Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Noel's Annual Holiday Fete

Saturday, December 30, 2017

The tradition continues. We figured that we've been doing this get together since 1998. 

Rosie likes to model but cannot sit still long enough to look at the camera.

Noel had to hold her so I could get this shot. 

Ella Bella is becoming more and more outgoing. She let me snap this lovely photo of her.

Noel's tree looked awesome. The teal lights are especially stunning. 

The conversation was lively as always. 

The menu included chicken wings and dummies   meatballs, cheese and crackers, fruit, and salad.

For dessert there were chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate covered cherries, and  chocolate torte (with no need of reform as it was perfect). 

Joe read and enchanted everyone with a ghost story titled Christmas in the Blue Chamber by Jerome K. Jerome.

And we all know Stephen is a tree hugger.  Chrissy the Christmas mouse made a brief appearance. She seemed a little miffed most likely due to her being more and more excluded from the event in recent years.

Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Baby It's Colder Outside

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Athena lasted about 3 minutes outside this morning. She went #1 and #2 and then looked up at me as if to say, "Well?"

We came inside and she proceeded to jump right up on the couch which is where she continues to be as I write this. 

Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Half Off

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Much to Dale's consternation I did a little mor post Christmas shopping. The green Santa cloche above and the red ornaments below were ALL half off. How could I say no?

Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Xmas Cigar with Steve

Friday, December 29, 2017

The first cigar after Christmas is my Xmas Cigar. I lit up with my friend Steve at Stogies on Grand over in Saint Paul.  He was in Saint Louis recently and picked up a bunch of cigars for me. 

Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Gathering at Susan's

Friday, December 29, 2017

John's sister Susan invited us along with John to her house for a post-Christmas gathering. Susan's friends Nancy and Liz made it as well and we were also joined by Susan's kids Ally and Nick. I haven't seen most of these folks in about a year so it was a reunion of sorts. We started with a lovely orange salad and Susan also made lamb, mashed sweet potatoes, beans, and bread. Dale an I brought pecan and pumpkin pies for dessert. I had a lovely chat with Ally about her current fellowship with a local arts organizations. She graduated from college this past spring so it was exciting to hear about  her working in her chosen field and her enthusiasm around it.

We were home by 10:30 and I indulged in a nightcap of Bailey's Irish Cream which was a gift from Mom on Christmas Day..

Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Warren and Gary

Thursday, December 28, 2017

My martini next to Warren's rum concoction.

Warren invited Dale and me over for a post-Christmas gathering with Gary at his place. He made a lovely turkey meatloaf and we watched the Judy Garland episode of The E! True Hollywood Story. 

His place was decorated more than I remember it being in recent years.

Christmas Season 2017/2018 - Bedroom Christmas Tree

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Last year I put up a bedroom Christmas tree for the first time in many, many years. With vacation not starting until the day before Christmas Eve, time was not on my side this year as far as having things decorated as extensively as I would've liked. Anyway, I found this one half price at Kowalski's tonight while Dale and I picked up ice cream and salad fixings to take to Warren's for a post-holiday gathering tonight. I put it on my bedside table.