Where did that come from? I just feel awful!!! I’m trying to get the last few things accomplished BUT…
I’m Just feeling a little under the weather yesterday and today…
haha, I like this definition. Good thing for leftovers!
It’s a rainy day here along the south shore and we are probably not gonna see a whole lot of white for Christmas.
But we’ll see…maybe just a light white dusting.
Only 3 more days til Christmas. Are you ready?
I love Christmas lights. One of my favourite things to do in December before Christmas is to grab a mug of my favourite coffee or coffee/hot chocolate and drive around to see the lights. I love it!
When we were away our kids went to a magical place and told us about it. It sounded just perfect and tonight David & I and James went.
It was like a magical wonderland…in the middle of the woods!
I just LOVE stuff like this. And after…a candy cane coffee with some treats!
I feel very productive! I actually think I am ready for Christmas.
I have treats baked for my family. Today I finished the last of my gift purchasing and everything is wrapped. I have lists and menus made and even decided to do my grocery shopping so that later in the week when it’s REALLY busy I won’t have to.
I’m feeling pretty great because NOW I can RELAX and enjoy this most WONDERFUL time of the year! No stress, no pressure…just enjoy the quiet moments. ( PS. I think the key is to do less…but to make it special)
In honour of feeling accomplished…Wraps for dinner it is!
I can’t believe it’s just one week til Christmas!
December has flown by!!! I guess because there was just so much fun stuff happening for us this year. And throw China travel into the mix makes it busy!
Today was our Church’s Christmas Banquet. Last week was the concert and we missed it. I’m a little sad because this is one of the highlights for me of the Christmas season. I love watching the little ones do their program.
Tonight was a wonderful banquet dinner. And so many great laughs and fun with friends. I’m feeling truly thankful and blessed.
One week til Christmas! Have a wonderful week friends.
Yesterday was my beautiful parents Anniversary. They celebrated 55 years marriage December 16th.Wow! That’s a milestone. I thought my 30 years was a milestone. I called Dad yesterday to see what they were doing. Not much he said, just staying cozy inside having hot dogs for lunch!! Haha, that made me chuckle. My parents have always enjoyed the simple things…TOGETHER!
Here is a pic on their special day 55 years ago…
And today with my Abby girl 🙂
Family is the BEST!
Speaking of family. Today Dad’s family, his sisters and brother ( who recently celebrated his 80th) got together at a local restaurant for lunch and we were invited. Of course we went. I always love an excuse to see them! Some of his brothers and sisters ( he’s from a very large family) and of course my grandparents have passed, so I treasure these special moments and opportunities. You just don’t know how many more you’ll get to all be together.
We had a lot of fun and laughs and catching up. I even had fun taking selfies with my Auntie who doesn’t have a clue about social media. I love her. I love them. Christmas time provides wonderful opportunities for family fun.
I hope you’re enjoying your Saturday. Today it’s a snowy one again on the east coast. Lots and lots of snow, and for some reason the plows aren’t going and thankfully we are cozy inside! Snowy BUT oh so pretty!
Yesterday it snowed again. Everything is so beautiful!
Brr!!!!!! Today we are in the deep freeze!
This morning is freezing and windy so the windchill makes it -29 (-20F)
It’s so cold to get out and off to work this morning. Thinking of my sweetie and our kids who are off to work super early before it has chance to warm up a bit ( not that it will today)
Yesterday I finished my baking and went to bed extra early. Today I need to make some lists! Menu and food list for grocery shopping and Gift list to be able to finish my Christmas shopping ( hopefully tonight) And maybe I will do a little bit of wrapping.
I’m getting things crossed off one by one. It’s busy BUT I LOVE it! I LOVE this time of year!!
Tonight David & I went to the city to pick up a few things. It was FrEeZiNg!!!!!! But that didn’t stop me from insisting we stop at Historic Properties on the Halifax Waterfront. It is just so beautiful, so romantic at Christmas. We took a few pics…until both our phones froze and shut off. NOW THAT’S COLD!!!
I’m still waking up VERY early in the morning.
It’s so quiet and peaceful and no one around except for the two or three deer that are walking down the street. Yes, I live in town but it doesn’t stop these creatures from coming out of the woods and going for a little stroll down the street when everyone should be sleeping.
Peppermint patties
Peanut Butter Balls
White Chocolate Candy Cane Bark
Gumdrop Nougat
Cranberry/Orange Bars
Lemon Loaf
Whipped Shortbreads
Cracker Candy
There are a few more things I’ll do like our Christmas Eve Yule Log, Cranberry Steamed Pudding and maybe a cheese cake or two , and some brownies. But that’s something for next week.
Yum! Everything looks so delicious and my home smells wonderful…like Christmas!
I NEED 2 days this year to get my Christmas baking done!!
Even though I decided before I went to China that I would bake less this year, and only make a few of our absolute favourites and nothing too fancy that is too stressful…I NEED 2 days, when otherwise I could do it all in one.
I’m just too tired! The jet leg on this end coming back is so brutal. I ALWAYS find it harder!!!
Stay tuned tomorrow I should be able to finish up and post some pics. But right now I need to lay my head down for a quick rest before I continue today’s goodies.
I’m home! We got in late last night( rather 3am this morning) and this week I KNOW I will be dealing with a bit of jet leg… yep, I’m heading to bed right after I post this at 7:30pm.
BUT with only 12 days til Christmas…
I’ve gotta get busy! Baking, wrapping , last errands…and there are a couple of events to attend this week.
But today it was relax and rest up a bit, open mail, and shop for groceries and baking ingredients.
Tomorrow, yes tomorrow I’ll get at it!
It’s up and over …most of the time.
The trip from Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada to Shenyang, Laioning in China and return is a long one. It usually is about 29 hours from start to finish one way with wait times and long airport lays in Beijing and if there is weather like today’s flights, it’s even longer!!
Today is the return flight. I was up at 4 am Monday December 12 China time ( 4 am seems to be “my” wake time in China) It was that way when we lived there and last year when I visited, and same this year. I’m up and ready…and sad to be going…
We left the hotel at 8:30, arrived at Shenyang Taoxian Airport at 9:30.
Our flight was supposed to leave at 11:15 am but snow and ice conditions in Shenyang meant de icing before we could take off. It was almost 12 before we left and arrived in Beijing at Beijing Capital Airport at 1:30 ish.
Beijing is always a long lay on this trip anyway but when we landed we found out our flight was delayed because of snow in Toronto. An even longer lay over! So we wandered around browsing the shops, enjoyed the quaint spots to have a coffee, had a bowl of wonton soup and a Portuguese egg tart and coffee and had a massage. I opted for a 30 minute foot massage followed by a 15 minute shoulders and neck massage. I curled up under a cozy blanket and had a little nap , it was wonderful!! The guys had a body massage and while they enjoyed it, I don’t think they napped like I did.
Our flight revised time for take off was 19:50 Beijing time but it was 20:50 before we got away. A long 12 hour flight! I learn to pace the time by enjoying the hot meal, watching a movie and sleeping, getting up and down a bit and stretching. This time was great! David and I tried a new strategy seeing it was a Monday flight. We booked a window and an aisle with an empty seat in the middle. It worked this time!!! No body filled the seat and we had more space to stretch and take turns curling up on the seats. This was the best!!! It wasn’t a full flight either so it was a bit quieter.
Mid flight there is a snack of noodles, sandwich and cookies. I used to enjoy the noodles because the hot broth feels great when your throat is so dry. These last few times though I don’t get the noodles because of the salt content. I just carry my thermos bottle filled with hot water. Yep, I’m like the Chinese people. I love my hot water. It really works for so many things.
The flight pattern is generally “up and over “the Arctic and down in to Canada. I remember only one trip we flew over Europe and Russia. It made me nervous that trip because we never did that flight plan before, but I guess occasionally that flight plan is taken depending on air current.
About an hour and a half before landing breakfast is served. Who wants eggs on an airplane? Sorry, not me so I choose the Chinese congee which is like rice porridge with mushrooms. The fresh congee you get in a Chinese home or restaurant is so much better than this, but I prefer it over the eggs and little white sausage.
Then every thing happens quickly. Breakfast cleaned up, paperwork for customs and arrival passed out and needs to be filled out, a quick trip to the WC to wash up and apply a clean face and it’s time to land. The BRUTAL flight is over.
The short flight from Toronto to Halifax is usually a piece of cake, especially if you arrive in time or there’s no weather . Today is Monday December 12th still ( from the future…China time back to Canada time) we arrived at 19:50 lol and were delayed getting to the gate. With only about 20 minutes to make our flight we fast tracked through customs and security running fast all the way!!! Thankfully we had some pretty great Airport Security people.
We arrived at the gate sweaty and out of breath just in time to board. The flight to Halifax was smooth. So happy and thankful to be in Halifax after all the delays, I had to give this bear a quick hug!
The drive home was brutal. The 103 was a mess of ice and snow and very very slippery. Thankfully the guys weren’t driving and we had a chauffeur.
We’re HOME after a VERY long day and My clean fresh bed looks so inviting …Now sleep!!!!
Just An East Coast Girl 