Friday Favourites

 

I bought a pack of Andes Mints this week to put on my desk and encourage visitors to my office

If you are local, please join us on Sunday for a little Christmas service.

I am still lamenting the loss of Beaujolais Nouveau in Ontario (and most provinces in Canada except BC). It was a highlight of my November and also reminded me of my late uncle who introduced me to this wine years ago.  Now we are desperately looking for replacements.  This was one suggested to me and then confirmed by the liquor store clerk as a suitable substitute - a Gamay from Ontario. This bottle is about $16 and there is another option at $34 which I haven't tried yet.  It's pretty good so if you're missing Beaujolais Nouveau too, try this one!

I visited my favourite hotel lobby yesterday to see their Christmas decorations.  The Fairmont Royal York is always so pretty. 

And speaking of nice lights, our own house looks simple and festive.  We got the greenery pots at Costco and they came with a little light up feature.

My work Christmas party dinner was last night.  Dave met me and a colleague for pre-drinks at The Chase. They had a very nice view from their 5th floor location.

Happy Friday!!

Linking up with Andrea

Monthly Musings

 

I missed the link up last week but answering the questions today.

1. Any holiday parties on tap? 

Yes, I have my work party tonight, a party on Saturday, and then we host a party next weekend. 

2. Best holiday prep advice?

I keep the same Google Doc year to year, no need to make a fresh list, other than just updating a few things, since we basically do the same things and make the same food.

3. Share a holiday appetizer recipe that is a crowd pleaser.

No doubt, it is the shrimp butter and oat cakes. I posted those recipes (and others) many years ago here.

4. What holidays do you celebrate in November and December?

We observe Remembrance Day on November 11, and then it's the Advent and Christmas seasons here.

5. Favourite holiday beverage?

Nothing special, just wine. I mostly drink white wine, but red wine starts making an appearance as the weather cools.

6. What part of holiday prep is a total struggle for you?

Buying gifts.  I always seem to start too late, then I am panicked about spending too much money, or not enough, getting things in the mail, and then people ask me what to get Dave and the kids and I have a hard enough time coming up with ideas for me to buy!

7. Go to holiday outfit.

Something with sequins.

8. Do you send out holiday cards?

Yes I do, but they are on pause right now with Canada Post being on strike.  They may end up being New Year's cards instead, but they will be mailed eventually. 

9. Black Friday shopper? Yes or heck no?

Yes, but online mostly.  

10. Do you listen to holiday music before after Thanksgiving?

Well, considering our Thanksgiving is the beginning of October, then definitely after! But before American Thanksgiving. 

What's Up Wednesday

 

What we're eating this week...

Sunday - we ordered in from My Roti Place)

Monday - One pot chicken rice with basil and lemon

Tuesday - Chicken Fingers and Coleslaw

Wednesday - Quinoa bowls with roasted vegetables

Thursday - Dave and I are out at my work Christmas dinner so the kids may get to order McDonalds

Friday - Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs

Saturday - Dave and I are out at another party, so maybe Kraft Dinner for the kids?

What I'm reminiscing about...

As always at this time of year, I am remembering Christmases past.  The other day I heard a Christmas song and it struck a memory of my grandparents.  It wasn't even one specific event or day, it was just a feeling of being in their house with the sounds and smells. I tried to articulate this before, but I like to think that all of those memories are all inside my brain and heart somewhere even if I am not consciously thinking about them all of the time.  Instead of being sad that those times are gone, I know that they are still with me.

What I'm loving...

Our new couch for the back TV room.  We had our other one for about 12 years and it was a big saggy and misshapen.  We got another Crate and Barrel sofa (like the one we got for our front room) and it is very comfortable.

What I'm dreading...

Not so much dread, as it is frustration that I can't mail our Christmas cards yet, with Canada Post on strike and no end in sight.  This also makes sending gifts difficult and instead of packing up some homemade goodies and local buys, I have to order things online and have it sent directly to the recipient.  Slightly less personal and unwrapped!  

What we've been up to...

The kids have been practicing for their music recital happening in a couple of weeks.  E is going to do Carol of the Bells on guitar and Q is doing the Marvel theme song on piano. 

What I'm working on...

It's that time of year when I'm working two full time jobs - my regular one as a lawyer and the other is Christmas. Gift buying, decorating, party planning, baking, cards, wrapping, school fundraisers, church events, and trying to remember to enjoy it all!! 

What I'm excited about...

Our party next week.  We have had this open house since we moved into this house in 2014, but missed 2020 for obvious reasons, and then had to miss last year since our house was just finishing up construction.  It is a highlight of our Christmas season and I know it is for others too. 

What I'm watching/reading...

Dave and I are watching Rivals on Disney+ and Disclaimer on Apple TV. We are all watching The Great British Baking Show. And of course the Raptors and Leafs!

I will share my November books on Monday.  I have a holiday book on hold at the library, hoping it comes in for some quite tree-side reading.

What I'm listening to...

Christmas music of course! My go to is Jamie Cullum and John Legend, and then I let shuffle take over. 

What I'm doing this weekend...

We are going to get our tree on Friday and then decorate it on Saturday.  Q has a birthday party to attend on Sunday and I am in a choir concert on Sunday afternoon.  We are doing a lessons and carols service at Humbercrest United Church with their choir.

What I'm looking forward to next month...

Christmas!!! Once I get through the stressful part (to me) of spending money on gifts, I will be able to just enjoy all of the things. 

What else is new...

The younger students have a holiday concert coming up and although E's grade is not performing, he is on the stage crew, so a new role that he is happy about. 

Linking up with Shay

Weekend Recap

This past weekend was packed!!  

We set our alarms early for Saturday morning so we could watch the F1 Quali. Dave made pancakes. 

We were starting to get the Christmas decorations out and Q had all of the pillows.

Then we headed up to see Santa at a local Christmas market.  There was a line up to get in!

While Dave and I took turns waiting in the line to see Santa, the boys decorated cookies and made a craft.

Big Lego Santa

Some jazzy tunes.

They also worked on some small Lego.

Very creative. 

Look who else was there!!!

Grinchy face.

We got our photo!

We hustled home so I could get Q to a birthday party.  Dave and E put the outdoor lights up outside. 

Since the party was near Yorkdale Shopping Centre, I decided to go there in-between drop off and pick up.  It wasn't that crazy and I was able to get a few things. 

Q was playing this VR game when I went back to pick him up from the party. 

Sunday was a super busy day.  We did so much and I didn't even take many photos.   This is what we accomplished - watched the F1 race, went to church, the kids stayed to practice for the pageant and Dave and I went to Sobeys and Canadian Tire, I had a very short nap, Dave took Q swimming, E worked on his homework, I made three batches of cookies (Q helped with two batches), I had to take apart the dishwasher to retrieve my earring that fell in, we decorated for Christmas, Dave cut the boys' hair, we ordered food for dinner, we played a board game, and watched an episode of the Great British Baking Show. Phew!

Ginger chocolate shortbreads.

Needless to say we went to bed early!!

Preparing for Advent

Today is the first official day of the Advent season since it was Reign of Christ Sunday yesterday.  There are two things that are guiding my feelings toward Advent and the lead up to Christmas this year.  The first is something that Shay wrote on her blog a few weeks ago - it’s okay to say no to things and focus on the things that matter to your family.  There are a few things that always make an appearance on our calendar - our own Christmas party that we host for friends and neighbours, brunch with Santa at the golf club, the Sunday School pageant, and Home Alone Night (watching the movie, ordering cheese pizza, and drinking Pepsi).  We also have to watch all of our other favourite holiday movies at some point - The Grinch, Polar Express, White Christmas, The Holiday, Elf, Love Actually, The Family Stone, Muppets Christmas Carol, and the first Harry Potter. We also like to bake cookies, work on our puzzle, and drive around to look at lights.  There are other things that we will do but if they don’t work out, it’s okay.  It can be easy to get bogged down with other parties, concerts, dinners, etc. Rather than filling our calendar with those things, we will take them as they come. 

On that same note, the other thing that is guiding me this year is that “these are the days”.  I listen to the Flightless Bird podcast with David Farrier and new co-host Rob (Wobby Wob).  They did an episode on death the other day and did a bit of a quiz (this is hard to follow but stay with me).  Anyway, one of the questions was “if you could go back and live one day over again, what would it be?”  David said a day when he was about 21 and had met the “love of his life” and he wanted to re-experience those days when everything was great before it went wrong.  Good enough answer, and then Rob said he supposed it would have to be a day after both of his sons had been born (they are about 2 and 7) and just a day when they were hanging out at home.  And David said, a bit wistfully, “you can do that anytime” as it is still happening.  That’s like me, I get to live those wonderful days everyday right now.  Yes, there are arguments, some mess, impatience, more meal planning (they want to eat dinner everyday!!), etc. but these are indeed the days.  Even when I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the things that need to get done, I will first remember I can say no to some of those things (see above), but also savour those moments of the everyday with my young family. 

Friday Favourites

 

Friday again! That was a quick week, and I can't believe December is just around the corner. 

I think this may be the weekend to turn on the Christmas music, I haven't been able to do it yet, but we are going to bring out some decorations so it is time. A few years ago I shared this post of my favourite Christmas songs. 

I am not usually in the market for an ugly Christmas sweater but I saw this at Winners this week and picked it up for E.  They usually have dress up days for the last week of school (and it does fit me too so I can wear it to a party I'm supposed to dress up for).

On Monday I went for a walk at lunch and came across a Jo Malone truck doing a little giveaway, so I joined the line.  

Spin the wheel!

I got this cosmetic bag.  Other things were candles and perfume samples.  I am excited about my little gift.

We may be getting some snow next week which will also help get us into the holiday spirit, but even better the ski hill will be getting some and you know they will be making snow as soon as they can!

Bring on ski season!

I got my Christmas cards but our postal service is on strike so I can't send them yet.  Hopefully they get that resolved soon, I love sending and receiving cards!

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with Andrea and Erika.