Quiet..Winter is quiet...I love that.

 

Starting off the year with a challenge for me.I am not a joiner of sorts..but on IG Hello Lovely People suggested painting 100 small paintings.. 3x3..I am going to discipline myself  to do it.I hope its not like the treadmill that my husband has been constantly doing every single morning for 30 yrs weekends included.I fell off the wagon..

Very early on.

The cute Sun Sprouts kit one of my daughters gave me for Christmas works very well.In about 3 days you have a container.I like the sprouts on avocado toast...or a spoonful..on their own;)

If you don't like taking care of things like plants etc ..It is not for you.There is rinsing involved etc..Checking..I like taking care of things..

The world is facing so many unfortunate life changing events:(

The images coming out of the LA fires.. the wars..

So much criticism on all counts.

So many tears shed.

Today I made a huge batch of spaguetti sauce with meatballs..I watched the snow gently fall through the kitchen windows,realizing once more how grateful I am.

I love our home.I know I repeat myself but I do.

To see it go up in flames ..I cannot imagine.

All the memories.. the photos..the work that went into it.

Watching my littles grow here.. I cannot imagine.

My mother's things..

My own daughters things..The wedding dresses in the attic..the dollhouses..

My mom's paintings..

I cannot imagine..

All the while making my sauce..

Images flashing across our screens.. turmoil in politics..

and then this..

Our Canadian Water Bombers in LA.. helping our neighbours.

I am grateful for hobbies:)

Grateful for childhood friends who are thoughtful enough to send me 40 yr old photos of myself..40 yrs ago!! At least.See how fast time flies.That little one  will be 48 this Feb..My youngest..And was I ever this young?

I am so glad we did not have SM and phones etc..My attention was devoted to the girls.They were not on IG and TT..nor was I.

I think I lived in a much simpler time.

When you get to be 71.. you realize you are certainly not immortal.

Some worries set in.

And you hope so much for your littles now BIGS heading into their futures..

It doesn't take much to enjoy a little R and R

A fave spot with a very nice person.I am more a one on one now apart from family..not a party girl..not a group girl.

Too many people for 30 yrs..

I guess..who knows why we change?

I know a few reasons..I'm not being honest here lol..re why I prefer one on one now.

But the quality of one on one..

Is just precious.

Here's a bit of love in a cup for all.

One thing.. I hate.

.                   

                                                   Free photo stock..not mine.

 Well there are more than one..but honestly on TikTok.. seeing the young people..and their Xmas HAULS..is disturbing.

So many gifts.. so much $$$.The above so tame and lovely..the hauls.. what is it with this excessive overabundance of gifts? 

I love seeing the ones where they get a puppy.. where people don't have much and someone comes through for them..When someone is ill and gets better..when a sentimental gift is offered..everything within reason.

All the sweet charming moments ..not the overspoiling of our youth.I don't know if you have seen any..but wow..too much..Like thousands of $$$...

Christmas eve day gave us the perfect snowfall..glistening sparkly snow..

It meant doing a system restore for our Christmas family to arrive.

I kid you not he does it all:)

We had so much fun at my daughter's Xmas eve. A house full of people..

Delicious food.. sit down meal for 14.

Some homes have 14 matching chairs.. we don't..

so it's a bit of this and a bit of that.No one notices.

The tables are set with love and attention.

I look at all the Littles so big now..

In the blink of an eye..

Lucas Max Oli Noah

Adamo Giuliana William

The table will just get bigger and bigger..as we get smaller an smaller:)

Perfect Hallmark Christmas weather.

I love when that happens.

Funny thing..at my daughter's on the eve.. we were satiated.. lucky to have such great food before the meal and at the meal.. after the meal..some fun games were played.. late in the evening my daughter took out all her beautiful bite sized desserts and we did each take one but there were so many.

We were just too full.

And my dessert table?

As everyone was leaving after brunch..one of my daughters exclaimed..mom we forgot the desserts..:(

And so we had.

Can you imagine?

Next yr..I am making a bûche de Noël and putting it in the middle of the table.

How will we be able to forget then:)

And that's it.

Shortbread because how can we not.

And Dream bars...Because I remember my mom making those.

The weather has turned foggy and mild with some rain..it will be like this for a few days then a deep freeze again.

Happy New Year to you..

Health and happiness.

2025.

New hobby Sun Sprouts..

Our new welcome mat.

...3 days away...

 

I usually post ..too much right before Christmas and Springtime..

My two most  on hands seasons..

I did once again make one box for one couple..I hope they enjoy it..

I was looking forward to a Christmas coffee with my young friend..but her mom got covid..then she did:(

So that is def on hold..

However I was able to make a no contact visit..She lives at the end of a long long long country road..

Gates..and wreaths:)

Enchanting you see...:)

This year I changed the recipes up a bit.. vintage ones came back to play..

Brought back many memories..

Bits and Bites..Nuts and Bolts.. I can walk away from sweets but these garlicky salty Worcestershire ..y treats are like..crack to me as they say..;)

Our government has ordered the postal strikers back to work.. we will see if that happens as strikers are contesting..

Even if they do go back..the holiday backlog is enormous and things would never get to destination for weeks.All I had prepared is nestled away for next yr..which will be my last yr mailing things.

Only my niece will be mailed her cheque this yr. Even if she gets it later.. she can buy things on sale.

Bah humbug..CP was the Grinch that stole Christmas..for so many..Passports for trips..medications.. drivers licenses,,small enterprises banking on xmas sales.. gifts.. etc..cheques..

Look under our tree circa 1958?Look below..Same.

Baby Jesus is missing two arms..he is wax.

I could never part with this.

Details on a full size cross stitch stocking my first manager made for me.She is the reason I did not give up right away when I became a realtor all those years ago.I was so young ..28..both girls were now in school full time..

To say I faced adversity lol..is putting it mildly.

We stayed in touch even when she left.

Years later I was at her celebration of life after she had passed away.

It is proudly displayed every Christmas.

As I write this..Tuesday I mailed two things.. both arrived the next day.Go figure.

I was elated my niece got her gift.

I had a wonderful visit from my friend Nancy.. she was my neighbour and moved several years ago..

She came for a visit:)

A holiday gift.

My daughter has been a kindergarten teacher for 100 yrs..She started with older grades but her heart gravitated towards littles.Every yr  Xmastime.. they wear their pjs to class.. and have a sock exchange.I can never post her students but I can post their feet.

Every time I meet people that have children my daughter has taught..they tell me she's the best teacher.At the wreath making..one woman was there.. her son is marrying a girl he met in my daughter's class  so many years ago..this summer:)

So it's no easy feat as here in QC unless you have an exemption.. you must go to French school.. so the majority of these Littles are English..their first foray into school and French..is my daughter:)

Tucked in a box ready for Christmas

I made Sol's cheese crackers..I have 2 of her recipes one with cheddar one with parm..both very very good..Appéritif good.

We all have cheese coin recipes.. I have a little folder but ..I think I have 4 faves:)

And ..Tada..you have to try Marie's French Gingerbread cake recipe..

Hands down..by far.. top drawer...BEST

A childhood friend.. sent me photos of when we were about 30 maybe less..

Well ..I should have appreciated me more then lol:)

But it was a gift ..a Christmas gift to receive.

She always had a sweetness.

Have yourself..Happy Holidays..to my friends of all beliefs..

Health in the new year..and a cozy blanket to comfort you..in your heart and outside of it.

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année.

I'm sorry to say my blog will now have comment moderation in the New Year.

That way THE anonymous will no longer be able to be cruel towards ..my friends..or my baby Jesus.

On our way towards Christmas..

The baking has begun..The first snowfall does that to me:)

And feet fell overnight...

Butter Tarts..always..recipes are as many as choco chip cookies or banana bread or shortbread;)

Shortbreads in many variations as they are my favorites. And my husband's..

The new kind since last yr..are the Mary Macleods.. I received a commercial boxed package from Susan..In Ontario. Her name on IG is susans_journal  ..I was happy to find a close enough recipe..

I also tried a fun..bredelé recipe..  it means sugared around the edges..these are choco chip/pistachio..crunchy..:)The recipe was found on IG. at Casseroleetchocolat.

The gingerbread..faux..just tree decor:)

A little off this Xmas..my cards were painted.. my ornaments stitched for gifts far and wide..and money for a relative.

This will be my last yr.

Because its heartbreaking when your postal service strikes at this time of yr.

These will not go out this yr..no hope in the future for a resolution.. 

This will be my last bath of gifts and cards..  

I was holding out..

No more.

Another new favorite..

Weekend at the cottage shortbread..perfect for stamping.I have a file folder..all shortbread;)

I glazed some following a method I found on IG by  https://www.latortadijulia.de/

Have fun doing whatever you do at this time of year:)

I realize I am lucky to be able to buy ingredients and gifts..

I never take one thing for granted.

Our world is changing headed rapidly towards AI.

I see warped politics..wars.. sorrow..illness..in so many places.

I sit quietly and do what I like to stay in a zone.

Soon 71.. It's my fave place.

Had to add yesterday:)For memory..

A boatload of pure white arrived..:)