Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Christmas Wrap and Battle Mode

Today I am fighting some kind of nasty bug that I fear is winning the battle.
My plans for an end of the year wrap have been thwarted
However I have a few pics to give you an idea of our Christmas.
 
 
The holiday season started with a horrendous snowstorm which guaranteed a white Christmas.
 
 
Iain made his traditional Challah for dinner.
 
 
A little something in "Poppy's"  (new grandbabys name until we find out what gender) stocking
 
 
Will's fav candy
 
 
 
A special cat in a box ornament my girls' Grandma gave them when they were very wee.
They decided to share ---- sending it back and forth each Christmas.
 
 
A little Christmas Day lunch snack
 
 
My boys (minus 2) manning the dinner prep
 
 
Will at the mashed potatoe station
 
 
HB at the turkey carving station
 
 
The Christmas table centerpiece
 
 
Merry Christmas
 
 
From the girls too
 

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Winter Solstice / First Day of Winter

Here I sit at 5 am slugging back some warm milk hoping the tryptophan kicks in.
I know there are two schools of thought on this
But I choose to believe in the sleep inducing properties of it.
 
Any who I thought it would give me a chance to show you some pics from our day yesterday.
You know its going to be bad when the radar is pink
 
 
As with after any storm it begins with a cleanup.
 
 
I keep the feral feeding station under our side steps.
The dish is always empty and there are little footy prints everywhere.
 
 
Our neighbour's neglected eavestrough lend itself to awesome icicles.
 
 
We actually saw someone coming out of the shed last night on our way to bed.
Trudging thru the snow probably heading to the food station for a midnight snack.
 
 
Poor Easter Island Man
 
 
The sunflower seeds have been stripped but their stalks leave interesting architecture to the back garden
 
 
 
 
Buck and Rudy! Our front door welcoming committee
 
 
 
 
There is a lonely mourning dove in the tree.
Despite having lots of feeders, suet, and open water our bird visitors are pretty slim.
HB coordinates our local Audubon Christmas bird count and has done so for the past 7 years (as well as contributing for over 20)
He has seen a rapid decline in species and amounts seen.

 
I think my warm milk is working so back upstairs to grab a few winks til coffee time.
 
 

Addy thinks I should be back in bed. I think I disturbed her sleep.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Friends, A Party, Cookies, and White

No question!
We WILL have a white Christmas.
 
 
Last night's Christmas party was a success.
 
 
 
Because of this horrid weather half our guests weren't able to make it,
 
 
But the stoics who did all had a good time.
A great bunch of people.
Food. Drinks. Laughs. Pictures.
 
 
Strawberry Santas
Cut tip off strawberry, hollow out, fill with cream cheese mixture*, top with tip, gel icing for eyes and buttons
 
*250 grams (8 ounces) cream cheese, 3 to 4 Tablespoons icing sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla
 
I am feeling very relaxed about Christmas.
 
 
This week is down to wrapping, tortiere making, delivering friends and neighbor gifts, and shopping for Christmas and Boxing Day meals
 
 
Shopping last week in Almonte I bought this wee Santa for my Kitchen tree.
 
 
 
 
 
My beautiful Amaryllis is blooming
 
 
 
 
I saw these melted snowman cookies on a blog (sorry don't remember which one) and couldn't wait to try them.
Just a plain sugar cookie with an icing glaze.
Pop the marshmallow in the microwave for about 10 seconds.
Decorate with eyeballs and carrot nose with gel icing.
Wrap with an icing scarf.
TA- DA
 
Came out pretty good hunh?
Reindeer are pretty cute too.

Have a great week
 

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Beginning to Look A Lot Like ...............

Busy busy days.
I absolutely love this time of year.
Nat King Cole singing on my I Pod.
The smell of pine candles.
Chocolate smells wafting from my oven.
Pretty wrapping paper and bows and ribbons.
 
One fabulous thing to celebrate this Christmas -----
My youngest daughter and her hubby 
 

 

 are expecting a wee bundle of joy the middle of July.
HB and I are dancing over the moon.
Time to get the baby knitting and projects books dusted off.

 
Bought this fantastic bamboo yarn to make this wee romper.

 
 
Last Thursday I joined Deb http://justcats-deb.blogspot.ca/ Natalie http://knatolee.blogspot.ca/, and Ronna http://ronnas.blogspot.ca/for lunch in Almonte, Ontario
 



and an afternoon of Christmas shopping.
It was fabulous meeting new people and especially Blogger Buddies.
What a terrific little town to shop in. Lots of interesting shops!
 
 
Before we knew it it was closing in on 4:00 and time for us all to head home with our haul.
 
Most of my decorations are up and most of the shopping is done.

KItchen Tree

A Few of my Nutcrackers
Big guys were a gift from my MIL a couple years ago

Part of my Village

 
Now its time to concentrate on baking and planning a couple of parties.
 
We did have quite a bit of snow BUT last week we had unseasonably warm weather 10 C (50 F) and it rained so most of it is gone.

Family Room Tree Topper
 
Hopefully we get a wee bit for Christmas and yes then it can all go away.

A little project with all those wine corks I have collected.
I have a few more so may attempt a snowman  :)
 
 
Of course I am 2 days late for Twin Bragging Thursday but
here is one of my favourite pics of my beautiful wee G Twins
 
 
 
Riley and Miles
Pic taken October 2012 @ Herriott Street
 
Enjoy Your Holiday Busy ness