Tuesday...

Crazy busy day - from getting Susannah to her bus by 7:30 to getting the car in to the dealership for it's service at 8am.....sitting in McD's for two hours while it was being done....then the library....finally home.  Walking Rosie, baking, making supper.  getting Susie from the bus....clearing the driveway...

Abigail has decided to create a blog for her cooking and baking.  She is basing it loosely around 'Julie and Julia' and plans to cook things on a regular basis and photograph/ blog her recipes and experiences.    Yesterday she was working on picking a blog name, creating the blog and deciding on some recipes to try first!  

Christmas Crack - a yummy recipe!!  We tried this at Trish's house a few weeks ago - Joanne made it!  And it was sooooo yummy, so we made some too!!

Ever since I was sick last week, all I have felt like eating is raw veggies or Kraft dinner!! 

So strange!!

This was Abigails pile of books from the library yesterday:

I had enough points on my customer card yesterday to get the game I wanted for FREE: 

Breakfast at McD's yesterday while we waited for the car service to be done:

Abigail worked ona  colouring contest in the local paper yesterday:

Sammy's straw fort:

Spin the Dreidel...

Every year we play the Jewish/ Hannukah game of Spin The Dreidel.  

I stock up on 'gelt' (Chocolate coins in foil) and the kids LOVE playing this game and then eating their winnings :)  

I love that we have incorporated this into our holiday traditions each year :)  

There are many websites with instructions on how to play, but this one seems quite a sweet version:

CLICK HERE

Epicure delivery :)

A few months ago I entered a contest on Facebook that was connected to the tv show Survivor.  There was a prize for the person who stayed in the show the longest, and also a prize for the 'fan favourite'.  I was so lucky and ended up winning BOTH the series AND the fan favourite!!  My prize was $215. worth of Epicure goods!!!

Today my goodies arrived, and it was as if Christmas had come early :)  

I chose three pans with lids - and these pans are AMAZING!!!  So heavy and you can tell they are great quality :)  

I also chose the 'Chipster' which turns thin slices of potato, apple or sweet potato etc into chips/ crisps :)  You lay them on the sheet and then microwave and ta-da!!!  :)  

I also ordered some seasonings which can be used for dips and other recipes :)  So yummy!!  :)  

Thank you so much Melanie - I love it all :)  

Christmas snapshots at County Hall...

Monday snapshots....

My latest addiction. 

 Stupidstores Greek yogurt with a side portion of either honey or Fig.  I think I prefer the fig ones, but the honey is yummy too!

Tea in bed at 2am:

Laurence getting some work done:

Sleepyhead:

My view while I waited for Susannah's bis today:

His favourite bagel and garlic and herb cream cheese while we waited for 

Abigails French class to finish:

Rosies new sleeping place at night:

Abigails flowerpot snowman :)  

0c today and this evenings walk with Rosie was so lovely.  Abigail came with me and it was a lovely hour together, walking and chatting :)  

Sam watching his cartoons.  He especially loves Lego Ninjago!

For Today....

Outside My Window... It is dark but I believe it is snowing - it started to snow when we were out for a walk with Rosie earlier, and Laurence said it was still snowing when he got home from work a little while ago.

I am thinking...I should check my diary for events this week as I keep forgetting about things we have planned!

I am thankful for...a lovely quiet and relaxing weekend.  Some fun times out and some relaxing times at home.  The perfect mix :)

From the kitchen...lots of cooking and baking - some with Christmas in mind, some just warming foods for cold days - and lots of raw vegetables and fruit!

I am wearing...my nighty as I am sat up in bed typing.

I am creating...Christmas memories.  A homely and comfortable atmosphere in this new house.  A new routine for us all.

I am going...to try and carve out some time at home this week - despite the busy days because of Christmas events.  I really feel the need to spend time at home.
I am reading...'Overcoming Dyslexia' - which includes new ideas for teaching reading, spelling and writing to people with dyslexia.

I am hoping...the weather is warm on Tuesday so that we can FINALLY make it to see the Christmas Train - after 10 years of being here!!  It is always so bitterly cold on the day it comes through - so I am happy that the forecast so far is ABOVE average :)

I am hearing... Sam chattering on about his Star Wars Lego book!  He doesn't stop talking about it :)

Around the house...all the Christmas decorations are up.  It is lovely and I'm so happy I bothered - I wasn't going to put much up this year, mainly because I was sick of unpacking and packing because of the house move - but once I put a few things up, I knew I really wanted to decorate properly - the kids deserve to have a festive home for the holidays :)

One of my favorite things...curling up to watch Christmas movies with the kids.  They get so excited and so in to them :)  Also watching them open up the Advent Calendar to read the activity for the day :)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...French class, library, Royal Order Christmas Party/ sledding party.  Christmas Train, sleigh ride....

swirls with sharpies :)

Playing in my art journal this weekend:

Scenes from walking Rosie...

It has been very cold here the last few days, but still, evening walks with Rosie are always so nice :)  Now I have decent winter boots and am kitted out with proper winter clothing, it is lovely to get outside for a walk in the fresh air.  Susannah and I normally go together and she enjoys looking in the windows of all the houses at the Christmas decorations (and generally being nosy lol) while I love taking pictures of all the snow :)  

Abigails art work :)

Abigail has signs all over her bedroom at the moment:

And this is the giant 'Get Well Soon' card that she made me last week 

when I was sick for four days.  It is fabulous - she even got the clothes right :)  

My girls :)

Frosty morning...

Moi!!! :)