Why I Love Christmas....

It is the most wonderful time of year. The Christmas season is hands down my most favorite time of the year and has been since I was a little girl. When you are young you love Christmas for fun of everything and the idea of Santa and presents. Of course as you get older hopefully your love of Christmas matures a bit. As the saying goes it isn't what is under the tree that matters but who is around it and as you get older this definitely becomes an accurate statement.

As a child, I had the most wonderful Christmases. They were always filled with family, presents, good food and lots of love. I believe most of love of Christmas has come from my mother who is probably the only other person I know who loves Christmas as much as I do. She puts her love of Christmas on her mother too. Sadly, Nanny passed away in 1992, I can only imagine what the three of us would be like together now at Christmas. My dad also likes Christmas but he is your man's man who enjoys it and does what he told when the decorating starts. He worked very hard and still does to make sure we have a great Christmas. I will forever have great memories of Christmas as child/teenager/adult because of my wonderful parents.

There is very little I don't like about Christmas. The only thing is probably the materialistic side of it but honestly I just push that out of my head and just think about all the good things because I think Christmas is what you make of it. I love all the traditions we have, lights drives, the movies and music, Christmas potluck on Christmas eve, turkey dinner on Christmas day, the crafts, day after boxing day sales, visiting with friends and family, the decorations, having quiet moments alone by the Christmas tree etc. I will always 'believe' in Santa and remember the real reason for the season. Christmas just gives me all the feels.

It is honestly the most wonderful time of year for me and I wish everyone else could love it almost as much as I do.

Merry Christmas Everyone! I wish you a wonderful holiday season and a magical new year!

A Christmas Tag!

I wasn't sure what I would post today since I ended up not getting the pictures I wanted taken for a bit of a decoration house tour. But luckily yesterday Jenn posted this Christmas tag and I quickly decided that would be the post for today. Just some fun before it is time to step away from the blog for a few days and celebrate Christmas! So here we go...

1. What is your favorite Christmas film?
I would have to say my favorite Christmas movie is The Santa Clause. I watch it every season and I just love it as much as I did the year before.

2. Have you ever had a white Christmas?
Oh yes! Many! I live on the east coast of Canada! Mind you the last two were sunny and plus 15*C! But whatever!

3. Where do you usually spend the holiday?
At home with the family!

4. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by just about anyone. I also love On A Snowy Christmas Night by Elvis Presley.

5. Do you open any presents on Christmas eve?
I don't think we have the past couple of years but as kids we always opened one gift before bed.

6. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
You have Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid and Donner and Blixen and of course Rudolph!


7. What holiday traditions are you looking forward to most this year?
My favorite tradition is having Christmas Eve with my mom's family. It is a potluck and basically the best meal of year. It is always nice to start Christmas eve off with your family and good food.

8. Is your Christmas tree real or fake.
Both, we have a real tree and a few fake ones!

9. What is your all time favorite Holiday food / Sweet Treat?
Probably my mom's scotch cookies!

10. Be honest, do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?
Both! Come on we all love getting a nice present or two! I of course love giving presents too. I love shopping for them and seeing how the receiver reacts to their gift!

11. What would be your dream place to visit for the Holiday season?
If you know me this might sound weird because I don't really enjoy snow but I would love to be able to have all my family at a beautiful snowy ski lodge for Christmas. I think it would be so magical and if not that I wouldn't mind a white sandy beach Christmas either.

12. Are you a pro present wrapper, or do you fail miserably?
In between! I can wrap pretty well but nothing too crazy! Normally the first couple of gifts give me some grief but then I get into a groove and do pretty well :)

Remember to hug your loved ones tight and tell them you love them this holiday season and every day. I found out an old friend passed away this week, a shock for sure so make sure the ones you love it.

Happy Holidays!

Just a Bit of A Ramble.....What's Happinning Wednesday!

Can you believe it is so close to Christmas? Four more sleeps! Are you ready? I have to say I'm close. I have just a couple of things to pick up and just a few more things to wrap. I mainly just have some baking and cleaning to do. I'm hoping to get most of it done this evening and if not I will finish up tomorrow. Lets just say I'm not at all stressed about anything which is great and really I normally keep myself pretty chilled during the holidays because I love them so much! I wish I had time for another craft though! I found this on Pinterest awhile ago and said I wanted to make it but I haven't gotten around to it! It will have to go on my list for next year! Honestly how cute it is though? I love it

 

 

I already have a list of things I want to make year for Christmas. I just didn't get as much crafting done as I wanted to but what can you do. I wasn't going to force myself to make stuff. And lets be honestly I normally have a running list of crafts I want to do. If I didn't get into Pinterest I would never have become the crafter I am now! Damn you Pinterest! hahaha

 

Anyways, I hope you're all having a great week before Christmas and I hope you all get to relax for at least a few days. Merry Christmas!

 



Christmas Movies: Lifetime, Hallmark and W Network Edition

I have never been one for Christmas Lifetime/W Network movies but this year I have been watching many more. Not to say I didn't watch them before but this season I did watch a lot them and I thought I would let you know which ones I liked and maybe you will be able to catch some of them before the season is over.



The Mistletoe Promise - This one is about two people who don't have the best track records with Christmas but they decide to ban together and get through Christmas together. He is trying to get promoted at work and she is trying to get over her ex husband who she owns a company with. Jamie King and Luke McFarlane are stars of this movie and I have to say I did like this one, it is probably my favorite one. The acting is fine and I didn't mind the storyline of this one. Of course it is cheesy, it wouldn't be a W network Christmas movie if it wasn't but it is a good one. If you like these kind of movies I think you would really like this one.

Guess Who's Coming to Christmas - I have already mentioned this one before and it still one of my top picks. This is about a woman who moves home with her family due to lack of employment. Her little brother signs up for a contest that would bring her favorite pop star to their town for Christmas. He of course and hilarity/cheesy goodness ensues! MacKenzie Porter and Drew Lachey star in this movie. 



A Snow Capped Christmas - I just watched this one and really it is one of the cheesiest movies I have watched so far but for some reason I liked it. It is about a figure skater who injures her ankle and she heads off to a rehab in the country to rest before Nationals and of course meets a man who changes everything. Now, like I said before this one is full of cheese and maybe because I was a tad high on Gravol when I was watching this could have made me like it more then I should have. This movie stars Leah Renee and Naill Matter.

These are the top cheesy Christmas movies of this season. Do you watch these kind of movies? If so which ones are your favorite? Have you watched any of these? Let me know!

Keep Calm and Carry On....It's the Holidays

Last day of the link up with Sarah and Victoria and it is about how we make the holiday about something more than just the gifts and the craziness associated with it. I honestly believe you make Christmas what you want it, if you want it all about the presents then do it and if you want it more about your family/friends do it! And yes I do that is easier said than done! I watching a vlog a couple of weeks ago and the vlogger said she didn't do Christmas because it was just too materialistic and commercialized. Yes, I don't disagree but you should be able to make Christmas more of how you want, especially if you have family who are more on the same level. I don't know maybe I'm dreaming or maybe I say this because I don't have kids who want everything but I remember being kid and yes wanting all the presents (yes, getting lots too) but my parents made it about being with family and enjoying it all.

I think you need to pull back and relax around Christmas. I do love the craziness at times and just the spirit of everything probably because I do love Christmas that much. I think it is probably because how I was raised and how much my mother loves Christmas. The holidays are about spending time with your family and friends so make sure you do that and actually enjoy it don't be thinking about what else you have to get done just be in the moment. At the end of the night turn on the Christmas lights and just enjoy the moment.

They do say the older you get the more you care about who is around the tree and less about what is under it, this is true and make sure you remember that. Do your best during the holidays that is all you do.

Christmas Party Outfits!

One of my new favorite bloggers Sarah is doing a Christmas link up and I have been meaning to link up with her since it started last week but alas I seem to have become a terrible blogger again and can't quite seem to get my act together! I'm a day late with this one but I wanted to link up during her holiday outfit post, of course yesterday the day got away on me and I completely forgot to post. So better late than never right?

I normally do not attend fancy dressy Christmas parties so, I'm giving you what I think I would wear if I attended such events.

 
Just a bit more sparkle, I like the dress for dressier events and the added sparkle with the pants for something that was maybe more dressy but not overly dressy.

Now, normally my Christmas parties and gathering are more casual so here are two outfits you're more likely to see me wearing this Holiday season.

 
I know, they look like your average day outfits but add some jewelry and they can be a party outfit. I have to say I will probably be wearing almost the exactly same thing on Christmas Eve as the second picture.

Dressy or casual? What is your holiday style? I do enjoy both, I have to say I normally get more dressy with my make up because like I mentioned I just don't attend the dressier events around the holidays.

Now, go and check out Sarah and her link up buddy Victoria!

Christmas Music!

I know some people don't like listening to Christmas music until sometime in December but those are not my kind of people. I start really enjoying it November 1st, since I'm doing Christmas crafts and cards it is makes it much easier to do when you get into the spirit more by listening to your favorite Christmas carols! There are very few Christmas songs I do not like but of course I have my favorites and that is what we are going to talk about today! Now, I was going to give reasons for why I love them but honestly most of it would be the same thing over and over again so I do not have to keep repeating myself I'm just going to list my favorites and give a general summary of why I love them all!

 

 

 


Alright, so here is my top four Christmas albums. I probably could have listed 20 but lets keep it manageable! Other than Michael Buble's Christmas album all of these albums remind me of Christmas as a kid. Myself and my mother have basically the same love of Christmas and Christmas music so these were played a lot when I was kid. I had wonderful Christmases as a child so hearing these albums just brings back a warm and fuzzy feeling for me. Then you have Buble and who doesn't love his Christmas album!? Always, one I play over and over during the Christmas season.

When do you start listening to Christmas music and who are you playing this holiday season?

xo

Linking up with these lovelies!

Holiday Season + Vacation = Netflix Binge

With the holidays upon us and some vacation days being taken it is probably likely you're going to want to sit down and Netflix for some of your Christmas vacation. I know I will binge watching something. Now, here is the problem....what do you watch? There are so many choices and all of them seem like a good choice! Luckily, for you today, I'm giving you a few picks, ones I think most people will be happy with and if you're not...what is wrong with you? These shows are great! No I kid, there is nothing wrong with you if you disagree with my choices (maybe). Please let me know what you have been binge watching so maybe you will make my next choice easier too!

Now onto my picks for binge worthy shows!

1. Friends - Good old faithful, always makes you laugh and doesn't matter how many time you watch it, it is just as good as the last time.

2. Gilmore Girls - For me this is another old faithful, I watched it every Tuesday when it was on and just finished the revival. It is quirky and charming. Watch and love it!

3. Broadchurch - I honestly don't know why I even started watching this one day but I'm glad I did. It is about the murder of a young boy in a small town and the events following which are full of twists and turns. I HIGHLY recommend this show.

4. Downton Abbey - When this was on TV I thought no I won't like it, I'm normally not into period pieces but one night last year I started it and well no one saw me again for days expect when I needed some food! I just feel in love with the characters and well Maggie Smith makes everything better.

5. How to Get Away with Murder - I love this show! Yes, it is tad insane and intense but I love it. I love the characters, crazy plot lines and hello Frank (Charlie Weber)!

I hope some of you decided to watch one of these over the holidays and love it! If you do please let me know :)

Happy Binge Watching!

December

Happy December everyone! We can all agree now that it is the Christmas/Holiday Season right? If you don't agree it might be time to move along and find another blog to read ;)

I had planned on doing a December Instagram Challenge but seeing as my October one was an epic fail, I decided to pass and hopefully I will just remember to take some pictures most days. I ordered an amazing Christmas scrapbook kit from Vicki Boutin this year so I need to make sure I document the Christmas season well this year so I have lots to fill the album up with. I will have to take some pictures of the album to show you. Vicki really put together a great album. She always does so I shouldn't be surprised. I think this will become an annual thing for me know. Hear that Vicki you're going to have to keep doing it now that you have me hooked!

This week has been a tad crazy and honestly it is only going to get more crazy as the holiday season continues and you want to know what I don't mind it at all! This is the only time of the year it can just be as crazy as it can be and I still love it. I try to keep myself as organized as possible, I make lists and I plan what I want to do during the day while I'm in the shower in the morning. Some people say the holidays have become too crazy and commercialized, I say you make it what you want! Here are a couple of things I do to stay calm during the holidays

• go shopping when you aren't rushed! Being in a hurry when it is crazy at the mall only makes things worse! Take a deep breath and embrace the crazy!
• make lists and stick to them!
• Spend as much time as you can with your family and friends.
• Unwind....have a cup of coffee, egg nog, wine or whatever while sitting by the tree with just the lights of the decorations on. This is my favorite thing to do during December. You can almost find me there if you're wondering where I am.

Now that being said, how is everyone doing with their shopping, baking and wrapping...etc! I hope to finish my Christmas cards tonight, I would have had them done earlier but I got into the album from Vicki and just needed to finish it first!

Happy December!

Wordless Wednesday

Okay so I guess I only post on Wednesdays for awhile and then just on Fridays! I was busy so what can you do. I have been planning some holiday posts so fingers crossed they are going to actually get written!

I don't even really know what to write about today. Week was busy and I had a had a doctor's appt so nothing really blog worthy there HA!

I really just waiting for work to be over today so I can go home and watch Gilmore Girls! I tried to stay up last night to watch some but lets be honest that wasn't going to happen because I'm basically a grandmother now when it comes to going to bed. It is weird because when I was younger I could be up until 4am and not worry about it now that would mess me up for a couple of days sleep wise LOL

Anyways, I hope all my American friends had a great thanksgiving yesterday and if they are out shopping today I hope you stay safe and get what you want at the stores!

Happy Friday!

Friday Favorites

 

 

 

Well, first time on the blog this week and it already Friday! It was a busy week for me, getting things rolling for the Christmas house tours decoration wise which you know I love! Plus, some appointments for check up stuff making sure the other ovary is okay. All good times! Anyways, I decided why not link up with Andrea, Erika and Narci if you haven't checked out their blogs you should! Now, onto my Friday favorites!

1. Lifetime Christmas movies! I for a long time never liked watching the lifetime or hallmark Christmas movies because they are so beyond cheesy they are hard to watch but last year I started with Guess Who's Coming to Christmas starring Drew Lachey and well I'm a little hooked now. I even DVR them now haha

2. Fun nights with Erica and Ashdenne! On Monday, myself, Erica and Ashdenne went to dinner and then did some Christmas shopping and we had a great time.

3. It is FRI-YAY! Weekend time! I don't have any real plans which I'm okay with because I have some stuff around the house I would like to get done especially finishing my Christmas cards! I got into other crafts and they have been neglected for the last little bit. Hoping to get them done this weekend.

4. I was only to have three but got word my package of crafty goodness from Vicki arrived! I can't wait until work is over and I can go home and open it!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

What's Hap'pinning' Wednesday

Happy Hump Day Folks! I hope you are all well and being kind to one another today. The sun is shining here and we are all still here. Today, I'm linking up with Jennifer and Jessi for What's Hap'pinning' Wednesday!

What has been hap'pping' with me? Last weekend pretty last minute myself and Erica decided to head to the city on Saturday for a wee bit of shopping and brave Christmas at the Forum! We even decided to brave it in the evening when it was two for one! Lordy, when you go to these events people please go with a great deal of patience and not be in a hurry. If you know me you know patience is not something I have a lot of but seriously some of the people at the Forum just needed to take a chill pill. We did have a great day and I did get some nice stuff at the forum! I was reading Sarah's post about her going to something like Christmas at the Forum with her mom this past weekend and how she thought she was going to be able to take pictures and browse around but ended up not able to do those things made me think of this! haha It is something but honestly the thing that annoys me most are the annoying younger firefighters who are selling their calendars! Most of them are fine but there are always a couple who are just so annoying, no sorry I don't want your calendar, no I don't think you're that good looking! Leave me alone now please! But alas we did have fun and it was good sister day.

Last week Jenn posted about the tomato tortellini soup she made and it looked so yummy! Most of us read the post asked for the recipe and like the nice one she is she posted it. On Monday, I made said soup and she was not lying when she said how good it was! Like omg yum! And it say it was easy to make is an understatement! Once you're done here go to Jenn's blog, read some posts and find that recipe before you leave!

 

The best worst lifetime Christmas was on this morning so I dvr'ed and I will probably watch that tonight! Hope everyone is having a good day and remember to be kind to one another.

Jennifer and Jessi

I Have Them, Do you?

Some people like them, some hate them, some have them, some don't and some just don't care. I'm sure you're wondering what I'm talking about now and the topic of the day is tattoos. There are a lot of opinions about them. There is still a stereotype with them too even though many more people have tattoos nowadays.

For most of high school I wanted a tattoo but I hate needles so I never ended up getting one plus my parents would have had to say yes to it and that was not going to happen. My parents do not hate tattoos they just didn't want their teenage daughter to get one and hate it in a few years. After high school I didn't really think about getting one and it wasn't until probably 10-12 years later that I thought about getting one again. When I went back to school for cosmetology there were a couple of girls in my class that had really nice tattoos and I think that is when I decided I might want one again. I knew I didn't want something trendy or something that didn't mean something personal to me. I didn't want to regret it because well I won't be getting them removed. It took me months to figure out what I wanted but finally in my final term of school I decided and booked an appointment. I also made one of my friends come with me because I was super nervous about it. My grandma (dad's mom) had very recognizable handwriting and often signed cards for both her and grandpa. I decided to get her writing on me for my first tattoo. My dad was working away when I got it so once it was done I sent him a picture and he was pleased when he saw it because at first he wasn't sure about it but he couldn't stop me since I was 31. I only told a few people before hand so everyone was rather shocked when I posted the picture on facebook. I think most people were surprised because if you know me you know I don't like needles. It didn't take long and honestly it didn't hurt much. I was pleased and I know it is something I will never regret getting.

So, once you have one it is hard not wanting another one. I go through phases were all I want to more tattoos! So, a little over a year after I got my first one I decided it was time for a second. This one is in memory of my Nanny (mom's mom), I looked for something which her signature on it but I could not find anything. She passed away when I was 8 so I don't have as many cards saved as I did from my grandma because her and my grandpa didn't pass away until I was in my 20s. My nanny loved roses and jewelry! I think she passed that onto me for sure! So, I took my idea to the tattoo shop and Dale gave me a beautiful tattoo in return. This one of course hurt more but still not a lot and I'm very happy with it. I don't think it could have turned out better.

 

Do I want more? Yes, I'm trying to figure out my next one now but honestly I probably won't get it until next year because I'm not sure how I want to do it. If you have been reading my blog you know my instructor passed away in September and I would like to have a tattoo to remember her but I don't know what I want and I normally give it a lot of thought so I don't see myself getting it until next year sometime unless I get a great idea for it. My mother says two enough but I think she is wrong. Haha Sorry mom!

 

 

What are your opinions on tattoos? Do you have any? Let me know!

What's Hap'pinning' Wednesday!?

Happy Wednesday Everyone! Did you miss me? Last week was my birthday week so sorry (not sorry) I didn't feel like blogging at all and I may have forgotten to blog on Monday oops! But now I'm back and ready to give you what has been happening the last little bit in my life. I even have a few pictures, so lets get to it...

 

Got this in the mail a FULL WEEK before my birthday and I actually didn't open it until the morning of my birthday! Thanks to Tiana for the cute card that was inside!

 

 

On Wednesday, it was pumpkin carving time! We had pizza and cupcakes for my birthday since Chase and Lindsay wouldn't be around on Friday for my actually birthday.

 

 

 

We are all pretty awesome huh? It goes Erica's, Chase's, mine and Lindsay's.

 

 

Close up of Erica and Chase's pumpkins

 

 

And mine and Lindsay's

 

 

On Friday, momma made me a red velvet cake! It was delish! And love the pearls and pink sprinkles. For my birthday we just went out for dinner. I got some nice flowers and gift cards :)

 

 

Saturday, watched Ghostbusters which was kind of Halloween-y and made a Christmas wreath! haha

 

 

My most favorite girl came to visit me on Sunday. Cutest Snow White ever, I love her to death. You can't help but smile when she is around.

 

 

and me from Halloween, just did a little quick make up for the trick or treaters and sadly we didn't have many but a couple liked it :)

 

How was your weekend and Halloween? I hope you all had a good one and Happy November! Yes, I'm listening to Christmas music now!

 

Jennifer/Jessi

 

 

Taking the Week off because...

It is my birthday week! I will be back on Monday with another post :)

33 on Friday! Oh gosh 32 rolls off the tongue way better than 33!

What's Happ"Pinning" Wednesday!

 

Since I started this week with crafts I decided to stay on that trend for today's post because I want to let you in on a little secret...I love wreaths! If you're on following me on Pinterest you would know this because I have a number of them pinned! I wish I could make all of them but that would be excessive because I wouldn't have the room to display most of them and really I would be making wreaths all the time. I have gifted wreaths and I'm thinking of doing that again this year for Christmas so if you're lucky and know me personally you might be getting a nice little wreath for Christmas. This is if I get my butt together and actually make them! Oh Pinterest you wonderful waste of time but you really lack getting me actually motivated to make things sometimes.

 

Some of my favorite wreaths are the yarn ones! I have made a few of these and they always just turn out so pretty I don't know how one couldn't love them.

 

 



 

No Pinterest fails there! There are endless combinations of things you can do with the yarn wreaths. I have only done fall and Christmas wreaths so far but I love them so much! Yes, I know I'm a tad crazy over wreaths but there is a lot more stuff I could be crazy over right that is a lot worse. Anyways, I hope these two post have gotten some you in a crafty mood! If it has let me see what you have been crafting! I have to get back to my Christmas cards soon otherwise no one is getting one this year!

 

 

Happy Crafting!

 

 

Don't forget to check out Jennifer and Jessi's blogs!

Jennifer/Jessi