Christmastide 2021/2022 - 2nd Day of Christmas: A Quiet Walk to See Dad

Sunday, December 26, 2021

I took a walk to St. Mary's to see Dad early this afternoon. 

It was rather glum out. Despite this there was a beautiful peacefulness and calm which hung over the cemetery. 

The quiet was quite comforting.

Wishing and hoping that Dad is somehow feeling that same peacefulness and calm. 

Christmastide 2021/2022 - 2nd Day of Christmas: Quiet Morning

Sunday, December 26, 2021

I've really enjoyed the quiet mornings I've experienced this Christmas break. Today was no exception. 

Along with my morning coffee I had some of the chocolate chip cookies Mom brought over last night and some krumkake I got at Kowalski's. 

Christmastide 2021/2022 - 1st Day of Christmas: Dinner with Mom & A Visit with Sam and Fam

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Mom came over just before the 2 pm Google Meet I'd set up with Sam. We had a nice conversation with Sam, Becky, and the boys. At one point the boys told us about the presents they got this year. Sam mentioned that Cairic got a helmet because he had been hitting his head a lot recently. Cairic looked quite excited and jumped up to fetch said helmet. We were a little concerned and Mom asked why he was hitting his head lately. Before anyone could answer Cairic came back with a medieval type helmet that looked something like a knight might wear. We were relieved Sam had been joking about Cairic hitting his head and had a good laugh about how funny it looked as he tried it on. 

The meet lasted just about an hour. By the time it ended it was 10 pm in Sam's part of the world.

Mom brought us a funny gnome as a Christmas present. I love it!

We had beef stroganoff for dinner which Dale and I made together. It was quite delicious. Dale also made his famous Brussels sprouts with bacon and maple syrup. So yummy. 

Shortly before Mom arrived I tried on my kilt for the first time since last year. On Christmas of 2020 I realized how much lockdown weight I had put on when I couldn't get the main snap of the garment any closer than about two inches apart. This year I was able to snap it. It was tight but I was able to snap it. I like to call it a Christmas miracle but much more sensible eating in 2021 than in 2020 was the actual reason. 

Sylvester did great with Mom. He was outgoing and very comfortable being next to her on the couch. 

After we all had some pumpkin pie Mom decided to call it a night at about 7 pm as she was starting to wilt a bit. Overall she did really well considering she sang at the 9 pm Christmas Eve mass at her church last night. So good to spend Christmas with her. She's the only one on the planet I've celebrated every Christmas with in one way or another. As I look back I can only come up with two or three times I haven't been with her on the actual day. Each of those times we made up for it by celebrating on one of the other 12 days of Christmas. Merry Christmas, Mom!

Christmastide 2021/2022 - 1st Day of Christmas: Relaxing Day

Saturday, December 25, 2021

So appreciative to have a lovely, relaxing, quiet, Christmas Day. Late morning I had some egg nog with a bit of dark rum added. Delicious. 

For lunch I had some lobster bisque. 

It was from a can but it was still delicious. 

I got the snowmen put away...

Moved the Santas from the dining room to the porch...

And then got the manger scene set up in the dining room. 

Christmastide 2021/2022 - 1st Day of Christmas: Adorable

Friday, December 25, 2021

What a sweetie and a cutie! The cat's not bad either. 

Christmastide 2021/2022 - 1st Day of Christmas: Christmas Morning: Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Good morning and Merry Christmas!

As I write this Dale is eating breakfast and Sylvester is over my shoulder on the back of the chair and looking out the window into the front yard. So far it's been a quiet morning and hopefully it'll stay that way. After waking up yesterday to John's situation Dale deserves some peace. 

Christmastide 2021/2022 - Loving Pets

Friday, December 24, 2021

Athena has been on my mind a lot the past few days. I'm missing her presence especially so due to the holiday. Alongside the sadness of missing Athena I'm feeling so much joy at the presence of Sylvester. This little one has really worked his way into my heart since he's been with us. Glad you're here, Sylvester.