MLK Weekend 2024 - Sunday (Christmistletoe)

  Sunday, January 14, 2024

Another day of not having to hustle to get to work. 

Dale and I  drank coffee and took turns having Sylvester on our laps. 

The wind is whistling outside and it's even colder than yesterday morning yet it's very cozy inside. 

Went to church this morning on this 2nd Sunday after Epiphany. 

Dale had to count the collection after the service so I zipped over to Lake Harriet for a (very) short walk due to the cold. 

Despite the frigid air I was able to appreciate the beauty of the peacefulness and stillness. 

After my Lake Harriet visit I picked up Dale at church and we headed over to Creekside for brunch. 

                      

We both had omletes. Dale had the Denver and I had the mushroom and Gruyere. Delicious.

Stopped by Kowalski's after Creekside and picked up some potato salad to bring over to Warren's tonight. 

          

This afternoon Dale went to the gym and I had a cigar upstairs. 

 

Also listened to another childhood favorite Christmas album by the Harry Simeone Chorale. 

   

Dinner of BBQ chicken and ribs at Warren's townhouse. Gary was able to join us and we watched Crazy Mama starring Cloris Leachman. Oh so silly. Actually, just stupid. 

MLK Weekend 2021 - Acknowledging the Message of Winter

Saturday, January 16, 2021

Dale and I are both exhausted. The heightened tension nationally from the insurrection a week and a half ago has taken a toll not to mention the cumulative effects of the pandemic and the past four years of the current presidency. We've really taken some time these past couple weekends to really take care of ourselves and regroup even more than what we're getting used to. I'm trying to keep in mind my belief that the biggest message winter has for us is to look to nature for the clues to slow down. 

Last weekend we made a chicken pot pie. 

It's one of our favorite winter meals.

I'm doing a dry January so I had Bubly for cocktail hour. Dale had his usual red wine. 

We listened to the album Like Someone In Love by Ella Fitzgerald. It's awesome and Dale mentioned that he especially liked it. 

For dinner we prepared a salmon quiche. Another one of our wintertime favorites. 

And for dessert we had our ever-lovin' Oh Ho roulade from Kowalski's. 

We watched some of our favorite episodes of The IT Crowd. The last few years we've watched this on the evening of Christmas Day after dinner with Mom. She loves the show and finds it hysterical. We didn't get to it this year.

Martinmas 2020 - Morning and Afternoon

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Another year gone by. Martinmas is upon us again. The sky as I walked Athena this morning was a steely silver blue. Wonderfully wintery. 

We had a rather substantial snow yesterday. As the weather drives me inside my thoughts turn more inward. It's a perfect time for reflection of the past year and for beginning to think of what lies ahead. 

The election this year went my way so it feels as if Christmas has come early. I'm ready to get in the holiday spirit but I hesitate to rush too much. It's not yet Thanksgiving. 

This has been a particularly rough year due to the pandemic. I've had to redo how I work and it's all been done with very little time to spare. Frustrating yet, at the same time, rewarding. I'm really going to work on staying positive throughout the season. I can't believe it's getting to be that time of year again. Here's to hearth and home.

Imbolc/St. Brigid's Day

Saturday, February 1, 2020

The sun visited us briefly this morning and it was completely energizing to see it. The wonderful yellow orb has been absent for 10 days. 

Noel and I went shopping today and I bought an etagere at an antique shop. The proprietor said she thinks it dates to the 1920s. I asked if it was in the art nouveau style and although she said she could not say for sure, she acknowledged that it is definitely evocative of that style. The piece wouldn't fit in Noel's car so I'll have to pick it up at a later time. 

We also stopped at Bachman's for look for some signs of spring since they are not apparent outside yet. I looked at the seed packets. Noel bought some bamboo and an orchid for some greenery for her apartment. 

Dale and I completed our dry January. The one cocktail I love having over the Christmas holiday is the Brandy Alexander. I didn't get to it this season so I had a couple on this, the first day of February. It consists of one part brandy, one part creme de cacao, and one part cream or ice cream. I used half and half and it was wonderful. 

We made a chicken pot pie for dinner and had a roulade from Kowalski's for dessert. 

Today is also known as Imbolc, a Gaelic traditional festival that marks the beginning of spring. It occurs on February 1st which is just about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. St. Brigid's Day is also celebrated today by many, especially in Ireland. It is my understanding that St. Brigid's Day is Christian continuation of Imbolc.  

MLK Day 2020 - Enjoying Winter

Monday, January 20, 2020

Last day of a 4 day weekend. 

It's been nice to have a little time to reflect on this past Christmas but also on the beauty that can be found in the moment.

Today turned out to be a beautiful, sunny winter day. 

Rather cold out but the crisp snow, sunshine, and brilliant blue sky made up for it. 

Athena did well with the cold. Since I was off of work we got a few nice walks in for her.

Neighbors seem to be getting ready for the next big holiday with some ice sculptures. I wonder how they made them. Kinda cool if you ask me. 

It's nice to see the house bathed in sunlight. The above photo was taken at 1:30 p.m. I don't usually get to see it at this time of day due to work and weekend days often seem to be more cloudy than not lately. 

Dale and I had a very simple dinner tonight however I lit a bunch of candles to mark the end of a wonderfully restful 4-day weekend.