rudolph's mom do strike out on their own to help find Rudolph.

But it's, oh, so much fun. I mean where else would you get a lumbersexual, a gay elf dentist, and a red-nosed reindeer?

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I loved it as a kid and I still do.

Holiday Season 2018 - The Tree

Monday, December 10, 2018

The tree is up. It's going to have to come down earlier than usual this year due to some travel plans we have. I'll add the lights and then the only ornaments I'm going to use this year will be the Christmas balls and then so very sparingly to allow for easier take-down. Also note: Perry Como was coming out of the blue Bose speaker on the table pictured at left during the setting up. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Krumkake

Sunday, December 9, 2018

After church Dale and I headed over to Mom's to make krumkake. She hasn't made it in years and asked me last week if I'd like to come over and help. Of course I said yes!

Pictured above is a krumkake iron exactly like the one Mom used to have. She's made them for as long as I can remember - every year for a long time and then more sporadically. I think she quit making them after Dad died. The iron shown above could be used on a gas or electric stove burner. I don't know how well they'd work on more recent ovens with  glass tops. Anyway, a friend loaned Mom an electric one which is pictured below.

I helped Mom put the batter together. 

I was in charge of getting the batter on the iron and closing it. Holding it shut for about 45 seconds did the trick. 

Mom took care of getting the cookie off the iron and rolling it. The whole process was pretty quick with two people. Having a double rather than single iron didn't hurt either. 

The recipe Mom used was a "new" one. I have that in quotes because the recipe came out of a Star Tribune Sunday Magazine newspaper insert from back in 1988. Mom saved it all these years with the intention of someday trying it. Well, someday came today.

The recipe comes from a woman named Hilda Kringstad and is not too different from the one Mom has used for years. The difference is that Hilda's recipe calls for using whipping cream that's actually been whipped before adding it to the batter. Regardless, these krumkake were much better than the ones I've gotten at the grocery store and at the very least equally as good as the ones from the recipe Mom used for years!

Dale loved the krumkake too. 

I'd say Mom's and my endeavor was a success and it was great to relive a wonderful old holiday memory.

Holiday Season 2018 - James J. Hill House

Saturday, December 8, 2018

After the Ramsey House we headed over to the James J. Hill house on Summit Avenue as there was a pop-up holiday gift shop that Noel wanted to check out. We didn't take the tour but judging from the main entrance it looks like it must be pretty spectacular. I found this nifty bottle brush tree there...

Holiday Season 2018 - The Candy Jar

Monday, November 26, 2018

Walked by the Candy Jar on the way home from work today. I peeked in the window to get an idea of what they are selling for the holidays. I eyed some nifty snowmen. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Home with Dale

Sunday, November 25, 2018

So good to be home with Dale. This afternoon we listened to holiday music and read. 

We also listened to some kitschy bell music that I found on iTunes. What a bunch of retro fun.

For dinner we had leftover pot pie that Dale had made for himself on Thanksgiving Day. It was delicious. 

For dessert we had a nice roulade that we picked up at Kowalski's. It was a HUGE piece so we divided it in half. I reminded Dale that "that ain't no buche!"

I decided to partake in a little egg nog that Dale had picked up for himself for Thanksgiving. He didn't care for any tonight. I added some dark rum to mine. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Returning Home

Saturday, November 25, 2018

Mom and I returned to Minneapolis today. We had such a wonderful visit. Pete got us to the airport a couple of hours before our flight. I was surprised how quiet Dulles was. Tomorrow must be the big travel day. 

Stephanie suggested that we make a tradition out of coming for Thanksgiving. I'd be up for that!

I had two excellent Bloody Mary's on the flight home. My in flight drink is usually Jack and Coke but I think I might make the switch.

Holiday Season 2018 - The Christmas Chronicles

Friday, November 23, 2018

Mom and I sat with the kids Friday night as Pete and Steph went in to work at the brewery. I got to pick the movie we watched and I went with The Christmas Chronicles which had been heavily advertised during the Macy's parade yesterday.

It didn't disappoint. We all really enjoyed it. Kurt Russell plays Santa. A couple of kids hijack his sleigh on Christmas Eve and the success of Christmas for the year is thrown into jeopardy. Mayhem ensues. 

Holiday Season 2018 - Emma's Penguin

Friday, November 23, 2018

A penguin that Emma made in school last year. 

Nutcrackers from Mom to Pete's family.