Peace, Love, Joy:
All the best of the holiday season to you and yours,
from me and mine.
While I'm Writing, Watch These Ladies
4 hours ago
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
House Elf
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
A Tree, Finally
The last week kind of exploded for me and it put our holiday preparations behind schedule - some of it by quite a lot. But we did finally get our tree up.
It's a little one but it's very child friendly. There's nothing but lights, garlands, and big velvet bows on it. Which means there's nothing to break, swallow, or cut a small boy with.
But still so pretty.
Happy Wednesday, Michele
It's a little one but it's very child friendly. There's nothing but lights, garlands, and big velvet bows on it. Which means there's nothing to break, swallow, or cut a small boy with.
But still so pretty.
Happy Wednesday, Michele
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Solstice Night
Tonight, we'll celebrate the Solstice. There will be a feast, and a bonfire. And there will be wishes for the future and rememberances of the past.
Most importantly, the longest night of the year means that the turning of the earth will bring us back to the days of light.
If you haven't yet, you should give this book a read. It's full of legends, stories and traditions from around the world, all celebrating the sun and the winter solstice.
When you live in the north, whether it's the far north, or just above of the 49th parallel, the light becomes the clock by which you await the seasons. I, for one, love this midwinter day, because if we made it to here, we can surely make it to another spring.
Happy Solstice, Michele
Most importantly, the longest night of the year means that the turning of the earth will bring us back to the days of light.
If you haven't yet, you should give this book a read. It's full of legends, stories and traditions from around the world, all celebrating the sun and the winter solstice.
When you live in the north, whether it's the far north, or just above of the 49th parallel, the light becomes the clock by which you await the seasons. I, for one, love this midwinter day, because if we made it to here, we can surely make it to another spring.
Happy Solstice, Michele
Friday, December 17, 2010
Byron
Our foster kitty, Byron, is still looking for a new home. If you or someone you know could open your home and your heart, please contact me through the comments or contact People For Animals for more information.
Happy Friday, Michele
Happy Friday, Michele
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Puppets!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Pajama Party
We've been sewing. And this time, it wasn't just Mama doing the stitching. Look who was helping me - a very enthusiastic assistant!
We made pajamas like crazy this past weekend.
There were some for cousin Danger.
There were some for cousin Arcadia.
And there were some for Uncle Bracken.
Fortunately, my brother and his family don't read the blog so I can post these pix today instead of after Christmas.
The patterns were some I had in my stash, as were the fabrics for the pajama bottoms. The t-shirts were all very reasonably priced purchases last week that we personalized in some way.
These cozy pj's and a good book to curl up with for each recipient were shipped yesterday and should be in BC in time for the big day.
Hope your weekend crafting felt as successful as ours did!
Michele
We made pajamas like crazy this past weekend.
There were some for cousin Danger.
There were some for cousin Arcadia.
And there were some for Uncle Bracken.
Fortunately, my brother and his family don't read the blog so I can post these pix today instead of after Christmas.
The patterns were some I had in my stash, as were the fabrics for the pajama bottoms. The t-shirts were all very reasonably priced purchases last week that we personalized in some way.
These cozy pj's and a good book to curl up with for each recipient were shipped yesterday and should be in BC in time for the big day.
Hope your weekend crafting felt as successful as ours did!
Michele
Monday, December 13, 2010
Making Holiday Music
Yesterday, Callum and his Granny opened the mitten together.
And while the card tasted especially nice, it also read "Let's make some holiday music!"
You can see here that he thought that was a great idea!
Happy merry making, Michele
And while the card tasted especially nice, it also read "Let's make some holiday music!"
You can see here that he thought that was a great idea!
Happy merry making, Michele
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Fruit Cake
No, not me, the recipe.
This candied orange peel might not look like much in this picture, but it is amazingly yummy.
And adding it to the fruit cake gives the cake an extra zing.
A delicious light fruit cake that will become part of the holiday traditions for us around here.
Happy holiday baking, Michele
This candied orange peel might not look like much in this picture, but it is amazingly yummy.
And adding it to the fruit cake gives the cake an extra zing.
A delicious light fruit cake that will become part of the holiday traditions for us around here.
Happy holiday baking, Michele
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Write for Rights
Last night we went to the Amnesty International Write for Rights event at our local community centre.
It was a great evening, with some knowledgeable and passionate speakers, a couple of wonderful local bands, petitions to sign, greeting cards to write to prisoners of conscience, a silent auction, a concession stand, and more.
Callum enjoyed the music, and he spent quite a bit of time working on his own letters and writing on his face. Today he is enamoured of pencils and I think that's awesome.
And David didn't want to leave. He was signing petitions, listening to the speakers, swaying to the music and enjoying his time with the group. It was his first Write for Rights event and he is hooked. My husband is an amazing man who embraces new things, learning and loving as he goes. Yay for me and my boy to have such a man in our lives! Gush.
If you haven't had a chance to attend an Amnesty event, we highly recommend them.
If you want peace, work for justice.
Michele
It was a great evening, with some knowledgeable and passionate speakers, a couple of wonderful local bands, petitions to sign, greeting cards to write to prisoners of conscience, a silent auction, a concession stand, and more.
Callum enjoyed the music, and he spent quite a bit of time working on his own letters and writing on his face. Today he is enamoured of pencils and I think that's awesome.
And David didn't want to leave. He was signing petitions, listening to the speakers, swaying to the music and enjoying his time with the group. It was his first Write for Rights event and he is hooked. My husband is an amazing man who embraces new things, learning and loving as he goes. Yay for me and my boy to have such a man in our lives! Gush.
If you haven't had a chance to attend an Amnesty event, we highly recommend them.
If you want peace, work for justice.
Michele
Friday, December 10, 2010
Presents from the North
Yesterday, Callum received a parcel in the mail.
Inside was this pair of handmade beaded slippers.
My amazing friend, Verna, made them for Callum. I nearly cried when I saw them.
I know from my time in the far north that each bead is individually stitched on to the leather. Then the upper is sewn to the body of the slipper and the slipper stitched up. The final step is adding the beaver fur.
It's a process that takes a huge investment of time and dedication. And while some people make them for commercial gain, most people are like Verna and do it for love. Imagine how touched I was to receive them for my son.
A lengthy and long overdue phonecall followed, and two old friends caught up on the daily happenings of each other's lives. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful friend. I hope you can say the same.
Happy Friday, Michele
Inside was this pair of handmade beaded slippers.
My amazing friend, Verna, made them for Callum. I nearly cried when I saw them.
I know from my time in the far north that each bead is individually stitched on to the leather. Then the upper is sewn to the body of the slipper and the slipper stitched up. The final step is adding the beaver fur.
It's a process that takes a huge investment of time and dedication. And while some people make them for commercial gain, most people are like Verna and do it for love. Imagine how touched I was to receive them for my son.
A lengthy and long overdue phonecall followed, and two old friends caught up on the daily happenings of each other's lives. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful friend. I hope you can say the same.
Happy Friday, Michele
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Winter Feast
Another food post? Well, that's probably because Mama forgot to take pictures of the festivities at the library last night. Each of the branches in town is hosting a holiday open house during December. Since we super-love our local library system, we wanted to show our support.
They had a children's entertainer, cookies, hot chocolate and a bunch of kids. Callum was quite besotted with all the dancing children and kept trying to crawl in the middle of them. Fortunately, the dancers were obviously used to little ones crawling around because no one stepped on him. :)
But alas no pictures.
So instead, I thought I'd share a bit about one of our favourite meals during these first cold days of winter. (And they have been very cold and very early for this area this year.)
These lovely winter feasts of ours usually start because I get a hankering to make tea biscuits.
I taught myself to make these this year in my quest to make pastry. Kind of like a pastry substitute, if you will, that is also good for dumplings for stew. Yum!
Then we fill the table with warming soup, butter, slices of cheese, cucumber and tomatoes, and ham/salami/pepperoni. Mostly it's whatever we have on hand at the time but it usually looks something like this:
Everyone can graze as much or as little as they like, and nobody ever complains that there wasn't enough. Delicious!
Happy Thursday, Michele
They had a children's entertainer, cookies, hot chocolate and a bunch of kids. Callum was quite besotted with all the dancing children and kept trying to crawl in the middle of them. Fortunately, the dancers were obviously used to little ones crawling around because no one stepped on him. :)
But alas no pictures.
So instead, I thought I'd share a bit about one of our favourite meals during these first cold days of winter. (And they have been very cold and very early for this area this year.)
These lovely winter feasts of ours usually start because I get a hankering to make tea biscuits.
I taught myself to make these this year in my quest to make pastry. Kind of like a pastry substitute, if you will, that is also good for dumplings for stew. Yum!
Then we fill the table with warming soup, butter, slices of cheese, cucumber and tomatoes, and ham/salami/pepperoni. Mostly it's whatever we have on hand at the time but it usually looks something like this:
Everyone can graze as much or as little as they like, and nobody ever complains that there wasn't enough. Delicious!
Happy Thursday, Michele
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Pasta, Please!
Last week I attempted to make pasta from scratch for the first time.
We had a delicious, dairy-free yet creamy mushroom and salmon fettucini with the fresh noodles.
Callum seemed most impressed with them.
He couldn't seem to get enough.
They were yummy and fun, all at the same time!
We'll definitely be making those again!
Happy Wednesday, Michele
We had a delicious, dairy-free yet creamy mushroom and salmon fettucini with the fresh noodles.
Callum seemed most impressed with them.
He couldn't seem to get enough.
They were yummy and fun, all at the same time!
We'll definitely be making those again!
Happy Wednesday, Michele
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Holiday Train
If you live in Canada, you've probably heard of the Canadian Pacific Railway's Holiday Train. I didn't realize until just now that it goes through the northern United States, too, which makes it even cooler that we share it with our southern cousins.
The best part about the train is that it has raised nearly $5 million and over 2 million pounds of food for food banks in it's eleven years of operations so far. Those are staggering and awe-inspiring numbers, especially since the event is free, so everyone can participate.
The fact that it runs through Regina just two blocks from my house makes it a must-see event through the holidays.
It only stays for 45 minutes before moving on to Moose Jaw and other points west. There are bins for food donations set up all over the railyard and everyone is encouraged to bring what they can in support of the cause.
This year the entertainers on the Canadian leg are Odds, a group of rocking guys who do between two and eight shows a day for three weeks, all from the freezing cold stage car. Brrrr.
We walked down the block with Callum and soaked up the energy. It's fun and festive and if you have a chance to go in your community, don't miss it!
Happy Tuesday, Michele
The best part about the train is that it has raised nearly $5 million and over 2 million pounds of food for food banks in it's eleven years of operations so far. Those are staggering and awe-inspiring numbers, especially since the event is free, so everyone can participate.
The fact that it runs through Regina just two blocks from my house makes it a must-see event through the holidays.
It only stays for 45 minutes before moving on to Moose Jaw and other points west. There are bins for food donations set up all over the railyard and everyone is encouraged to bring what they can in support of the cause.
This year the entertainers on the Canadian leg are Odds, a group of rocking guys who do between two and eight shows a day for three weeks, all from the freezing cold stage car. Brrrr.
We walked down the block with Callum and soaked up the energy. It's fun and festive and if you have a chance to go in your community, don't miss it!
Happy Tuesday, Michele
Monday, December 06, 2010
Celebration of Light
Last night, we lit the house up for the first time this holiday season. So cheerful. So pretty.
Happy holiday lights, Michele
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Saturday, December 04, 2010
That's Not My Snowman!
Last night's mitten held a new book for the holiday season.
Callum loves this series of books. That's Not My Frog has been one of his favourites since he was three months old. We start reading it and he stops whatever he's doing to join us. (And don't think for a minute that we haven't used that to our advantage now and again! lol)
I think he might like this one just as much!
The links I've provided take you back to the publisher's page but these books are also available locally and online at the usual book-buying places. There are many titles to interest just about any young reader.
Happy reading, Michele
Callum loves this series of books. That's Not My Frog has been one of his favourites since he was three months old. We start reading it and he stops whatever he's doing to join us. (And don't think for a minute that we haven't used that to our advantage now and again! lol)
I think he might like this one just as much!
The links I've provided take you back to the publisher's page but these books are also available locally and online at the usual book-buying places. There are many titles to interest just about any young reader.
Happy reading, Michele
Friday, December 03, 2010
The Pastry Quest
Remember my bread quest post from earlier this year, outlining my struggles to learn to make bread? In it, I stated that my next kitchen quest would be to pursue pastry making.
Well, today I can tell you that I am very happy to be a pastry maker. I attribute my succes to this book:
That and my mom being around when it came time to roll it out. Great recipe + motherly intervention = winning combination.
The results were delicious and met with much approval.
Our meal included this yummy salmon quiche:
And this mouth-watering apple tart:
I have to say that I adore this cookbook. I got it out of the library six weeks ago and I've made several recipes from it that have been amazing. And when I read her pastry tips, my pastry-making hopes reignited.
It's a great book, easy to read with tons of hearty, simple recipes that will be favourites at our house for years to come. I highly recommend it and it will be on my wish list, for sure.
I feel mince tarts coming on for Christmas!
Happy holiday baking, Michele
Well, today I can tell you that I am very happy to be a pastry maker. I attribute my succes to this book:
That and my mom being around when it came time to roll it out. Great recipe + motherly intervention = winning combination.
The results were delicious and met with much approval.
Our meal included this yummy salmon quiche:
And this mouth-watering apple tart:
I have to say that I adore this cookbook. I got it out of the library six weeks ago and I've made several recipes from it that have been amazing. And when I read her pastry tips, my pastry-making hopes reignited.
It's a great book, easy to read with tons of hearty, simple recipes that will be favourites at our house for years to come. I highly recommend it and it will be on my wish list, for sure.
I feel mince tarts coming on for Christmas!
Happy holiday baking, Michele
Thursday, December 02, 2010
The First Night of December
For our holiday celebrations this year, I have knitted many mini mittens from the Knitpicks Smitten Garland pattern. Not quite an advent calendar, ours will go all the way to the 31st of the month.
And instead of chocolate or candy, there is a little card inside, each with suggestions for activities or gifts for the day.
Last night, the card read "It's December. Let's light up some trees!" And off we went to the tree lighting ceremony at city hall.
There was singing, a reindeer, a red-suited guy to hand out gifts, and lots of people enjoying hot chocolate.
Callum is unimpressed with the winter gear he is required to wear in these parts so he is reserving his opinion on this whole holiday celebration thing. :)
I'm sure he'll warm up to the idea once he gets the hang of it all!
Happy December, Michele
And instead of chocolate or candy, there is a little card inside, each with suggestions for activities or gifts for the day.
Last night, the card read "It's December. Let's light up some trees!" And off we went to the tree lighting ceremony at city hall.
There was singing, a reindeer, a red-suited guy to hand out gifts, and lots of people enjoying hot chocolate.
Callum is unimpressed with the winter gear he is required to wear in these parts so he is reserving his opinion on this whole holiday celebration thing. :)
I'm sure he'll warm up to the idea once he gets the hang of it all!
Happy December, Michele
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
The Gift of Craftiness
I get my craftiness from my mother. . . and my aunts . . . and my grandmother. I have many childhood memories involving knitting, crocheting, sewing, rug hooking, needlepoint . . . you get the picture. It's a gift I hope to be able to pass on.
My mom made this adorable baby quilt for Callum. She cross-stitched thousands of little hatches on it. It's the making of an heirloom.
Even those people who don't appreciate handmade items, have to admire the dedication it takes to complete a piece of this magnitude.
For those of us who know what it is to invest this much of ourselves into something, it's already precious. More so because it comes from Callum's Granny.
Happy holiday crafting, Michele
My mom made this adorable baby quilt for Callum. She cross-stitched thousands of little hatches on it. It's the making of an heirloom.
Even those people who don't appreciate handmade items, have to admire the dedication it takes to complete a piece of this magnitude.
For those of us who know what it is to invest this much of ourselves into something, it's already precious. More so because it comes from Callum's Granny.
Happy holiday crafting, Michele
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