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 - First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 3, 2023

This morning I noticed the Christmas cactus flowering nicely. This is the biggest bloom I've seen yet. 

Church today - First Sunday of Advent.

Brunch after church at the Longfellow Grill.  They had pumpkin pancakes!

After brunch Dale took a bike ride and I lit up a cigar in the garage. 

I finished up my Old Fashioned cocktail from yesterday.

Listened to music with Dale during cocktail hour.

Holiday Season 2021 - Finishing Up the Grocery Shopping and Decorating the Tree

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Lazy morning followed by a trip to the gym and then the grocery store to finish up getting everything we need for now through Christmas. We're entertaining tonight and then have Mom coming over for Christmas on Saturday. Kowalski's was busy-ish but not inhumane. I'm guessing this afternoon through tomorrow will be pretty nutty. 

Upon returning home from the store I spent some time decorating the tree. I got the medium and large Christmas balls up but that's it so I only made it up about half way up from the bottom. Not worried about having it only partially decorated for company tonight. As I get older I'm growing tired of imposing deadlines on myself that are not for life or death situations like, say, decorating a Christmas tree. 

You have to look hard in this photo to see the top half is sans balls. 

Holiday Season 2021 - Last Day of School for 2021

Friday, December 17, 2021

School so far this year has not been easy due to Covid related issues. However, I wouldn't say it's all been bad. I believe a lot of good can come out of the struggles we've experienced. That said, I still exhausted. There are many things I'm enjoying about my mix of kids this year and I was a little melancholy saying goodbye to them today but am also looking forward to the deeper rest I can get from two weeks off. Pictured is a tree we made from all three third grade classrooms tracing their hands. Thanks to my colleague, Colleen, for putting the tree together. 

Holiday Season 2020 - Tilted Tree

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

I put up the tree and it seems I'm getting worse at it. Maybe I should leave it as is. This is 2020 after all.  

 

Maybe not. I fiddled with the screws at the base and got it straightened out and it's looking much better. 

The Fourth Day of Christmas - Noel's 21st Annual Holiday Fete

Saturday, December 28, 2019

According to Noel this is the 21st time we've done this so tonight we started our third decade. After we all arrived, Noel started with a toast to her deceased parents. Her relationship with a couple of her living relatives is fraught so she mentioned how much she appreciates those in her chosen family. 

Her tree, as always, looked great.

And also, as always, ... 

...her place was decorated to the hilt. She credited her mother with her love of decorating including decking the halls at Christmastime. 

The conversation was lively.

And it was good to catch up with everyone, especially Caroline and Stephen who we don't see as often. 

Dinner was provide by Mrs. Kowalski and consisted of chicken dummies, fruit, cole slaw, and for dessert, chocolate covered strawberries. 

Caroline brought an awesome apple/blackberry crumble. After we finished that we played a card game Noel picked up called Unstable Unicorns. Sick but fun.

I got a mini deck of cards in my Christmas cracker. I decided to give it to Little Bear when I got home. 

Holiday Season 2019 - Lights on the Tree

Monday, December 16, 2019

Yep, they're on. I'll decorate it tomorrow. 

Holiday Season 2019 - Countdown

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Only 10 days to go. 

Athena seems content. 

And the tree is up. 

Post Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Taking Down the Tree

Sunday, January 7, 2018

The ornaments came down yesterday.

The lights and the tree came down today.

Holiday Season 2017 - The Tree

Monday, December 18, 2017

Got a few decorations on the tree today after school. There are many more to go!!

Holiday Season 2017 - The Tree

Dale's been gone this past week visiting his parents out of state. I took a little time to get the tree set up and fluffed while listening to Donna Summer's Christmas album. Athena was intrigued with the tree. 

Christmas Season 2016/2017 - Tree Down

Sunday, January 8, 2017

The decorations were off the tree on January 3. The lights and the tree was down by January 8. 

Christmas Season 2016/2017 - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2016

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Didn't make it to midnight this year and that's okay.

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.

Christmas Eve 2015 - Mom's Tree

We got to Mom's around noon. Her friend Lynn was there to join us for lunch. We started with an appetizer of brie and apple slices on crackers.

Holiday Season 2015 - Signs of the Season

A Tree Service, Minneapolis

Seen on a recent walk home from school.

Holiday Season 2015 - Putting Up the Tree

Got the tree up this past weekend. Of course it was done while listening to Perry Como. Dale and Athena got cozy and watched. Well, Dale did part of the time. Book is open, eyes are closed. By the way, only the tree is up - no lights, no decorations. That will be forthcoming.

Christmas Day 2014

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Christmas Day this year was peaceful and meaningful. I woke up early enough to get the beef stroganoff started in the crock pot.  At around 10:30 I took a nice long nap and didn't wake up until just after 1:00!

Holiday Season 2014 - Tree Is Done!

The tree is finished!