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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Pre-Holiday Season 2024: Shopping with Noel

 Saturday, November 16, 2024

The second hand shops Noel and I frequent are starting to set out their holiday stuff.

                      

All of the above items were found at A Rare Bird.

We also stopped at Hunt and Gather.

And, of course, Victory.

I bought this little box at A Rare Bird.

And these trees at Brown & Greene.

Holiday Season 2023 - Another Cozy Day

 Sunday, December 10, 2023

Dale and I skipped out on church and went shopping at Macy's for pants. We got some great deals. We also stopped at Target where I picked up some hats and gloves. 

We then went to brunch at Pittsburg Blue at the Galleria. I had a Bloody Mary and a seafood Cobb salad. Dale got coffee and a chicken salad sandwich. It was all very good. 

When we got home Dale went off the gym and I put up the tree. I meant to get the lights up also but two of my three strands don't work any more and one strand is not enough to cover the tree. I'll have to pick some up at Target or Bachman's this week. 

Another cozy day. 

Holiday Season 2023 - Out and About with Noel & More

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Lunch at Frost's with Noel. Afterwards we hit the Alexander Ramsey House gift shop, or lack thereof as the case may be. Usually the visitor center is tricked out with holiday merchandise for sale. This year? Nothing except some mugs and a few ornaments. The guy checking people in for tours told us the James J. Hill House up the road is where the Minnesota Historical Society is doing it up big for holiday merchandise this year. We told him that was our next stop. Upon arrival we found ourselves sadly disappointed. All they had were a couple of trees with ornaments on them, a rack of Christmas cards, a small table of unremarkable full priced items, and a small picked over table of half priced items. We each ended up getting a few small half priced candles. 

Every year the selection at stores gets a little smaller and seemingly less remarkable. Not that either of us needs anymore Christmas tchotchkes but a little more volume and some better quality stuff would at least make the shopping experience more enjoyable. After years of collecting we're both at a point where anything we buy has to be pretty remarkable and stores are playing it safe the more they're having to compete with online retail. This has been going on for quite a while but the pandemic really accelerated the change. Oh well, change happens. 

Cigar in the garage after getting home from my get together with Noel. 

My view from the garage. 

Also had an Old Fashioned.

After my cigar I joined Dale inside for more cocktails and Christmas music.

For dinner Dale made hamburgers on the grill. They were quite satisfying. We also had potato salad, and a broccoli-cauliflower mix. For dessert we had a red velvet roulade with cream cheese frosting. Also we watched, or, more accurately, Dale, watched Christmas in Connecticut. I kept falling asleep. 

Pre-Holiday Season 2023: Shopping with Noel - A Rare Bird

November 19, 2023

Noel and I had lunch at Heather's and then headed out to see what kind of Christmas tchotchkes the stores are setting out. 

Our first stop was A Rare Bird.

As usual, Kelly had set out a number of charming items.

I picked up a few things. Like I need more Xmas stuff.