From My Home to Yours

This past 7, or maybe 8, years we've been celebrating our Christmas

on the Eve, this year was no different... family, food, laughter and tons

of love was shared. 

From my home to yours, wishing you 

all a safe and Happy Holiday Season! 

As Burton Hillis said "The best of all gifts around any 

Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all

wrapped up in each other."  And this is by far the 

absolute best gift this mother could ask for! 

Me, skate?

I haven't been on skates for about 16 years, 

or let me rephrase this...

I hadn't been on skates for this length of 

time until today! 

I went skating with a friend I hadn't seen since

we were teenagers, it was a blast acting like

time stood still, funny thing though I don't

ever remember it being this difficult

to stand on skates in my youth! 

Cheers and wishing each of you 

a blessed and very Merry Christmas! 

Merry Christmas

Once I was done my course yesterday, camera

in hand, I headed down to a family Christmas 

party hosted by the Native Friendship

Centre. Santa showed up to give each of the

children a gift and spend time with the children.

 This Santa I've worked with before, he's phenomenal!

 Due to respecting others privacy I won't post any of 

the children's photos but did I ever get some 

amazing shots. Once I was done shooting it was

play time...

From Santa and I, wishing you and your loved

ones a very Merry Christmas! 

Another Course

Again time is just whizzing on by. This week I'm staying outside of the city, 

back at a place where I completed my second practicum. I'm taking a 

week long course in an area which I'm extremely interested in and 

passionate about. The course is on historical and intergenerational trauma;

the effects the Residential Schools had/have on those who survived harsh and
 cruel treatment while in these despicable schools, as well as the effects
 on their children. When one takes a look back in history, the true history,
 of Canada and the assimilation processes, which included genocide, 
inflicted upon Indigenous peoples, Canada should be ashamed of 
what they have been attempting to cover up for all these years. 
There is so much suffering and a huge gap in services offered
 to help those who continue to suffer that it's time more
 people stood up and helped those who have lost their voice 
find it again. It is my hopes to be one of these people. 

Even though I have been absent from my blog, I still am thinking of those of you

whom I have contact with, you are in my thoughts and I shall return... first things

first though and right now what I am doing is priority. For now I'll leave you with a few Christmas shots, out of respect I will not post shots from inside this place but

maybe if it's warm out later this week I'll venture out with my camera in hand and take some outdoor photos. 

I hope you are all doing well and are ready for your Christmas, I like to think I am

but I'm sure I'll be doing last minute things next week, no worries though, I thrive

under pressure!   Cheers. 

These photos are from Saturday night, Elyssa spent the night with

me and we were busy! :-)

The annual Christmas photos...

Decorating...

Snowmen cookies...

and a wee bit of singing!

Tantalizing Tastebuds

Finally, a book which I'm sure will be worthy of reading 

from front to back! 

I'll be reading this after my baking is done though...

yup, it's that time of year to tantalize your

taste-buds once again...

Cream cheese cookies...

Sugar cookies to decorate with Elyssa...

And these whipped shortbread cookies are by far

the absolute BEST shortbread cookies I've ever tasted, 

and only four ingredients in them... go figure!

I've also made 4 loaves of banana bread, 

date squares, butter-tart squares,

other cookies, and raspberry meringue

squares, I still have a few items I'd like 

to bake but still have a few days to get to it,

so no worries! 

Darn Cold

It's been so cold here lately, so cold that when I have to

go out I start the car with my remote starter (so thankful to 

have this feature when it's this cold!), I RUN from the house

to a warm vehicle and off I go. Yesterday I attended a board 

meeting which lasted the better part of the day, we met at the

River Cree Hotel and the buffet there was amazing!  I snapped

a quick shot as I pulled in, the teepees which welcome guests

had me thinking... I wonder how people ever survived harsh 

weather such as this back in the day. I can't even imagine! 

The temperature yesterday averaged -30c, 

way too cold for my liking! 

Where is the time slipping away?

I can't believe how fast time is passing me by, I keep thinking I'll blog later... 

this is so not like me. I'm done my course, just got my tree up today, 

but now I'm asking myself what have I been doing that time is just whizzing

on by.  I guess I've just taken a bit of a break, I've been busy, but a different

sort of busy.  However I'm still taking photos, each day this month I'm posting

a new header with a Christmas theme on facebook... just because. So tonight

I'll post all 5 days of December...

This first one I shot out at Sherwood Park when I was out there with the kids

at the festival of trees...

The second photo I was playing with the gift I came

home from the family party with...I had to do some

bartering to bring this home, I LOVE Snoopy! 

Another shot from the Festival of trees...

Yesterday Abbie helped me with the tree...

And tonight, now that my tree is finished, this is a shot of 

one of my decorations on the tree...

I figure I'll have to cut a deal with Santa, otherwise

there'll be nothing for me this year! 

Family Christmas Party

This year my family celebrated Christmas a bit early, we have an annual 

get together which entails a gift exchange, a feast, and 

tons of love and laughter is always shared in abundance. 

Some of the family will be away this year, hence the early party.

This year was a bit different, there was a theme... 

guess from the photo what the theme was. ;-)

We had an ugly sweater competition going on, 

what fun was had by all! The only thing I couldn't

believe is I was told by more than one person

that they liked my ugly sweater, hmmm guess

I'll start looking differently for next year as I'm sure

this is about to become a new tradition! 

This is my daughter and me... stylin'

I make myself laugh some days! Rarely 

a dull moment in my world. 

Peace Train

Murphy's Law - if you're running late expect a train to hold you up

While waiting for the train to pass I'll admit at first it

frustrated me, running late and all, but then I thought...

wait a second, this is totally out of my control, I'll

get to the meeting when I get there. I turned up the music, 

entertained myself with my phone and had a great time. 

Truth be told I felt like getting out of my car and dancing.

The only regret I have is not getting out of my car, I could

be on to something here, instead of getting upset, do a 

train dance. I'll have to add Peace Train to my selection

of songs, dance to Cat Stevens. 

What Next?

Well I know I'm supposed to be writing, I'm trying... really I am BUT

I'd forgotten all about an appointment I'd booked last month. I woke up this

 morning with fine, short eyelashes, that's changed now. The photo on

the left I shot yesterday...the right is the after shot. 

Sometimes the things I do, well it makes me wonder...

what next? 

Festival of Trees

My son, his wife, her mother, my granddaughter and myself

all went to a small festival of trees in a neighboring suburb. There's

plenty for the children to do, nicely decorated trees and music

to add to the spirit of Christmas. Naturally I took my camera, 

and this is one of my favorite shots. 

Sure it's only November, yet I find I can

carry the Spirit of Christmas with me 

all throughout the year, if I choose to...

sigh, now back to my writing. 

The Calm Before the Storm

Today was the last day of class for the year, however

this doesn't mean the work is finished. I have to turn in a 

15 page literature review by December 1st and not only

have I never written one of these before, I haven't even

started it yet. I was tired when I got home today so I've 

taken it easy. I thought I'd at least clean my desk and prepare

for the week that's ahead of me, I can see it being

full on busy for this next week so here it is, 

the calm before the storm! 

I'll start tomorrow, at least sort out how to write 

one of these, anybody out there with any suggestions? 

HELP! lol 

Another day, Another tat

It was about last Christmas when my daughter asked me if I

would like to get matching tattoos. I felt honored that she'd

want to do this so I readily agreed. We spent some time looking

for something we both liked. She found this...

I immediately knew this was the one. So time passed, 

we discussed this a few times and finally about a month

ago we started to look for someone to do out tattoos.

We made the appointments and today was the day...

I decided to get mine on my leg, near the ankle, my daughter was

thinking of getting it on her wrist which would have looked awesome. The

tattoo was too large for the wrist... so we really got matching tattoos, 

both on our right ankle. 

This is mine... a bit of an ouch, but I LOVE it! 

Thank you Michelle, you're the most awesome 

daughter in the whole wide world, I love you! 

Frustration

Again my battery was dead, I just bought this battery new last

year when I returned from Australia and I paid a hefty price for it,

I'm not impressed by any means. 

So I call up the place which sold it to me, 

Classified Auto Repair Ltd., as I was told I had a lifetime 

warranty. NOT... now they claim it's a one year warranty, 

not only have I since learned I had the wrong battery in my car, 

they charged me the full price of the proper battery. 

I need a venting battery as it's located in my trunk, 

I didn't know this at the time...  

A good friend was out battery shopping for me, I just

sent him this photo as I don't have a clue... didn't have a clue

Then he came to pick me up with my battery and we

went out on a mission. Thankfully he has accounts with

various suppliers, he found me the right battery and I got

a decent discount. All is well in my frozen world once

again thanks to Bruce! 

Trade

Of all things my car wouldn't start, the battery was as dead as a doorknob. 

Thankfully my son came over and helped me out, we got the car started,

I let it run for quite some time to charge the battery and all was well. 

This battery booster pack sure comes in handy! 

The trade... my son needed some hemming done, well first

I had to wash his dress pants and shirt, press them, then

hemmed the pants...

Hmmm now lets review this, my son drove here in about 10 minutes,

he boosted my car, so about another 5 minutes, then away he went. 

I washed his clothes, 1 hour, pressed the clothes, 20 mins., then

hemmed his pants, about 3/4 hour.... over 2 hours of my time,

vs. about 15 mins. of his...

Good thing I love my son! lol 

Thanks Derek, I appreciate your help immensely! 

Who would have thought?

For this past few years I've been trying to figure out how to keep

my winter footwear clean. The salt which is used on the roads stains

my mukluks, the slushy days are horrific, and it's been a challenge BUT 

I think I've figured this out.  

I've tried a new product, new to me this is. 

 First I cleaned my mukluks with salt stain remover, 

then I sprayed them with Outdoor Scotch Guard, let 

the first coat dry, then re-sprayed them. This past week I 
haven't had to clean my mukluks. It worked so good 
I've now sprayed my EMU boots I sent home from Australia
when I was there last year. 

If you're going to try something like this I'd suggest you try

a small spot someplace where it won't be too noticeable, 

I know this worked on my footwear, but to be on the

safe side I'd say experiment first. Some of this footwear

is pretty expensive and I sure wouldn't want to see or hear

of anyone ruining a good pair of mukluks! 

Perogies

Today was our annual perogie making day, 

each year it's become a tradition to get together

with my adult children and spend an afternoon

making perogies. 

We made three, oops, nope it was four different types. 

There is sauerkraut and bacon, another is cheddar and potato, 

the third is cottage cheese and potato and as we were

making the first batch of it was decided we were

going to step out of the box a bit...

We made some pizza perogies. What we all decided on

was to take the cheddar filling, add pepperoni, some Italian

spices and a bit of hot pepper. Instead of using sour cream

to top these with, naturally we tried them, we used pizza

sauce and they were delicious! Not something I'd make for a 

Christmas dinner, but a game day or New Years Eve side dish

these would be fantastic! Next time we make pizza perogies

I'll use different cheese, there will be a next time

without a doubt. 

Delicious! 

With four and a half of us pinching the perogies

time passed quickly, the work was done in no time 

at all and we shared some good laughs. 

Elyssa (being the half) made her first perogie today...

Something tells me this will be the first of 

many more to come! 

It can get exhausting standing for hours on end, 

but when there's a bit of a lull you bet it's spent sitting,

but not for long! 

My daughter on the left and daughter-in-law on the right,

two beautiful ladies enjoying a well deserved break. 

Who says that making perogies is a tough job? 

We have fun doing it, and as I mentioned the work

gets done in no time at all. 

Elyssa and Daddy having some fun! 

I have no idea how many perogies were pinched today,

last year when I bagged them it was 27 dozen,

and we always cook up a few dozen. Something tells me

that we're up there around that number again this year.

I guess that I am getting organized for Christmas, 
just a bit more shopping and now perogies are
done... what's next? Right... homework and get this 
course off of my desk! 

Rockin my mocs

Today was rock your moc day. What this is it's Indigenous peoples from all over the 

world sport their moccasins and mukluks for the day. Naturally me being Métis I was 

all over this one... didn't leave my house without my mukluks and even ensured my feet were kept warm in my home in my moccasins. 

There's a site on facebook, Rock your mocs November

15, 2013 and you bet I posted this on there. I seen mocs from

all over the place on this site, a lady from NZ is on there, as

are many from Canada and the US. This is the 3rd year of this 

event, first year I've heard of it though and when it rolls 

around next year, I'll be watching for it! 

Almost done!

I'm almost done my Christmas shopping, today one of Elyssa's gifts 

was delivered to my front door and now I'm excited to play with it! 

I only buy two gifts for Christmas, well a few more but no

matter how many I purchase for my granddaughter, it only

counts as one. :-)   In my family we draw a name, set a

 spending limit and this takes the hassle out of Christmas buying.

Doing this also frees me up to get into a bit more trouble! :-) 

Sisters

Today I spent some quality time with my sisters, and what fun it

was to get together again. We went out for a 3 hour lunch and

made a pact to get together again real soon, I'm glad we're 

reconnecting, this makes my heart dance! 

I'm blessed to have these two amazing ladies in my life,

there's nothing like sisters! 

"A sister is a gift to the heart, 

a friend to the spirit,

a golden thread to the meaning of life."

~ Isadora James

Not so sure but what the heck?

I think that I'm going to try to give up the nasty, stinky habit of smoking. 

I keep justifying that I ONLY smoke 6 or 7 cigs a day so what's the 

big deal? Well first off I detest the smell, I can't stand the taste and it's

about time to think of my overall health.  There's all sorts of quit

smoking aids for sale these days, I have a few of the nicotine patches, 

I used them for long flights and never craved a smoke, now I've purchased

this...

It's a no nicotine, no tobacco grape flavored disposable

hmmm what is it? Fake cigarette? It has smoke, tastes 

good, the tip lights up when this is puffed on so it's like

a person is smoking still, but there's no harmful poisons

in this, at least I hope there isn't! Maybe I'd best do some

research on this... the good thing too is one of these lasts up

to two weeks and they come in all sorts of flavors. 

So it might not be tomorrow, nor the day after, but hopefully

one day soon I'll be able to say I'm a non-smoker. 

One last thing, I've tried tonight to open some of your blogs
but I see there's blogger issues again, "Server not 
available" keeps coming up so I'll be by for a visit one of
these days... busy with research on this end and what
fun this is...NOT lol 

Taekwondo

Guess who is in Taekwondo... 

You bet, it's my princess! 

It was so adorable watching the 

wee ones doing their kicks...

Look at that determination! 

Yup, Elyssa sure put a huge smile on my

 face and warmth in my heart today... 

what a fun way to spend time! 

That time of the year

Well with snow on the ground, ice on the roads it was time

to put the winter tires back on my car today. ALL of the shops

are swamped right now. Everyone, myself included, stays in 

denial I think, hoping winter won't get here but guess what

is shows up faithfully each and every single year... go figure! 

My wait was 3 1/2 hours, not too bad considering the big

rush, and I was thinking, I took some reading material

with me... killed two birds with one stone. 

A Few Pros to Winter

There are benefits to going to a park in the winter time, such as...

no worries finding a parking space.

There's no others around to get in the way of shooting photos...

Everything looks so beautiful with fresh snow on it...

And Abbie sits on the bench for a photo shoot, the snow was 

too deep for her so I had to pick her up and carry her to the path...

Winter I've decided will be what I make of it, 

this year it's going to be an interesting fun winter, 

one I'm going to get out as often as possible...

til it hits about -20, then it's indoors for Abbie and me.