Pictures!

Not enough sleeping

So the big stuff is all over now...

The party on Friday went very well I believe - thanks to everyone who came to celebrate the season with us!

Saturday brought last minute baking and going to see Casino Royale - very good movie even though it confused me a little bit...

On Sunday, the family headed out to my aunt & uncle's place before dinner at mom & dad's - then the big day...

After breakfast on Monday, we went out to Ajax for some food and presents - neither one disappointed...the turkey was fabulous as always dad and I'm sure the stuffing was good even though there wasn't enough sage! The presents didn't disappoint either..we all received many lovely gifts from one another and went home full and tired at the end of the day.

I hope everyone else had a lovely break and time with family and friends. When I get around to it, I will be posting the pictures from the past week here for you to see.

Take care everyone and Happy New Year!

C.R.

5 more sleeps

As I sit here in the office listening to the waves break overhead (either some relaxation tape is on loop in the ceiling or we've got some air flow issues up there), I am reviewing my list and checking it twice to see that I haven't missed anything for the big day. I'd have to say that most of my baking is done now - still need to do a few cookies, but I think they can wait for the weekend. I tasted my chewy chocolate chip bars this morning and unfortunately due to a slight over cooking they are chewy, but not in the manner you would expect or wish. They're only good for people with strong teeth...people who eat a lot of meat I would say...well done meat...now that you're trying to figure out what that means, I think I'm going to rename them chewy biscotti as I'm sure they will be better dipped in something or heated up to bring back a little life.

The kitchen is clean for the most part - I can almost see the table.

Wow - the waves are really putting me to sleep!

OK, so I'm gonna stop rambling for now - you may not hear from me for a little while, with the cleaning tonight, work dinner tomorrow and having people over Friday night....If I don't post before - have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Lates,
C.R.

7 more sleeps!

OK, so for those of you who were concerned, I have found a bit of Christmas spirit. I spent 5 hours yesterday baking which was tiring, the kitchen is now a mess and I need to get the house clean before Friday.... so that means we have tonight, tomorrow and the day after to get tidy and sparkling...can we do it??

wish me luck and know that if you come visit, you'll be getting some goodies!!

C.R.

Fa La La La La, La La La LAAAAA

There are other things I'd like to deck other than my halls right now...

I'm weak - I'm actually letting the scrooges of the world get to me this year. The weather isn't helping and I have yet to hear my favourite Christmas song - Fairytale of New York! There have been few Holiday specials on TV and my baking hasn't been kicked into gear yet...I feel lost!

With just over a week to go and the stresses of year end at work, I just don't know if I can make it with my usual Holiday cheer. Even as I type this, I don't feel any energy.

I hope that everyone else is feeling the spirit, and if you are, please pass a little my way.

I hope that you don't take this less than cheerful post as me being a scrooge - it is more intended as a call for help...I don't want to feel so down...but perhaps Christmas is just another day as I've heard so many times lately?

C.R.

Paintball hurts...

Last night I went to play paintball with my team at work. It was a fun time - but my GOODNESS do those little balls hurt when they hit you. The worst is when they don't burst at all though...so if you go, pray that your balls explode!

After getting covered in gross paint, a few of us went out for a very entertaining late dinner at Red Lobster...I am happy that I'm starting to feel like a real member of the team now...I was with my old team for so long that I felt like an outsider, but it was a really nice time last night...

Don't have the Christmas tree pictures up yet, but hope to have them this weekend along with the house all lit up pics...

I believe I mentioned that a few weeks ago our team at work went to the food bank to volunteer. Here's a pic of the team....notice the lack of females...



Peace peeps
C.R.

T-22 days

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...even snowed yesterday!!

The tree goes up today after a little bit of living room re-configurating. The fruit for the christmas cake is soaking - should be ready for baking just as soon as I pick up some brown paper bags to line the pan...got the cheese cloth for soaking in rum yesterday.

The presents are wrapped and I think I'm 1 gift away from being finished with the shopping. Party planning is well underway and to anyone who will be attending - PLEASE COME HUNGRY!! I should have a lot of food and want people to enjoy it :) I have a few cocktail and punch ideas to try out on my trusting visitors as well ;)

Well it's now 8am on Sunday morning - time to rearrange the furniture!

I'll post pictures of the tree later on.

Peace, love and happiness,
C.R.