So Long 2009

Celebrate safely if you're celebrating tonight and have fun!

“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.
A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”
~Bill Vaughn~

December Meals to Remember

If I don't take pics of what I make, I may never enjoy that same meal again! December is pomegranate month and I love them...put 'em on everything!

Leftover Soup

Methinks one can never make enough soup!

Great Stocking Stuffer Idea

Turn ordinary wooden clothes pegs into
extraordinary fridge magnets!

I made a whole bunch this year and
even kept the peppers for myself!

Chocolates

Didn't get an "after" shot when they were all decorated, (I know, I can't believe it either! lol) but you can see one in the post below beside the turkey. A nice glass air tight container filled with 72% cocoa Swiss chocolates--->
which I think is the perfect one-a-day healthful treat!

Christmas Cards

Didn't get them all done and not all were sent out, but I had fun making them! That counts for something, right?

Turkey Dinner Take Two

Our second turkey dinner was just as yummy as the first! Table set by the kids...click HERE to see a couple more pics of their awesome place cards!

Christmas Trees

one real and one artificial

both BEAUTIFUL!
See what was under the tree by clicking HERE

Turkey Dinner

If anybody ever sees a steamer basket like this one in their travels PLEASE let me know where!

One of Our Yummy Christmas Dinners!

Paper Star

The pointy cones sitting on the tray were transformed into this beautiful paper star by me and I had the cramped fingers to prove it! *grin* Click HERE to be taken to my other blog to see a couple more pics and the product name.

Never did get the bulb put inside it, but it was pretty nonetheless! At least I thought so...

Merry Christmas

It's Christmas Eve...

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there...

Christmas Giggles

What do you call people afraid of Santa Claus?
Why Claustrophobic of course!

What do elves learn in school?
The Elf-abet!

What kind of bird can write?
A pen-guin.

Why does Santa have three gardens?
So he can hoe, hoe, hoe!

What Christmas Carol is a favourite of parents?
Silent Night. Hmmm I wonder why...

What do monkeys sing at Christmas?
Jungle Bells, Jungle Bells

What King is a favourite at Christmas?
A StocKING!

Why are Canadian Christmases so cold?
Because they're in Decemberrrrrr

What's the name of Santa's most famous elf?
Elfvis

What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
Frosted Flakes

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... Monday, December 14, 2009

Outside my window...it is lightly raining, but there is a snowfall warning in effect.
I am thinking...of the stops I have to make today.
From the learning rooms...learning that leaving so many Christmas to-do's until the last week does not work for me!

I am thankful for... long, warm showers!
I am wearing... blue jean and a purple shirt
I am remembering...my Dad, and wishing he was still with us.
I am going...to meet my friend for lunch at our favourite restaurant.
I am currently reading...still reading cookbooks and online recipe sites and trying out new recipes.
I am hoping...for snow on Christmas Eve again this week!
On my mind...my family and friends.
I am creating...more Christmas cards, this time in the non-traditional colours of pink and purple. (Okay, traditional for you Carol! haha)

Noticing that...Christmas is fast approaching
Pondering these words...The happiest of all lives is a busy solitude. ~Voltaire~

I am hearing...the sand/salt truck??? Can't see it, but sounds like it. Maybe it's just the street sweeper!

From the kitchen...a few Christmas goodies will be created this afternoon.
Around the house...slowly getting organized-->ie craft supplies are making their way home!
One of my favorite things...new fav--->peanut butter hot chocolate!
A picture I'm sharing...yesterday's lunch: Two of the new recipes I found online:

It's that time again--->Lucia

St. Lucia by Carl Larsson (1908)
~click the pic to learn more~
or HERE to see last year's post and recipes
Happy Lucia to those of you celebrating!

He'll be arriving in FIFTEEN days...

are you getting excited yet?

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... Monday, December 7, 2009

Outside my window... it is sunny, cold and windy!

I am thinking... of things I want to have done in time for Christmas.

From the learning rooms...working on getting my homework done for tonight's class.

I am thankful for... a warm home to live in.

I am wearing... blue jean and a green hoodie

I am remembering...to make lunch reservations for next week for my friend and I.

I am going... to get started on my homework when I'm done this!

I am currently reading... cookbooks! Trying to find new recipes that I'd like to try.

I am hoping... for snow on Christmas Eve.

On my mind... sorting Christmas gift ideas for my family and friends.

I am creating...stocking stuffers! Can't say what, spies amongst us! *grin*

Noticing that... the days leading up to Christmas seem to go slower as a child!

Pondering these words... Luther Burbank's “Thinking is the greatest torture in the world for most people.”

I am hearing...the crunch of a gingerbread cookie as I take a bite.

From the kitchen... a quiet day in the kitchen...leftovers tonight!

Around the house... lots craft supplies currently scattered around the place...I have been working as hard as Santa's elves!

One of my favorite things...making homemade Christmas pressies.

A picture I'm sharing...lunch! I sprinkle pomegranate on everything this time of year!

Suddenly it's December!

December 1
the non-official day when it's suddenly acceptable to embrace the Christmas Spirit. I say let the mood hit you when it may---if it's earlier, why wait? if it's later, whatcha waiting for? *grin* Time to start playing those Christmas tunes if you haven't already, and if you have...well, apparently you can enjoy them guilt-free from this day forward! Whatever your traditions, just enjoy 'em!

Red & White = Pure Delight!

Images POINTclickHOME www.pointclickhome.com
Head over to their website for more great home decorating ideas!

Fun and Simple Decorating Ideas

Images: Better Homes and Gardens
Be sure to check out their website:

www.bhg.com
for more great holiday ideas and recipes

The Countdown Continues...

Only 28 Day Until Christmas...Are YOU ready? I'm not!

Rice and Lentil Pilaf

Last Thursday I shared a couple of onion recipes that I wanted to try and here is my version of the one I decided to try first. I slightly modified it by adding a tomato-based sauce and some chunks of beef and substituting red peppers for the tomatoes. It didn't look very appetizing, but it definitely was delicious...I would make it again.