Blogmas Day 24 Christmas Eve Preparations

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 24!  Only one more sleep to go, yay!  I truly can't believe I made it to the last day.  Truth be told, there were a few instances when I thought of skipping a day or two.  I am so glad that I persevered.  

I did have to go rushing out again to get a few things that I had forgotten.  For example, I needed to pick up some red wine for the pot roast I am planning.  

I picked up some clementines as well.  Clementines just say Christmas to me.  I also picked up this jar of cranberry orange sauce.  This was the only jar of any type of cranberry sauce left in the store.  If you have ever had cranberry orange sauce before, let me know.  

Yes, I do have a couple of very, very last minute gifts to get. I know, I know. I am thinking of digital subscriptions to magazines and newspapers.  There is no waste and it is a gift that keeps on giving.

Wishing you a Lovely, Healthy and Safe Christmas!  Thank you so much for following along with Blogmas.  It is the first time I have ever done Blogmas here on the old bloggity blog.   It gave a much needed rhythm to my days.  Even though this year has been deeply challenging on many levels, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for what I have.  Just remember that if you are alone at Christmas, please reach out,  I am sure that one of my readers would be more than happy to start a supportive conversation.  If there is anything you want me to write about next year, please let me know.  I will see you on the flip side.

Blogmas Day 23 Last Minute Gifts for Children and Tweens

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 23!  Every Christmas, I always promise myself that I will be more organized and not get sucked into a shopping frenzy but inevitably, at the last minute, I get a case of nerves and worry that I didn't get the right gift or the perfect gift or that whatever I did get just isn't good enough.  If anything, this year has taught us what is really important in life.  But still, I was beset by doubts.  This is what happens when you are surrounded by extra demanding people. It doesn't help that we are in lockdown.  Even doing curbside pickup is fraught with difficulty because although the website may say something is in stock and is available for pickup, when you go to checkout, the pickup time is weeks away because the store has to ship it over from another store or warehouse.

I went racing over to the local pharmacy today as I knew they had children's toys.  The shelves looked like a herd of elephants had gone stampeding through.  I wrote about Lego on Day Three.  The Lego boxes that you see above were literally the last ones on the shelf.  

I have no idea what to get a tween, do you?  If you have any ideas, please let me know.  They aren't properly teenagers but they aren't very young children either.  Jenga is a classic game that the whole family can play.  It was also the last one on the shelf.  I picked up a couple of Star Wars Pez Candy as stocking stuffers and, yes, you guessed it, they were the last ones.  Thank goodness for late night pharmacies! I had an elaborate blog post planned for Day 23 but I had to be honest and keep it real.  I also got groceries.  All the essential stores had massive lineups outside.  By the time I got home, I felt completely and utterly shattered.  I had an elaborate blog post planned for Day 23 but I had to be honest and keep it real. 

Only 2 more sleeps until Christmas!  How are you doing with your preparations?

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Blogmas Day 22 Planning for 2021

Welcome to Blogmas Day 22!  Every year, I get a new Moleskine planner which I have written about here.  It is something I enjoy and look forward to.  The sight of those blank pages feels me with anticipation.  Truth be told, I did hesitate this time.  Months of dealing with the pandemic and one lockdown after another has rendered me immobile with emotional fatigue.  What was the point of planning anything when the future seemed so uncertain?

There is no doubt that I have been relying more and more on the calendar in my phone.  However, I will always be an analog girl at heart and need to jot down my plans on paper.  When I saw the forest green colour of the pocket version. I couldn't resist. I always get the same style where the days of the week are on the left and there is a blank, lined page on the right.   You will see that the planners are still in the plastic wrapping as I haven't opened them yet.  I have put them in my stocking as my yearly treat to myself.

Hopefully, when I open them up on January 1st, I can move forward with optimism.

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Blogmas Day 21 Alone At Christmas

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 21!  With the expected announcement today that the lockdown had been extended,  I wanted to talk about the dreaded prospect of being alone at Christmas.  Christmas is already a very fraught time but throw in enforced isolation and all bets are off. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Yes, I have spent Christmas alone in the past but I didn't feel lonely.  There is a big difference between alone and lonely.  I still decorated my home.  I made sure to stock my kitchen with all of my favourite foods.  I watched my favourite holiday movies which I wrote about here.  I bought myself a couple small things that I needed and wanted and put them aside for Christmas Day.  I made an effort to be kind to myself.  Basically, I prepared for it as if I was going to have guests over except I was the honored guest.  I have had terrible Christmas' in the past as well with out of control people.  There is always someone who decides to drink way too much or someone who decides to stir the pot and air grievances from the last 30 years. So I know from experience that Christmas is not so much about the people you are with but the feeling from deep within of peace and plenty.  If you have made it to the end of this extraordinary year with your health and sanity intact, then give yourself a huge pat on the back!  If you have furbabies, I don't need to tell you what a Godsend they are.  If you don't, going for a walk, admiring the trees and feeding the squirrels at the park really reconnects you with Nature and the cycle of life.  Just remember, I am here too.  Unfortunately, Blogger seems to have taken away the reply to comment functionality but send me a comment or a message via the Contact Page if you want to reach out.

Blogmas Day 20 DIY Handmade Christmas Crackers How To Guide

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 20!  I love the concept of Christmas crackers but the reality of them has always been a bit of a letdown.  The store bought ones tend to have silly useless trinkets inside them that invariably end up in the trash.  Homemade crackers where you choose the surprise are so much better.  I chose to make mine with tea towels as they can be added to a table setting and used as napkins.  Best of all, the tea towels can be reused instead of being thrown away once the cracker has been opened.

You will need:

Cardboard rolls

Ribbons

Tea Towels

Small gifts or sweets to fill the cracker

Optional: Christmas cracker snaps.

Cut the roll to size.  I cut mine to approximately 1/3 the width of the towel.  Fill the cardboard roll with the surprise or treat. I chose toys like a miniature BMW (one can only wish), and hand cream mini's. You could fill the cardboard roll with delicious bonbons as well.

 Roll the towel around the cardboard.  I love using tea towels with a monogrammed initial on it as you can match the letter to the name of the family member.  Make sure that the initial is facing up and outwards. 

 I used tea towels with an embroidered Dala horse as well as they are so much fun for a child's place setting.  Tie a ribbon at eachend of the cardboard roll. 

Of course, you can also use leftover giftwrap as well.  The great thing about this craft is that you can use up what you have on hand such as cardboard rolls from giftwrap, paper towels and even toilet paper.  These tea or dish towel Christmas crackers are sure to enliven your festive tablescape.

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Blogmas Day 19 Sunset Mimosa Recipe

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 19!  I picked up a bottle of rose sparkling wine from my favourite winery.  I don't usually buy rose as rose drinkers tend to be viewed as slightly naif.  But I am far from being a wine snob and for some reason, the deep blush hue just spoke to me.  It made me think of tropical sunsets, sunny days and happier times.  Plus, I couldn't find the usual sparkling wine from Jacob's Creek on the shelf.

I think that it would be perfect with orange juice on Christmas Day.  What could be more festive than a mimosa with brunch on Christmas Day?

Sunset Mimosa

Ingredients:

Champagne or Sparkling Wine

Orange Juice

Grenadine

Optional Garnishes:  Strawberries 

Combine 1 part Champagne or Sparkling Wine with 1 part orange juice with enough Grenadine to produce a sunset hue.  If you are using rose sparkling wine, you may choose to omit the Grenadine.

Enjoy!

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Blogmas Day 18 Assembling Care Packages

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 18!  This weekend is really the last couple days that you can mail off parcels or order gifts online with any hope that they will arrive in time for Christmas.  I put together a care package for a family member who does not drive and took it off to the post office today.  The line up was long but moved quickly.

I love those big boxes of assorted biscuits that appear in the grocery stores at this time of year.  They are excellent quality, taste delicious and usually come in a pretty tin that you can keep for storing your own baked goodies.  I put in a few other goodies as well as practical things like a package of disinfectant wipes which are hard to find.  Remember that it isn't so much the dollar value of the contents but the feeling of pleasurable surprise that is elicited at a time of year when we have to continue to shelter in place.  Care packages that are a mix of treats and the practical are always well received. You should also keep in mind the cost of postage as, depending on how heavy the package is and where you are sending it, the cost could far outstrip the value of the contents.  As well, there are still a number of countries to which Canada Post has stopped service, so you should check first before taking your package to the Post Office.

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Blogmas Day 17 Maple Syrup Roasted Nuts Recipe

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 17!  I don't know about you but, for me, the Holiday Season is always associated with nuts for some reason.  Is it because of the proliferation of nutcrackers in holiday decor?  I just love roasted nuts and the following recipe yields a bowl of crunchy goodness that has a mouthwatering balance of the salty and the sweet.  However, if your tastes lean more towards the spicy, you could experiment with ground pepper and chili flakes.  Herbs work well with roasted nuts as well. I would recommend staying away from herbs with delicate leaves as they will likely just char.  Search out herbs with woody, twiggy leaves like rosemary, for example, as they are more robust and can withstand the heat of the oven.

Ingredients:

2 cups whole almonds

3 tablespoons maple syrup

3 tablespoons unsalted melted butter

1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  In a bowl, combine the ingredients.  I used almonds but you could use any nut that you prefer such as hazelnuts and even combine seeds such as sunflower seeds. Spread the mixture over a silicone baking mat.

Place the tray on the middle rack.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Turn the nuts at the 10 minute mark.  Check every 5 minutes to make sure they don't burn.  

The smokiness of the maple syrup combined with the vanilla extract and the roasted almonds produces a magical flavour profile.  Packaged into a pretty airtight jar with a tag or label describing the ingredients, they make a delicious gift.  

Blogmas Day 16 Handmade DIY Christmas Gifts Hair Clips Brooches Pendants With Beads and Buttons How To

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 16!  I have always loved unusual buttons as I felt that they had the underrated power to really elevate an outfit.  Over the years, I have amassed a small collection of vintage buttons as well as a handful of beautiful glass beads.  I really wanted to pull them out of the depths of a dresser drawer and do something creative with them.  Here is a DIY craft that doesn't require any level of specialized skill.

You will need beads and or buttons, pin backs, fine guage wire and hair clips.  You may also want transparent fishing line, pliers and a hot glue gun. The pin backs have holes for you to thread wire or fishing line.  The hair clip had a hole at either end as well.  I used both without issue.  Because the fishing line is transparent, you may prefer using that.  You may also wish to use hot glue for greater adhesion.  I found that I didn't need a large needle to work with the wire or fishing line as both were substantial enough for me to handle them with ease.  Use the pliers to snip off the wire once you have finished threading the beads and/or buttons and secured them together to pin back or hair clip. 

This is where you can really get creative.  Select the beads and buttons you want to work with and string them together with either wire or fishing line.  I made a long dangly pendant and attached a lobster claw clasp at one end so that it can clip easily to a chain.  I used a vintage button with a flat back at the end of the pendant so that I didn't have to make an ugly knot. I also strung together gorgeous handmade glass beads on a hairclip and attached a rectangular midnight blue glass bead to a pin back to form a one-of-a-kind brooch.  Buttons with a little loop at the back are easy to string together and attach to a hairclip as well.   Each bead is handmade and is like a tiny work of art in itself.  Placed in a pretty gift box or little jewelry bag, they make gorgeous, unique gifts.

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Blogmas Day 15 DIY Handmade Essential Oil Reed Diffuser How To

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 15!  Now that we are all spending so much more time at home, nesting and making the home as cozy as possible has become a national, if not, international obsession.  A big part of creating a homey ambiance is deploying delicious fragrances into the air.  I love a good scented candle but I don't love worrying about the flame.  I much prefer reed diffusers because they are scenting the air 24/7 without me having to worry about leaving an unattended lit candle.  However, essential oil reed diffusers can be prohibitively expensive.  In the past, I have bought reed diffusers that had no scent throw whatsoever. As well, until smell-o-vision is invented, ordering reed diffusers online is a risky business.  Below are the instructions for a handmade, DIY essential oil reed diffuser.  The great thing about making your own is that you can personalize the scent.  Even the most clumsy amongst us can master this as it really doesn't require any special skills at all.

You will need:

1/2 cup safflower oil (you may adjust the amount of carrier oil depending on the size of the display container you will be using)

9 reed sticks

30 drops of each type of essential oil

1-2 tablespoons of isopropyl alcohol

display container with a narrow neck opening

Mix everything in a glass bowl or a glass measuring cup then pour into the container of your choice.  When choosing essential oils, imagine your favourite perfume or scents.  Do you just want a single note or a medley?  Adjust the levels of the essential oils according to which ones you want to dominate. Think top, middle and base notes.

I would advise against using carrier oils that are thick or have a strong aroma such as olive and sesame oil.  A thick oil will have difficulty travelling up the reed and a strong aroma will interfere with the fragrance of the essential oils.  I chose safflower oil because it is readily available at the grocery store and is affordable.  You should use a glass container that has a narrow neck opening as the essential oil mixture will not evaporate as quickly.

You can use vintage perfume bottles, glass jars or even glass vases for your display container.  I decided to use the vase as the opening was sufficient to hold 9 sticks and I didn't have to shorten them.  You want to have a sufficient length of reed protruding from the top.  The reeds should be flipped once a week to maintain a constant scent throw.  

Handmade essential oil reed diffusers make a lovely gift.  Just decant the essential oil mixture into a pretty lidded jar that is leakproof, arrange it in a box or basket with the display container, the reeds and a festive note describing the essential oils that you chose.

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Blogmas Day 14 Bingeworthy Netflix Shows The Queen's Gambit and The Crown

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 14!  I wrote about holiday movies worth rewatching here on Blogmas Day Eight.  But there have been some new offerings on Netflix that had me settling in with my favourite snacks.  The whole world has been buzzing over The Queen's Gambit.

via imDb.com

I am completely clueless when it comes to chess but it just goes to show how gripping this series was and is in that it can captivate the imaginations of viewers who know nothing about chess.  Maybe it was the fact that I was bullied while in school and sought solace in books but I was able to identify with the main character, Beth Harmon, and her deep loneliness.  The series is only 7 episodes and I readily admit that I blew through it in an evening but I just had to keep watching if only to watch Beth Harmon kick ass on the chessboard whilst rocking 60's glam.

Season 4 of The Crown is available on Netflix now. This season introduces Princess Diana to the storyline.  Somehow the writers have managed to flesh out a story that everyone already knows and make it believable and engrossing.

via wikipedia.org

As much as the relationship and doomed marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana takes center stage in Season 4, the underrated turn of Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher was what really blew me away.  Yes, Gillian Anderson, somehow, with bouffant hair and stiff British accent, brought the Iron Lady to life.  I wonder what Maggie Thatcher would think of what's going on in the world now?

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Blogmas Day 13 DIY Christmas Gifts Handmade Tea

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 13!  Are you a coffee or tea drinker?  Myself, I love a cuppa first thing in the morning.  I have a family member who is obsessed with herbal tea.  If you read Blogmas Day 12, you know that I wrote about growing a herb garden.  If you have been harvesting and drying your herbs all summer then transforming the fruits of your labour into a sweet DIY handmade Christmas gift is simple.  If you don't have any homegrown herbs at hand, then loose herbal teas are readily available at your local health food store.  

The wonderful thing is that you don't need any type of culinary skills at all.  Mix in whatever tickles your palate such as chamomile, rosehips, hibiscus flowers or green tea.  Spoon in a generous teaspoonful or two into little drawstring bags available at craft stores and in health food stores.  

Place the filled tea bags in a pretty container.

Attach a festive tag describing the unique ingredients handpicked by you.

Blogmas Day 12 Indoor Herb Gardens

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 12!  We have all seen the rise in popularity of gardening this year.  Sadly, I don't have a garden or outdoor space to partake in this hobby but I didn't let that stop me.  I have tried umpteen times to grow herbs indoors.  I have tried growing them from seeds and cuttings and buying them fully grown but my attempts always fizzled.  However, when I saw potted herbs for sale at my local grocery store this summer, I decided to try again.

Several months on and I am happy to report that my basil plant is still going strong.  It is saving me a fortune and I always have fresh basil leaves at hand.  Having plants to look after helps me to feel less disconnected to nature as I shelter in place.  I will say that the trick for me was to have it by a window getting as much fresh air as possible during the summer months.  As well, when choosing one, check the leaves closely for signs of insect infestation.  Take it from me, I have purchased potted herbs in the past and brought them home only to discover that they were completely riddled with bugs.  There isn't any point in spraying them with insecticide because then you are left with a herb plant that you can't eat.  You also want to choose one that looks healthy and has fulsome foliage.  I did get a potted thyme at the same time as the basil but it died within 48 hours. I think that set a record for how quickly I had a plant die on me. I should have known better as it was looking a little on the crispy side.   It was the only one on offer at the time so I didn't have much choice.  Basil is a heavy drinker and requires frequent watering.  However, if your basil plant looks limp and droopy, a good soaking will perk it up very quickly.  The delicious fragrance of its leaves certainly beats any artificial air freshener hands down.

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Blogmas Day 11 Delicious Cheddar Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 11!  As we move steadily towards the Big Day, I am sure our collective thoughts are swirling around and around as to what the main dish, the star attraction, is going to be on the day.  Whether it is turkey, chicken or beef (or in the case of a family member who is vegetarian, a Tofurkey), let's be honest here, it's the SIDES that we lust for.  Here in the Northern Hemisphere, with the temperatures falling and deep in another lockdown, the lure of comfort food that is filling and deeply satisfying can't be denied.  Here is my take on that staple side dish, mashed potatoes.

Cheddar Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

3 lbs Yukon Gold Potatoes (if you can't find Yukon Gold, use yellow potatoes)

salt

1/3 cup unsalted butter

1/2 whipping cream

1/2 cup creme fraiche

coarsely ground pepper

1 cup roughly chopped or crumbled medium cheddar cheese

a sprig of green onion, chopped

Peel the potatoes.  You can quarter the potatoes either before or after cooking. I used a steamer to cook the potatoes but you can also boil them.  If you boil them, season the water well with salt.  Simmer until they are very tender and can be pierced easily with a fork.  

For the first time, I was unable to find Yukon Gold potatoes so I had to use yellow potatoes.  Yukon Gold potatoes are the very best for mashed potatoes so I was stricken with concern and anxiety at their absence in the grocery store.  If you are able to find them, please let me know.

Next, pass the potatoes through a potato ricer.  Hands up if you were ever made to mash potatoes with a masher as a child.  If you like lots of texture in your mash, then stick with a masher.  But if you want mash that has the fluffiness of a cloud then a potato ricer is your best friend.

I got mine years ago from Williams-Sonoma.  It comes with 3 discs with holes of varying diameters, depending on how fine a texture you are aiming for. It is called a potato ricer because what comes out really does look like rice grains.

Add in the butter, whipping cream, creme fraiche and cheddar cheese.  Add coarsely ground pepper to taste. Garnish with the spring onions. Serves 6 to 8.

The nuggets of cheddar cheese hidden in the luscious creaminess of the potatoes which itself has been amplified by the lashings of butter, whipping cream and cream fraiche really takes this unassuming vegetable to another level.  Above, I have paired the mashed potatoes with Italian sausages from Eataly.  I have noticed that food prices have risen during the pandemic and heard that they are set to rise again by 5% next year.  If you are like me and having to keep a sharp eye on the household budget, then having a few tried and tested basic recipes in your arsenal really helps to alleviate the worry.  I am not that interested at the moment in recipes that call for a laundry list of exotic ingredients.  First of all, how am I going to get my hands on them in the middle of a pandemic?  I don't want to spend hours ordering them online and then spend weeks waiting for delivery.  It all just seems too much of a faff.  Mashed spuds is a universal favourite which you can dress up with what you already have in your refrigerator. What is your favourite side dish?

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Blogmas Day 10 How To Deal With Maskne

 Welcome to Blogmas Day 10!  One side effect of wearing masks is, yes, you guessed it, Maskne.  Who knew that years after I left breakouts behind, I would be dealing with congested pores again.  You would think that all that humidity swirling around my face would be beneficial, rather like an enforced face sauna.  But instead, what I end up with are itchy rashes and breakouts.  Admittedly, there is a health and hygiene safety reason why we must wear masks.  I am not making light of the issue at all.  But if you, like me, are doing your best to follow health guidelines and wear masks whenever you go out, perhaps you have noticed your skin playing up as well.  So here is what I have learned in dealing with Maskne.

First, I have ramped back on my makeup routine.  I gave up lipstick, blush and highlighter.  No one ever saw any of that and it all rubbed off on my mask anyway.  At most, I put a bit of concealer under my eyes, some CC cream on my forehead and neutral eyeshadow.

I try my best to cleanse my face once I get home and take off my mask.  I really don't use any fancy facial cleansers.  In fact, my go-to for years has been baby wash and a cotton flannel!  I figured that if it is gentle enough for a baby then it should do the trick for my face.  Whatever you use, make sure it is free of fragrance, is hypoallergenic, and is free of other irritants like SLS' and parabens.  Basically, when your skin is in an agitated state, you don't want to put anything on it that is going to aggravate it further.  The cotton washcloth provides a gentle exfoliating action and gets tossed into the laundry regularly.

Speaking of laundry, you may also want to look at the type of detergent that you are using.  I am not pushing any particular brand.  The above is just what I am using at the moment.  I have used fragrance free hypoallergenic detergent for years as I had a family member with severe ezcema.  If you are using fabric, reusable masks, they should be washed regularly, preferably with hypoallergenic detergent.  That mask is pressed against your skin for a sustained period of time so any detergent residue embedded in the fabric will also be rubbing onto your skin and possibly causing skin sensitivities.

We have so many stressors to deal with right now and Maskne shouldn't be one of them.  If you have any further suggestions, please share in the comments!  

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Blogmas Day Nine Purdy's Chocolates

 Welcome to Blogmas Day Nine!  There is no doubt that the Holiday Season is coupled with lashings and lashings of chocolate.  I've spoken about my love for Purdy's Chocolates here and here but I truly adore this Canadian chocolate company.  I made sure to pick up a box of my favourite, Sweet Georgia Browns, before the second lockdown as the Purdy's stall nearest to me is inside a mall and doesn't have a street presence.  I just wasn't sure how they would manage curbside pickup and didn't want to take the chance of not having my favourite chocolates during the holidays.  Yes, I know, I am that much of a dedicated fan.

The sweetness of the caramel and chocolate balanced against the contrasting textures of the pecans and gooeyness of the caramel is an unparalleled delight.  

I spotted this box of matcha chocolate balls which I thought would be a perfect stocking stuffer for someone I know who is obsessed with matcha tea.  You can also get the boxes of chocolate prewrapped which is a real timesaver.

Luckily Purdy's is also available online for those of you who weren't able to stock up before lockdown or are still in lockdown.  Considering how delivery times are anyone's guess nowadays, I would suggest putting in your orders soon.

I do think that taking the time to indulge in something luscious and decadent with a steaming mug of your favourite tea or coffee is practically a necessity now as a way of combating the stresses of our lives.  

Let me know what your favourite treat is!

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Blogmas Day Eight Holiday Movies Worth Watching

 Welcome to Blogmas Day Eight!  One of the things I love about the holiday season is preparing my favourite snacks, sitting down in the evening and watching a feel good movie.  Last night, I snuggled under a duvet and hit up "The Holiday."

via imdb.com

Who cares if I've seen it multiple times already?  That's the charm of creating your own traditions.  Who wouldn't swoon over Iris' sweet-beyond-belief cottage or cheer when she finally ditches her ex and gets some "gumption."?

Another rom-com that I adore watching this time of year is "Love Actually."

via eonline.com

Call me a sap but it does warm the cockles of this hollow heart of mine to see the subject of love celebrated in all its forms whether it be romantic, between friends or between siblings.

Any recommendations that I should add to my Must Watch List?

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Blogmas Day Seven Christmas Trees

 Welcome to Blogmas Day Seven!  I put out a couple more of my tabletop Christmas trees.

This one went on top of the piano.  As I was arranging it and plugging it in, I noticed the streaks on the mirror above.  The world has gone through tanker ships full of disinfectant cleaners this year and I am no exception.  The problem is that those Lysol and Clorox sprays leave a multitude of streaks.  Have you noticed this?  I have found Clorox to leave the most residue behind.  For the life of me, I just can't get a streak free shine.  I have found that vinegar and water works pretty well.  It isn't one hundred percent streak free but definitely better than  Clorox.  I have tried cloths and paper towels, to no avail.  The coat closet has mirrored doors.  Because those doors are near the entrance, they get coated in dust very quickly.  I have just about given up on them.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Moving on to a less aggravating subject, I haven't put up a large Christmas tree this year.  There is no way I would be able to manage it on my own.  The last time one went up here, it all ended rather painfully.  By the time, it was removed, it was dry as the Sahara Desert.  It was placed in an extra large garbage bag but that didn't stop it from leaving behind a minor trail of pine needles.  As we were taking it out to the dumpster, we were categorically lectured by a woman who lived in the same building for deliberately causing a mess!  I am positive she expected us to get on our knees forthwith and sweep up stray needles with our hands whilst begging her forgiveness.  I decided I wasn't ever going to have another tree.  Since when did Christmas trees cause so much offence?  My tabletop trees give me great joy and I can arrange them in the privacy and comfort of my home without my neighbours having an apoplectic fit.  I do notice Christmas trees in the lobbies of buildings and in storefronts on my walkies so I don't feel like I am missing out at all.

I would love to see YOUR Christmas trees!  Please share photos of your Christmas trees.

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Blogmas Day Six Christmas Advent Calendars

 Welcome to Blogmas Day Six!  This weekend was the first weekend in December.  Do you celebrate Advent?  I do love Advent and especially Advent Calendars.  It means that Christmas starts early and doesn't start and end within 24 hours.

I think the Lindt chocolate advent calendars have a better quality chocolate than the usual kiddie advent calendars available at the grocery store.  

Who cares if you left childhood behind long ago?  There is something so magical and innocent about searching for and opening that day's window and then popping out the sweet treat within.  I love reusable Advent Calendars as well.  

This one is from Target several years back. It is really sturdy.  The doors have magnets embedded in them so that they close with a very satisfying click.  You don't just have to hide chocolates in the calendar.  It is such fun to think of creative ways to fit surprises into each compartment. A thoughtful note, an IOU, the possibilities are endless. Of course I have seen some really elaborate ones out there.  Given as a gift, they become an heirloom and treasured family piece that is brought out year after year.

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Blogmas Day Five Wool and the Gang Knitting Kits

 Welcome to Blogmas Day Five! Now that we are spending so much time at home, I am sure that many of us have taken up new crafts, skills and hobbies or else renewed our interest in crafts and hobbies that fell by the wayside in our busy lives.  I taught myself to knit out of a book years ago but then I never kept it up.  Then, by chance I came across this knitting kit in the Summer.

The kit is by Wool and the Gang and contains everything you need to knit, in this case, a pom pom hat.  The wool is a ball of delicious chunky Peruvian wool.  You even get a needle to sew up the hat. What I love about this kit is that the instruction booklet contains instructions for 4 skill levels: beginner, easy, intermediate and advanced.  There are even video tutorials available.  The kits are available with different coloured balls of wool.  I chose a fashionable tweedy gray.  Just that luscious ball of soft wool is well worth the cost.  I have also seen crochet kits for summer hats and bags and knitting kits for chunky scarves.

This would make a wonderful handmade gift or you could even give the kit as a gift as well.  Maybe it is the teacher in me but I love giving educational gifts rather than a toy that gets played with for 10 minutes and then gets abandoned.  

I am so excited to try this.  There is something so wonderfully calming and meditative about the steady click click of the needles.  And then at the end, you have something handmade that you can use in everyday life.  What crafts or hobbies have you taken up lately? 

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Blogmas Day Four Favourite Christmas Mugs and the Best Hot Chocolate Recipe

 Welcome to Blogmas Day Four!  I woke up to another huge snowfall.  Crisp wintery days call for one thing and one thing only and that is a mug of delicious hot chocolate.  Do you have a favourite mug, plates or bowls that you only pull out at this time of year?  I know I do.

I love this Starbucks mug because it isn't just the usual red and white.  I only pull it out of the cupboard on December 1st which makes it even more special.  Of course, the world's most delicious chocolat chaud has to be lovingly poured into this mug.

Decades ago, I came across a recipe for hot chocolate by Jeffrey Steingarten, food writer for Vogue magazine.  It was in the February, 2000 edition. Two decades on and that recipe still sticks in my mind. Up until that point, I just assumed that hot chocolate came out of a tin and my curiosity was peaked. Bear in mind that I had just finished my education and was  finding my way through life.  I grew up in household where my mother never let anyone near the kitchen. Back then, TV dinners was considered the height of fashionable eating. The hot chocolate made from this recipe was a revelation. This is proper chocolat chaud, made the way it should be.  There's no faffing about with marshmallows or peppermint candy canes.  The denseness and complexity of the flavour profile really began my journey on homecooking and cooking from scratch in general.  I've reproduced the recipe here with a few tweaks of my own and bringing it into 2020.

Hot Chocolate (Chocolat Chaud) Recipe

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups whole milk

1/4 cup still water (preferably filtered)

1/4 cup (generous) granulated sugar

1 100 gram bar or 3 1/2 ounces good quality dark bittersweet chocolate, preferably 60% cacao and above, chopped with a serrated bread knife 

1/4 cup cocoa powder

**The original recipe called for bottled water.  We know so much more about the deleterious impact of plastic water bottles on the environment 20 years later so I substituted filtered still water.  I have used Scharffen Berger and Valrhona chocolate with great success.

In a saucepan or pot, stir together the milk, water and sugar.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.  Add the chopped chocolate and the cocoa and bring to a boil again, whisking until the chocolate and cocoa are dissolved and the mixture has thickened.  Reduce the heat to very low.

I used my trusty Le Creuset enameled cast iron sauce pot because the cast iron is marvelous at retaining heat and then distributing it evenly.  Part of the pleasure of eating is feasting with your eyes.  You can see already the glossiness of the hot chocolate and the rich deep colour which puts the pallid tone of tinned hot chocolate to shame.

Blend for five minutes with an immersion mixer until thick and foamy.  I have used a miniature frother as well with adequate results.  Yield: four six ounce cups of hot chocolate.  Optional: sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon and/or nutmeg on top.

And there you have it!  I have paired the chocolat chaud with my sea salt caramel chip cookies, the recipe for which you can find here.  You may well ask why all the bother?  Well, as with any tradition, the magic starts with the process of making the hot chocolate.  Immersing yourself in the moment and putting aside worldly cares is something that quickly dumping a couple tablespoons of powder in some boiled water just can't achieve.

Blogmas Day Three Christmas Walks and Lego

 Welcome to Blogmas Day Three!  We had a huge snowfall recently.  If there is one thing that is guaranteed to get one in the Christmas spirit, it just has to be lots and lots of snow.

I know I am late to the party but with a second lockdown, I started going for regular walks.  Now, it has got to the point that I really look forward to them.  It gives me a chance to get some fresh air and, most importantly, a chance to unplug and clear my head.  If you have been having a difficult time staying on top of stress and anxiety, this is such a gentle and low impact way to do it.

On the days when the weather is too inclement for a walk, then there's nothing like building a scenescape with Lego to while away the hours indoors.  I am sure that many, many families have turned to board games, puzzles and the like to occupy the kids and provide some family time.  Lego is a classic and it is something that family, friends, young and old can join in on without that competitive aspect.

I don't know how many times I have worked on the antlers and tried different variations but they never seem to come out exactly as I envisioned.  Oh well, better luck next year!

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