Tag: holidays

Did You See a Movie in a Theater This Year?

Did you see a Movie in a theater this year? December is a month full of new releases. Many families celebrate the holiday season by going to the movies. With streaming at home readily available, movie theater attendance has declined over the years. Here’s an article from January 2022 telling how movie attendance is below historical norms (quotes are from article)

  • “U.S. adults saw an average of 1.4 movies in a theater in the past 12 months”
  • “61% of Americans have not attended a movie in a theater in the past year”

I have friends who are regular moviegoers? I used to see a lot of movies in the theater but since the pandemic, I can count on one hand. Once.

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Border Collie Cookie

Friends dropped off home baked cookies and this specially decorated dog cookie definitely resembled their Border Collie, Beau.

I’d say they nailed it.

I photographed Beau December 2018.
Cookie is this Christmas.
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Polish Poppy Seed Rolls – Makowiec

Southwestern Pennsylvania is famous for baking poppyseed and nut rolls for the holidays

Refrigerator case at the Polish Deli in Pittsburgh’s Strip District Friday afternoon

Makowiec Polish Poppy Seed Roll

Here’s another recipe for Polish Poppyseed Roll

In the video/ slideshow Marlene “bakes” Hungarian Nut Rolls with her sisters eight years ago. She bakes it for real every year.  It’s delicious. I found the words “beigli – a traditional Hungarian pastry roll filled with walnuts” and Kolache  

 

Here’s a post I did on Povitica -a Croatian Bread that looks similar

 

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Off-season: Weekly Photo Challenge

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Off-Season.”

From my family’s basement.

I unearthed some holiday items for the challenge. Shot with the iPhone.

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Lala Loved the Ukelele!

Laura really, really wanted a ukelele.  She thought her husband was getting one for her.   He gave her birthstone earrings instead!

She and James came to Mark and Erika’s today  after having been at James’ family Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. We had a festive time opening presents and watching the kids play with their new toys.  Preparing a nice dinner, too.

So this was one of the fun moments of Christmas for me.  She wasn’t expecting her mom to get her a ukelele.  But I did!

Thanks Pittsburgh Guitars on Carson Street, SouthSide!

The man who sold it to me suggested I put her face on the box on top of the model’s and I added James’ face from a photo I cut up of the two of them.

He told me he was selling at least a ukelele or two every day.  This one came with a gig bag and a tuner.

It was just a good time as I sat on the floor, grabbed the camera and caught her excitement.  Laura learned a couple of chords and Matthew accompanied her on the guitar.  Seeing her so excited felt wonderful.

(and yes that is Cardinal Donald Wuerl, born in Pittsburgh,  in the right hand corner of the television and the photograph)

Laura got her Ukelele

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