Pre-Holiday Season 2024: Cigars and Music

 Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Looking forward to getting some rest during the upcoming holidays. 

                      

That said, I'm also taking time to relax in the present. 

                     

Lit up a cigar and poured the last of my vodka left over from Thanksgiving.

After coming in I listened to music. 

And more music.

Watched Frosty the Snowman on broadcast television tonight. 

Second Sunday of Advent 2024

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Church this morning at Grace.

Dale had to count afterward so I took a walk to the lake. 

After that, brunch at The Howe.

I felt pretty bunky this afternoon. I think it was a reaction to my Covid and regular flu vaccinations I got on Friday. All I wanted to do was sleep. However I did listen to some holiday music. 

Pre-Holiday Season 2024: Cigars, Music, Movies

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Lunch with Noel at W.A. Frost today. They had their Christmas tree up. 

                     

When I got home from lunch I hightailed it to the garage for a cigar. 

                     

It was quite pleasant outside. According to Dale the temperature actually made it to 48 degrees. 

Listened to Sia while outside.  

Once back inside I made a vodka martini garnished with olives and pearl onions.  

Listened to Frank Sinatra.

Dale and I watched the last part of It Happened on 5th Avenue on TCM.  At some point it'd be fun to see the whole thing. It's been a few years. 

After It Happened On 5th Avenue was over Holiday Affair came on. We watched it last week with Warren but we watched it again. I like it better each time I see it. 

Pre-Holiday Season 2024: St. Nicholas Day

 Saturday, December 7, 2024

Yesterday, January 6, was St. Nicholas Day.

Mom texted me to acknowledge. 

Pre-Holiday Season 2024: Cigars, Bourbon, and a Little Holiday Music

 Saturday, December 7, 2024

Work's been exhausting this past week. Trying to acknowledge the preparation and anticipation of the upcoming season. 

It's also been quite cold. Bundled up and got outside for a cigar on Thursday and took some bourbon  with me.

Also took the Bose speakout out with me to listen to some music. 

First Sunday of Advent 2024

Sunday, December 1, 2024

"Advent Sunday, also called the First Sunday of Advent or First Advent Sunday, is the first day of the liturgical year in the Western Christian Churches and the start of the Advent season;[1] a time of preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. Advent Sunday is the fourth Sunday before Christmas." (Wikipedia)

Dale and I plan to mark it by skipping church.

Ready to put away the fall color schemed Fiesta Ware.

After church Dale and I went to the Lowbrow for brunch. Last Christmas by Wham was playing so I experienced Whamaggedon on the 1st of December. Last year I think I made it to the soltice. Neither Dale nor Dominic, our server, has heard of it so I had to explain. In addition the song was released 40 years ago this year. And I remember when it was new. 

Pre-Holiday Season 2024 - Warren

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Dale and I made our post-Thanksgiving pot pie and had Warren over to share it with us. We watched Holiday Affair. It's not my most favorite of Christmas movies but it's not bad and highly watchable.

                      

Released in 1949 it was one of Janet Leigh's earlier pictures and Robert Mitchum was cast, in part, to help rehabilitate his image after a marijuana bust. Warren and Dale had never seen it before. I've seen it once, maybe twice. 

Warren brought a Mexican salad he made himself and it was quite delicious. Pumpkin pie for dessert. 

Listened to Michael Feinstein during cocktail hour and appetizers.