It is really that time of year?

Man does time ever fly!  Feels like a few days ago I was out in the yard, in my flip flops watching the pooch rolling over in the grass and just now I saw her roll in the snow!  We had a mini snow storm last week and (unfortunately!) it stuck...  Yep, early November and our yard is snow covered...

Barely had time to remove the Halloween decorations that snow covered everything.  Yes it was super pretty, but still too damn early!

2025.11.11

I've had this "rule" for many years now, that I don't do Christmas before my birthday.  My birthday is next week, last year in the fifties... argh... doesn't feel like it (despite what my body says!), and since I've been having some "social things" early December for the past twenty years I had to start my Christmas baking and get into the "spirit" earlier.  I've been out shopping a few times, here and there, buying little things and ordering online, you know getting things done for Christmas.  I will not put up my tree before December 1st.  Our neighbor in the back, put up their Christmas Tree, with lights and all, the weekend of Halloween...  That's almost as fast as the stores!  Yes it's pretty and I love to see the lights through their blinds every time I take out the pooch, but still, that was early!  I know I'm getting older as I think of all the work involve in setting it all up, even if I do love it, it is still a LOT of work...  Yeah!  I'm old!

Yesterday I started my Christmas Cookies Baking.  Every year I try to give some baked goods to friends and clients.  People seem to enjoy the personal touch.  Yesterday was a "patience" day, an afternoon of repeating my mantra, with a few swear words here and there.  I decided to bake some Vanilla and Sugar Snowman.  Three little balls and some decorations, easy, right?  Riiiggghht!!  First I've realized that I didn't have little black balls (eatable confetti type) so I decided to sit my ass down, take my nonpareils bottle of red, white and green and separate them.  Yeah, you read correctly!  Tiny little fuckers to separate, let me tell you!

I had decided green would be for the eyes and the red were for the mouth. Yay me!  What a clever (time consuming) idea!  But I do love how they turned out!  They're just too cute, aren't they and they taste delicious!

And, in case you're wondering I've used uncooked spaghetti for the arms and noses! 

Today I decided to give Biscotti a try.  I've been wanting to do these for some time, and today was the day.  

Started out like little logs, baked for the first time... to give me these...

Let them rest, lower the oven for the second baking...  I didn't want them too crispy, so I shorten the time a little and these were the results after being cut out... and they are so tasty!

Everything has been stored in the freezer, and now wondering what tomorrow will bring...  The house smells divine!  

'tata for now!

Already in Week 2

Most of my Christmas decorations are down... still have a few things here and there and in all honesty I don't know where I should be storing them, getting new stuff wasn't a good idea when it comes to putting it away afterwards!

In other news my eyes are still bad.

I've made an appointment with an eye doctor, maybe he'll figure something out that will actually help...  Everyone I told I was allergic to winter, looked at me funny, but whenever (which is basically daily for the past week!) I take an antihistamine, the itchiness goes away (at least that helps!), but the red streaks and puffy bags are still there, no matter the cream I use.  Some seem to help more than others, but so very little... makes for interesting questions and looks, that's for sure!


It is our condo association's year end, and since I'm the one taking care of the books I've called a mini meeting for the three administrators we are.  There isn't really much that needs to take care of, except when something breaks, like the gutter and now preparing the budget for this coming year.  Our lovely government wants to pass a new Bill - Bill 141 - which is for co-owners to also have a Self Insurance Funds which will cover our highest deductible on the Condo's Insurance.   Going through our insurance policy, for water damages our deductible is 25K!!  Yep, you read correctly, we are insured but our deductible is $25,000 - I've been reading up on this, and we basically have two years to accumulate this new Funds... I can't wait to explain this to our co-owners who complain about the condo fees being high already... should be fun!

This time of year sucks all my energy and will to do anything.

Yep, that about sums it up!

Post Christmas Blues

Ok, so, Christmas is over.  Already.  All this preparation for one day.  Each year, despite me loving this holiday, I can't help but think it is crazy to put out all these decorations, spend all this money not only on gifts, but on food, clothing, etc. for one day!  It's crazy when you really think about it.

We celebrated Christmas' Eve with Hubby's side of the family, at a cousin's.  It was a pleasant evening; good food, good talks, good company, the kids seemed happy with the gifts, so overall a pleasant evening. Today we (Hubby and I) did sweet nothing but watched TV (finished watching "Bad Blood" - watch it if you can, a series about local (as in Montréal) Mafia), also watched a few movies; we took it easy and enjoyed our time alone.  Spoke with my mom, she called from Florida.  Christmas isn't what it used to be... I have very fond memories of past Christmas, as a kid, and even older.  It used to be a fun (but stressful) time.  We got to see relatives that often we only saw at that time of year.  Now that my mom does the Snow Bird thing, we don't really do anything with on her side of the family.  It's a shame really but since they all live far away (as in six+ hours from here) we don't visit often and we all have our families, so it is what it is.

This year again, I kept true to myself and sent many Christmas cards, and got many back as well.  Between the cards I got through Postcrossing and those from friends and relatives I almost filled up both my doors, check it out!

I will be sad to take down the lights... I love how everything looks with Christmas lights, not only indoor but outside too.  It makes everything prettier...

We've had a few parties leading to Christmas, starting with my birthday one month before.  Had invited a bunch of friends over, played games and spent a few hours together which was nice.   One of the parties we had was for my meditation group.  That is always a fun night.  We do a big pot luck and a gifts exchange.  It is not really a dance party or anything of the sort, but more a fun night among people sharing an activity together and getting together for Christmas.  This year, I had made thirty of these Santa sleighs, as a gift for each member.  They came out really nice and were well received.
 

I think the worst party this year, was Hubby's company.  After being there a few hours I left him there and went back to our room.  He had reserved a room at a hotel nearby (thankfully!)  and that was great; I could escape and he didn't have to drive back so he could party on...  Corporate parties are often a bore for the spouses, and that one sure was!  For me at least!

I've been thinking about this past year overall, and I won't be too sad to see it end... it's been an interesting year to say the least.  A few things have changed, hopefully for the better (time will tell!), some friendships were lost, new ones were created, and who knows what the future holds... One thing for sure, time is flying by and before I know it I will be taking down my Christmas decorations and feel a little sad... I'm most likely to have the Post-Christmas Blues... not because of what I've spent, but because the most wonderful time of the year is now over...

 

Six More Dodos...

Christmas is among my favorite time of the year, but it is not for everyone... plus, as we are getting older it is not the same.  My mother is now a snowbird, and she doesn't come back just for me.  Hubby's father is... well... we don't see much of him.  Hubby often offered to escape at Christmas time.  We did it once, to Napa, and it was nice.  It didn't feel like it was Christmas, but the time away sure felt good.  This year we had not, yet, really taken any vacation.  I did go spend a two days at a cousin in Québec City, but other than that, we we pretty much home bodies.  Hubby worked a lot. We had talked about going to Europe, visit with friends back in August, but the scheduling wasn't working out and the funds were low, so that didn't work out.  When we talked about escaping at Christmas we did think of Europe - I would love to visit the Christmas markets in Germany or Poland, but then it would NOT be a relaxing vacation for Hubby since there would be places to see and lots to do.  Given that he's the main bread winner in this household, he needs (and wants!) to relax some.  So, rather than going someplace where we would feel guilty about crashing and doing nothing, we thought why not go some place we know.  We won't feel the need to visit or the guilt of crashing. Plus I wanted some warmth.  When we started talking about it, it was for the week of Christmas leading to New Year's.  We thought of using this damn timeshare of ours, we pay for it so might as well try to use the damn thing, so Hubby started to explore different options.

In mid-August (one hundred twenty-seven days exactly from our departure date), Hubby booked us a Christmas escape, just the two of us. We are heading back to Hawai'i... again.  A part of me feels like the luckiest girl and another part feels like the old broad who hates to travel.  The twelve freaking hours in transit are not exciting me, but, come on!  It is Hawai'i after all!

We dug out our snorkel gear and went to a dive shop.  Man we care good consumers!  Let's leave it at that!  While on the Big Island, I would love to go snorkeling daily.  I will admit, I'm not the most confident swimmer, and the thought of those big winter waves is somewhat worrisome,  especially when our local friend texted us to let us know they had to close a surfing competition on the North Shore (of Oahu) because the waves were too big... nothing to warm my insides, let's say.  But I do love to see marine life, and being in the  water, so hopefully we will manage to get some days in the blue waters of the Big Island.

This year, again, I kept up my tradition of sending (a lot!) of Christmas cards, both folded and postcards. To my pleasure, I've been getting some back.

One the first weekend of December, this is how it started:

Then, the following weekend, I had a little more...

And then, this weekend, it showed that a nice load came in... I manage to almost fill out my first door. Check it out:

I'm hoping to get a bunch more this week, before we leave, I just love it!  Last night we had friends over and the man thought those were cards accumulated over the years... come on!  These are all cards received for this year's Christmas!

Remember a few years back I used to adopt a family in need at Christmas?  That was such a thrill and emotional thing.  I loved to do it.  When a friend of mine mentioned that she was going to be an elf  for a kid this Christmas, I jump on that bandwagon, I wanted in too.  I got assigned a little eight years old boy, who wrote me a letter telling me what he wanted, etc.  I had to buy him a gift, and write him back.  I wrote him a cute letter, as an elf, wrapped my gift and dropped it off at the assigned location.  I've been following the evolution of the project, organised by a teacher in a poor income area of town, and it is so touching and fun to see everyone's excitement.  Looking forward to seeing the kids'.  Hopefully she will post about it too, even if she's trying hard to keep the kids identities under wrap.

Tomorrow, since we will be missing the family gathering with Hubby's cousin at either Christmas or New Year, I thought of taking the kids (the three of them) shopping for their gifts.  They chose the stores they want to go to, so I will pick them up, drive them there, let them choose (in our set budget, of course!) and pay for it all.  The only thing I'm not certain of right this moment, is if I'm going to be nice or naughty... Nice if I let them take their gifts home with them, or naughty and take the gifts away and ask the parents to give it to them on Christmas... hmmm... decisions, decisions...

It's Christmas Time... already...

As I sit here, not moving too fast, since every time I move a wave of nausea hits me or I get very dizzy, and this for the past two days now, I think it is time for me to post about me hitting the BIG 5-0.

Despite the way our trip started, with a six hours delay leaving YUL and the three first days of rain, we did have a great time during our week away in Dominican Republic.  The resort was nice, beautiful property, and the staff was really pleasant. We met some interesting people, relaxed and enjoyed being away. 

While we were away, we missed the first snow fall - what a shame! - we came back in time to get ready for Christmas.  Since my mother is now a snowbird, it simplifies the family visiting time a lot. Not a bad thing, really.  Makes life simpler, less coordination and feeling like we have to, rather than want to.  I've had two Christmas parties this far and one more is planned between Christmas and New Year with his mother's side of the family.  It will be a calm and somewhat quiet Christmas this year, especially since it looks like Hubby will have to be available, if not working.

We had decided to get that Murphy bed unit a while back, for the spare room, and it was delivered and installed the week of our return.  We are very happy with the end result.  It not only looks good but will contain a lot of stuff, and our visitors will have a bed to sleep in!

 

Following that day of installation, our house feels, to me at least, cluttered, since all the stuff (and there was a lot!) that was in that room was dispersed throughout the house.  I've been filling up the new unit, but some of the things left to be put away don't fit, so I'm stuck with things that I don't know where to put.  Plus, to add to everything else, I wanted to do our Christmas tree, so after a visit to our storage unit we came home with more boxes.  Long story short, the guest room is back to being full of boxes.

It's not easy.  I want to get rid of stuff, and we did in between moves, but like Hubby so often says: ¨We have way too much shit for two people¨.  He's right, but how do we get rid of it all?  I have many boxes of Christmas ornaments, collectables, to name a few.  I'm planning to re-evaluate my ornaments as I take down the tree in January.  Things I haven't used in the past few years will be leaving the house, one way or another.  I've started sorting as I put up the tree and will do some more later.  It will not be an easy task for me, given that the ornaments I have were chosen, one by one, as souvenirs from different trips or received.  When we had the space (to store) I did a rotation, some year I would use some, and not the following year, but if our storage space will now be limited, I have to think about this better.  I will keep what I use, and will get creative with what I keep. Challenges up ahead!

On this challenging note of what is to come, I want to wish you a very merry Christmas!

Goodbye 2015

This time of year I usually do a little recap of the year, not only to reminisce but to give me some perspective on how my year went.  2015 was quite the year, and I would lie to say I'm sad to see it coming to its end.  It wasn't all bad, nor was it all good.  We had our fair share of crap and good times too.  I guess the bad has to come with the good, right?

This year, unlike the previous last two, I've experienced less stress... because I had to let go of all my clients when we took off for our Norway escapade.  Looking back, that was the best time of the year for me.  When I try to see why, the same reason always comes back: I didn't know anyone and didn't have to walk around on eggshells all the time. Weird how I'm realizing this now.  I loved our time away, because I was with my husband away from everything and discovering new things/places/people together.  There were no expectation, no relationship, no family, just the two of us and we loved it that way.

This year, once again, Postcrossing took a lot of room in my life.  It helped me (I'm sure, not to feel lonely and lost in the Arctic).  I've met new people, online and through different meet ups.  I was about to write it was all fun, but deleted that phrase because it wasn't.  This year, I've once again realized how people get easily upset.  They get offended by the stupidest thing, and worst thing is when it is in writing.  People will read "tones" and intents and rather than ask a question, or to do a perception check, they will get upset. Just like that.

Managing my Bacefook group has had its challenges.  Yes, I am blunt, direct, abrupt, call it what you want, but one thing for sure, I will answer you if/when you ask me a question.   I've lost members.  Some I was happy to see leave, others I didn't really care, and some I still wonder why, since they wouldn't tell me (I did ask).  When I ask for explanation I'm told I'm confrontational, so no matter what I'm fucked.

This year (again) we had a water damage, a big fucking mess.  We had to move out while the repairs were being done, etc.  I don't remember having to pack and unpack and cleaning up the places where we (had to) live so many times in one year.  So much so, that when came time to get the boxes for our Christmas tree I was done with boxes and didn't want to see any more boxes. Most likely the fact that we had no snow whatsoever until today might have contributed to my not feeling very Christmas incline.

Can you believe that I've received 337 official postcards and sent 336, of course that doesn't include all the ones I've sent at meets, while in Norway, through games, lotteries and such.  I'm thinking that for the new year, I will limit myself to officials only and slowly (but very surely) let go of my group, passing it on to others, so that I can sit back and enjoy the anonymity.  Yeah, I think that is what I will do.  Do my things and that will be it.  Now, here's a good resolution!

Since there is fresh white snow outside, it is now time for my dear husband and myself to go for a walk around our neighborhood and enjoy each others company.

Wishing you, dear blends, a very happy New Year, may it bring you health, peace, love, money and time to enjoy it all.  All the best to you and yours!

No more boxes...

It looks like our life is about to get back to normal (whatever that is!) soon...  I did manage to unpack all the boxes, while Hubby is away, and did manage to pack a few new ones.  Did a little rotation in our decor, moving things around, you know, that things we, women, do?  Since there were so many darn boxes I/we had to deal with, I've decided that this year, Christmas would be treeless.  As if Mother Nature knew this, there hasn't been snow yet in Montréal, and I'm not complaining about it at all - I like this no snow thing - so much easier to drive around, not that I do much of that lately either, but still, me likey!

Having no tree doesn't bring the Christmas feel in, true, so I've decided to open a little gift I got.

It started out like this, then I needed to add the magical potion...

After a few hours it looked like this...

and now a week later, here it is... with its decorations...

Can it be anymore lame?  Now I understand Charlie Brown!

I don't know if I'll keep my little tree until Hubby gets back, anyway, knowing him he will want to toss it out "no need for this crap, enough crap in this house", can already hear it! ah!

Things are progressing according to plan in Norway, so Hubby should be home in time... During the day I keep busy, but at night, some nights it does get boring... You see, the husband makes a lot of noises, natural noises to start with and then noises in general, so the past weeks have been quiet and it is somewhat strange to say the least, but I do enjoy the peace and quiet too.

2013 by way of the alphabet

I did this last year, and since I always do a review of the year we're about to close I thought of doing it again this way.

Apron: something I started wearing one when I bake

Bowling: activity we did one night, was fun, but really a once a year thing at most.

Cold Shoulder:  what I've been getting from Hubby's cousin, don't really know why (even if I did ask)

Dermatologist: managed to see one, burned me with dried ice and didn't resolve issue. Damn Quack!

Expectation: what I still had, since some people manage to get me down... when will I learn?

Flushed: what I did to a few of my clients.  It did take a load off, somewhat.

Garage Door: after many arguments with our neighbor and discussions with the condo admin.,
we finally got an automatic door closer installed!

Henna: what I had done for Hubby's 50th... on my ass!

Idiots: those we seem to find more and more of, even without looking for them!

Jowl: reason why I'm happy not to have Richard Fish (from Ally McBeal) in my entourage

Kitchen: a place where I seem to be spending a lot less time than I used to

Las Vegas: where we celebrated on thirteenth wedding anniversary

Mother: someone I haven't seen much of lately

Neighbor: the worst one we've never experienced finally moved away!

Obscurity: what I was in when I wrote this list, due to yet another power failure

Postcrossing: what I've been spending lots of time on...

Québec: province where we live and think it might be time to move out off

Rings: what are too loose on my fingers...

Stinkypaw: what I sort of reveal to everyone on Bacefook...

Tobi: my sweet boy, I miss dearly

UVs: what I caught too many of in Punta Cana, DR

Visits: what we made too many of, especially to funeral homes

WW: what I joined and lost twenty-three pounds, before the Holidays that is!

X-Rated: what I should probably be

Yuletide: when we did a lot of "social", time of year obliged

Zoom: what 2013 did, it zoomed by!

O Christmas Tree

Yesterday, in a local French paper there was an article which prompted me to take a picture of my (first, real) tree and share with the world to see, because what the author (Stéphane Laporte) wrote rang so very true with me.

Without further ado, let me present you, my Christmas tree!

Dec 22nd, 2013 - snow storm, freezing rain the whole deal for a real White Christmas...

It is so full that I couldn't even put all my ornaments.

We went to a local little merchant near our place, looked at a few, discussed the differences between a Fraser and something else, and bought this baby.  We brought it home.

That was Saturday, December 7th.  See how little snow we had?  None.  We had bought a stand especially for it, and once it was home, we put it in a let it "rest" or "acclimate" to being inside and relax a little.  On Sunday, I just had to decorate it.  It smelled so good.  I was truly enjoying it.

During the night of Dec. 8th or early morning Dec. 9th, I heard the sounds of Christmas balls clinking.  My first thought, when waking up, was "what is Tobi doing?" then I remembered that we no longer had a cat... Hubby got up and went to the living room, and next thing I heard was "What the fuck now?" I, too, made my way to the living room to see our tree laying on its side, with broken glass ornaments on the floor, and a naked husband trying to lift it up.  Our tree relaxed a little too much, it looked like.  We messed around with it, far too long for people who needed to be working in a few hours, cutting my foot in the process (because I was also barefoot and naked - yeah we sleep naked), but did manage to make it stand and made sure it was secure...er...

Yesterday, on my Bacefook status I wrote " I love sitting in a room lit only by the lights on the Christmas tree..." - there is something so relaxing and peaceful, I just love it.  Hubby, despite all the bitching he does, yearly, about having to log all my decorations from storage to home (storage is off site since we're living in a condo) will plug the lights on every morning, so that when I get up I see the tree lit up.  Did I tell you how much I love this man?  I do!

When I've read the article I've mentioned at the beginning,  I agreed with it.  The author is basically saying the Christmas tree is an endangered species, because many stores and public places are no longer putting them up. They prefer being neutral rather than showing a religious sign, and this even if the Christmas Tree has nothing religious about it.  It's a pagan tradition.  

Before, stores would almost compete to decorate and put up the nicest tree that would attract customers.  Nowadays, they think that by not putting one up they will attract customers but they are wrong.  Just think how many people travel, each year, to New York to see the Rockefeller Center Tree.  I know I would, and will do one year for sure. 

A Christmas tree is not only majestic, but it's does make the kid in us wake up.  I love it, just as much as I love Christmas.  It is a special time of year, and I'm not even thinking of anything religious, just the time of year where we get together with friends, and/or loved ones, where we give not only stuff but our time and attention to others.  Yes it does bring out the craziness in most, with the shopping frenzy and stress level getting higher, but when you think of it, what other time of the year forces us to see people we don't normally (and even often willingly) sit with and have dinner with?  

If only for that obligation we all, even Hubby, take time to see relatives we often don't, we get together with friends we often don't make time for and somehow, we do manage to squeeze everyone in and see them during the Holidays.  

In the article, the author wrote that if the merchants continue this way, they will make December 25th disappear and become just like any other day.  I sure hope it won't be the case, and for as long as I can (and with Hubby helping, because without his help I don't think I could) I will put up my Christmas tree and will go nuts with the gifts and Christmas cards.  I will do my best to keep Christmas alive, and like I told friends we were with yesterday, I always carry a little bell in my purse, since I saw "The Polar Express"...

At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.

My wish for you, dear blends, is that you always truly believe in the magic of Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

   

Interesting thought...

Something for you to think about as we approach the Christmas gift-giving time of year!

Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Canadians with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been  produced at the expense of Canadian labor.

This year will be different. This year Canadians will give the gift of genuine concern for other Canadians.  There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by Canadian hands. Oh ... Yes there is! It is time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local Canadian hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, Canadian owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the dollars on a Chinese-made flat-screen TV? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a gazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.

Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town with their financial lives on the line to keep Canadian doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the Canadian working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip.

And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community.

If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining Canadian pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US (We the People), encouraging Canadian small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Canadians, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we could not imagine.

THIS is the new Canadian Christmas tradition!!

I don't know if it is or will be a new tradition, but it sure reads good to me for the simple thought behind every gesture, nothing to do with where it comes from (as far as I'm concerned).  

I think it's always good to encourage the small businesses, maybe because I grew up in that world.  What this text describe, makes sense just because it is simple and will for sure please the receiver.  Don't have to spend much to please others, that much I know.  Often a small gesture will make someone happy beyond our expectations...

Well... that was fun!

It starting to look like Christmas is over and done with.  On this side of the screen at least.  My tree is now in the garbage pile - it gave its life for a good cause (our Christmases) for the last 16 years at least.  It still looks good, but some branches are falling off, so it was it's last Christmas with us.  The only thing left as proof that Christmas was here, is my door of cards.  It started slow, but eventually they started coming in; now I have a bunch.  I will wait a few more days before taking them down.  I enjoy these cute cards.

2012 Christmas Cards

Despite what our society is becoming with everyone on their phone texting, tweeting, etc. and human interaction getting less and less involved, I must say that I'm happy to see that for some people the "good old ways" of sending cards isn't dead yet.I enjoy getting cards no matter the occasion, it's always nicer to get a card than to get a bill in the mail, wouldn't you say?

I hope you've had a good Christmas.  Ours was good and somewhat quiet.  We did Hubby's family thing on the 24th, my mother's on the 22nd and the rest was spent quietly at home.  We did sweet nothing but sleep, shower, eat some and watch TV.  We've watched a few movies, and managed to catch up on all three seasons of "Downton Abbey" (if you haven't yet, check it out, it's very interesting).  Also started to watch "Sons of Anarchy" since I've heard so much about it.  I'm on the 3rd episode and I'm liking it. Very different from any English show I tell you that much!

We were hit by a snow storm Christmas week ; 45cm (+17 in) of snow in one drop.  They are starting to manage to clear the streets; our street is finally cleaned, as of tonight.  To add to the charms of the season, the temperature went down, seriously.  It is currently -20 degree C (-4 degree F); beyond the nice and crisp weather I enjoy that's for sure.

Tomorrow, I will be going to a client. I wish that I could have been off for the last two weeks but it hasn't been the case.  Despite me not going to clients, I did work from home.  At times I wish I wasn't set up to work from home at all, that way I wouldn't do when I'm (supposedly) off.  Oh the joy of being self-employed, there are big benefits but some hindrance are there as well.

Time to tackle 2013, I'm trying to convince myself ready to face it, another year to foul things up and I don't even need a computer to do so!  That's how good I am!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Dear Blends*,

 

I take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Wishing you lots of love, joy and happiness.  

Thank you for coming by here (still),

Christmastime or anytime, I'm so grateful for you!


Maybe it is just me, but I would LOVE to be witness to something like this...

* Blog Friends

Happy Hunk Day!

'Tis the Season after all...

Don't think I would mind too much being naughty with him as a Santa!

That time of the year... again!

I don't know about you, but I'm a little freaked out.  It's already the 10th of December - where did it all go?  Yesterday, Hubby and I made a mistake.  I needed specific things (read Christmas card, in French, with penguins, for our company) so after doing a quick run at the hyper crazy-busy Costco, we made our way to a pharmacy to see if they would have some cards.  Then Hubby suggested going to Dix30 - I know, crazy, right?  Actually it wasn't as bad as we thought it would be.  It was way better than Costco, anyway.  We hit Indigo and another store near by and within two hours all together  we were back home.  Not bad if I do say so myself.

Because it is that time of the year, I've been cooking/baking, not just for us but for others as well.  I've had a few orders for meat pies, chicken pot pies, some sweets... I've also baked some cookies that I've spent Thursday decorating with a dear friend.  We worked over six hours on these babies.  She took some pictures of them, but haven't sent them to me yet...

Just now I've done some sweet treats and managed to burn my index of the right hand with the boiling caramel, it hurts! Dang!  And they're not even for my pleasure!  Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who accepted to do the dishes so that my throbbing finger doesn't feel worst in the hot dish water.  Did I say how much I love this man?  I do!

No matter what I fuck up!

Strange how sometimes even the best intentions turn against you...  For over eight years I've been going to a meditation group.  Every years there's always a big Christmas celebration.  I've attended every year.  I was glad to do so.  Over the eight years span I had to make choices between attending clients' celebration or my group's.  My group always had priority.  It still does, except that for being a business operator I can not always neglect my clients, especially when it is my best one.

This year, on this coming Saturday, we had not one, not two, but three parties on the same night.  I had to make a choice and decided to attend my client's this year.  It wasn't an easy choice, and somehow still feel a little weird about it, but I couldn't be at two places at once and after last year fiasco of trying to do two parties on the same night, I've decided to only do one, fully.

My client's party will be a big fiesta, that much I know.  He loves to throw parties.  My group's party will be a little more cosy and I would get a bunch of candies.  I know, it is childish of me, be I loved that part of the party!  It's fun and we laugh a lot.

Since I won't be there for the "pinata" aspect, I had asked the girl who introduced me to this group if she would collect some candies for me.  She had agreed.  Tonight, the teacher asked me if I had asked someone to collect my gifts, etc.  I said, in front of the whole group, that I had asked Miss D. After the class, as I'm getting ready to leave, Miss M. comes to me and tells me that since Miss D isn't really comfortable with being there that evening anyway, she would love to collect candies for me.  I felt stuck.  I don't really know why, but I did.  I didn't want to upset her by saying no, and I know she's right about how Miss D feels about that whole evening, so I told her to go ahead and to collect candies for me on Saturday.

As I made my way to the door, Miss D was waiting for someone, so I told her that she should forget about my candies.  Miss M had offered, etc., etc.  Miss D was pissed, I could see it.  She was upset that Miss M didn't mind her own business and I guess she was upset at me as well.

Since I've been home I've sent her a text apologizing for my lack of back bone in saying no to Miss M, and really insisted on not wanting to upset her and asked her if we were OK.  She thanked me for the gift I'd given her (since I won't be there on Sat.)  and asked what she could say...

Damn it!  I didn't think and something simple became not so simple, because I didn't have the gull to tell one person to mind their business... shit!

I guess I am a strange bird

It hit me at some point during the day, that even if I haven't seen much of it, for whatever reason, half of October is already done with.  This whole year is zooming by at incredible speed.  I normally always count the months before Christmas as soon as we hit the 25 of any month - I'm one of those twits who say "Can you believe that in three months we'll be done with Christmas?" - what can I say I like Christmas.

I don't like the commercialization of it all; what I like is all the lights and decorations.  I loooove to sit by my tree and admire it.  I haven't done a tree in a few years, because I was too tired one year, we traveled the other, but this year I will be putting me tree up (Notice to Hubby, if you're reading this!).

Besides the rain and some cooler days, we can't complain too much about the weather.  Granted I would love for it to be sunny and warmer year 'round, but it is not the climate we live in (for now, hopefully that will change one day, before long).  We have to make due with what we have, argh.  I've started to wear socks again, proof that summer is over.  I like my toes to be warm, but wearing shoes isn't my favorite.  I much rather be in flip-flops or barefoot.  This is reminding me that tomorrow, I will have to start breaking in some new heels I've bought a while back but never worn yet.  We have a wedding on Saturday and I'm planning to break in these babies.  I'm not use to high heels, and these puppies are high - about 2.5" - that's high for me.  Good thing Hubby is tall.  Tomorrow, the plan is to wear them in the house so that I get used (some) to walking with them and don't look like Bambi on ice!

To add to the excitement of attending this wedding, I've booked myself for an appointment not with my hairdresser (my hair is so short I (think) I can manage it myself), but with a makeup artist.  I will get my face done. Ah!  I had been thinking about it, and decided why not give it a try.  I rarely wear makeup (other than eyeliner, mascara and some lip gloss), so I thought it would be different.  I just hope it won't be too much and most of all I hope not to feel dirty.  Time will tell.

That's it for news, for now.  Much more simmering.  Stay tune!

 


  

What a way to spend Christmas Eve

We followed the concierge's suggestion and went to Cuvée for diner, and this despite the bad reviews we read online.  Hubby was tempted to cancel our reservation, but I suggested that we'd give it a try.  What a pleasant surprise that was. 

The look of the place was nice (a fire pit in the middle of the courtyard, trees decorated (Christmas lights). After about 20 min of waiting, we were offered a private room rather than wait longer.  We didn't mind being by ourselves and thought others would join us.  We (read I) picked a table closest to the fireplace, and that is how started our very nice Christmas Eve diner. 

It was a four services meal which started with "Marinated King Salmon Cluster" - deliciously fresh. Then I had the "Wild Mushroom Arborio" - great taste of mushrooms and creamy. For the Main dish I had chosen "Pan Roasted Sea Scallops" with white truffles, but the Sky Hill Chevre on top didn't do it for me, so Hubby, being the great husband that he is, swap with me for his "Durham Ranch Hanger Steak" which was really good and more in my palette of taste.  Finally, for dessert I had "Hazelnut Pot de Crème"; a chocolate hazelnut custard with a crunchy praline bark and some whipped cream - very yummy.  Since I don't drink, I didn't take their wine pairing, but Hubby did and really enjoy it all.  I will say this, after this trip and after visiting some wineries in the days to come, I might be coming home with a new appreciation for wine... time will tell.

It was one of the nicest meal we've had in a while. Our assigned waitress was super nice, and added to the success of it all.  Hubby was concerned that being in a room by ourselves we may be forgotten, but it really wasn't the case, quite the contrary.  It wasn't cheap, but it was worth it for sure. Yep, this week in Napa is boding well...

C is for... ...Cookies!!

I've been busy, like the rest of us this time of year, and have this strange feeling. I know Christmas is coming and will be here before we even have time to get in the spirit of it. As I get old...er it feels like it keeps coming back faster each passing year.

I've decided not to put up our tree this year. It will be my second year without a tree. I've been hanging the cards we're receiving, and those will be the only Christmas "decorations". Maybe it is because we don't have any snow (yet), or because I feel it is too much work or to avoid Hubby's bitching about having to get all my crap from storage... but whatever the reason, there will be no tree in the Paw's household this year.

I've mailed all of our cards, and parcels. I've baked and decorated with my dear friend from high-school the cookies I wanted to offer our clients this year. I've made beautiful boxes for them and started to distribute them. The responses are very good. People love them - they are so pretty how can they not?

This year, I've decided to decorate them in our company's colors, i.e. blue (for technology), green (for being environmentally conscious) and grey (for the knowledge or to match Hubby's hair).  As you'll see below, my friend is an artist, and it shows...

Hand decorated by my artistic friend

Then, here is one of mine... can you tell I'm no artist?  Despite her encouragement, I can't help but feel somewhat self-conscious...

Hand decorated by me

I find mine have this childlike quality... I'll say this though, I may not have my friend's skills but I bake darn good, that much I know!

While I decorated one cookies, she would do three.  No matter, I'm glad she came and for the second year in a row, we've done our "Cookie Extravaganza" and the end results were, once again, amazing!

Thanks sweet buddy of mine for all your help, it wouldn't be the same without you.  It was a blast, as always!