German Choruses December 1, 2024

 I always look forward to the German choruses the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  Even though I don't understand many of the songs, the music is lovely.  There are some English songs also.  The conductor is very energetic and gets a lot of music from shrinking groups.

We enjoyed stollen and coffee afterward, with Eileen and Henelore.  Frank joined our table, raising his voice when Peter made a comment.  The conversation centered on a suitable facility for Austrian American Day.

We finished the evening at Walters' with sandwiches and beer.

Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024

 It was a strange but wonderful Thanksgiving.

Laura came alone; Jay was in Lake Tahoe to be with Aleksei.  They are having difficulties because of Laura's alcoholism.  But we were so grateful that she decided to join us.

Annika was working; Anton left for Florida.

Here is Janice's email for the day.

Claude, thank you for offering to bring the Asti. Based on Laura’s last email, I was not planning on having her join us. Now it seems that Laura is reconsidering and the current plan is that Laura will join us. I know that Laura has said in the past that she does not mind alcohol being served at our gatherings. I feel strongly that serving alcohol in front of an alcoholic, especially one that is in crisis recovery mode, is insensitive. Since Laura is now joining us, I would ask that we not serve alcohol (beer, wine, Asti). This is something I would like to implement for gatherings in our home when Laura is present. I obviously have no control of things outside our home and in restaurants, etc., but at least I/we can support her in this small way.

Mom—please inform Peter that we will not be serving beer and so there is no need to bring beer.

In place of Asti, Claude, could you please provide sparkling apple juice and maybe non-alcoholic white wine and non-alcoholic beer, if you wish. I will provide some non-alcoholic cocktails and sparkling water.

Let’s please not make a big deal of this when Laura arrives. We can make light of it and just say that we are doing something different this time.

My hope is that this small sacrifice of no alcohol for one meal out of our day will help to show Laura our love and support.

Love,

Janice 

There was an abundance of appetizers with a cold non-alcoholic cocktail that Janice served.  The men had non-alcoholic beer; Claude provided non-alcoholic prosecco for dinner.

Janice ordered turkey breast and gravy from Sendik's that needed to be heated.  Janice prepared mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and her homemade pickles.  She made a Vegan dish for herself.  She complemented the dinner with a delicious chocolate pumpkin pie. 

I'm rethinking turkey: The turkey from Sendik's was tender, moist and flavorful, without all the work!

November 17, 2024: Opera, "Alcina"

 Sunday, November 17, 2024

I made peanut butter filled cookies for the pot pot luck today.  It was a recipe from the new Electric Company cook book.  They were kind of putzy, but they tasted good.  I'll take some to share with Gerri and Doris at Osher; I got the cook book from Gerri.

A lot of nice food at the pot luck.  We had it at 4:00 p.m. instead of 4:30, to allow time to get to the Opera at 6:00 p.m.

We carpooled to go to an antique store on Vliet Street, across from MPS Administration.  I would never have though Dandy was a theater.  I rode with Shirley Bascom to this antique shop and we were directed to the back, with seating arranged in the round.  There were couches and arm chairs encircling the center stage, with metal folding chairs behind (the lower priced seats). 

Early Music Now and Milwaukee Opera Theatre gave a wonderful performance of "Alcina", by George Frederic Handel.  Details were spoken in English with Italian lyrics.  Beautiful voices throughout.  The evening was an unusual and enjoyable experience.