Holiday Happenings

What are your plans for the holidays? They're just around the corner you know!

If you're in the US, you should be ready for Thanksgiving which is in just a couple of days! If you're in Canada, you've got a bit a of a break because Canadian Thanksgiving has come and gone...it's not much of a break mind you, because Christmas is just a mere 31 days away!

What would you like your Christmas holiday to be like this year? Is it always chaotic and do you wish for peace? Is it always peaceful and quiet and you'd like to have a bit more noise about you this year?

This year, we are going for a peaceful holiday. DD will have either just had or be soon heading in for open heart surgery and I think a little peace would be a good thing...either before all the excitement of surgery or as some much needed downtime after surgery.

To that end, we're not going anywhere. My parents are in Nova Scotia and the idea of a plane ride (and all those horrible germs in an enclosed space) is not at all appealing. My parents understand of course...they know we can't compromise our daughter's health. Scott's parents are just and hour down the road, so it's not that much of a hike, but it's my thinking that once you have children of your own, you shouldn't have to stress about which house you'll be at or which side of the family you'll be visiting. Christmas should be about those that are most important to you...and while your extended family is certainly VERY important, your first priority should be your immediate family - the people you live with every day.

This year, I'd like to start a few new traditions. The kids are already talking about watching Scrooge on Christmas Eve and I think that's a GREAT idea. We'll add that to the list. I'd like to make Christmas cookies in the week leading up to Christmas. The kids will be off a whole week before Christmas day and what better way to spend the week than making some goodness that everyone can enjoy. I don't know how many cookies will make it to Christmas day, but that isn't the point. The point is, we'll be doing it as a family...and if the cookies are all eaten by Christmas day, then we'll just make more!

I want to continue some old traditions too...when my sister and I were younger, my mom always bought us matching PJ's for Christmas. Our children don't get matching PJ's, but everyone gets a new pair of PJ's. They are wrapped and are the one gift we ALL (even me) get to open on Christmas Eve. Everyone wears new PJ's to bed. I make sure they have at least SOME matching colours in them because the scrapbooker in me wants to make my life easier come scrapbooking time in January!

I want to take more pictures! Last year, we went to Disney World and the year before that Christmas was a less than festive event. I want more pictures! I want to photograph favourite ornaments (not just mine) and record the reasons WHY they are favourites.

For the past few years, Santa has been bringing "bags" instead of filling stockings. Why? I can't find the darn stockings! So this year, I'm buying new ones! If I can, I'll have them personalized with names too! Our family is complete, so I don't need to worry about not being able to find a matching stocking for a baby that might be coming later. This is the year!

I want to make more gifts this year...and not at the last minute either! I seem to have these great ideas every year and then never follow through on them. This year I want to start early and make gifts for the kids teachers and my friends. It's hard to make gifts for the kids because they want the latest and greatest toys...not that they will get everything they see on TV, but they certainly aren't the type to appreciate hand made gifts. I most definitely do NOT want to go overboard. We've bought some gifts already and that is going a long way to not going over budget and breaking the bank in the month of December.

This year, organization will be my friend...I'll start early and avoid all that last minute stress. This is especially important if DD will be in the hospital prior to the actual holiday. The good thing is that she is crafty like me...so while she is recovering we can make gifts together!

That's it for me...what's on tap for you?

So...I guess it's been a while, huh???

The last time I posted was over the summer...lots and LOTS has been going on since then!

We enjoyed a trip to the Mall of America (and even me who doesn't like malls all that much had a GREAT time!). The summer was busy and the kids started school! Lauren is in Grade 10, Colin is in Grade 5 and Jonathan is in Grade 1. All three kids in school full day...can you hear the silence???

In August, I met some new friends:
We met online in my fave stamping forum and then realized that we all lived within about an hour's drive of one another and decided to get together in real life! How fun is that? Lucky for me, I'm right in the middle, so we always meet in Mississauga - BONUS!!!

Teresa makes the most AMAZING jam (I've had two jars) and Karen makes natural bath and body products (divine!!!). Diana is super mom! She has four kids and two of them are just 11 months apart!

Scott and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary and I made him this card:
The cutest thing that happened on that day though, was this:
Jonathan likes to sleep on the couch sometimes, and on this morning, I came out and found his big brother cuddled up with him. Now, like brothers do, they fight and argue - A LOT! So, this photo is really special to me! I'm not sure if the boys think it's so special, but I have it now, so it's too late! LOL!

Nobody wanted their picture taken on the first day of school...so I don't have any of those to share.

Caroline (my Stampin' UP! friend AND BFF) and I were super busy throughout all of September and October as we had 3 major events planned over a 6 week period - note to self: don't do that again!

And here were are coming up to the end of November with Christmas a mere 32 days away! Are you ready?

Thanks for stopping by!

I've been cooking again!

This week in the organic veggie box, I got two small heads of Bok Choy. I had NO idea what to do with it, so once I figured out that it WAS Bok Choy (thanks Stacy!), I went searching on Recipe Zaar for something yummy! I found this recipe, but of course, had to add more goodies to it!

I started off with garlic, onion, red pepper flakes and ginger in some olive oil. I didn't have any fresh ginger, so I used ground. I recommed fresh for sure. They flavour would have been VERY different.

Unfortunately, the garlic got a touch more cooked than I like it, but it wasn't bitter, so it was OK.

Then I added some mushroom and zucchini:

which weren't in the recipe, but I have an abundance of zucchini right now, so why not?

After that cooked for a bit, I added the Bok Choy and some spinach for good measure, because really, a little extra iron never hurt anyone!


I covered the whole thing with a lid and let the Bok Choy and spinach wilt. That took about 5 minutes and I ended up with this:

Yes, I KNOW that I still haven't purchased any good plates for photographs, though my daughter did suggest that I get one white plate and one white bowl solely for photographing food!

I added some bacon bits (REAL bacon bits), because EVERYTHING is better with bacon and salt & pepper and it was just perfect!

You should try it out too...let me know what you think!

A Birthday Update - a little late!

To celebrate my birthday this year, I was lucky enough to travel to Montreal, along with my family, to visit my sister.

We weren't there for very long, but had a GREAT time! My sister and I enjoyed cooking together (and having a little drink while we were at it - LOL!) We made a Thai curry chicken dish that was just DIVINE!


She even made me a Black Forest Cake (from SCRATCH!!!), but you'll have to wait for that picture!!!

I think I'll put in my request now for next year...

Deliciousness In a Bowl

You're gonna love this! This is by far the best salad I have EVER had!


I don't have an actual recipe for it, because I found it online and can't remember where...

Anyway, into the salad goes chopped broccoli, red pepper, celery, green garlic (looks like green onion, but tastes like garlic - if you haven't had it, you are SERIOUSLY missing out!), sunflower seed and dried cranberries. The dressing is about 2 tbsp. light mayonnaise, 1 tsp. white sugar and 1 tsp. white vinegar for a small salad. You will need to adjust quantities if you are going to make it for a crowd.

Try it tonight! You won't be disappointed!

Thanks for stopping by!

It is a difficult week for CHD families

This has been a difficult week for CHD families. I cannot put words to the heartbreak so many of us are feeling as two angels have been given perfect hearts and have been called home to God.

The following words were posted on Ethin's care page, in memory of Ethan and while they may be difficult to read, somehow they bring comfort.

He Only Takes The Best

God watched you as you suffered, and knew you had your share.
He gently closed your weary eyes and took you in his care.

Your memory is our keepsake, with that we will never part.
God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts.

Nothing could be more beautiful than the memories we have of you.
To us you were someone special. God must have thought so too.

All our lives we shall miss you, as the years come and go,
but in our hearts you will live forever. Because we love you so.

God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around you and whispered "Come with me"

With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and fade away.
Although we loved you dearly, you were not meant to stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, hard- working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best!

Please hold your little ones a little longer today and kiss them one more time.

Much Love to you All~

Christyne

My little Change Crusader!

Last week, on April 30th, was the Sick Kids radiothon.

The Sunday before the Radiothon, Jonathan's picture was in the newspaper (used in the advertising). His teacher saw his picture and last Tuesday Jonathan was asked to make an announcement to his entire school. I couldn't pass up this photo op:


He proudly told everyone that his picture is in lots of Sick Kids advertising and that he is even on You Tube - he is!!!



I warn you, the first part of the video is VERY sad. Jonathan appears on his Sick Kids post card near the end at about the 1:26 mark.

This week, he's been going around to each class room and reports that his change crusader bag is getting VERY heavy! I am so very proud of my little hero!

If you have children, or know someone who does, please consider giving to the Hospital for Sick Children because you never know when you might need their resources. Even a little change helps a lot.

Have a great day!