Archive for the ‘Christmas’ Category

I’m all about continuity, elegance and simplicity therefore my Christmas lights must not be old, mismatched, garish, tacky colours. The cord must be attached so all the lights point straight up or straight down, not haphazardly wrapped around whatever happens to be handy, and stapled here and there, drooping sadly.

On a fibreglass boat, that proposes quite a challenge! We’ve taken part in the Crescent Beach Yacht Club Sail Past in previous years, decorating the boat with odds and ends of left-over strings of lights. ‘Tacky’ would convey the picture! Not the sail past - it’s great and tons of fun with fellow boaters. What could be more exciting than boating in cold December, in the dark in a shallow river? The Crescent Beach Coast Guard Auxilliary always accompanies us and most of the boaters are very experienced, so there are very few problems.

This year I intend to be prepared with new LED Christmas Lights to decorate the boat for the annual Sail Past. The Red to Green Colorwave set looks very appropriate for a boat don’t you think - you know - port and starboard color lights…? If I order my matching sets now, at sale prices, they will be shipped before August. That works for me!

Are you tacky or elegant when it comes to your Christmas lights?

Hugo enjoyed unwrapping his ‘Hurl A Squirrel’ on Christmas morning and we enjoyed watching him. He was more fun than the kids ever were!!!

Unfortunately, he chewed the toy to shreds before 10 am, so I didn’t give him the ‘Chuck A Duck’ to unwrap.

I thought the toys would be so much fun to play with - especially at Egmont where I could throw them for him to fetch, but they are NOT Terrier proof. They’re both going back to the Pet store for a refund.

Luckily, it’s the thought which counts… and Hugo loves me for who I am - not what I give him

I love this week leading up to Christmas day, especially when exciting presents arrive at my door and in my mailbox!

Yesterday, I came home from taking Pop for a haircut to find a beautiful bouqet of red and white flowers awaiting. Red roses, red tulips, red gerbera’s, white roses, white stalk, salal and cedar completed the most spectacular display and the bouquet looks lovely sitting on my table in the kitchen. I am admiring it as I sit here blogging.

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Monday, I sent a tin of homemade shortbread to my 96 year old Auntie Nell in Victoria. She was so pleased and my cousin Jean said she’d eaten 3 of the cookies before Jean had it completely unwrapped! I’m so glad she enjoyed this little gift. As a thank you, Jean, Rollie and Auntie Nell had this lovely bouqet delivered to me. I am enjoying it!

Kent came home from the post office with a box, from Texas. That was exciting enough but when we opened it, we found 6 pounds of pecans in the shell - much to our delight. The pecans shells were all partially peeled to make it very easy to break them open. Kent ate about 2 dozen and I think I had a dozen. They were absolutely delicious - and so fresh.

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Our very good friends, Mike and Wendy in Conroe Texas sent them to us. This was an absolutely lovely gift, one we will all enjoy and remember for a long time.

I think these two gifts exemplify the Christmas season. They were both absolute surprises and both a pleasure to receive.

I love family traditions and have quite a few on the go - especially for the Christmas season.

My Granddaughter Kaia, who is 5, and I made a gingerbread house last year and I promised we’d do it again this year. Last year she lost interest after sampling a few of the candies and sticking some to the house, so Grandpa and I finished it.

Since then, Kaia has asked me if we are going to make another one this Christmas. I said yes and showed her the package I had stored in the closet. She was able to look at it each time she came to visit and when I bought a few little goodies to decorate with, she enjoyed digging through the bag and oohing and aahing!

Gingerbread Housebuilder

This year Kaia was much more interested, not only in eating the candies and gingerbread men, but in putting candies on the house and setting up Santa on the roof, figures in the yard and decorating the eaves, windows and doorway. I had the boring parts done before she arrived so it didn’t take too long to complete - and hey, in the pictures you can only see two sides and the roof anyway - so you’ll never even know if we finished it completely!

Here it is - all lit up with little battery operated mini lights in the trees.

Gingerbread House
$9.99 Costco purchase + one hour fun with my Granddaughter = another Family Tradition!

Thought I’d share this special recipe from the Best of Bridge. Beware - it may turn turkey preparations into a hilarious event!!!

Eggnogg Supreme

Ingredients:
12 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
7/8 cup brandy (okay! - go ahead and use the whole cup!)
1 1/3 cups rye or dark rum
2 cups half & half cream (10% butterfat)
12 egg whites
3 cups whipping cream (33% butterfat)
nutmeg for garnish

Instructions:
In a large bowl, beat egg yolks and sugar together until lemon coloured and thick. Add brandy, rye or rum and half and half cream. Blend well. Chill for several hours. Beat egg whites until stiff. Beat whipping cream in large bowl and fold in egg whites. Fold into egg yolk mixture. Pour into a large punch bowl. Sprinkle with grated nutmeg. Enjoy! Serves a crowd.

“The real reason mountain climbers tie themselves together is to keep the sensible one from going home.”