It felt wonderful to get out in the clean fresh air with freshly fallen snow today.
I have some great Christmas memories..
Dinner at my daughter's..
Christmas eve..
Seeing my entire family two days in a row..
Thoughtfulness of friends with cards and gifts.
I appreciate it all.....
There were 2 of these:)
Their home..is like a Christmas Lodge/Yellowstone..I love it.
Their first Christmas in this home..
I think I made too many recipes.. but this one is a keeper..
Susan's....We have been friends for over 20 yrs.. .. in many corners of my home and in all my Christmas treasures..she is a key figure of a great great friend.
Selfies everywhere:)
Que c'est beau..c'est beau..l'hiver...
However..
It came and went so fast..it won't be the best Christmas in my mind on record.
MY VERY fave part was being with my family.
No doubt about it.
Funny..handsome..darling sweet teenagers..17,15,14,13.
Loves of my life.
Older ones.. 23 and 21..with new loves in their lives..OMG I met them at 6 and 8.. One is now an actuary moving to Toronto in love with a lovely girl..
The other pursuing her studies and madly in love also.
Honestly the nicest adults you could ever meet.
So that's all good..Right?
Well...
My worst pet peeve is ..no electricity.
THIS..is still in my most vivid recollections.
Prior to that.. we had ice storms and no power but at worst 4 days..
Ours lasted 14 days.
Two young daughters.. a dog..a house..no generator..we were new to this type of catastrophe.
Towards the end.. we were lent a generator.. none could be had..We bought one immediately after that..
Ours is still the same ap.25 yrs old.
And honestly..it's quite a bit of work for Jacques to get it going..
No heat..no internet..no tv..
Even data on my cell was off..
From Dec 23rd 3PM until Christmas Eve ap 10PM..we were without power and it was cold. 30 hrs.
Thankfully our daughter was hosting Christmas eve and they had power.
So we celebrated in warmth with the best company and great food.
The next morning I did brunch.
I felt like everything was off kilter and it's probably the worst brunch I ever served.The eve..I was softening butter for dough over a Bath and Body Works candle..
Anyway..
Not the Christmas of my dreams.
If I'm cold in a house..my soul freezes over.
There.That's it no more complaints.
Hohoho.
November was rough weather wise in Florida..as December became in Québec.
Funny..I don't miss Fl..even with all this..but I must say.. in inclement weather..(power failures notwithstanding) here..I have a home and many many hobbies..there. ... we are in a small unit..
Thus I painted 30 Paris People lol..
Since coming back home...nothing...no painting..
Lots of snow.. some snowshoeing..organizing..donating..
The tree stays up at least mid Jan..it lights up the dark nights.
I do hope your holidays were good..
I know many are missing loved ones..
And many are healing..
I wish you well....
xoxo
And I wish you whatever you are hoping for in the New Year.
Health..companionship..friendship..happiness..success.
You pick:)
I love the highs and the lows, not so much! What fun it must have been at C's!! The turkey looks like it wants to escape the aluminum pan - LOL. I can't even imagine hosting Christmas brunch without power the day before. Thank goodness for the generator but that isn't a fix-all with no internet or cell service. OY! We had a wonderful early Christmas at Lindsay's as they were supposed to head to Florida on the 26th, very very early in the am. Then, I'm sure you read about all the Southwest airline cancellations. Welp, they were cancelled, at 4:00 am on the 26th. What a mess and downer for them. They finally made it to Florida 3 days later but only because of a friend of the family who had hired a private plane for his family that was also stranded. Thankfully, we only had bitter cold and no blizzard or power loss. Here's to a better New Year!! We've been saying that for a while haven't we? :) Ps: Your cookies turned out great!! ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteFred was going to make turducken but we were too many so he made two turkeys:). There is no stopping him.. there are always so many apps there is almost no need for dinner.I sound awful.. so many people starving..and we have plenty:(
DeleteLindsay and Bob.. they will be like C and F when the boys are older..their grocery bill is ..off the charts..
Our generator only handles a few things..I am still grateful ..
How lucky for Lindsay et famille..glad they got to go:)
And we sure have been saying that. for a while:) Thank you re the cookies:)
Oh - so sorry you were without power! We have been through that a few times and it is brutal. It has been an odd Christmas for so many. Our family came here, but it was the coldest it has been on Christmas in 50 years. I made dinner Christmas Eve and brunch on Christmas morning. Southwest Flights were canceled for our youngest daughter and her family, so they are here until New Years Day. It has finally warmed back up, so at least we have been able to enjoy the beach. Today we are off to see the flamingos and parrots at the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Wishing you Peace, Joy & Love in the New Year.💕
ReplyDeleteI wish you the very same..Aww Sarasota will always ring a lovely bell for me:)I even met one of my fave Canadian artists in Sarasota as she had a home there too..Tricia Romance.
DeleteEnjoy your family.Oh the news reporting chaos with so many airlines..I used to do the eve and morning..kind of so happy Caroline does the eve now:)I remember taking Lucas to Mote aquarium.I have photos..he was so very little:)Bonne et heureuse Année:)
Your daughter’s house looks like the perfect place to spend Christmas - Beautiful! And yes - two big meal extravaganza’s back to back are just a bit too much for me these days. Next year will be a different plan. I just can’t pull it all together the way I used to and end up feeling frazzled. All the best to you and yours!
DeleteI hear you ..loud and clear..:) We clean up got to bed past midnight and the next morning an encore lol..divided is much better..with power even better:):)And do we ever sleep well Xmas eve? Said no..never..moi.
DeleteI enjoy your seeing your winter activities....we have similar weather and fresh air and snowshoeing is right up my alley. The candy cane cookies came out great, just like Susan's always do. Here's to a better New Year!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed!! Yes hers are always spot on..on my first attempt I thought..oh this isn't going well:) Patience..practice..Today we have rain and temps are climbing I fear all the snow will melt..Happy New Year :)
DeleteMy gosh, 14 days without power...that had to be awful! I cannot imagine preparing a brunch without electricity--you win the prize for most devoted wife/mom/grandmother. One time, when we were on our farm, we lost power for one week and I had to keep the fireplaces going while my hubby was away working. I put my foot down and we got a whole-house generator that came on, automatically, after 2 minutes of power loss. Best. Invention. Ever. I am in the process of twisting hubby's arm for another system like it at this house.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, those pictures of your snow are simply beautiful, Monique. How can something so pure and white cause so many problems??? So thankful for the blessing of family. The best Christmas gift. Your daughter's home does look like a holiday haven--perfect for your gathering. Glad you were able to hang in there, day after day, and hoping we won't have any more of those relentless winter storms! May you and your family have a splendid 2023, Monique!
Bonne Année Pam..Oh I am on him for the whole house..we will get quotes.. it's a lot for him to set it up..he says it's not..He is a storm trooper.He spends hours maintaining the snow..:)I truly think he does like it.He says it's an exercise he likes a lot.My girls say mom he shouldnt be shoveling..he says he should..Strong heart.
DeleteAnd like he would listen to me;)
I've told him..
It is a lovely holiday home.. this photo does not do it justice at all..cell phone lol..
New year..new generator?Who knows... Have a great New Year,,you know what I mean..Peace..health..happiness.
I can only imagine the difficulties & unpleasantness you endured! Yet, you were able to be with your family. Your daughter's home is very beautiful. It was an unusual Christmas for me also. Just having made the move from my home to retirement center. My seven year old grandson was ill so we postponed gathering at my daughters to celebrate until the following Tuesday. All worked out. Happy, healthy 2023 to you Monique and your family.
ReplyDeleteI wish you contentment and health and happiness and new beginnings :) Better to have put it off..wise wise wise..
DeleteI truly empathize with your lack of electricity. We have frequent ice storms and so far 5 days without power is our record. There was an up side for me during that period: I was able to take my dog to work every day and he was a perfect gentleman! I suspect that in future years your lovely family members will be reminiscing and someone will say, “Remember that awful year without power when Nana still managed to serve that awesome brunch?” ❤️
ReplyDeleteYou are really nice:) I doubt that day will ever come..honestly it was the worst brunch ever.Thankfully their other nana served them a five star meal for dinner.Next yr..more bagels and cream cheese and smoked salmon..muffins and scones..:) And the magic bacon that could not be made this yr.Your dog sounds wonderful!!
DeleteSo stressful without power! I remember the ice storm...Jon's apartment had power so he hosted many people with delicious hot soup. Glad you were able to celebrate with your family...turkey looks delicious. Amazing snow pics...looks like a perfect day. Warm wishes to you for a fabulous 2023! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI want you to have the best year everxoxox I can see Jon doing that..:) Tchin Tchin to your sweet family!
DeleteSo glad your family is close enough to see over the holidays. I feel your pain about being without electricity, internet and more. We went through that for years, until we got a generator installed. Without electricity, we had no water. We had to bring in buckets of water to flush the toilets. Candlelight and battery lanterns. Your daughter's home looks beautiful. Here's to a happy, healthy new year filled with hope and peace.
ReplyDeleteHear hear Linda! Peace (so much violence) health( please ) happiness(yes please)..the best of things to wish.I would really like an automatic generator..too much work for J I find..he says no..but he has to hook up in a cold garage.. blablabla..Your well needs it I guess..We are spoiled I know but electricity is one of my very fave things ever. Things.;)
DeleteWe had so much snow before Christmas I was a prisoner. My little Corolla couldn’t navigate the snow bank at the end of our drive. Our ferries and planes were grounded because of ice. We are now back to torrential rain and grey skies but I can handle that. We’re very wimpy on the west coast! . Your daughter’s house looks fabulous. Bonne Annee , Angharad
ReplyDeleteIt's quite fabulous..when she drives home from work and sees it..she is so grateful.It was meant to be..I am very happy for them all.I saw all the havoc the snow caused out west..I have a Fiat so I understand Corolla..;)We are now in Wuthering Heights fog and sombre skies and a too fast thaw..very unusual..and not pretty..Happy New Year to you:)
DeleteI see you as the most loving perfect daughter and I am sure asking for store bought was just something that made her smile.It's almost kid humor.We are now in a Wuthering Heights stage..usually it is 1 F. ..it's 41F. a lot of snow has melted..it's a sombre as sombre can be.
ReplyDeleteNo showshoeing this week..:(
He made two turkeys.. so used disposable..I love the way it bent for the photo.Like you..these children and their children light u our lives.We think of them and smile:) You know it!Happy NY Jeanie and Rick et al.:)
Wishing you and your lovely family all the best for a wonderful New Year filled with fun, health, peace and joy, joy, joy….oh and plenty of electricity. As ever, thank you for sharing. xo, V.
ReplyDeleteSo NYE.. electricity went off again..Only 3 hrs ..if that much..there was no reason apparent a safety issue..I hope you had a nice evening..and here's to you having a lovely NY:)x
DeleteOh, my, I had no idea you were dealing with such a stressful time. I'm sorry you had to suffer through days without power. In the cold no less! Knowing you, you managed and handled it all with grace. The snowy outing looks fresh and inviting, though this TX girl isn't much for being out in in snow. We had severe winter weather early, five days of freezing temps in the teens. My beautiful newly planted landscape took a beating. I covered things, but it was too cold for an extended period of time. Time will tell if the new plants will survive, though I'm not stressing. Loss has taken on new perspective for me.
ReplyDeleteIt's and hour and twenty minutes into the new year, and I still hear bursts of fireworks. Enough is enough.
Happy 2023, dear Monique. All the best for the year ahead.
xox I heard lots of fireworks too.By then..by 9 I was in bed:)I heard them until the NY..
DeleteI've never LOVED NYE..for some reason..it seems to be filled with expectations..
I actually am not fond of expectations..because..well they don't come true.
How I find your reflection that major life changing events change our perspective..on many things..so very accurate.
Thinking of you..of course you know that..xoxoxo
Yikes that's a bad time to be without power or heat. I have no tolerance for being cold. I'm so glad we now have a whole house generator. I'm so glad you had a warm home to spend the day at. That turkey looks like it was about to tumble to the floor. Your Caroline is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAll that snow! Nice to look at but the reality of dealing with it is daunting. None here yet but the worst part of winter is yet to come.
We have had unseasonably warm weather and I see gardens..So much snow has melted..it's grey grey grey..
DeleteHe baked two turkeys..lol it does look like an accident could have happened.
Oh well..not the Christmas season of my dreams..but onward right?Always onward while we can;)Happy New One A..Heathy and happy:)
What a snow !!!……. Happy new year…thanks for your friendship last year…wishing you all the best for 2023…love love love from me and Leaf 🍀❤️🐾🍀
ReplyDeleteAnd you will have it every yr:)xoxox
DeleteHappy New Year Monique! Let's hope 2023 is kind to us all! I had no idea you were without power. How horrible and just before Christmas as well. What a trooper. You managed to have a great holiday with your family all the same. Beautiful photos. Lovely words. Thank you so much for your friendship through the years. It has meant the world to me! Love and hugs always, xoxo
ReplyDeleteI cant say it was my fave holiday..but that happens..I was happy however to read that yours was wonderful:) The yrs are flying by Marie..So fast..Thank you also for all these years!
DeleteGreat article! I found your insights really informative. I would like to share information about the company. Opt for our Hybrid Application Development Company in Pune for a revolutionary digital journey that seamlessly connects native and web applications. Your triumph is our foremost objective, and we are committed to pushing technological boundaries to provide solutions that propel your business to unprecedented heights.
ReplyDelete