Getting with the program...

Well, it's been a busy couple of days, but at the same time my mind seems to be lacking in creativity...I am usually a very focused person, but lately I can't seem to get myself to do what I say I'm going to do. My self-imposed deadline for getting my Christmas shopping is looming, and yet I still have quite a few gifts to purchase...My house, while decorated on the outside, had not a lick of festive cheer decking its halls until yesterday...and our annual Christmas card which I should be getting done since I tend to get lost on the way to the mailbox...nope, haven't done that either!

On Tuesday, I arrived at a friend's house to go on one of our regular walks, and instead honked the horn, rolled down my window, and said, "Wanna go Christmas shopping instead?" You see, I decided to spring into action and get started on the remainder of my list. Being a fellow exercise lover, my friend jumped in that truck before I could come to a proper stop!! Off we went in hubby's nuclear sized truck pointed towards Walmart. Now don't worry, we weren't shopping for New Year's Eve dresses...we were TOY shopping!! With reckless abandon, I started firing things in my cart, all in the quest to place a checkmark beside gifts written below my kid's names in "The Book"...Well, I ended up finding a gift for each child and one for a child whose name we took off the Salvation Army tree at the mall. I love doing that every year. We take three names...one for each age of my children, and they enjoy helping me buy the gift and return it to the tree. It is a nice tradition that helps to teach them that not everyone is as fortunate as they are.

Yesterday, I decided, was as good a day as any to haul up all the decorations and get to work. Scary to say, but it actually took me the entire school day and I didn't get dressed until 3 p.m.!! I literally got up, got the kids off to school, and went to work!! While it looks pretty, I don't think it looks as nice as last year, so I will have to play around a bit with everything. I am also having a bit of a "crisis" as I don't think it feels as "Christmasy" as it should. After going on those house tours last weekend, it made me pine for more traditional colours so that I could decorate in more reds and greens. Even greenery garlands don't look that great in my home. Funny thing is, I don't remember feeling this way last year...I'm not sure how to solve this problem, but my home just doesn't feel that Christmasy to me...Maybe it's just the blah-ness I'm experiencing, but I have to get those creative juices flowing!!

Hubby assured me everything looks great, but in the next breath said "It's no wonder you feel that way...we need some reds and greens and blues, and some colored lights!!" Oh boy...he just doesn't get it...I felt like reminding him that he should be living in a Sears catalogue house with an equally messy wife who doesn't care what colour the throw pillows are...instead I asked him to get me a glass of wine so I could watch America's Next Top Model and yell (drunkenly?) at all the models!!! Happy Festivus!!

A Scandinavian Christmas...

photo: www.fjorn.com

Inspired by Aina's beautiful site, Modern Country, I have decided to write about a Scandinavian Christmas...as it is a style that I know appeals to so many of us. The pleasing mix of creams, whites, silver, gold and reds offers such a clean approach to holiday decorating. It feels fresh, yet comfortable in a way that simply modern style can struggle with. Scandinavia is comprised of Denmark, Norway and Sweden (and usually Finland and Iceland) and thus has a wonderful European flair intertwined with deep-rooted history. There is a definite focus on nature and the use of greenery, candle light and handmade treasures. Where it differs from homespun decorating is, again, the use of light colours and keeping accessories to a minimum.
Simplicity is the key to carrying off a true Scandinavian decor scheme...nothing too flashy or glitzy...and certainly no competitions between neighbours to see whose house can bear the most Christmas lights!!

both photos: www.fjorn.com

Christmas in Norway, Aina shares, is a wonderful celebration with a few twists on tradition as compared to Christmas in North America. The Christmas tree (usually a real one) is decorated on December 23rd. According to the website: http://www.msl.no/jul_eng_oversikt.htm, electric candlelights, and small norwegian flagsadd to the other tree decorations. The presents are placed under the tree and stockings are filled that same evening. On Christmas Eve at lunchtime, a meal consisting of rice pudding or porridge is served and an almond is hidden within. The lucky finder of the almond wins a pig made of almond paste. According to Aina, Norwegian families dance or walk around the Christmas tree singing Christmas carols. Families then bundle themselves off to church for a 4pm service, and at 5pm all churchbells in Norway are chiming for "Christmas Peace".. Following church services, a large meal, extending well into the late evening is enjoyed followed by the children opening their gifts while the adults relax, chat, drink coffee and eat sweets. The Peace of Christmas has thus arrived...

angel photo and large tree: www.vakrehjem.com
straw horses: http://www.hemslojd.com/

On December 25th, many people attend church in the late morning after having slept in. Families tuck into a delicious Christmas brunch and the children spend time playing with their new toys. The time is passed visiting with families, spending time outdoors and enjoying the gifts of the season.

photo: Jeanne D'arc Living.com


















photo: www.styleathome.com

" In Scandinavia, a Pixie or Nisse is a household spirit that is responsible for the care and prosperity of a farm or family. A Nisse is usually described as a short man or woman (under four feet tall) wearing a red cap. While belief in guardian spirits is a very old tradition in Scandinavia, belief in Nisser was prominent in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Denmark, southern Norway and southern Sweden. Many farms claimed to have their own Nisse. The Nisse took an active interest in the farm by performing chores such as grooming horses, carrying bales of hay, and other farm-related tasks. These chores were usually done much more efficiently and effectively than by their human counterparts.However, Nisser could be temperamental, to say the least. If the household was not careful to keep its Nisse satisfied -- usually in the form of a single bowl of porridge with butter in it left out on Christmas Eve -- the spirit could turn against its masters.In the 1840s the farm's Nisse became the bearer of Christmas presents in Scandinavia, and was then called "Julenisse" and has been associated with Christmas ever since." (info source: http://www.msl.no/jul_eng_oversikt.htm)

It's beginning to look a bit like Christmas...

Christmas is coming, I can feel it in the air. Of course, the malls are all showing signs that "tis the season", but up until this weekend, I just wasn't truly feelin' it. The thought of decorating my house indoors and out felt overwhelming, and after checking my trusty holiday "planner/binder", I realized...with a start...that I had bought only one gift so far for my eldest son. This after bragging that I was "almost done" shopping for the kids! Oyy!! So, for all my planning, I was actually quite far behind from where I thought I was...

photo above: www.marthastewart.com

Well, one of the roadblocks to catching that festive spirit was allayed by the annual Christmas home tour put on by a local church. There is nothing like seeing beautiful homes all prettied up for the holidays to get you in the mood to decorate! Two of the homes were lovely older homes decorated in a country Christmas style...very cozy and welcoming. Sometimes I find myself wishing I had a darker colour scheme in my home to support such a holiday style. My house lends itself to a lighter scheme...think snow, white lights, watery blue and silver...more of an icy palette. Thing is: I love both, but the cozier style feels more like a traditional Christmas to me. The kind of home where plaid meets birchbark meets pine boughs and winterberries. Beautiful, but just not meant for my home...sigh...!

photo source: www.roomservicehome.com

After a nice sit down lunch (tea or coffee, sandwiches and sweets) at the church hall, I was feeling that Christmas decorating feeling! Not enough to make me tackle the many boxes of inside decorations, but I did manage to get Sophie's pink tinsel tree set up for her to decorate. It will be her new nightlight of sorts, and I still have fond memories of staring at my own little scraggly tree set up in my childhood bedroom as I drifted off to sleep. If you don't have a tree for each child in their rooms, you should really consider getting one. I picked up two little pink table top trees for a friend's girls at Walmart for 99 cents each!! Add some little decorations from the Dollar Store and a homemade paper chain that they make themselves and it is a cheap and easy decoration...sure to give them that excited feeling in their bellies all throughout the holiday season!!

Sure enough, I started to notice some people slowly starting to put their outside decorations up this weekend. The weather was fairly mild, so I, too, succumbed...and dragged out the boxes from my garage and set to work. I have decided to go a little simpler on the outside this year and left some decorations in their boxes. In my opinion, there is a fine line you can cross between just enough and too much...and I have crossed that line myself I am sure. There is something about wanting to use all that you have so as not to be wasteful, but I have to remember that I have moved house a fair bit, and lately have been gravitating towards a more simplistic style. Natural, old-fashioned, and just enough sparkle. I will post pictures of the end result after I get my real boughs and outside tree. I've put dear hubby on the case, but he always seems to take his good old time doing so. Or maybe I just have too much of a "get it done yesterday" sort of mindset. Yep, that is probably more like it...!!!

So, now that I have gotten a start on some of my holiday decorating, I had better get at that shopping list. It is my yearly goal to have all my major shopping finished by November 30th. That way, I don't have to be around cranky, pushy, stressed out people ...who tend to zap all my Christmas spirit. I'm telling you, it is a good strategy...then you can just go and shop for stocking stuffers at your leisure and save time for the fun stuff, like decorating, holiday baking (if you consider that fun...), and getting a head start on wrapping those gifts. But you'd better hurry...only four more days till that deadline is here. Then again, who needs deadlines?? If you thrive on the hustle and bustle, then fill your boots!! What do I know??!!

Shop till you drop...and gifts you don't have to spend a nickel on...

Well, shortly after those of you south of the border have pushed away from the dinner table (and put on your stretchy pants..HA!!), it will be time to concentrate on what is really on your minds: Christmas shopping!! Now, I know you all (y'all) call it Black Friday down there, but if I was in on the action, they'd have to rename it, "In the RED Friday"!! Yep, as i've been told, it is quite a big day for those diehard shoppers!! Pushing and shoving and getting up with the birds to beat the crowds...why, it sounds so...festive!!!! I'm kidding, of course, and I'm certainly in no position to judge...all the adult female members of my family head out for the Boxing Day sales bright and early and have a strict set of rules that we all have to swear to abide by: no kids, no whining, and no dragging your feet!! No exceptions!!! I still shake my head when remembering that two years ago, in the midst of a major snowstorm, my mum, me, sister, and sister-in-law headed out in defiance. We weren't going to let (a lot of) snow stop us from our annual ritual. Or so we thought...thankfully one or a few of us gave our heads a good shake and decided dying in the pursuit of shopping is not a very noble way to go. We're MOTHERS for Pete's sake!! We turned back and nestled back in...zipping up coats and searching for stray mittens while our kids played in the snow. Besides, it's not as if we are ever really on the hunt for anything in particular. We simply love the break from all the togetherness with the kids all crammed into one spot, and we look forward to chatting as girls, and a lovely meal that doesn't involve turkey or washing dishes!!!

Which brings to mind some gift giving ideas that I wanted to pass on to you with regards to the seniors in our lives (and NO, I am not talking about you, Mum...you're way too young!!). I am thinking of our elderly loved ones who either live alone in their homes or in a nursing home. I worked as a nurse in a nursing home for a fair number of years, and would find myself groaning at some of the gifts some of the residents would receive from their well-meaning, if not misguided relatives. More boxes of candy roll through those facilities than you can shake a stick at, even though most would shatter their dentures trying to bite into the hard candies in their midst. Often, we'd have to take some of the boxes away to prevent choking mishaps, and they would inevitably get opened and enjoyed by the hard-working staff and visiting families. Other common, but unsuitable gifts would include large novels with tiny writing that the resident would not have the eyesight or patience to read. If you give these types of gifts to the seniors in your life, I am not picking on you. I know you mean well, but with my firsthand experience (hey, I knew my nursing degree would come in handy again!!), I offer up the following gift suggestions:

• scratch tickets...who doesn't love the thrill of the unknown and the promise of instant wealth? Ttrust me, if you could see the excitement that Monday Night Bingo incites in a group of seniors, then you'd know what I'm talking about!

• magazines...ones that appeal to the individual's hobbies and interests, even if long given up. A subscription to a great magazine is the gift that keeps on giving...it is something to look forward to each month and it is always exciting to get something in the mail...If you do purchase books however, try to choose ones that have larger print and/or books on tape.

• a variety of greeting/birthday cards that are placed in stamped, addressed envelopes. If you're a family member, this is a fairly easy task. Your loved one then only has to write the recipient's name on the card and sign it and it is good to go. It is especially nice to include a small calendar with the dates of the special occasions circled in red, so the date won't be forgotten

• free electricity, cable, or heating for a month. You can't wrap it up in giftwrap, but paying your loved one's electricity bill for a month enables them to treat themselves to something that month without the worry of stretching their budget.

• A supply of bus tokens, a gift card to a favourite restaurant (especially one that delivers), a gift certificate to their local grocery store, etc. Again, anything to lighten their financial load. Many seniors are on a very fixed budget that doesn't allow for extras. They don't get Christmas bonuses like some of us do...

• On the same vein, a gift card to their local pharmacy or simply buying them their monthly medications. Many seniors do not have great drug plans and their medication needs are a huge drain on their budgets...

• Clothes that actually fit, reflect their taste, and are easy to fasten and zipper for those with mobility/dexterity challenges. Sometimes it is better to buy a gift card to the clothing store of their choice, but keep this in mind: do they need transportation to and from the store, or will they appreciate having you go woth them to offer your assistance with selecting the purchase? Everyone likes a second opinion when trying on clothing...

• Which brings me to this: a gift of your time and company. If you are gifting your loved one with movie money or theatre tickets, keep in mind that your accompanying them may not only be desired, but necessary. Especially for those living in nursing homes or senior's complexes: they may not get out as much as they'd like and spending time with you doing a fun activity might be just what the doctor ordered. I'd often see too many able-bodied residents spending the entire Christmas Day with nary a visitor, but surrounded by scented soaps and candy they couldn't enjoy. If you can, pop in and visit your elderly loved ones over the holidays and beyond. It really is the best gift of all...and if you can bring them to your home for even a few hours, it will not go unappreciated, believe me. Giving of our time and love is something that costs nothing but lifts the spririts of those we love immensely...and you'll feel pretty good, too!!

For all you Royal Watchers...me included!!

Uh, Oh...what did Prince Philip do?? Could he have, ahem, ate too many beans?

What do you think?

P.S. Check the Queen's face on the last picture!!!
The expressions are priceless!

Yeah, he probably did !!!

Homespun Christmas...Holiday decorating scheme: #1

photo: Pottery Barn

There are few more cozy images than a crackling fireplace flanked by two checked wing back chairs; a soft wooled throw strewn over the arm of the chairs, a basket filled with logs, and a real Christmas tree adorned with fabric wrapped balls, tin stars, and garlands of cranberries and popcorn. That is the image that springs to mind when I picture a homespun Christmas. Heck, I'll even throw in a few clove-studded oranges nestled in a wooden bowl if you like (even though I won't be studding them myself). Indeed, a home decorated for the holidays in this primitive style evokes images of Christmas in Plum Creek a la Laura Ingalls. Who could forget little Laura being so thrilled to receive her very own tin cup and a peppermint stick that she happily munched away on, while the ever serene Mary daintily licked hers into a fine point...

photo: Country Home magazine

Julie has said she would like her holiday decorating style to reflect a more homespun feel, and I am happy to offer her some ideas for achieving this look and have hunted down some lovely images for her to be inspired by. I hope some of you will enjoy enjoy the more natural and simplistic approach I've offered up.

photo: Country Sampler.com

Homespun is often equated with handmade. There are no posh airs associated with this decorating style, and the look can often be achieved by incorporating offerings from nature such as real evergreen boughs; winterberries, bittersweet and rosehips; pinecones and twigs; tartan or plaid wool blankets; cinnamon sticks, dried apples, and oranges; brown paper-wrapped packages; and simple pine wreaths graced with a fabric bow or rusted garland of tin stars. The look is comforting, unsophisticated and easily achieved. It is reflective of simpler times...when homeowners made-do with what they already had, and focused more on the less commercial aspects of the holiday. Homespun holiday decor gives the impression that Christmas is to be savoured, just like the hot cocoa puffing off its steam while awaiting its lucky recipient. I think of ginger spiced cookies, shortbread and bags of nuts waiting to be cracked, handmade ornaments, candles in each window...and nothing to do but eat, talk, and be merry. So what if it all sounds like a fantasy?? Isn't that what the magic of the holidays is for? After all, homspun is also equated with old-fashioned...and there's nothing wrong with some old-fashioned charm every now and again. So slow down and consider this holiday decorating style if it appeals to you. You just might save yourself some money...and the walk in the woods will do you good!!

both pictures (below): Country Sampler

both photos (above): Country Home magazine

Glitteratti, freaky deer, and Happy Birthday to me...

Aren't these classy??!! (as seen at our local Christmas parade!!)

Yep, it's my birthday. For the record, I have just turned thirty-seven, and unlike some, I don't get freaked out about getting older...at least not yet. While I may look forty-seven to some, I still feel eighteen. Again, I don't look or act like I'm eighteen, but I feel it in my head. I sometimes look at my 13 yr old son, who is now taller than me, and think: "What the heck...??? How is this big kid mine?? His voice is deeper, he probably thinks I'm a dork, and soon he's going to be able to drive??!!" But wait...I'm only a youngster myself...am I really old enough to have a teenager, own a home and two vehicles, and have this many wrinkles??? In a word, yes. I am that old...and I don't really care.

Moving on, I had a great weekend. My parents came down and Mum and I went around to all the shops to see their Christmas decor, enjoyed a nice meal at our favourite little cafe, and in the evening, did our annual Christmas craft with Sophie. I still have glitter stuck to my fingers and I saw some in Sophie's hair this morning when I was getting her ready for school. I decided that we should make shadow box scenes this year, and we picked up the frames at the Dollar Store and I scoured the shops and my own stash for little items that would look cute in the frames. We glittered them to death and I think they turned out quite lovely. I'm not sure who's getting what, but I do have plans to give a couple of them as gifts. Mum had a good laugh, however, as I kept finishing them and saying, "I'm not sure if I can give this one away...". I have to keep telling myself that the best gifts to give are those that you want to keep for yourself. Of course, that can be hard at times, given that I'm only eighteen in my mind.... Here are our creations, and I'd like to give credit for the colored bottle brush trees (that I got the directions for altering their colour) to Sarah at Misadventures of Mama and Jack...one of my favourite blogs for inspiration.

These are Mum's:

These are mine:
























Below is a picture of Sophie and her best friend begging for candy at the Christmas parade on Sunday. On perfect cue, the biggest snowflakes started falling at the end of the parade, just in time for Santa and his taxidermy reindeer! They make me laugh every year, and I hope they never do away with them (no pun intended). We ended the day with an early birthday feast of Chinese food in honour of my birthday. In fact, this birthday seems to be all about eating, with one of my good friends treating me to lunch today and another treating me to breakfast tomorrow. I had better double up on my walks!!!


Mum, Dad and Sophie

Oops, I almost forgot to add Sophie's creation. Isn't it adorable??

Creative Kim...

Well, I think just about everybody in blogland knows Kim and her amazing site, Today's Creative Blogs. She features a new blog nearly every day, and she does so to share with us, less ambitious folks, the beautiful sites out there that might otherwise not be discovered without luck or links. To be featured on her site is not only an honour, but seals your fate of having many people rush over to your blog, thus enabling you to meet many more creative, lovely people. Kim does this of her own free will, out of kindness and in the spirit of sharing... and despite having one of the busiest schedules of anyone I've encountered. I can picture her staying up late, perusing the many beautiful blogs in her radar, just so we can be treated to more wonderful blogs to enjoy and be inspired by. Then, she gets up ridiculously early to teach multiple fitness classes and hustle her (adorable) little boy off to school. She still seems to make the time for her friends, hubby, scrapbooking, decorating, and playing Bunco (what is that, Kim??). Anyway, in the spirit of Today's Creative Blog, here (as featured on her personal blog: Scrap-to-my-lu) is Kim's beautiful home, which never seems to be messy, despite her claim to the contrary.

Look at her "scrappin" room. Wouldn't you love to have those racks? Sooo organized and again, so tidy!!










Don't you love the simplicity of this seasonal adornment on her beautiful red door...which she's pretty proud of, I might add...?!

So, since my blog focuses on all things decorative, who better to showcase than Kim. I think I'm safe in saying from all of your followers, thanks Kim, for doing what you do, and being so darn funny all the time...I appreciate your writing style, and for taking the time to introduce us to all the creative souls out there, that we might never discover without your help!!

This is one of my favourite pictures of Kim: those shoes and the sassy positioning of her feet embodies her spirit and personality in one great shot!!