Annika's Birthday

 Friday, December 29, 2023

We had a full table at breakfast, the last of 2023.  Starting next year there will be drastic meal changes, with most people opting to fix their own meals.

I finished putting the pictures in my personal calendar, now just to print and bind it.

I was invited to celebrate Annika's 24th Birthday at Char'd.  Jay, Laura and Anton picked me up at 5:40 p.m. and Laura apologized that she had been drinking all day.  Vodka is her liquor of choice.  I could understand wine, but vodka is way beyond comprehension.  She does not know why she drinks, but admits to being an alcoholic.

Because Annika was tending bar, we ate at the bar.  Annika fixed me a nice martini.  I had the same dish I had previously; very delicious and plentiful, enough to take home for more meals.

We took in some of the beautiful lights downtown before getting to SRS.

Christmas 2023

 December 25, 2023

In the afternoon of Christmas Eve, Cecile Langford and her son Chad led us in singing holiday songs.  Gilbert Manegold dressed for the occasion.

It was overcast and foggy most of the day; I did not venture out.

I went to the 10:30 a.m. mass on Christmas Day.  The church was beautifully decorated.

Our very petite vocalist with an amazing voice was the cantor.  

In the afternoon, we gathered at the festive Sorensen home, ready for Christmas dinner.

and this Latvian village scene.

While Laura was putting the finishing touches on the main dish, Janice was frying the peirogi that she made beforehand with Claude and Brad.

After some delicious appetizers, we are ready for the main course.

Before sitting down to dinner, we said grace and shared oplatki, wishing each other a Merry Christmas.

After toasting with prosecco, we feasted on the tenderest of beef tenderloin, pierogi and Caesar salad. 

Our dessert was an assortment of Laura's cookies and Janice's gingerbread men.

Claude got his yearly quota of coffee by dunking his gingerbread man in his cup.

We took Annika home, driving in a light rain on an unusually warm, wet Christmas Day.

When we got to SRS, Peter presented me with a gorgeous orchid.

and a bag of walnuts and a bag of dates wrapped in a black apron.

I guess the men in my life (Claude and Peter) want to be sure that I eat healthy.

2022 Christmas Eve/Day

Christmas Eve

Jay, Laura and Anton invited Claude, Peter and me to a fondue supper.  After the usual pre-meal noshes of shrimp with sauce, chips with dip and salsa we sat down around the fondue pot and dipped cubed ham, assorted vegetables and bread chunks into a traditional cheese fondue.  It was light, nutritious and enjoyable, topped off with an assortment of Laura's Christmas cookies.

Christmas Day

St. Rita's Church was quite full at 10:00 a.m. for the 10:30 am Christmas mass.  We enjoyed the beautiful singing of a tiny soprano that must weigh 80 pounds, if that much.  She sings like a bird with no effort.  A little girl brought in the Baby Jesus and laid him in a manger.  

Father Tim Kitzke gave an inspiring homily and ended by referring to his Polish heritage, finishing by singing Lulajze Jezuniu.  I sat in the second row and sang along.

Peter and I were invited to the Dorns' for 3:00 p.m. followed by Jay, Laura, Anton and Annika, then Claude. 

Prominently displayed was the stable that was made many years ago by a relative of my fraternal grandmother.

Again the cocktail table was laden with delicious appetizers provided by Laura.

I made my usual table favors filled with trail mix and gummy bears

After saying Grace we broke Oplatek with each other with wishes for a Merry Christmas, as Anton and Annika are doing.

Janice served perfect pierogi along with a barbeque flavored muffin, a quinoa dish and a fruit salad.

And what could finish off this wonderful dinner better than with the various assortment of Laura's cookies and Janice's gingerbread men?

Peter and I drove back to SRS on an unusually cold for Christmas (11 degrees) evening talking about nothing but the wonderful day we shared with family.

Table Favors/Lost and Found Treasure

Saturday, December 23, 2023

I worked out a pattern to make table favors/place cards for our Christmas dinner at the Sorensens'.  My printer was jamming with card stock so I changed to regular copy paper.  I should have done that in the first place.  I needed some scissors with a sharp point to cut out the handle.  In the drawer I found the scissors from Don that I thought I had lost.  I had always kept them in a little paper holder on my desk.  I had been missing those scissors for almost a year.  When I couldn't find them, no matter how thoroughly I searched. I gave up, thinking they fell in the waste basket near my desk and I threw them away.  I was overjoyed to find them tucked away with my other scissors.

After my hair appointment with Emma I went to Walmart for treats for the table favor bags.  I was hoping to get a big bag of peanut M&Ms, but they had only individual boxes I thought would be too expensive.  I bought an assortment of wrapped chocolate that I'll add some Life Savers to.

After a stop at Educators Credit Union for some cash, I had a craving for a Leon's cone.  Leon's was closed!

OPEN ALL YEAR it says on its sign.  Oh, well, I have enough sweets.

My bags are filled, ready for Christmas.

Jackie can remain at SRS

 Monday, December 18, 2023

Jackie Haessly sent me a text that some friend offered to pay their rent increases for the next two years and she and Dan would be able to remain at SRS.  Jackie canceled their appointment at Wilson Commons to finalize moving there, and will remain.  Tyler did not cancel their rental and everything looks much better.  I gave Jackie a big hug at breakfast.

Close to Christmas

Friday, December 15, 2023

Janice brought a colorful, tasty vegetable stew with rolls that we enjoyed with conversation and hot tea.  Janice organized my phone contacts for easier connections with our Wordl group: Aleksie, Laura, Janice and me.

Some of us residents gathered in the Cannoli room to sing Christmas Carols.

 Saturday, December 16, 2023    

Charlotte Crysdale invited a group to her apartment for some Christmas cheer.  She had a lovely assortment of cookies that her grandchildren sent, her homemade fudge, punch and hot cider.  We had nice conversation until Jackie Haessly shocked us with news that she and Dan are moving to Wilson Commons for lower rent. Jackie had been a great supporter of SRS and was our spokesperson for many of our activities and innovations. She will leave a noticeable void. Residents are complaining that services have been reduced, especially in dining. After the rent increase a number of people have indicated that they no longer can afford living at St. Rita Square.  I can still manage with the yearly increases, even though I'm not happy about them.

Standing:  Eve Sylvester, Charlotte Crysdale, Deb Jacobson, Sue Cotrell, Marilyn Minor

Seated: Me, Cookie Anderson, Jackie Haessly, Annie Hahn

Peter and I drove to Grafton High School for the holiday concert of Janice's chorus; Claude was also there, plus Brad and Colin.  The chorus did a wide range of seasonal music, some with an oboist and accompanied by an excellent pianist.  We both really enjoyed it.

Peter and I finished off the evening at Pitch's which was really a mistake.  We each had a drink and ordered a pizza bread as an appetizer, but it was beyond dining hours and I felt rushed that the bartender was anxious to close.

Sunday, December 17

I lectored at mass on the Third Sunday of Advent.

I was ready to leave immediately after mass for the Austrian American Christmas party at Kegel's Inn.  We had bloody Marys and sat with Herb and Hollie Schick who was very lively and plays Wordl.  Frank and a friend joined our table.  I took photos of board members: Frank Schmitz, President,

Peter Leitner, Vice president,

John McGinnis, Treasurer

Gayle Trout, Secretary

Roland Kuenn Interim Secretary

Anita Kuchler, Newsletter Editor

I had a very good boneless duck with mashed potatoes completed with apple strudel and coffee.  We sang some Christmas carols following our luncheon.

We drove to Cathedral Square to see the community lights, the theme was A Community Working Together.

As we were leaving a woman asked if she could take our picture because we were "such a cute couple".

St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral

Sunday, December 10, 2022 

Claude and I attended the 10:30 a.m. High Mass at this cathedral during our family weekend.  

The robed choir from the choir loft (we did not see the robes until the end of the mass) sang a prelude in Gregorian chant.

The processional included seven servers, including two holding globed candles on poles and one censer bearer. One of the servers could have been a deacon.

The altar was incensed at the beginning of the mass and before the gospel and also escorted the gift bearers at the Offertory.  Before the Preface the candle bearers and the censer bearer came for the incensing of the altar and the congregation, remaining in front of the altar through the Consecration and leaving after the Prayer of the Faithful, with heavy incensing at the Consecration and diminishing until the Prayer of the Faithful.  There was so much incense I was afraid I wasn't going to see the altar.  I'm sure people with respiratory problems would be affected by all the clouds of smoke.

The choir was lovely, and sang most of the mass.  

The recessional included all of the above with incense.

Attending this mass was memorable to experience more of the pomp of the ceremony.

December 4, 2023

 December 4, 2023

About one hundred fifteen MARTA members and guests were at Meyer's Restaurant for our December luncheon.  Other restaurants were becoming prohibitively expensive, but Meyer's was within our budget.   Luncheon was served family style with chicken, pork, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and green beans, with cheesecake for dessert.

Terry Lynch portrayed St. Nicholas and gave the history of this saint that influenced the traditions of today throughout many countries and cultures.

Peter and I jointed him for a photo.

I recalled in my trip to Turkey that I had a photo of St. Nicholas' relics.

There was plenty of an afternoon left to visit the holiday display at the Domes. 

Animals frolicked about having fun in the snow.

In the snow there is a bright red sleigh the toy maker must have left behind.  

So now the arctic hare and reindeer play and see what there is to find.

Just outside this cozy igloo four penguins call their home

Mama Penguin brings sweet treats to her family in the dome.

On the frozen lake with northern lights reflecting

The birds and bears all skate under winter stars a-twinkling.

Faster, faster, down the hill the Brother Penguin's sled now races

Laughing, none can feel the chill as the wind blows past their faces.

There's a job for Painter Penguin

to give wintertime its color

The red has yet to be filled in on each poinsettia flower.

Some penguin friends are on the ski hill

after a long climb

And each of them enjoys the thrill 

as they try to beat their time.

Deep beneath the ice where Mama and Baby Bear are fishing

A fish tugs the line twice

And Baby Bear starts reeling.

I joined Happy Hour which was in progress at SRS and shared my previous activities.  Then it was time to join those in the Cannoli Room who ordered food from Immys African Cuisine to support Grandmothers Beyond Borders.  There was enough food for another generous meal.