Because we need more to do

We never got around to getting a bigger bed for the new guest room but E was kind of on us to get it done before she came home. So, in our holiday accommodating spirit, we ordered a full-size bed frame on Saturday that arrived this afternoon. Before the frame arrived we went to a local mattress store to get the mattress and to Target to get a set of sheets.

After that, we (Andy) took apart E's old IKEA bed, which was part of a bunk bed, and moved the metal twin bed frame from L's room into E's room. The wooden bed frame and that mattress is sitting by our garage in hopes that someone sees it and takes it home.

With the metal frame in E's room, we were able to unbox the mattress in L's room/guest room and let it plump up.

August made himself comfy in E's room.

The frame arrived on schedule and we [Andy) put it together. No screws, which was interesting. We put the sheets on and even found a large-enough comforter.

All ready for our special guest(s).

Andy's reward for all of his hard work - a beer at Kinslagher. Of course, he's still watching the golf tournament,

Christmas in Florida

Christmas is a busy time at work for L but she's finding time to go out with friends.

Her Christmas list included a bed frame because the used one she took to Florida broke. She's been sleeping on her bedroom floor since October. I went into mom mode and had a new frame delivered to her from Amazon. She successfully got it assembled.

Can you find L?

Ready for E’s visit

We stocked up on flavored seltzer water for E's visit. She and D will be splitting their time between our house and his parents' house. They fly in tomorrow!

Gifts for me

Can we just admire this fabulous wrapping job on an awkwardly shaped box? It's a gift Darla sent.

It's a poinsettia-shaped puzzle. I'm sure I won't have time to do it before Christmas but maybe next month.

And Cindy and Kevin sent another cheese and sausage assortment. Gives me something to snack on while putting together the puzzle.

Friday was my last day at work until after Christmas. I got a very unexpected bonus so I might buy myself a walking pad for when I don't have time to get outside and walk. We'll see. The boss gave me Frango mints and they weren't wrapped so when I handed him his gift - also Frango mints - I said, well, this is a little ironic. My other boss gave me Beeckman soap and hand lotion and I just used the last of the hand lotion I had stashed in my desk earlier in the day. And the hand lotion and soap I got are almond cookie flavor and I love the smell of almond!

Christmas Seals

I was surprised to see this Christmas Seal on the Christmas card from Aunt Lorene that arrived today. I didn't realize Christmas Seals were still being made!

Blanket for a friend

Penzey's Spices was asking for nominations for people to receive their "care" blanket for free. I've had success sending them to friends in the past and it worked again. My friend got her surprise blanket recently and posted about it on FB that it was just what she needed. And she has no idea who sent it. Perfect and fun.

Oh, August

I was playing around with centerpiece ideas for Christmas the other day and left these candleholders on the dining room table. I was in the kitchen getting coffee and noticed August looking at them.

Sure enough, he was drinking from the holders. Eww.

So crafty

I wanted to try out this craft but didn't have any buffalo check paper so I improvised with Disney scrapbook paper. It turned out pretty well. Hardest part was holding the flaps until the hot glue dried (ouch!). I plan to hang it in the living room. It's like having a little bit of L around for Christmas.

December b-day party

My friend, C, celebrated her birthday last night by having a few women over for a dinner party. I had the appetizer course and made Brie cranberry bites in phyllo shells and mini-quiches (OK, I just heated up the quiches). They were all tasty.

C made Italian sausages and butternut squash pasta. We also had a very cheesy spinach side (lots of cheese with a little spinach - perfect) and bread. Dessert was a brownie and peppermint ice cream layered dish. I grabbed my plate as I was leaving and C insisted I take something home so she poured her bowl of seasoned pretzels onto the plate and wrapped it up for me. They're a little addictive.

Story of the star

I was taking pictures of the sanctuary on Sunday so E can forward them to her wedding florist. I took this picture of the tree after worship. The star was sitting on the ledge behind the tree.

It's one we found on clearance a few years ago. Turns out, it was way too big for our tree so I offered it the church and they took it. It's so sparkly and fits the size of that tree much better. I think they wait until Christmas Eve to put the star on the tree.

I sent E the sanctuary pictures I took and after we left she asked for a few more so Andy and I went back yesterday afternoon. I snapped this picture before Andy figured out how to turn the sanctuary lights on. I like how the stained glass looks.

Pageant and party

Church yesterday was the Christmas pageant. I loved how they depicted the star - a high school kid with a yellow cape draped in white Christmas lights. So fun.

Each bulletin had a star and a role on it to participate in the pageant. I was a shepherd. Andy was an angel lol.

Yesterday afternoon we went to our friend L's house for her annual Christmas party. I brought a tray of cookies.

She sets out a nice party.

The food was Swedish (lots of fish) so we ate the cookies.

After some convincing, she did sing Santa Lucia for us and wore her candle crown. We did see and talk to a preschool friend of E's. He had been living in New York City but recently moved home and has a marketing job.

UPS snowman

I went to the UPS Store and was pleasantly surprised to see this festive display of boxes. I like finding fun holiday decorations in unexpected places.

Christmas cats

Saw August resting under the Christmas tree.

Surprised he sat there long enough to get a close-up picture.

L sent this one of Houdini under her tree.

Oh no, Santa!

I was taking some artsy pictures of this plastic Santa at work and noticed later that it was broken. Oh, no!

The backside is even worse. I asked what happened and was told that's what happens to plastic when you leave it outside year-round for decades. It used to adorn the top of a local concrete plant (year-round) and after it went out of business in 2018, the family donated it to the museum in 2022. It's still an interesting story.

This is a picture of the Santa I posted in 2023.

Festive blow molds

We go to this neighborhood restaurant offer because it's hard to pass up Wednesday night's special of a $5 burger with fries. Our trip last night, though, was to have dinner and see their massive blow mold collection all lit up. We often see them from the outside when we drive by ...

but inside is sensational. How could this not put you in the holiday spirit?

Last year we were there before they had them all up. I'm not sure whether we were there when they had more up. It's very festive being surrounded by blow molds!

I just wish they'd cook the burger a little longer. I've sent them back before and usually ask them to cook it thoroughly but this time I just ate what didn't seem too raw to me.

Cats at the Field Museum

Andy and I went to the Field Museum last night for the Founders Council's holiday party and to see the new exhibit, "Cats: Predtors to Pets." If you look closely, the dinosaurs have Santa hats on.

Stanley Hall was nicely decorated. I love the big wreaths.

During cocktail hour, they had signs on the tables sking people to text pictures of their cats. OK. I have a few pictures of the cats on my phone. When we got into the auditorium for the talk, August and Muffles were in the slide show! That was fast.

Dinner. I tried the salmon. I should stick to chicken.

Smile.

The exhibit was pretty neat because there were a lot of specimens that weren't behind glass boxes.

Sleeping ... just like August.

I should have bought this book. Lord knows I have enough cat hair to make a few crafts.

A party favor.

Soldier Field decorated for Christmas.

We drove around the city a bit to look at lights. Here's the Water Tower.