Thursday 22 December 2016

Home for Christmas

 

Those readers who are usually reading our news from California, Arizona or Florida will wonder why I have not been posting lately.

P1070619

We plan to head to Australia soon to visit Dani and Al and their first baby; our first grandson.  As well, we needed reliable daycare for Dixie during our time away so we decided to stay around this year.  We are experiencing some true Canadian Winter for the first time in five years.

P1070618

P1070610

                                                 our backyard

P1070622

P1070606

P1070374

P1070382

P1070393

P1070376

 P1070554

P1070603

We will get out in the RV for a trip south in March.  Meanwhile we enjoy snowy walks in the woods, watching the birds and squirrels at the feeders and the deer cross our backyard. 

.P1070654

P1070678

P1070630

P1070693

P1070571

P1070578

P1070645

P1070652

P1070638

P1070653

P1070667

P1070656

Dixie simply loves the snow and has been bursting with energy and enthusiasm as she runs, jumps and tunnels in the white stuff.

P1070628

P1070696

P1070597

I made some decorations for outside and we cut down a fresh tree.  It was fun to sort through the Christmas books and decorations which have been in storage these past years. 

P1070465      P1070466

P1070469    P1070553

P1070423

P1070454

P1070453

P1070581

P1070592

P1070763

P1070778

P1070772

P1070771

P1070776

P1070750

P1070753

P1070760

P1070777

P1070757

P1070721

P1070751

P1070752

P1070733

P1070774

P1070775

I have also enjoyed baking shortbread, fruit bars, apricot balls and gingerbread using my Mom’s tried and true recipes.  It was fun to brush the dark Christmas cake with brandy each week for a month and steam my Christmas pudding.  I mixed up a huge batch of bits ‘n bites like my Dad did every year.  With a roomy kitchen, compared to the RV, I was inspired to make clementine marmalade and strawberry preserves.  Tomorrow I will create a kumquat/dark chocolate bark and bake an eggnog cheesecake.  My favourite part of the season, is the rich music and familiar carols.  They take me back to my Christmases past and provide great memories of family and friends.

P1070488

P1070489

P1070490

Doesn’t everyone think of alligators when making Christmas cookies?

 

P1070701

No matter how you celebrate the season, I hope it is a happy one.  Best Wishes in 2017!  My, where do the years go?

P1070780

                             from “The Polar Express”