A day late, can you forgive me?
I think I received this ornament over 30 years ago. It’s my absolute favourite, the stitches are so tiny and it’s stuffed. Plus, it’s adorned with ric-rac. I need more ric-rac in my life.
My Christmas was quiet and merry. The morning spent relaxing, the afternoon at the movies, and [...]
I have been curious about chestnuts for the longest time, and yes, I blame the opening line of ‘The Christmas Song‘
So I bought some Italian chestnuts at Byward Fruit last week, kept them in my fridge and this evening I set out to eat some of them. I found directions on How to Roast Chestnuts [...]
I haven’t bought any candy for Christmas except one candy cane.
Just one.
But look at it….
This is not an insignificant candy cane.
It’s a Hammond’s Candies Peppermint Chocolate Filled Candy Cane (found at my local Bulk Barn). I will admire it for a while and then crack it open. I first heard of Hammond’s Candies while watching [...]
Today is Chris’ birthday so we are celebrating but I am still admiring my mantle, all decked in blue. The colour blue is definitely the favourite colour around here so why not for the holidays – although I am not seeing a lot of blue in the Christmas decorations at the stores this year.
I had cut [...]
I had some family over this afternoon for lunch and to help me trim the tree. I served apple walnut salad, Swedish meatballs and roasted potatoes followed by dark chocolate truffles and cranberry orange loaf with tea and coffee.
After lunch, we trimmed the tree. Well, the ladies did. And with three ladies to help, it [...]
I haven’t made popcorn strings in years. More than 20 years…
Right. Let’s not do the math.
I spent the afternoon with a friend and sat on the couch stringing freshly popped popcorn. It was nice to stop and relax. In our excitement, and once we fixed the tree (see below), we strung up the lights and [...]
It’s still naked and frozen but it’s thawing and ready to be trimmed on Sunday. I have a feeling I was suppose to thaw it before putting it up. No matter, what’s done is done. I am staying up for a while to make sure it doesn’t fall over and to keep feeding it water.
I love the holidays classics as much as anyone but I always have room for more. Lately, I have been listening to Sting new album ‘If On A Winter’s Night…‘ and have been enjoying is very much. He doesn’t the jingle the bells and sing about the old man in the red suit, instead, he [...]
I like a challenge, and for me, it seems that working with chocolate will provide it. I tried my hand at Carole Bloom’s Dark Chocolate Truffles and everything went well until it was time to temper the chocolate. I used Callebaut (one of the varieties Bloom recommends in her book). I also had to remember [...]
I went to a Christmas party this evening and had good chats and ate myself silly; a little socializing did this girl some good. Sadly, no photos of the spread or the merriment but you’ll have to take my word for it.
Today (and yesterday) my other Christmas activity has been listening to ‘A Christmas Carol’ [...]