About Me

December 31, 2011

Happy 2012!

Beckett has arrived safe & sound,
mom & dad in tow.
Everyone is tucked
into bed early tonight.

Half of us are exhausted from
all the work of getting the
house painted, organized
& baby proofed.

Half of us are exhausted from
packing up a house,
renting a truck
& driving 3 hours from home,
with a 1 year old to care
for at the same time.

No energy to stay up to
bring in the New Year.

But popping in to wish everyone a
Happy New Year,
with wishes for a joy-filled, peaceful,
adventurous & creative 2012!!

December 28, 2011

Grandbaby Heaven ...

... is going to be happening
more often at our house.

As in EVERDAY!!

Yup, our grandbaby is
moving to our house.

Just 3 more days to squish
this little face EVERYDAY!


Can't wait for Mr. Beckett to be
safely home at gramma & grampa's!


December 26, 2011

"Oh Christmas Tree"

"O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
In beauty green will always grow
Through summer sun and winter snow.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!"


Our Christmas Tree for 2011!

December 25, 2011

Christmas Day ...


... was so amazing,
even the puppies had a hard time
staying awake at the end!

December 21, 2011

Busy, busy, busy ...

Making gifts.
Wrapping gifts.
Writing menus.
Baking cookies.
Cleaning the house.
Finishing my caseload at work.
Booking off for the holidays tomorrow.
Off work & at home until January 12th.

Love my employer, who lovingly
gives us time off every year at Christmas. 

But the very best thing about today
 was my trip to the dentist.
I love sparkly clean, polished teeth.
And NO cavities!!

December 20, 2011

Christmas Village #1

We have a new
Christmas Village this year.
But couldn't resist putting
our old one up too!


 A perfect addition to
our Dining Room this season.

December 18, 2011

Snow!!

We noticed a few flakes falling from
the sky last night.

It was soft & fluffy.

We laid in bed, with the fairy lights
on the outside of the house sparkling
in the darkness & the new falling snow
gently falling to the ground, covering
everything in a white covering.

And this morning, this is what greeted
us when we opened our front door:


Little creatures out for a
morning walk before we were up!

Now it feels like Christmas.

But the sad news is,
most of it has already melted!


December 17, 2011

Farmer's Market

We have many Farmer's Markets in & around
the city beside our small, rural community.


Our favorite is the Old Strathcona,
located in a very trendy, heritage area.
Old buildings & tons of charm.


Huge tree!


Love the old skylights.
Reminds me of a memory from my childhood.


Shoppers searching for unique gifts.


This is where we buy our
Cedar Greens each year
for our dining room table,
mantle & living room.


Huge wreath!


My lovey, enjoying some Celtic music.


Exterior.

Looks cold outside but it was +4.
This time of year, it's usually -24.

We're not complaining!


View down the cobblestone street.


Wait!

What's this?

Could it be snow?

December 13, 2011

Tea Pot Tuesday

When I was small,
I always wanted to have a
real tiny China Tea Set.
But my mom was worried
it would get broken.

Especially with a very
rambunctious younger brother.

Look what we found
at the charity shop this week!


For the grand sum of $1.25...


I had a childhood dream come true.

December 11, 2011

Candles ...

... lit for all families around the world
who have lost a precious child,
at any age, for any reason.


Tonight was the
Worldwide Candlelight Memorial Service
organized by The Compassionate Friends.
Chapters all over the world hold services
for families at 7 p.m., when candles are lit in
every time zone, so that our children can
look down from Heaven,
see a ball of light & know they are loved.


Our service tonight
was held at Glenwood. It takes weeks for us
to plan but so worth all the work.
I'm fortunate to have lots of families
who ask to help. And an incredible family that
supports my work. My dear husband
does the music every year.
I love having him there!


We light candles & hang ornaments
on our Memory Trees.


The light fills the room &
the ornaments fill the trees.


For all our children,
all around the world.


You are loved,
forever ...

December 10, 2011

Thrifting at Christmas!

I love thrifting all thru the year
but it's so much fun at Christmas.
In our community, donations to our
local charity shop go up quite a bit in
the two months before the "big day".
My guess is families are making room
for the new "toys" & go thru their stuff & donate
what is no longer needed or out of date.
Best time to find decorations 
for our house. We've had some great finds
the last few weeks.

Yesterday, we found this cute snowman lamp:


He was just too endearing to leave in the shop.


His warm glow now brightens our family room.


His smile makes us feel good just looking at him!


I love the added touch of this scene
on his little snowman body.

For the small sum of $1.50,
the addition to our Christmas decor
has been priceless!

December 8, 2011

S'mores for 2!

My husband's company sent all the employees
& their spouses out for dinner tonight.

A great Christmas Celebration for all.

Here's where we went:


We spent over 3 hours, wining & dining,
enjoying good cheer & the season.

I had Caesar Salad with Bacon,
Lobster Tails with Spinach & Black Rice,
& a Strawberry/Raspberry/Lime drink,
followed by a tall Ginger Ale.

For desert, my husband & I shared the
"S'mores for 2":


Mmmmmm, an open fire at the table!


Group shot:


Our table, at the end of the meal:


Stairs to the private rooms on the lower level:


Emeril Lagasse, Chef but not the real
Chef from this fine dining establishment.


I love Christmas Parties but truly,
they are even sweeter when provided for us!



December 6, 2011

Perplexed!

We have no snow!

Seriously.

This is an issue.

I personally CANNOT Christmas shop
without snow on the ground.

This was December 6th last year ...


Just 365 short days ago.

But today, we have rain, slushy,
muddy streets & no sign of snow.

At all.

Not in the forecast.

No where to be seen.

Except on the ski hill that
I pass on the way to my centre.

Lots of snow there, artificially made, of course.

So we know it exists.

Maybe I should steal some!

We went Christmas shopping tonight.

Decided to brave the World's Largest Mall:

But alas, no one was there!

Over 30 million people visit the mall each year.

I think I only saw a total of
30 people there tonight!

Nice for us.

Great shopping, fast parking spot & no line ups.

Maybe everyone is feeling like me.

Without snow, it's hard to feel Christmacy,
even with all the decorations, lights & music.

Can't believe I'm about to share this secret
but here it is:

"I'm looking forward to a nice snowfall!"

Hope you have snow where ever you are ...

December 5, 2011

Winter Friends


Sitting on the couch tonight
but soon to sit at the front door,
to greet our visitors
&
watch for Mr. Claus!

Candlelight Memorial Service

We offer this service every year at our local hospice.


For families who have experienced
the death of someone they love.


From murder to illness to
accident to suicide to natural causes.


The room becomes filled with candles ...


... and love.

It is an honor to lead each year,
as we come together to
remember our loved ones,
in a safe place,
where the compassion,
care and comfort is abundant.