2025 in Selfies
Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Dec 28th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
A silly thing that I do every year.
2025 in selfies
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Category: Blog Entries.Local
2025 in Selfies
Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Dec 28th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
A silly thing that I do every year.
2025 in selfies
2025 in Selfies
Author: 2025 in Selfies From https://blog.odonnellweb.com • Dec 28th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
A silly thing that I do every year.
2025 in selfies
collage of selfies from 2023
Christmas Evening with a Padrón 1964 and Woodford Reserve
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Dec 26th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
We don’t often have a white Christmas in this part of Virginia, and that “tradition” held firm this year. In fact, the temperature soared to over 60 degrees by midday. After a late-afternoon dinner — highlighted by a standing rib roast cooked to perfection — I headed out to the screened porch to digest the feast, with a sip and a smoke, of course.
I had picked up a few Padrón 1964 Anniversary Torpedo Maduro cigars a few weeks earlier on a whim and decided one would be my Christmas Day celebratory smoke. Turning my attention to the bourbon shelf, I settled on Woodford Reserve Double Oaked as a fitting pairing for such a bold cigar.
The sharply box-pressed torpedo is composed entirely of Nicaraguan tobaccos. Dark and slightly oily, the cigar tapers to a very sharp point, much of which is clipped off before lighting. Bitter-sweet cocoa and espresso lead off the experience. As the smoke progresses, the profile shifts to include molasses-like sweetness and hints of dark fruit, while a peppery spice steadily builds through the finish. The 1964 Anniversary Maduro is a full-bodied smoke, delivering a flavor experience entirely in keeping with its dark appearance.
The Woodford Reserve Double Oak met the challenge of the bold cigar with aplomb. Sweet caramel, dark chocolate, dark fruit notes all assist in standing up to the cigar's depth. A long wood and spice finish coats the palate in a fitting match to the cigar's lingering pepper and roasted finish.
Despite the unseasonable — though not entirely unusual — warmth, the setting sun eventually brought a chill, so I fired up one of the porch heaters on low, just enough to take the edge off without reaching for a jacket. Christmas-themed blues drifted from the speaker, adding a relaxed, festive tone to the evening. In time, with the cigar burned down to a nub and the whiskey glass emptied, it was time to head back inside and rejoin the family — just in time for a sweet tiramisù dessert and the quiet close of a thoroughly satisfying Christmas Day.
Cheers!
Christmas Evening with a Padrón 1964 and Woodford Reserve
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Dec 26th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
We don’t often have a white Christmas in this part of Virginia, and that “tradition” held firm this year. In fact, the temperature soared to over 60 degrees by midday. After a late-afternoon dinner — highlighted by a standing rib roast cooked to perfection — I headed out to the screened porch to digest the feast, with a sip and a smoke, of course.
I had picked up a few Padrón 1964 Anniversary Torpedo Maduro cigars a few weeks earlier on a whim and decided one would be my Christmas Day celebratory smoke. Turning my attention to the bourbon shelf, I settled on Woodford Reserve Double Oaked as a fitting pairing for such a bold cigar.
The sharply box-pressed torpedo is composed entirely of Nicaraguan tobaccos. Dark and slightly oily, the cigar tapers to a very sharp point, much of which is clipped off before lighting. Bitter-sweet cocoa and espresso lead off the experience. As the smoke progresses, the profile shifts to include molasses-like sweetness and hints of dark fruit, while a peppery spice steadily builds through the finish. The 1964 Anniversary Maduro is a full-bodied smoke, delivering a flavor experience entirely in keeping with its dark appearance.
The Woodford Reserve Double Oak met the challenge of the bold cigar with aplomb. Sweet caramel, dark chocolate, dark fruit notes all assist in standing up to the cigar's depth. A long wood and spice finish coats the palate in a fitting match to the cigar's lingering pepper and roasted finish.
Despite the unseasonable — though not entirely unusual — warmth, the setting sun eventually brought a chill, so I fired up one of the porch heaters on low, just enough to take the edge off without reaching for a jacket. Christmas-themed blues drifted from the speaker, adding a relaxed, festive tone to the evening. In time, with the cigar burned down to a nub and the whiskey glass emptied, it was time to head back inside and rejoin the family — just in time for a sweet tiramisù dessert and the quiet close of a thoroughly satisfying Christmas Day.
Cheers!
The Joy of Christmas
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Dec 25th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
When the angels went away from them to heaven,the shepherds said to one another,“Let us go, then, to Bethlehemto see this thing that has taken place,which the Lord has made known to us.”So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph,and the infant lying in the manger.When they saw this,they made known the messagethat had been told them about this child.All who heard it were amazedby what had been told them by the shepherds.And Mary kept all these things,reflecting on them in her heart.Then the shepherds returned,glorifying and praising Godfor all they had heard and seen,just as it had been told to them.-- Luke 2:15-20
At last it begins. After an Advent of preparation, the joyful season of Christmas is finally here. The last piece of our holiday decorations — the Christmas tree — was completed on Christmas Eve. While the trimmings, both inside and out, are set in place over the course of several weeks, the tree remains the capstone, traditionally finished just in time for the Feast itself.
Our celebration will continue through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, as it always has. Each year, I find it a small but familiar disappointment to see lights and decorations vanish the day after Christmas. It seems that many no longer regard the birth of Our Savior as an event worthy of more than a single day of rejoicing. Christmas is not a day, but a season — one worth celebrating fully.
 |
| "Adoration of the Shepherds" by Gerard van Honthorst. (OSV News photo/Bridgeman Images) |
I wish all of you a very merry and blessed Christmas. May the joy of Christmas remain with you throughout the year.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
The Joy of Christmas
Author: David From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Dec 25th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
When the angels went away from them to heaven,the shepherds said to one another,“Let us go, then, to Bethlehemto see this thing that has taken place,which the Lord has made known to us.”So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph,and the infant lying in the manger.When they saw this,they made known the messagethat had been told them about this child.All who heard it were amazedby what had been told them by the shepherds.And Mary kept all these things,reflecting on them in her heart.Then the shepherds returned,glorifying and praising Godfor all they had heard and seen,just as it had been told to them.-- Luke 2:15-20
At last it begins. After an Advent of preparation, the joyful season of Christmas is finally here. The last piece of our holiday decorations — the Christmas tree — was completed on Christmas Eve. While the trimmings, both inside and out, are set in place over the course of several weeks, the tree remains the capstone, traditionally finished just in time for the Feast itself.
Our celebration will continue through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, as it always has. Each year, I find it a small but familiar disappointment to see lights and decorations vanish the day after Christmas. It seems that many no longer regard the birth of Our Savior as an event worthy of more than a single day of rejoicing. Christmas is not a day, but a season — one worth celebrating fully.
|
| "Adoration of the Shepherds" by Gerard van Honthorst. (OSV News photo/Bridgeman Images) |
I wish all of you a very merry and blessed Christmas. May the joy of Christmas remain with you throughout the year.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Happy Holidays 2025
Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Dec 25th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
On to bigger and better things in 2026. If you are celebrating something, happy holidays! If not, happy Thursday!
Happy Holidays 2025
Author: Chris ODonnell From https://odonnellweb.com/pelican/ • Dec 25th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
On to bigger and better things in 2026. If you are celebrating something, happy holidays! If not, happy Thursday!
Happy Holidays 2025
Author: Happy Holidays 2025 From https://blog.odonnellweb.com • Dec 25th, 2025Category: Blog Entries.Local
christmas card featuring northern cardinal on branch with snow
On to bigger and better things in 2026. If you are celebrating something, happy holidays! If not, happy Thursday!
