Merry Christmas from Toronto SAM!!

 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!

It's been a year! Thank you for stopping by to check in with us! With the constant competition for everyone's attention, I'm so happy that this blog is one of the things you enjoy and fit into your day. 

I'll be taking some days off from blogging but will be back next week with a couple of year end wrap up posts. 

The hymn "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" has so many meaningful words I could not just pick one line to share.  We welcome Jesus this Christmas season and remember He is still with us even in this "weary world". A beautiful rendition of this hymn can be found here.

It came upon the midnight clear, 
that glorious song of old, 
from angels bending near the earth 
to touch their harps of gold: 
"Peace on the earth, good will to men, 
from heaven's all-gracious King." 
The world in solemn stillness lay, 
to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come 
with peaceful wings unfurled, 
and still their heavenly music floats 
o'er all the weary world; 
above its sad and lowly plains, 
they bend on hovering wing, 
and ever o'er its Babel sounds 
the blessed angels sing.

And ye, beneath life's crushing load, 
whose forms are bending low, 
who toil along the climbing way 
with painful steps and slow, 
look now! for glad and golden hours 
come swiftly on the wing. 
O rest beside the weary road, 
and hear the angels sing!

or lo! the days are hastening on, 
by prophet seen of old, 
when with the ever-circling years 
shall come the time foretold 
when peace shall over all the earth 
its ancient splendors fling, 
and the whole world send back the song 
which now the angels sing.

Weekend Recap

 We had a very productive and festive weekend.

First of all, our storage pod was delivered back to our house on Friday morning.  We haven't been able to take much out of it yet, but it was nice to see it back and everything looked to be in good shape.

I had a very busy work day so when a friend texted to suggest a pre-dinner egg nog at her house, I was very grateful.  It was a short visit, but so nice to have some time to enjoy the tree and her company.

Part of why I couldn't stay long was so I could attend this little concert at our church.  I was going to bring the boys but decided not to in the end. They instead helped Dave move their beds upstairs to their rooms and they were able to spend the night up there.  The concert was lovely and I was glad I took the time to enjoy some live festive music. 

On Saturday we were expecting a couple workers to come and do some finished touches to the kitchen and paint the stairs.  Unfortunately they didn't come, so that limited what we could do to move in.  But it did mean we were able to clean the kitchen from top to bottom. It has never been this clean!  The kitchen was not changed during the renovation, but it did get dusty and the cabinets were looking tired (as they did before we started the reno). 

Dave got the boys using the steam cleaner to get those nooks and crannies.  They were good helpers.

Vacuuming up the dust.

We seriously worked hard all day! Then the Ikea closet was delivered so Dave and E started building that up in our room. Needless to say, pizza was on the menu! After that arrived, we settled in to watch Spirited.

On Sunday morning Dave was back upstairs building the closet. I went to church but ducked out early so we could attend brunch with Santa at the golf club.

We all love a buffet!

Santa had a couple of gifts for the boys.

Then he did story time with hot chocolate.  

Then we went right over to E's music recital. This was his first recital playing the guitar. This time he had practiced a duet with his friend on piano.  And for the performance one of the teachers joined them with the drum. They did Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes and did a great job!!

Well done boys!!

When we got home, the Ikea closet building continued.  We had leftover pizza and then watched a Muppet's Christmas Carol.

Just a few things left to do before the big day!

2023 Books

As I get older, it's helpful for me to keep track of the books I've read.  I have yet to pick up a book and not remembered reading it, but better safe than sorry!

So here are all of the books I read this year:

Spare

Fatty Fatty Boom Boom

Kiss Her Once For Me

The Sleeping Car Porter

Something in the Water

The Four Winds

The Prisoner

The Poisonwood Bible (a reread for me, I've read this many times before)

Sea of Tranquility

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

The Light Through the Leaves

The Rent Collector

Nothing to Envy

Our Italian Summer

Demon Copperhead

The Beguiling

Sparks Like Stars

When We Lost Our Heads

Malibu Rising

The Survivors

Between Us

The Guilt Trip

The Gown

At the Mountain's Edge

Miracle Creek 

I'm limiting my favourite list to two, since there are a few contenders for #3 and I can't choose, but you can go back through the links above to see if I liked a book or not.

#2

The Gown by Jennifer Robson

#1 Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

For the past couple of years I've been in the habit of setting out a reading list for myself.  However, this year I'm not going to do that.  I felt like I was looking for books just for the sake of putting them on my list, and then I didn't even like some of the ones I picked (ahem, Sleeping Car Porter, When we Lost our Heads, and The Beguiling). Instead I'll just stick with picking things off my running list of recommendations based on what's available in our library and what I feel like reading.

Friday Favourites

 

This is a Q heavy post, so I had to snap this photo of E to let you know he's still here!  His activities this week included practicing for his music recital and playing Fortnite.  

If you're local and want to attend a fun Christmas concert, please join us tonight.  Students from the local arts high school play, we have some talented singers, and there are always a few other fun touches.  I'll be at the door, but I'm not performing. 

Now, onto our week, which focused on Q ;)

he had soccer practice on Tuesday night and although they did the same drill for the whole time, it really kept the kids entertained and they learned a lot about passing back and then running up the field to receive a pass.  Meanwhile I did some Christmas shopping on my iPad.

It was the school's "winter" concert on Wednesday night.  E is too old for this now but Q was excited to sing.  They did very well.  

Then yesterday I volunteered at Q's field trip to Black Creek Pioneer Village. I looked after this group of cuties, and we nicknamed ourselves "the Chipmunks".

The tin shop (fun fact, the term tinsel came from old scraps of tin that were twisted for decoration)

This pretty tree is so simple but beautiful.

We made a craft.

A nice mom bought candies for the class.

Meeting the horse.

Help us, it's festive week at school next week, just in case we needed more to think about!

Earlier this week I said to my colleague that I wasn't feeling very festive, just because we are so busy with the house and with work.  So then I tried to be intentional about fitting in some holiday spirit when I could.  When Q and I were driving home from soccer, we drove around to look at lights (and count Santas), I put on some Christmas music while doing the dishes, and was excited to find some Christmas cards in the mailbox everyday.

Linking up with Andrea and Erika.

Recipe - Two Easy Lunches

I have been meaning to share these two recipes for awhile and I've never gotten around to it. They aren't really festive for this time of year, but you know what? In a time that is hectic and full of indulgences, this is something easy and fairly healthy you can prepare for your lunch or a quick dinner.  

These two meals were born out of necessity from living in the basement and not wanting to make anything complicated, while at the same time needing something decent to eat! 

I'll call this one Mexican bean salad

1 (540 ml) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (540 ml) can chick peas, drained and rinsed

1 (284 ml) can Rotel tomatoes (mild or spicy, whatever your preference)

1 (341 ml) can corn, drained

2 cups cooked rice (I use the microwave instant rice, specifically the lime and cilantro flavour)

salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.  To me the flavour comes from the rice and Rotel tomatoes, but if you wanted to add some chili powder or hot sauce, that would work too. You could also cut up a green pepper, but then we're making this too complicated ;)

For the second one, I don't have any fancy photos as I forgot to take them last time I made this recipe, but you'll get the idea.  

I'm going to call this Easy Mujadara, which is probably just an insult to the original dish, but it was the inspiration.  Mujadara is a Lebanese dish and I've had it on my Pinterest page for awhile but have never made the actual dish.  

1 (540 ml) can of cooked lentils, drained and rinsed

1 (540 ml) can of chick peas, drained and rinsed

2 cups of cooked rice (I use the same microwave rice as above, but the brown basmati)

1 cup fried onions (the ones you can add to salads)

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp garlic powder

salt, pepper, olive oil

Combine the ingredients, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with a bit of olive oil.  The first serving with the fresh rice is slightly warm, and then when I eat the leftovers I like to warm it up a bit. 

Let's Look - Stocking Stuffers

Okay, I was supposed to swap November's topic with this one.  So if you're looking for my top comforts you can check out last month's post.  But for any Santas still looking to fill those stockings, this post is for you. 

For myself, ahem, things I like to get in my stocking are: 

Coffee beans, Andes mints, soap, dish towels/cloths, something to read like a magazine or a simple book, and lottery tickets. Some other ideas for someone like me (although I don’t really need them myself right now):

Saje Rollers - Peppermint Halo and Immune would be appreciated by anyone.

Lipgloss - I love the Fresh brand but there are lots of other options at the drug store too. 

Face Masks- These are affordable and a nice treat

Hair Elastics

Hand Cream

For the kids, Santa usually brings things that we would never buy, like Nutella and sugary cereal.  (“Of course Santa is real, Mom would never buy Nutella!!”). They also usually get some socks, underwear, hot chocolate packets, and some candy.  If you’re looking for some ideas for games or little toys, we like these ones:

Nee Doh- these are fun in any form they come in

Sushi Go

Exploding Kittens

Monopoly Deal

My husband usually finds some cashews, Toffeefee, golf balls, and beers in his stocking.  Last year he also got these things:

Cord Organizers

Charger Cord Collars

Wallet Ninja

Linking up with Shay and Erika. 

You can see all of my posts from this link up series below:

January - Organizing

February - Medicine Cabinet

April - Pet Peeves

May - Morning Routine

June - Travel Tips

July - Favourite Summer Finds

August - Worst Habits

September - Evening Routine

October - Biggest Fears

November - Top Comforts

Weekend Recap

 We had lots of holiday fun this weekend.  First of all there was no school on Friday so we signed Q up for a baseball camp.  He has been here before but wasn't sure if he wanted to go, however as soon as he got there he picked up a ball and joined in the warm up. 

That evening Dave and I went downtown for my work party.  It was at the Oliver and Bonacini restaurant on Front and Yonge. We had a lovely meal and it was nice to get dressed up.

We had a slow morning.  I grabbed this photo of E before he squirmed away.

Then we walked up the street with the intention of buying a couple of Christmas gifts.  We were very successful and got a couple of people marked off the list, and with the bonus of doing some local shopping.

We all got a Booster Juice. 

And then on our way home we decided to stop in at a pub for an actual late lunch.

Christmas movies and charcuterie for supper.  We also went out to hand deliver some cards. 

On Sunday morning we all went to church, yes, even Dave, for the annual pageant. This was a hybrid of a video and some live readings and "tableau".  The kids did a great job!

Then we went to get a Christmas tree.  Although we can't put it up yet, we were worried there may not be any left if we waited until next week.  

I was there too!

In the afternoon I did some more shopping, and spent way too much time at Walmart, I really do hate that place, it sucks the soul from my body.  But I did get our parcels mailed out so that was a success. The boys went to the golf simulator place.