Boxing Day 2016

For Boxing Day 2016 #TeamSlap drove down to Seven Bridges nature trail for a hike down to the beach. Why not, with temps in the 40's? Alas, the main trails were closed for the season, and we were limited to the slushy, wet paths along the bluff. Not everyone dressed appropriately and many a shoe was soaked - "I don't know what shoes *you're* wearing," I told the kids, bringing a '90's era inside joke with Ervin Roman into the 2010's. Anyway, I had a blast, and we'll be back in better weather.

Great Looking Offspring

I ain't saying it's *all* my doing, but these are some darn good looking kids.

Midnight Mass

I returned (solo) to listen to the choir concert, then stuck around for some of Midnight Mass. Later, I watched the time delayed Midnight Mass from the Vatican. 

It's a Wonderful LIfe

My favorite movie, and two of my favorite people. Merry Christmas!

If you don't cry during the final scene of It's A Wonderful Life, you lack a soul. #1000viewings1000tears

Christmas Eve 2016

Christmas Eve began with a visit to my parent's place, where a casual drop-in developed into a full blown family get together.

Meanwhile, YaYa was at the Mall with friends, but we all returned in time for a catered dinner of Buca Di Beppo, courtesy of JJ! Then it was off to Mass, where two of YaYa's friends joined us.

Health, Happiness, and Good Fortune!

Team Slap just concluded our Christmas Eve by doing Oplatki. "Health, happiness, and good fortune!"

Christmas Pajamas

LuLu in the pajamas we bought her for Christmas.

YaYa  in the Eeyore pajamas we got her for Christmas.

On Santa

 My Christmas Eve thought..... Wouldn't it be nice if society/parents were as focused on getting your kid to believe in God as they are in getting them to believe in Santa? My focus is on God during Christmas, not a jolly elf. Don't pity my kids for their lack of faith.... Their faith is rightly placed, thank you very much

- Lisa

Congrats!

 Congratulations to to my sister LuLu for getting into Milwaukee High School of the Arts! - YaYa

SPQR by Mary Beard

One of my favorite memories of the cruise is of reading this history of ancient Rome while lounging on the deck and looking out into the sea. It's a great book btw, and Beard can write. Very impressive.

Very True

Dean Martin was better looking than, and had a superior voice to, Frank Sinatra. Discuss.

My Thoughts

I'm against legally mandated compensation for the wrongfully imprisoned. If there is evidence of the system suppressing or manufacturing evidence then a lawsuit will bring them their reward. But if they are arrested, tried, and convicted in what was an honest and fair effort to enact justice, what (legal) wrong was done to them? None at all.

Christmas Music

From Thanksgiving on I only listen to Christmas music on the radio, but I've grown dissatisfied with 95.7 and their repetitious secular classics. So I've switched to 93.3. Many of the same tunes, of course, but a fair number of classic carols too.

Another Setup

LOL Time and again, these "attacks" are outed as fiction. 

Criminal

This atrociously mistitled film is a great spy thriller with a sci-fi twist. Kevin Costner was excellent and I highly recommend it.

Szarlotka

I made szarlotka (Polish apple cake) from scratch tonight. It didn't turn out as pretty as the picture from the recipe I've posted here, but it was darn tasty.

Green Room

A touring band becomes locked in a Neo-Nazi club after witnessing a crime. Highly recommended.