Julefest

Good morning,

Today's images are from our Sons of Norway Lodge Christmas party, Julefest.  

 The committee did a marvelous job of arranging for table decorations and favors for us to take home.

Meatballs were provided and lodge members brought the rest of the food.  We certainly didn't go hungry!

I took these images just as people were arriving and we were getting started.  The food just kept coming as trays were cleared.

We have a traveling boutique that we take to all lodge events and to international events.

 I do believe Santa is a member of our lodge!

 We also had a bake sale.  I think I gained five pounds just walking past the tables!

 This is Nelda, one of our founding members and a past president.

 After a very filling dinner we enjoyed story telling and songs.

 There was singing and dancing around the Christmas tree with plenty of hugs and laughter. 

It was great fun!

How do you celebrate the holidays?

Lois

First Snow

Good morning,

Here's just the beginning of this season's first snow.  There was more to come before we were ready to go out for the evening.  It came just in time for us to drive to the Sons of Norway Julefest (Christmas Party). 

We're home now as I write this.  This much snow is no problem for us and the car we drive.  The problem is those crazy drivers out there who ignore that freezy skid stuff as they zip in and out of traffic and speed down the expressway.  We saw one accident on the way to dinner and another on the way home. 

Tomorrow the forecast is for 40 F, so the inch or so of snow that we got will be gone.

Such is life in Cincinnati.

Lois

Bake Sale Bread - Sons of Norway

Good morning,

It's that time of the year that we see friends we haven't seen for months or even years.  Today is the Sons of Norway Christmas Party and we've been asked to prepare food for the meal and items for the bake sale.  So, here are two loaves of bread for the bake sale.

Kjell has made gravlax and head cheese for appetizers.  I plan to take pictures at the party and will share them here.  :)

How are your holiday parties going?

;),
Lois

Queen Wendy in Cleveland

Good morning,

Last weekend Wendy and Catherine participated in a dog show in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Is this a darling image or what!  We will now have to call her "Queen Wendy."  ;)

Lois

Client Gift Baskets

Good morning,

I spent last Friday putting together the Christmas and Hanukkah gift baskets for daughter Catherine's CPA firm clients.  This year the theme was "snack time."  Included are various snacks and a bottle of sparkling cider.

They looked all neat and tidy after I put them together (the first one finished is above), but earlier in the morning...

...our dining room was filled with baskets...

...bottles of sparkling cider on the table and the floor...

 ...and bags and bags of snacks.

It took most of the day to assemble these and make all those bows, but the clients tell us they appreciate them.  By the end of the day there were baskets on every flat surface in the living room and dining room.  I put them together, now it's Catherine's turn to deliver them.  ;)  

 Among all the gift baskets are my birthday flowers.  So pretty!

It's good to be retired and home with the family.  Even the most simple things are so special!

Are you ready for the holidays?

Lois

Dog Dancing at the Club

Good morning,

I took these images from quite a distance away so had to crop them to make them usable.  Although the picture quality isn't great, it's fun to see them.

Dog dancing is fun for the dogs and humans.  These pups were so excited and happy to be "playing" with their people.  Of course, there were plenty of treats involved, too.  The dance above was performed to The Wedding March.

This pup and owner had a darling routine.

That pup's tail never stopped wagging as he jumped and turned.  It was obvious he didn't want to stop when the music stopped.
 
 I understand this pair are in the advanced dog dancing class.
 
 And, finally, this pair strutted their stuff. 

There was so much laughter, cheering, and applause!

This was fun!

Lois

Queen City Dog Training Club Christmas Party

Good morning,

I got a few snapshots at our dog club Christmas Party this week.

There were more than 100 people there to enjoy a tasty catered dinner.

 The desserts were excellent, too.

After dinner we enjoyed a dog dancing show by club members. Those images to come.

All the best,
Lois