weekend bliss..

After my first week of school for this semester I was looking forward to the weekend- my last weekend without homework and I enjoyed every minute.  Highlights included: wonderful dinner with our favourite family, chocolate cake + ice cream + friends = another fabulous evening, nutella rice krispie treats, sunday afternoon with mom + dad, a snowy sunday walk and catching up on my book..

check out this blog: I Love You This Much  It is one of my favourites and I got the nutella rice krispie treats recipe from her which was amazing!!

--m

happy new year.

welcome 2011!

this year I have a few new years resolutions: to get a compost, to buy one item for the food bank each grocery shop,  to re-use my plastic fruit/veggie bags at the grocery store, and to maintain contact with all my fantastic friends and family throughout the year- including this crazy semester of school I have ahead of me

my 2011 attitude: what is, simply is.  it's not good or bad- it just is.  --- compliments of my down to earth, wise, jazz loving father  

don't worry, be happy.

--m

--c&m

1 day until christmas: christmas company!

the holidays give us a chance to catch up and spend time with our friends and family.  this is something we both look forward to- great memories, yummy food and lots of laughs.

my christmas eve is being spent with my lovely family- we are getting together with lots of munchies and treats and of course board games! cranium and scrabble are in the line-up for tonight! also don't forget your eggnog

i made a pumpkin pie for the occasion, here is the recipe for the filling:

gramma's pumpkin pie

14 oz. can pumpkin

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ginger

1/8 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp salt

1 slightly beaten egg

1 cup milk

and a store bought or homemade pie crust!

mix ingredients in order given and pour into crust.

bake at 450 for 15 minutes or until crust is set(brown)

then lower to 350 and bake until firm- about 20 minutes

don't forget the whip cream! enjoy! 

    

--m

as for drinks during the holidays, my family loves their wine.  wine spritzers are also a favorite.  this is a great recipe, it's light, fruit not too sweet and red- for the holidays!

holiday cranberry orange wine spritzers:

4 ounces of white wine
4 ounces of cranberry juice
2 orange wheels
and a splash of soda or sprite (depending on how you like your sweetness!)

*cA

we hope everyone has a wonderful christmas eve!
1 more sleep!
--c&m

2 days til christmas: wrap it up

now that everyone has finished their christmas shopping, it is time to wrap it all up!  i love wrapping presents, and even through i admit i definitely go over board, i know my hard work is appreciated. 

instyle's december issue had a great article on innovative wrapping.  they got very creative and used things like flowers, leaves and branch arrangements as an alternatives to bows.  check out a local craft store for a wide variety of ribbon selection as well as some other accessories to wrap up your gifts! 

here is a few pictures i found of some great present wrapping:

2 more sleeps :)

*cA

3 days till christmas: christmas light tour

a standard christmas tradition is of course decorating the inside AND outside of your homes.  many people put up christmas lights but others go above and beyond to turn their yard into a fantastic holiday display!  last night we checked out all the "must see" displays in our community and were so impressed! pack a to-go hot chocolate for the road and take the time to see the displays that people spend hours preparing for us to enjoy.  check your local newspaper for a map that points out the best displays in your area.

3 more sleeps!

--m

4 days til christmas: last minute christmas shopping!

time is defintely starting to run out.  and if you haven't finished your christmas shopping, you'd better hurry!  stores this week are trying to help everyone out, extending there hours and staying open late every night.  if you are still having trouble trying to find the perfect gift for someone, refer back to our gift ideas post!

happy christmas shopping everyone!

only 4 sleeps left!

---c&m