Pre-Christmas Shopping

Monday, November 24, 2025 

Mom wanted a new Christmas tree so we went shopping recently. Home Depot didn't have a very good selection of trees in the store although they had tons of them online. We decided to try Menard's instead and they had a few good options which met her criteria. She went with the one pictured above. It's narrow so it fits in her smaller space well. It's also pre-lit which I didn't think she wanted. This one has nine different light setting options. 

She sent me the above picture this morning. She's starting to put on the birds she displays during Advent. She'll decorate it for Christmas on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. 

While at Menard's I picked up this wreath for me and Dale. It's not currently on the door. I just put it there to photograph it. I'll put it back up the Friday after Thanksgiving. 

Noel and I stopped by Gypsy Moon this past weekend. Marcia had these snowmen so I snapped them up along with this mercury glass tree. These are the only winter-themed items I've set out thus far. Thanksgiving is coming up so I'll put the rest of the snowmen out the Friday after. 

Shopping with Noel

 Saturday, November 16, 2025

Lunch with Noel. She was playing Christmas music in the car. I think it's too early for that but I didn't say anything. 

                    

We stopped at A Rare Bird Antiques. Kelly had lots of Christmas stuff out. 

We also stopped at Chloe. She was selling these Shiny Brite ornaments she aquired from a 90 year old man. These ornaments get more and more rare each year. 

Noel found this old dime store nativity set. She said she had one just like it as a kid. 

We both remember satin balls. Noel's family had a lot of these as they'd hang them at the bottom of the tree so if their dog's wagging tail knocked them down they wouldn't break. 

We also stopped by Bachman's.

Seth's Ghost Stories for Christmas

 Saturday, November 15, 2025

Seth's tradition of illustrating and releasing 3 classic ghost stories for Christmas per year continues. Last week I picked up the 3 most recent. Will wait until December to read them but it's nice to have them on hand. 

An Ornament from Mom

Stopped by Mom's the other day and she gave me this cat ornament that she made herself. It's lovely. 

Martinmas 2025

 Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Martinmas is here. I'm taking a leave of absence from school and I've really enjoyed and appreciated the change in seasons during my time off. 

We've had upper 60s recently but had a cold snap into the lower 30s a few days ago. Warmer today but started feeling a little chill in my fingers and toes by the end of my cigar. The sun dips below Andrea's house faster and faster and it feels cooler in the shade obviously. 

Got a little reading in as I sat outside. I've pulled Nigel Slater's book, The Christmas Chronicles, which is all about the holidays and the entire winter season. 

I'll be spending much more time inside soon enough. 

Oh and by the way we had left over chili for dinner and ice cream bars for dessert. 

Christmastide 2024/2025 - Summary

 Monday, February 3, 2025

What a year. The first half of 2024 was the second half of one of the roughest school years I've ever had. The summer was hard due to my finally being able to deal with some past emotional trauma. The new school year which started this past fall has proven so far to be one of my best ones ever. I've decicded to semi-retire and move on from being a full time classroom teacher at the end of this schoolyear. I just don't wanna run that show anymore. It'll be nice to end my full time teaching career on a positive note. The last four months have been really challenging with a hellish election season. I didn't get the end result which I wanted so it's all been pretty hard to take. I guess my goal this year will just have to be finding joy in the least likely places - even in the dead of a cold winter. 

Candlemas 2025

 Sunday, February 2, 2025

Started the day with church.

Today is Candlemas also known as the Feast of the Presentation.

Brunch after church. I decided to celebrate the end of the Christmas season with an Old Fashioned. 

I suppose I should start putting away the last remaining Christmas tchotchkes.