Holidays – Page 4 – Just An East Coast Girl

On this winter’s night…

…we will remember!

The birth of our Saviour!

It’s Christmas EVE!!! The MOST wonderful night of the year.

I love EVERYTHING about this day’s preparations of Family traditions…tortiere and yule log and steamed cranberry pudding

dressing up for Christmas Eve

our special church service and seeing dear friends and family that are home from away to spend Christmas with their loved ones

enjoying our Goode Family’s Christmas Eve Traditional meal. I have been making the same thing for 30 years…

Just the coziness and quietness only Christmas Eve brings

And now it’s time for bed…

BECAUSE Santa’s coming…tomorrow!

Ahh…it’s Friday! The Friday starting Christmas weekend. December 23rd. The eve of Christmas Eve. I cleaned my house all day getting ready for Christmas so that all I have to do tomorrow is make my special foods for Christmas Eve. I’m feeling a bit better, it took me a lot longer than normal to get my stuff done today. Hopefully I’m on the mend. So much so that I just wanted to do something fun and different tonight.

I am not one to go to the movies. I actually don’t watch a whole lot of movies. If I do I’ll wait a few months until I can watch them at home. BUT just for fun I thought I would go see one this week. I love movies where there’s music and animation!

This one looked like a lot of fun. I knew David wouldn’t really like it ( Rogue 1 was more in his scope) BUT just maybe he would “endure it”…for me. And I promise I will go see Rogue 1 with him over the holidays.

TONIGHT we Sing!

I loved it!!!!

Under the weather…

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?

It’s Winter!

Today is December 21st and that means It’s Officially Winter!

The bulk of our snow is gone with the rain. BUT for the First Day of Winter we got a nice light dusting. We’ll just have to wait a few days or so until a new snowfall comes to build a snowman though…

Happy Winter or Happy Dongzhi ( December 21st marks the traditional Chinese festival of Dongzhi, the 22nd solar term. Dongzhi marks the start of the coldest period of the season)

It’s Magical at Christmas 🎄🎅🎁⛄

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!

It’s a wrap

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!

One week til Christmas

I can’t believe it’s just one week til Christmas!

07-1e3m3xt 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.

Fish & Chips with Family

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…

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And today with my Abby girl 🙂

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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.

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screen-shot-2016-12-17-at-7-32-42-pm screen-shot-2016-12-17-at-8-04-55-pm 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!

Bundle Up…Baby it’s CoLd outside!!!

Yesterday it snowed again. Everything is so beautiful!

Brr!!!!!! Today we are in the deep freeze!

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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!!!

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The tastes of Christmas…our favourites

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.

A good fix for jet leg tiredness during the day is keeping busy. So this week, yesterday and today ( finishing up) I am making some Christmas goodies. Not too many this year but some of our favourites…

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.