The holiday season of 2007 have been full of food, family, wonderful surprises, friends and much more, AND, I still have a few more days left.
I spent the majority of my time off with my parents and Mr. J in Biggar. It was a quiet Christmas, as my brothers family was spending Christmas with the 'other side' this year. So, Mr. J & I got put to work cooking, baking, and helping with some finishing touches on my parents renovations. However, I would have to say that most of our time was spent visiting, watching movies, and sleeping in. It was wonderful.
My sweetie spoiled me rotten with gifts. Too many to even list. But ranged from music-books-poetry-movies-clothes, and finally, a special New Years get-a-way trip. I was full of smiles....as usual when I am around Mr. J.
We came back into the city on Friday and spent sometime with BB, Suz, Cheruby and Bne. Alien vs. Predator was pretty craptacular. The only good thing about the movie (according to Bne) was the blonde hottie, and the trash-talk we engaged in afterwards.
Tomorrow we are off for our New Years celebration - just the two of us - for 3 days. I am very excited. I am looking forward to starting a new tradition with my sweetie. I've already got some ideas for next years get-a-way.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Rides, Rides, Rides
I helped out last night at my friends Kids Christmas Party. It was a blast.
It was quite a big event. I don't know how it couldn't be, given that it was Shaw. They rented out the entire Galaxyland for the private function.
We helped set up all the tables for the snacks, drinks, and presents. We spent about an hour of the evening handing out gifts for the kids. And the rest of the time, we took to the rides - for free! It was a blast.
I love rides, however I have always been wary of riding the roller coaster because of the accident that occurred in the mid-80's. Like I said, I love rides to death, but I've never been a huge fan of going upside down, which makes roller coasters near the bottom of my list of favourites. However, the best one I ever went on was The Dueling Dragons. Jeff & I went to Florida/DisneyWorld/Universal Studios for our honeymoon. And for someone who doesn't even like rides, I was surprised (& touched) that he wanted to go. We both thought it was awesome (among the other rides we went on). I digress.
So, I finally decided to go.
It was fun, but I don't ever think I would do it again. Simply because I think I hurt my neck when my head snapped forward on the first descend. It is a little sore today.
I had tons of fun.
Now, for a day of baking.
It was quite a big event. I don't know how it couldn't be, given that it was Shaw. They rented out the entire Galaxyland for the private function.
We helped set up all the tables for the snacks, drinks, and presents. We spent about an hour of the evening handing out gifts for the kids. And the rest of the time, we took to the rides - for free! It was a blast.
I love rides, however I have always been wary of riding the roller coaster because of the accident that occurred in the mid-80's. Like I said, I love rides to death, but I've never been a huge fan of going upside down, which makes roller coasters near the bottom of my list of favourites. However, the best one I ever went on was The Dueling Dragons. Jeff & I went to Florida/DisneyWorld/Universal Studios for our honeymoon. And for someone who doesn't even like rides, I was surprised (& touched) that he wanted to go. We both thought it was awesome (among the other rides we went on). I digress.
So, I finally decided to go.
It was fun, but I don't ever think I would do it again. Simply because I think I hurt my neck when my head snapped forward on the first descend. It is a little sore today.
I had tons of fun.
Now, for a day of baking.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
I'm exhausted
What a busy day!!
I spent most of the day in the kitchen baking.
Being an avid baker, you'd think I would have made pastry before...nope! I found out my sweetie likes butter tarts, so that gave me an opportunity to test my skills. AJ & I got talking about baking last weekend when he was down, and he told me about an amazing pastry recipe that he had gotten from Billie-Joe. He gave it to me, and it turned out wonderfully. I was somewhat surprised, as most people I talk to say pastry can be difficult, and it can be somewhat of an art to get it perfect. I've been baking for a lot of years, I am fairly confident in my abilities, and I can whip up lefse no problem, so I wasn't really worried. Plus, when it comes to baking and cooking, I have a trial and error attitude. If it doesn't work out, I will just try again, and modify things and hope for the best. I am sure it helps that I like to bake and cook so much. They don't look perfect...I sure wouldn't be winning any baking contest awards for presentation, but they taste delicious.
I also managed to whip up some Chocolate Chip cookies for Christmas, and for the boys at work. I am sure they will appreciate it.
While my pastry dough was chilling, I spent most of the afternoon wrapping presents. I am almost completely done shopping; I only have one gift left to buy.
My Christmas tree is up with lights and garland on it. The ornaments are the last to go on. I'll put the presents under the tree, put some more garland and lights up around the house and then the house will be decorated for Christmas.
It feels like my day will never end. Just as I was cleaning up the kitchen from my day of baking, and finishing up supper I realized that I needed to do some laundry. Blah....I am sure I could crash right now.
I spent most of the day in the kitchen baking.
Being an avid baker, you'd think I would have made pastry before...nope! I found out my sweetie likes butter tarts, so that gave me an opportunity to test my skills. AJ & I got talking about baking last weekend when he was down, and he told me about an amazing pastry recipe that he had gotten from Billie-Joe. He gave it to me, and it turned out wonderfully. I was somewhat surprised, as most people I talk to say pastry can be difficult, and it can be somewhat of an art to get it perfect. I've been baking for a lot of years, I am fairly confident in my abilities, and I can whip up lefse no problem, so I wasn't really worried. Plus, when it comes to baking and cooking, I have a trial and error attitude. If it doesn't work out, I will just try again, and modify things and hope for the best. I am sure it helps that I like to bake and cook so much. They don't look perfect...I sure wouldn't be winning any baking contest awards for presentation, but they taste delicious.
I also managed to whip up some Chocolate Chip cookies for Christmas, and for the boys at work. I am sure they will appreciate it.
While my pastry dough was chilling, I spent most of the afternoon wrapping presents. I am almost completely done shopping; I only have one gift left to buy.
My Christmas tree is up with lights and garland on it. The ornaments are the last to go on. I'll put the presents under the tree, put some more garland and lights up around the house and then the house will be decorated for Christmas.
It feels like my day will never end. Just as I was cleaning up the kitchen from my day of baking, and finishing up supper I realized that I needed to do some laundry. Blah....I am sure I could crash right now.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
"...the happiest I've seen you..."
Comments like that just make my day, and the day is only half over. It's been fantastic.
I was awoken this morning with a phone call from my BFF in Dallas. She had forgotten about the time change, but it was great to hear from her. We've been so busy that we haven't spoken on the phone in a couple of months. Weird. We only had a chance to speak briefly, as their new furniture was being delivered. Nevertheless, it was great to hear her voice.
I laid in bed for awhile longer, before it was time to get up and get ready for my brunch 'date' with AJ.
We met at 10:30 at the Urban Diner, off downtown Edmonton. I highly recommend this place to anyone interested in have a quiet breakfast/brunch with friends. It is in an little artsy area off of downtown, and very quaint.
Aside: One of the things that I love about Edmonton, there is definitely lots of quiet, unique places to eat, drink coffee, or just visit on a lazy Saturday/Sunday afternoon.
The food was amazing. I had the french toast, and AJ had the waffles. Both were superb. I will definitely will be returning. I must try that warm cinnamon bun they had on their menu.
The company was also wonderful. We chatted for over an hour and a half about baking, our busy lives, and City of Heroes. It was a great chance to catch-up and spend more time together. AJ & I have been friends for a long time, but have never had much opportunity to just 'chill-out' together. It was nice.
Now that December is finally here, Christmas is in the air....well at least it is in my house. I am making my Nuts 'n' Bolts mixture that I make every year, doing up some Christmas cards (I don't remember the last Christmas I actually did cards), getting out some of my decorations, and perhaps I will do some wrapping this afternoon. I haven't quite broken out the Christmas music yet, but it will definitely be playing when I put my tree up and decorate the house.
'Tis the season.
I was awoken this morning with a phone call from my BFF in Dallas. She had forgotten about the time change, but it was great to hear from her. We've been so busy that we haven't spoken on the phone in a couple of months. Weird. We only had a chance to speak briefly, as their new furniture was being delivered. Nevertheless, it was great to hear her voice.
I laid in bed for awhile longer, before it was time to get up and get ready for my brunch 'date' with AJ.
We met at 10:30 at the Urban Diner, off downtown Edmonton. I highly recommend this place to anyone interested in have a quiet breakfast/brunch with friends. It is in an little artsy area off of downtown, and very quaint.
Aside: One of the things that I love about Edmonton, there is definitely lots of quiet, unique places to eat, drink coffee, or just visit on a lazy Saturday/Sunday afternoon.
The food was amazing. I had the french toast, and AJ had the waffles. Both were superb. I will definitely will be returning. I must try that warm cinnamon bun they had on their menu.
The company was also wonderful. We chatted for over an hour and a half about baking, our busy lives, and City of Heroes. It was a great chance to catch-up and spend more time together. AJ & I have been friends for a long time, but have never had much opportunity to just 'chill-out' together. It was nice.
Now that December is finally here, Christmas is in the air....well at least it is in my house. I am making my Nuts 'n' Bolts mixture that I make every year, doing up some Christmas cards (I don't remember the last Christmas I actually did cards), getting out some of my decorations, and perhaps I will do some wrapping this afternoon. I haven't quite broken out the Christmas music yet, but it will definitely be playing when I put my tree up and decorate the house.
'Tis the season.
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