One thing.. I hate.

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                                                   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..:)

December:)

 

Molly..Heather's Doggie:

Koko..One of my daughter's doggie:)

Grizzly ..my other daughter's doggie:)

I had such a nice evening Thursday.. with my favorite people.

A wreath making evening.. at a gorgeous venue.. wine was served and a variety of  cheese.. and breads.Top notch..charcuterie spread.Full house..

We all enjoyed making our wreaths..both girls and a dear dear friend..for 30 yrs at least..

I have pics lol so the doggies posed;)

So much fun.. This is upon arrival..lol you should have seen the tables after:)

I'll start my baking soon..not as much as usual:)We get the leftovers and we don't eat like we used to:)

I am going to be naughty and make Bits and Bites.. :) Those I cannot resist ..So this yr..I am going for it;)

No snow yet..just tiny flurries..here and there..tiny.

Tree and lights are on point..All decked out..Colonial candles in windows..been doing them for 30 yrs at least:)

Here's to December. May your hardships be very few..

If I could wish you all..only the best for this season and the new year..

It would be health..above all.. happiness and peace.

And love always.

PS..This was the venue