Happy Holidays

Christmas Day was a hit. It brought smiles, laughter, good food, good friends, traditions continued such as homemade icecream & licking the beater, very little stress (wow!), and we are already looking forward to next year.

Until then, we'll do it all again this Saturday with 36 members of my immediate family. (Only one sister and her family will be missing.) It's certain that Saturday will bring more noise, laughter and good memories to follow.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays

Christmas Day was a hit. It brought smiles, laughter, good food, good friends, traditions continued such as homemade icecream & licking the beater, very little stress (wow!), and we are already looking forward to next year.

Until then, we'll do it all again this Saturday with 36 members of my immediate family. (Only one sister and her family will be missing.) It's certain that Saturday will bring more noise, laughter and good memories to follow.

Merry Christmas!

It Has Begun...

Technically the big day isn't here, yet but for us it really has begun. My mom arrives tonight...of course we have to share her with my sister & her family...
...gift shopping is complete....wrapping is unfinished
...some baking has taken place, been consumed, given away, and there's more to do yet
...grocery shopping this afternoon
...convincing my little W to nap....every day! For some reason he has decided to forgo his morning nap and this is just not an option. He NEEDS it. Let's face it, I do too. So, I shall keep trying and in the mean time...
....stare at the pile of gifts to be wrapped, housekeeping to complete and wish I was Sabrina the Witch & could twitch my nose & all is done.

It Has Begun...

Technically the big day isn't here, yet but for us it really has begun. My mom arrives tonight...of course we have to share her with my sister & her family...
...gift shopping is complete....wrapping is unfinished
...some baking has taken place, been consumed, given away, and there's more to do yet
...grocery shopping this afternoon
...convincing my little W to nap....every day! For some reason he has decided to forgo his morning nap and this is just not an option. He NEEDS it. Let's face it, I do too. So, I shall keep trying and in the mean time...
....stare at the pile of gifts to be wrapped, housekeeping to complete and wish I was Sabrina the Witch & could twitch my nose & all is done.

Look at me

Look at me

Christmas Baking...the EASY way

Normally, baking from scratch is something I find soothing and take pride in. However, for whatever reason, I'm not all that interested in the long hand method at the moment so will be taking some short cuts. Here's what I have on the go this week.

Friendship Cookies
Box of chocolate cake mix 1
Cooking oil 1/2 cup
Water 1/4 cup
Large egg 1
Chocolate chips - white or mint 1 cup (or more!)
Combine first 4 ingredients. Add chocolate chips. Mix well. Drop using 1 tbsp aabt 2 in apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake in 350 oven for 10-12 min until set and tops of cookies appear cracked. DO NOT OVER BAKE. Makes abt 4 dozen cookies. ~ Told you it's all about easy this year!

Easy Nut Brittle in the Microwave by Julie. One year I attempted Brittle the long way and what a mess! Boiled over, couldn't quite get the temperature right, some yelling took place and a whole lot of cleaning. THIS has to be better!

Mincemeat Butter Cookies...again by Julie. My favorite husband's mother brought a jar of mincemeat that she and her purple gang made...tarts are not my favorite, so I thought I'ld try this.

Now, to decide the menu for Christmas Day. It won't be contrived of easy, short cut methods. Besides Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Surprise and "Wheat Salad" (it's made of wheat, creamcheese, vanilla pudding, pineapple, etc...not really a traditional salad, but super tasty) what will be served?

Christmas Baking...the EASY way

Normally, baking from scratch is something I find soothing and take pride in. However, for whatever reason, I'm not all that interested in the long hand method at the moment so will be taking some short cuts. Here's what I have on the go this week.

Friendship Cookies
Box of chocolate cake mix 1
Cooking oil 1/2 cup
Water 1/4 cup
Large egg 1
Chocolate chips - white or mint 1 cup (or more!)
Combine first 4 ingredients. Add chocolate chips. Mix well. Drop using 1 tbsp aabt 2 in apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake in 350 oven for 10-12 min until set and tops of cookies appear cracked. DO NOT OVER BAKE. Makes abt 4 dozen cookies. ~ Told you it's all about easy this year!

Easy Nut Brittle in the Microwave by Julie. One year I attempted Brittle the long way and what a mess! Boiled over, couldn't quite get the temperature right, some yelling took place and a whole lot of cleaning. THIS has to be better!

Mincemeat Butter Cookies...again by Julie. My favorite husband's mother brought a jar of mincemeat that she and her purple gang made...tarts are not my favorite, so I thought I'ld try this.

Now, to decide the menu for Christmas Day. It won't be contrived of easy, short cut methods. Besides Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Surprise and "Wheat Salad" (it's made of wheat, creamcheese, vanilla pudding, pineapple, etc...not really a traditional salad, but super tasty) what will be served?

Christmas Traditions

With Christmas pending the idea of traditions and memories of Christmases past are everpresent. Growing up our family did not hold a strong faith yet I was "forced" (not that it was so bad...) to attend Sunday School thereby participating in the Sunday School Christmas Concert every year. The excitement of a new Christmas dress, learning lines, new songs, maybe even playing the piano or clairinet in the pageant...oh! Those were the fun times! On Christmas Eve as many of our family as possible would gather for a dinner of steak and yams/sweet potatoes. This was my dad's idea and where it came from I'm not quite sure. This Eve meal tradition will not be carried on by me as I dislike both dishes and always have....even though I make a lovely Sweet Potato Surprise (that I never eat). Christmas morning was of course full of excitment and painful as we waited impatiently for dad to finish his coffee and cigarrette so that we could open presents. He sat on the floor beside the tree and distributed the gifts....which was another lesson in patience as sometimes the gift tag wasn't read properly or just read and passed out REALLY s-l-o-w!
Fast forward 24 years and my favorite husband and I are celebrating & hosting Christmas in our own home for the first time. What traditions will we carry over from our childhood? What traditions will we start anew? Well, first off, we will be opening one gift each on Christmas Eve which consists of a new pair of cozy pyjamas. This way we will all have snuggly new pjs for Christmas morn.
There will be NO steak and yams....no smoking & coffee...no waiting impatiently.
Presents will be opened one person at a time so we can all enjoy the gift giving extravaganza....not a free-for-all, paper shredding, hoopla to which I am accustomed. This more thoughtful way is from my favorite husband's childhood experience.
Will we make homemade ice cream Christmas morning and lick the giant beater? (Husband's tradition) This is yet to be seen.
A delicious strata or wife saver will be served for breakfast (I started this at home once I graduated from high school.) A 22lb turkey courtesy of my sister-in-law's parents will be roasted, copious amounts of food will be consumed, there will be NO TV, and somewhere in the day a family nap will take place. All in all a very good day. Not very faith oriented....which is something I need to give more thought to.

Christmas Traditions

With Christmas pending the idea of traditions and memories of Christmases past are everpresent. Growing up our family did not hold a strong faith yet I was "forced" (not that it was so bad...) to attend Sunday School thereby participating in the Sunday School Christmas Concert every year. The excitement of a new Christmas dress, learning lines, new songs, maybe even playing the piano or clairinet in the pageant...oh! Those were the fun times! On Christmas Eve as many of our family as possible would gather for a dinner of steak and yams/sweet potatoes. This was my dad's idea and where it came from I'm not quite sure. This Eve meal tradition will not be carried on by me as I dislike both dishes and always have....even though I make a lovely Sweet Potato Surprise (that I never eat). Christmas morning was of course full of excitment and painful as we waited impatiently for dad to finish his coffee and cigarrette so that we could open presents. He sat on the floor beside the tree and distributed the gifts....which was another lesson in patience as sometimes the gift tag wasn't read properly or just read and passed out REALLY s-l-o-w!
Fast forward 24 years and my favorite husband and I are celebrating & hosting Christmas in our own home for the first time. What traditions will we carry over from our childhood? What traditions will we start anew? Well, first off, we will be opening one gift each on Christmas Eve which consists of a new pair of cozy pyjamas. This way we will all have snuggly new pjs for Christmas morn.
There will be NO steak and yams....no smoking & coffee...no waiting impatiently.
Presents will be opened one person at a time so we can all enjoy the gift giving extravaganza....not a free-for-all, paper shredding, hoopla to which I am accustomed. This more thoughtful way is from my favorite husband's childhood experience.
Will we make homemade ice cream Christmas morning and lick the giant beater? (Husband's tradition) This is yet to be seen.
A delicious strata or wife saver will be served for breakfast (I started this at home once I graduated from high school.) A 22lb turkey courtesy of my sister-in-law's parents will be roasted, copious amounts of food will be consumed, there will be NO TV, and somewhere in the day a family nap will take place. All in all a very good day. Not very faith oriented....which is something I need to give more thought to.

Mother Hubbard's Cupboard

Mother Hubbard's Cupboard

Festive Fellow

Festive Fellow

16 Months

16 Months...still in the Little Explorer stage...and that he does!

This month has brought new stages of climbing, figuring out how to reach things that are off limits, throwing anything over the gate & down the stairs this includes all the cushions off the couches, kitchen utensils, toys, my shoes, etc, a small vocabulary has begun..."oh-oh, up, yuck, hot, Da (for Dad), mum-mum-mum (= yum, yum,yum...learned from a Cookie Monster toy), and the first syllables of a few other words. W still runs as fast as he can, will bolt when he sees you coming with a kleenex in hand, and loves to play & chat before eventually falling asleep for a nap. If you check in on him he has been known to quickly lie down in his crib & exclaim "oh-oh!"....knowing he's busted & should be sleeping.

The old cliche about "time flies" is all too true but I find myself looking forward to his vocabulary increasing. It'll be so fun, funny and will hopefully ease frustration on both our parts. However, that will mean I must watch what I say...no more "Holy Crap" from me, although I should KNOW this as my neice informs me I should say "crum".

16 Months

16 Months...still in the Little Explorer stage...and that he does!

This month has brought new stages of climbing, figuring out how to reach things that are off limits, throwing anything over the gate & down the stairs this includes all the cushions off the couches, kitchen utensils, toys, my shoes, etc, a small vocabulary has begun..."oh-oh, up, yuck, hot, Da (for Dad), mum-mum-mum (= yum, yum,yum...learned from a Cookie Monster toy), and the first syllables of a few other words. W still runs as fast as he can, will bolt when he sees you coming with a kleenex in hand, and loves to play & chat before eventually falling asleep for a nap. If you check in on him he has been known to quickly lie down in his crib & exclaim "oh-oh!"....knowing he's busted & should be sleeping.

The old cliche about "time flies" is all too true but I find myself looking forward to his vocabulary increasing. It'll be so fun, funny and will hopefully ease frustration on both our parts. However, that will mean I must watch what I say...no more "Holy Crap" from me, although I should KNOW this as my neice informs me I should say "crum".

12 Days of Christmas

If you're planning to take in the festivities at Heritage Park...go early in the day.

The line ups had my favorite husband just steamed! Good thing our little guy is relatively patient.

We sang our High Country hearts out...and did fairly well, all things considered.

12 Days of Christmas

If you're planning to take in the festivities at Heritage Park...go early in the day.

The line ups had my favorite husband just steamed! Good thing our little guy is relatively patient.

We sang our High Country hearts out...and did fairly well, all things considered.

Belly Steps

W's sleep routine includes a "snuggle & a song"...rocking in the rocking chair while singing the same three songs each time. Well, his preferred position is lying against my chest with his head on my shoulder. Now that my belly is expanding he uses it as a stepping stone. Standing on the top of my belly allows him to get even higher onto my shoulder to snuggle in. It might be okay now, but just wait until this baby kicks him back when he steps on her...or him.

Belly Steps

W's sleep routine includes a "snuggle & a song"...rocking in the rocking chair while singing the same three songs each time. Well, his preferred position is lying against my chest with his head on my shoulder. Now that my belly is expanding he uses it as a stepping stone. Standing on the top of my belly allows him to get even higher onto my shoulder to snuggle in. It might be okay now, but just wait until this baby kicks him back when he steps on her...or him.

Genetic Wonder

Scientific fact is one thing, but sometimes I just like to ignore genetics (when it's convenient for me of course!) and put my faith into the environment and learned behavior. Well, once again I have been proven there are two sides to every thing.
According to some sources our little fellow seemed to resemble me more than his dad. Personally, I see him as himself and don't see a strong influence of either of us. Then there's his gran who I "caught" holding baby W up against the wall beside a picture of his uncle, only to hear her exclaim, "That settles it he's (uncle) Bs!" Well, if that didn't knock my socks off as I KNOW that's not possible. Anyway, I digress....Recently we have had a great number of people comment that our little W looks just like his Dad, the spitting image, etc. Which is fine by me. As I happen to think W's dad is quite handsome!
The next genetic anomaly which has come glaringly to the surface is the need for clean hands. Apparently when my favorite husband was a boy, playing out doors was more of an exercise in running as every time he got his hands dirty he would race to the house to wash. Dirty hands were not acceptable. Well, now, we have a son who recently has adopted this same mindset. W's face can be as dirty as the floors in the bus depot, but his hands cannot. Nor can they be wet. Even suds in the tub must be rinsed and dried off. Rub a little banana all over his face and that's just fine, in fact add some to his hair and it's even better, but for goodness sakes do NOT get any on his hands!
So, other than a clean hand gene pool, how can this be explained? He's only 15 mths old. It's not learned...not environment. Genes it is.
Which means one more thing....he'll soon be lining every toy, etc up in a straight line. Another anomaly from the genetic pool.

Genetic Wonder

Scientific fact is one thing, but sometimes I just like to ignore genetics (when it's convenient for me of course!) and put my faith into the environment and learned behavior. Well, once again I have been proven there are two sides to every thing.
According to some sources our little fellow seemed to resemble me more than his dad. Personally, I see him as himself and don't see a strong influence of either of us. Then there's his gran who I "caught" holding baby W up against the wall beside a picture of his uncle, only to hear her exclaim, "That settles it he's (uncle) Bs!" Well, if that didn't knock my socks off as I KNOW that's not possible. Anyway, I digress....Recently we have had a great number of people comment that our little W looks just like his Dad, the spitting image, etc. Which is fine by me. As I happen to think W's dad is quite handsome!
The next genetic anomaly which has come glaringly to the surface is the need for clean hands. Apparently when my favorite husband was a boy, playing out doors was more of an exercise in running as every time he got his hands dirty he would race to the house to wash. Dirty hands were not acceptable. Well, now, we have a son who recently has adopted this same mindset. W's face can be as dirty as the floors in the bus depot, but his hands cannot. Nor can they be wet. Even suds in the tub must be rinsed and dried off. Rub a little banana all over his face and that's just fine, in fact add some to his hair and it's even better, but for goodness sakes do NOT get any on his hands!
So, other than a clean hand gene pool, how can this be explained? He's only 15 mths old. It's not learned...not environment. Genes it is.
Which means one more thing....he'll soon be lining every toy, etc up in a straight line. Another anomaly from the genetic pool.

This Week So Far...

It's Wednesday already...yay. Funny...how even though I don't work out of the home I still look forward to the weekends. Probably because my favorite husband doesn't have to work and we are home together as a family.
Our little W is still one cute ball of mucous. This is going on three weeks! Plus he now seems to have excema. So, I'm considering the fact that there is a milk allergy at work here. His skin has always been so perfect & neither parents have excema. Milk is a definite culprit for this skin condition and then there's the never ending mucous and rattle in his chest. So, yesterday was his first day on Soy Milk in an attempt to rid him of dripping and drying up. Let's hope this works!
It's also been restablished for us that W is a boy of routine. He thrives on routine and if his schedule gets off balance...."oh-oh"! Monday & yesterday he had a late morning nap and therefore would NOT go down for an afternoon nap. I tried and tried only to gain a result of very loud protests and tears for over an hour. His...not mine. Although the thought may have crossed my desperate mind. So, lesson learned by me and therefore today is routine day...getting back to his regular nap schedule.
Last night the community choir I belong to performed at the Father Lacombe Care Centre. It's always nice to bring some Christmas cheer to seniors who aren't able to get out much, but let me tell you the whole choir was ready to faint mid-song. The temperature was stifling! The poor fellow beside me was literally dripping throughout the 45 min program. Then there's me in "my condition" (I think it's hilarious when people say this to me ..."condition"...) feeling faint as well. If that wasn't distracting enough, there were dogs & cats with the Pals Program about, seniors singing "la la la" loud, proud and off key, plus one poor Resident missed her walker and ended up on the floor with a bang. Not a stellar event....well, I know I was overbaked and distracted to say the very least. This Sat at Heritage Park should be better. At least the temp will be.
Dr. Who, Where, When, What??!! Oh, I have been cursing the health care system and desperately searching for a new and appropriate maternity doctor. Last week there was a day of tears and probably curses too, but yesterday luck shone on me! The Dr I have been wanting and trying to see called to book an appointment. Yay! She comes highly recommended by our doula. I am so excited and grateful that this has worked in my favor.
And now I will stop boring you with all of this and make the most of what is left of my quiet time as our little bubby naps the morning away. Until next time...

This Week So Far...

It's Wednesday already...yay. Funny...how even though I don't work out of the home I still look forward to the weekends. Probably because my favorite husband doesn't have to work and we are home together as a family.
Our little W is still one cute ball of mucous. This is going on three weeks! Plus he now seems to have excema. So, I'm considering the fact that there is a milk allergy at work here. His skin has always been so perfect & neither parents have excema. Milk is a definite culprit for this skin condition and then there's the never ending mucous and rattle in his chest. So, yesterday was his first day on Soy Milk in an attempt to rid him of dripping and drying up. Let's hope this works!
It's also been restablished for us that W is a boy of routine. He thrives on routine and if his schedule gets off balance...."oh-oh"! Monday & yesterday he had a late morning nap and therefore would NOT go down for an afternoon nap. I tried and tried only to gain a result of very loud protests and tears for over an hour. His...not mine. Although the thought may have crossed my desperate mind. So, lesson learned by me and therefore today is routine day...getting back to his regular nap schedule.
Last night the community choir I belong to performed at the Father Lacombe Care Centre. It's always nice to bring some Christmas cheer to seniors who aren't able to get out much, but let me tell you the whole choir was ready to faint mid-song. The temperature was stifling! The poor fellow beside me was literally dripping throughout the 45 min program. Then there's me in "my condition" (I think it's hilarious when people say this to me ..."condition"...) feeling faint as well. If that wasn't distracting enough, there were dogs & cats with the Pals Program about, seniors singing "la la la" loud, proud and off key, plus one poor Resident missed her walker and ended up on the floor with a bang. Not a stellar event....well, I know I was overbaked and distracted to say the very least. This Sat at Heritage Park should be better. At least the temp will be.
Dr. Who, Where, When, What??!! Oh, I have been cursing the health care system and desperately searching for a new and appropriate maternity doctor. Last week there was a day of tears and probably curses too, but yesterday luck shone on me! The Dr I have been wanting and trying to see called to book an appointment. Yay! She comes highly recommended by our doula. I am so excited and grateful that this has worked in my favor.
And now I will stop boring you with all of this and make the most of what is left of my quiet time as our little bubby naps the morning away. Until next time...

Monkey-Moo

Climb, climb, climb! Is there a tree somewhere for me? No?!

Well, a window will do...or maybe an end table which will help me in reaching off limits pictures and such.

Monkey-Moo

Climb, climb, climb! Is there a tree somewhere for me? No?!

Well, a window will do...or maybe an end table which will help me in reaching off limits pictures and such.

Hobby Biker

Once upon a time in February, W's Uncle B delivered a fun, hobby Harley. At that time W was just too little and not quite coordinated enough to start his biking past time just yet. Alas, time and W has progressed and the hobby has begun. Which is quite a surpise to W's dad as he was sure being a biker would not start until he was at least 3 yrs of age. Well, W has proved us wrong.

Wanna race Uncle B?

Hobby Biker

Once upon a time in February, W's Uncle B delivered a fun, hobby Harley. At that time W was just too little and not quite coordinated enough to start his biking past time just yet. Alas, time and W has progressed and the hobby has begun. Which is quite a surpise to W's dad as he was sure being a biker would not start until he was at least 3 yrs of age. Well, W has proved us wrong.

Wanna race Uncle B?