2010.

I worked. I volunteered. I ate. I drank. I was merry. I crafted, I built and I DIYed. I ran. I renovated my parents entry-way. As a surprise. I went to Montreal. For a week. With my sister. We moved. Into a house. I built a headboard. I swam. I celebrated Dave's birthday with him. I started horseback riding. I got bucked off. Twice. I bicycled. A lot. I helped renovate my parent's kitchen. I chopped my hair off. And donated it. I learned some jewelry-making. I raked and mowed and gardened. I did a triathlon. I ran some more. I celebrated birthdays with friends and family. I went to the FREX. I read. I went to the casino in Moncton. I went to a friend's bachelorette. And wedding. I got massages. I had a sundae bar for my birthday. I handed out candy for Halloween. I went to holiday parties. I trimmed our tree. I got spoiled for Christmas. I ate more. I drank more. I was more merry.

Chocolatey Chai Tea Latte and Danishes

I have been revelling in my post Christmas time off from work this year and as these things often go, the time is flying by. Dave likes to tease me about being an old lady with some of my past times and often, wardrobe. There is nothing quite like fixing yourself a hot beverage and a treat and sitting and doing absolutely nothing so I've been doing my fair share of hot chocolate and tea times. Today I decided to mix fancy things up with a tea latte and some danish. 

The tea latte is made with Chocolatey Chai Tea, a teaspoon or two of homemade caramel sauce, steamed milk and milk foam with some cinnamon. It was delicious.

As much as I like to bake and cook and as much as I'd like to take credit for these raspberry danishes, they are actually mail order danishes that a client from Dave's work often sends him. They are entirely random and expensive but pretty delicious.

Well, I'm off to find new and exciting ways to be entirely self-indulgent this holiday season! 

Some Things That Are Currently Making Me (Very) Happy.....

*Disclaimer* I got embarrassingly spoiled for Christmas

My mitre saw c/o my parents:

(10" Ryobi Sliding Compound Mitre)

My cordless drill c/o Dave:

(1/2" 18V Dewalt)

My air rifle c/o my sister and her boyfriend:

(Remington Airmaster 77)

My Resolution Run jacket I picked up yesterday for my run on Saturday morning:

(Running swag from the Running Room)

My Christmas present to myself:

(Garmin Forerunner 305)

The bird feeder that Dave's parents got for me that I filled and hung last night:

(I waded through snow and climbed a ladder in the dark and am now anxiously awaiting feathered friends)

The snow block maker I bought this morning for $2.50:

(I've been on the hunt for one for a couple years)

My favourite stocking stuffer:

(Dave got me multivitamins. I thought it was romantic)

Another 5lb. box of blueberries c/o my parents:

I don't tend to shop or buy a lot of stuff throughout the year so to have so much new and shiny stuff all at once is pretty novel to me. It's crazy but I've only offered up a small sampling of my spoiledness. My Christmas was lovely and it was great to spend time with friends and family. Once we hit Boxing Day it was nice to see things slow down a little and Dave and I had a few days to relax and watch movies in bed. I'm looking forward to having the next week to play with some of my new stuff, stuffing myself with more chocolate and sweets and all around loving life.

Band Aid Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve!! Somehow this Christmas season I've managed to escape the whole season without hearing Band Aid's "Do They Know it's Christmas" once. I've decided to change that. On my terms. What a pack of misfits. Enjoy!

 

Procreation or Recreation?

Does it ever make you feel weird when you can't tell if animals are playing or mating? Me? Yes. Thanks for asking. There has been a scene much like this outside my window for over an hour. I'm still not sure.

I'll Have a Blue Weekend Without You...

Dave will be gone for a long weekend and all I'll have to keep me warm on those cold winter nights is some holiday decor, hot-chocolate and a hot-water bottle or two. It won't be SO bad I guess...

Pretty Please Santa?

I want one of these:

After all, Natty knows best!

Pssst...great review can be found here. 

Chalkboard Message Board

I had been wanting to put a chalkboard up somewhere central for us to write lists and notes, etc. on. At first I thought about the mudroom, and then thought maybe the fridge and then when I actually stood in the kitchen and thought about it I realized that the pantry door would be the perfect spot. It's right beside our main entrance, in a spot that you can't miss when you're heading out or coming in. I had been planning on buying some chalkboard vinyl from Winners or Chapters but wanted to wait until I got my hands on some chalkboard markers. I'm glad I did because as luck would have it, I found rolls of chalkboard vinyl at the dollarstore and in an even greater twist of fate the roll was exactly the same width as the door and an inch or two longer. When I saw something similar on this blog, I decided to do cut-outs on the bottom and sort of freehand copied her leaf version but you could easily draw any design on the paper backing and cut it out.

A before and after: 

Project Cost: $1.00

In a not-so-desirable twist of fate, I accidentally ordered waterproof chalkboard markers and have to use Windex to clean them off. I'm rather sure that Santa is planning on putting some water solubles in my stocking though so all will be well.

And just because I can:

Christmas Tree 2010

Dave and I trimmed our Christmas tree today. This is actually our first tree together since our last place was too itty bitty to fit one! I decided to put together a little video to commemorate the occasion. I used Dave's favourite Christmas song or as he puts it, "the only Christmas song I don't hate".

Sunday Morning Polaroid Breakfast

A friend of ours brought over some pastries from the market last night for us. Made for a lovely Sunday morning breakfast!

Yankee Swap

Tonight was my volunteer potluck/yankee swap/holiday party and it was a great time!

I brought one of these for the swap:

And left with one of these (along with a dip dish, a dip mix and a box of fine crackers):

One of my very favourite things (that ended up "stolen" from me) was an elephant teapot. I may have come home and ordered one online:

Hey, sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do.

Hunter Wellies

My boots FINALLY came. I take it as a good omen that they came on a rainy day.
Splash!

Cainobi

Cain came to visit for a few days. Photoshoots ensued.

Elf hats are boring. Yawn!

He burrows himself under blankets and then pokes his head out. Dave calls him Obi-Wan Cainobi.

Lesson of the day: When life gives you an elf hat...chew it apart!