An evening downtown.....

Last night was the Servus Credit Union community night at the AGA (Alberta Gallery of Art).

This means that for 3 hours each month there is free entrance to the art gallery and all of it's exhibits.

Susannah and I made the most of the free evening and had a stroll around.  

I wasn't too impressed with the exhibits BUT it was something to do - and people watching in an art gallery is always interesting - there were some really pompous pricks there :) So funny listening to people discuss some of the pieces of art :)  

We sat and had coffee for a while too:

I do like this art piece and was happy that when I went to take the picture there was no one around :)  

After the art gallery we took a drive around the Legislature grounds and a stroll slowly back to the car downtown to snap some pictures:

Seeing the ice rink outside city hall reminded me of days not too long ago when Sam and Abby were splashing in the fountains here.  I love how Edmonton makes the most of every season:

The pyramids of the Muttart are all lit up again and they change colour:

Then we came home and watched August Rush which was a fantastic film - except for the ending which was a huge disappointment, and seemed 'rushed' - no pun intended lol!

Kitty pics......

Loving my new scarf....

My new scarf is soooooo incredibly soft - and warm, and I LOVE the colours so much :)  

Love :)

Susannah wants to keep a memory jar next year - it is a jar that you fill with bits of paper on which you write happy moments as they happen throughout the year - and then on New Years Eve you open the jar and read all your memories and happy times from the last year :)  

I decorated a jar for Susie to use:

Last night (Christmas Night) Susie posted this on Facebook.  So lovely!!

Small but Mighty....

Boxing Day 2012

It snowed gently all day today - big fluffy delicate snow flakes.  These were on my car:

I spent the morning trying out my Sculpey clay - and I made some pendants:

Direction is my 'word' for 2013:

I used one of my moulds and created this little guy:

This evening Laurence worked and then had a friend over.  Susannah and I watched Grease.  It was a lovely relaxing day:

And today was my Mom and Dads 53rd Wedding Anniversary!!

Our Christmas Day so far....

I was awake at 5am - I'm getting used to this lol!  I was soooo tired after 4 hours sleep, but couldn't get back to sleep, so I got up and took Rosie downstairs - let her out and made a cup of coffee.  Then curled up in my armchair by the Christmas Tree and checked Facebook - unlike most days, FB was busy with all the Moms up and awake early with their excited kids - and some of us Moms, like me, Ki and Brandy, awake BEFORE our kids and wishing they'd wake up lol!!

I had hazelnut coffee with hazelnut Baileys in it :)  yum...in fact I got through rather too many of these this morning :)  

I also got through far too many liqueur chocolates - that Kevin and his Mom sent over from Germany.  

Yum.  Thats all - just YUM!!  :)  

Kevin also sent over the most gorgeous keepsake tin filled with German Christmas goodies:

And a stollen!!  Which is funy because I didn't buy one this year -decided it was too expensive just for me and I wouldn't be able to eat the whole thing - so now I get to have one of my favourite Christmas foods anyway:

One of my gifts was a new craft/ hobby - sculpey clay and tools:

And all the hints paid off - Laurence got me a copy of Ian Sheldons book 'Storm Chaser' :)  Yay!  I love his artwork and am thrilled with this - can't wait to sit down and look through it later:

Our advent calendars are done for the year :(  

Our 'turkey' was not very attractive or appetizing before it went in the oven:

But it tasted AMAZING and the cranberry stuffing inside was soooo good!  I served it with roasties, honeyed and mashed carrot and swede and gravy :)  

This is a charm that I made for my guitar-playing daughter, Susannah:

And two other charms I made this week:

Mmmm Scottish shortbread:

A canvas I painted last week:

My sculpey tools:

I had this on the table for dinner:

Christmas Eve

Today was a bitterly cold day.  -23c but felt closer to -30c.

It was however, a very sunny day with gorgeous blue skies.  

Blinding to drive.  

I started my day off, as always, around 7:30 am with coffee :)

We spent the morning making gingerbread cookies and decorating them. 

 Laurence got home at 11:30 and joined us:

Laurence and I went out to the mall to get a last few things we needed - and we picked up some logs for the fire.  Once home we watched some tv...Laurence slept after wrapping his gifts.

Susannah and I made orange and clove pomanders - which smell lovely :)

We had the fire going and toasted crumpets over it - which reminded us of camping this summer :)

I LOVE having a real fire.  I thought it would be a hassle, but it's just lovely and so cozy :)  

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!!

xxx