I'm Back, This Time With a (12 Month) Plan

Hi Everyone, and Welcome Back!

It feels really great to be posting again; after my holiday break I am refreshed and full of ideas for future posts.  This week, you can look forward to learning how to make the world's most  ridiculously easy craft (if you still have a champagne cork lying around from NYE, put it aside) as well as a "new" Retro Recipe.  Today, however, you are going to hear all about my 12 Month Plan for Holiday 2011.

Why, you ask, do I need a 12 month plan for Holiday 2011?  Good question, glad you asked!  I am a self-confessed Christmas nut, I love all things holiday and, as such, tend to bite off more than I can chew a little too late.  Try as I might to adopt the "what gets done, gets done" mentality, the truth is that I get bitterly disappointed when I don't achieve all my holiday goals.  This is what led me to be designing gnomes on December 22 for my Cookies & Gnomes kitchen tree.  Incidentally, the cookies never made it onto the tree.  Actually, they didn't even get made, and this bugged me all Christmas long.

You get the picture.  I am the queen of REALLY BIG IDEAS, and I am for the most part good at executing them.  It just seems at Christmas that these REALLY BIG IDEAS come fast and furious and with a huge sense of urgency, as if Santa's departure truly depended upon my successful completion of a COOKIES AND GNOME TREE!!!  Or perhaps HANDMADE MITTENS FOR ALL!!  Why not NEW STOCKINGS FOR HUMANS AND CANINES WITH MATCHING TREE SKIRT?  And let's not forget HAND DIPPED TRUFFLES, the very important HOMEMADE CRACKERS, and last but not least HONEST TO GOODNESS REAL PLUM PUDDING!!!!! Which doesn't contain a single plum; who knew?

So, here's the plan.  I'm making a list, and I'm checking it no, not twice, 12 times this year.  On (or around) the 25 of each month, I'll be updating you on my progress.  Oh, what's on the list you say?  The Twelve Goals of Christmas!  Projects, items to buy, plans to make, anything that I can potentially do throughout the year to prepare in advance for Christmas.  I'm also going to be preparing a Christmas Countdown To-Do List.  Oh yes I am.

But wait, there's more!  I'm not in this alone.  My cousin Ainsley from Pattycake Manners is going to be my partner in crime! Not just for the Twelve Goals of Christmas, either!  She's come up with a great idea where we are going to pick 12 handmade projects that we want to achieve by Christmas 2011.  We'll be sharing these with you and updating you in a series of shared posts.

I can't wait!  My first holiday update will be on January 26, so be sure and check back!  Oh, and just in case you thought Christmas 2010 was a mess in the Nest, it really wasn't.  It was lovely.  On the 26th, I'll be sharing some photos and memories of what I did achieve this holiday season.  Gnomes and all!

Have a wonderful week!  It's great to be back!

A Very Nesty Christmas - Me, Panic?

Hello, Everyone!  It's 1:41 AM here in Kitimat, British Columbia, and I'm up!  Why, you may ask?  Well, it's the most wonderful time of the year, and I've reached the point where there seems to be more items going on my "To-Do" list than coming off.  

It'sthemostwonderfultimeoftheyearit'sthemostwonderfultimeoftheyearit'sthemostwonderfultimeoftheyearit'sthemo-

Hm, sorry, what's that?  Sorry, I was nodding off dreaming of sitting by the Christmas tree with everything finished to perfection, sipping a glass of Baileys and basking in the glow of a job well planned, well executed, well done.  This fantasy, if it ever comes to fruition, will have to wait until next year, as I feel I may have slid past the point of being able to honestly claim I planned well.  The biggest enemies to my Big Ideas are 1. Delusions of Grandeur and 2. Mailing Deadlines.

The celebratory Delusions of Grandeur, well, any aspiring Martha will understand.  I have yet to perfect the timing of my visions.  For example, I decided to decorate my kitchen in a "Cookies & Gnomes" theme.  When it was pointed out to me that perhaps summertime would have been a good time to purchase gnomes (some foolishness about garden centers and end of season sales...) I explained that I didn't think of the theme until November.  Does nobody appreciate my genius???

And Mailing Deadlines...sigh.  For many, many years I was lucky enough to have all my gift recipients within driving distance, so we never had to mail a thing.  Last year was the first year we had to mail gifts, and - it did not end well.  After paying an exorbitant amount to an organization that will remain unnamed, and receiving their guarantee that, in exchange for said exorbitant amount my parcels would arrive well in advance of the holidays, they in fact did not.  They arrived well after, and having the exorbitant amount refunded to me in the New Year did not quite make up for the disappointment of not getting our gifts home on time.

But, I'm getting better.  My current state of panic is being calmed by contingency plans.  One of my Big Ideas of Delusional Grandeur this year was to make a lot of homemade gifts, and I did great.  However, the last few are dragging their feet coming across the finish line, which brings up my old friend MAILING DEADLINES!!  And that, my friends, is why courier services were invented.  For a fee (exorbitant perhaps, but I'll pay for reliability) I can actually BUY TIME!!!  It's like a miracle!!!

The great news is that once the gifts go off with the miraculous courier service this week, I'm back on track and only have to do "my" projects.  Baking, crafting, and more decorating are all on deck, as well as planning for our Christmas Party and Christmas dinner.  However, there is nothing on that list that will send me into a panic if it doesn't get achieved to the extent of my glorious visions.  Baking, crafting, decorating?  What gets done, gets done.  The party will go ahead whether I manage to carve an ice sculpture of my dogs (tee hee!) and roast a swan,  or if I just remove the dog hair from the furniture and open a few bags of chips (I was never a big fan of swan, anyway...)  And Christmas Dinner is safe in the freezer, so even if the clouds open up and it snows until New Year's, we'll have plenty of good stuff to share on Christmas Day!  

Me, panic?  No way!!!  

How about you?  Share in the comments...if you can spare the time!!!!!

A Very Nesty Christmas - Friday, December 3, 2010 "Gifts of Time & Love"

"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas."  

~ Peg Bracken.

 

Earlier this week I posted about ways to have a heartfelt Christmas.  I invited you to share in the comments how you have made, or plan to make, your holiday meaningful in a way that transcends shopping and fuss.  One story in particular was submitted by a friend of mine about her and her family's tradition of bringing a touch of Christmas light to one of the darker places in our province; Vancouver's Downtown Lower East Side.  Here is her recollection in her own words:

After my father passed away, my mother didn't feel much like doing the same big family dinners, because she felt they would be too painful. She came up with an idea one year and it became a tradition until I moved up north. On Christmas Eve we would spend hours assembling hundreds of sandwiches (peanut butter, cheese, tuna, ham, and turkey). On Christmas morning we would drive into the downtown east side of Vancouver to an area called Pigeon Square, and unload the flats of sandwiches. This is an area of Vancouver that many won't even drive through. These were the people that society had completely forgotten, and most feared. In the end, they are humans, and they are hungry, and for the most part, completely alone. One minute there on Christmas morning, and you will never take your family for granted again.

The tradition grew, and in the last two years before I moved away, I began collecting from co-workers who wanted to contribute. People gave flats of juice boxes, flats of crackers and cheese snack packs. In the final year, people started giving us clothes (socks, shoes, mittens, wool hats). It grew to a car load, and my fiance, mother, and my self were a little overwhelmed. The last year I was there, we had noticed something amazing. Our little idea had caught on, perhaps, or maybe it had occurred to someone else too. As we were unloading the last of the food, a tent was being set up, and one of the locally owned restaurants was setting up a huge day long free food venue. People didn't need to leave their possession un-guarded, they could eat with their dog beside them, and they didn't have to worry about the stigma some felt from the Mission soup kitchen down the street (as explained to us by a few every year). As far as I know, they have kept that tradition going on Christmas day.

As I walked past our food bank here (Kitimat) last week. My heart stung a bit. I want to do something here too.

Vanessa, thank you to you and your family for such a kind, selfless act, and for inspiring others to do the same.  And of course, thank you for sharing your memory with us!

Have a wonderful weekend! Are you decorating, baking, or shopping for gifts?  I'm going to be doing a little of everything, I think!  See you on Monday!

Tips for Having a Happy (And Organized!) Handmade Holiday!

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air." ~W.T. Ellis

Ah, Christmas.  If there is one time of year that motivates us to don our crafty hat, it's you.  This is how our Christmas storage boxes have come to be lovingly filled with treasured collections that are almost anthropological in nature.  

One could argue that manufactured Christmas-a-bilia demonstrates the styles of the times quite well itself, thank you very much!  So it does.  But there is something about the homemade, the handcrafted, that can really bring to mind a time, a place, an era.

Look at your collection.  Got a smocked ball in there?  I'll bet you a sugar cookie it was lovingly hand crafted in the early to mid 1980's.  Ceramics?  Eighties again.  Knit items are a little trickier, since the grandma set never stopped knitting, but you may have noticed a resurgence of knit ornaments, tree skirts, and stockings since the turn of the millennium, when wool crafting experienced a renaissance.

You get the idea.  As timeless as an item may seem at the moment it is made, there will inevitably be something about it that will mark it as being distinctly "1985," "1994," or even, of course, "2010."  (And yes, I'm still reeling that we're living in 2010.  2010!!!!  We're space age!!).

As I mentioned on Monday, this year I've been embracing homemade gifts and I'm really excited about them!  For fear of ruining the Christmas morning surprise, I'm not going to get too specific, but followers of this blog will know that I knit, sew, and paper-craft, so you can use your imaginations until after the 25th, when I will share my creations with you.  It's been a lot of work, but it's been so much fun and it's given me a good excuse to indulge in some really nice supplies; all in the spirit of giving!  I've become a total yarn snob, so the recipients of my knit creations are getting very spoiled indeed!

While making your Christmas gifts by hand is a lot of work, there are steps you can take to ensure it's all a labour of love, not a panic inducing race to the finish (still-tacky glue will not mail well, my friends!) Based on my experiences this year, I have compiled a list of tips to help make your homemade holiday experience happy and organized, so that your handmade, heartfelt offerings will bring a warm smile for years to come (not to mention a round of "Awwww, that's so 2010!).  Enjoy!

Tips for Having a Happy (and Organized!) Handmade Holiday:

• Have a plan - Know what you're making, who it's for, and what you need to complete it.  If, like myself, you live off the beaten path, keep a supply list going so that you can make sure you get everything you need when you go shopping "in town."
• Be realistic - New to sewing?  Then perhaps you shouldn't attempt a queen size quilt for your mom.  Start with something smaller, like a decorative panel.  Short on time? Maybe only make a few gifts this year, or make one simple item (like an ornament) to include with your store-bought presents.
• Consider logistics - Where is this gift going?  Shipping is expensive, so be sure to consider that when you are deciding what to make. A homemade bookshelf may not be the right gift to ship across the country.
• Consider cost, both actual and perceived - While some homemade gifts are ideal for those on a budget (think bath salts, cookies, and homemade coffee mixes) the reality is that craft supplies aren't cheap.  So while you may think that hand knit cashmere bed socks would be your mother-in-law's heart's delight, the reality is that they would end up costing you upwards of $200.00 in yarn.  Someone who doesn't know the cost of yarn and textiles (and really, who except wool crafters and fashionistas does?) will just see socks.  Consider using a luxe version of a more affordable medium. (And for the record, my MIL would totally appreciate the value of cashmere socks!  Maybe someday!)
• Have a support network - My cousin Ainsley (of Pattycake Manners) and I had a cyber crafting night last week, updating each other on our progress via email.  It was fun (read her post about it here) and it motivated me to keep plugging away at that evening's project so I'd have something to report.
• A housekeeping tip (which will make sense if you read Ainsley's post, as well as this one by me) is to keep any beverages you are consuming in a travel mug.  If you attend a lot of group crafting activities, consider adding a travel mug to your bag of supplies.
• Another housekeeping tip - When you are sewing or paper-crafting, tape a plastic shopping bag to the table next to your workspace, and sweep your clippings, corners, and threads into it as you go.  A greener alternative would be to move a garbage bin next to your workspace.

 So there you go, the Nestygirl's collected crafting wisdom for Holiday 2010!  I hope you find something helpful in my list to assist you in making your homemade holiday gifts a reality!


Happy December 1! Today marks the start of 25 days of Nesty!  I'm so looking forward to sharing my holiday preparations with you.  And to those of you following me on Twitter, I promise to be back soon!


Today is the first day of Hanukkah!  Happy Hanukah!!

Heartfelt Holidays!

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby

There seems to be a feeling afoot, a movement if you will, to re-examine Christmas and how we celebrate it.  It could be the result of several years dealing with a stinky economy, an attempt at meaning and stability in an uncertain world, or perhaps an effort to return to a time where family and true friendship were enough. I'm not sure. My not-so-scientific conclusion, however, is that we aren't celebrating less, we're celebrating more.  With all our hearts, in some cases.

I worked retail for several holiday seasons, and let me tell you, I've seen the bottom of the holidays and it ain't pretty.  I'd never really seen pure rage until I watched a woman seethe in a lineup during a no tax sale.  Add to that the stress that we all put on ourselves during the holiday season and it left me wondering...why?  What are we all getting out of this?  Because I have a distinct feeling that, if she didn't spontaneously combust in the food court, what Rage Lady's family probably got out of it was their gifts hurled at them during the world's angriest Christmas morning.

During one of our conversations, my husband and I, who both adore Christmas, revealed that we were actually starting to feel sad around the holidays.  And so, to paraphrase Mahatma Ghandi's famous quote, we decided to "to be the change we want to see in the world."  

In this spirit, we do something a little different every year to fill our hearts with Christmas Cheer (sorry, I couldn't resist!).  One year, we only gave gifts that supported a charity, like the World Vision Gift Catalogue or Ten Thousand Villages.  Another year we skipped both our family's Christmas dinners and had our own instead and invited a friend who was on their own that holiday season.  Yet another year we hosted the family dinner. 

What was really neat about all of this was that we realized we weren't the only ones feeling this way. Lots of friends and family were busy injecting meaning into their holiday observances, too!  A popular movement back home is the "Adopt a Family" program.  I've participated in this at work and it's so much fun.  You get a "wish list" with all the kid's wishes.  The parents don't usually ask for anything but I don't know anyone who doesn't include at least one special gift for the parents.  In addition to the presents, you also purchase everything they'll need for Christmas dinner and stockings. There's also an "Adopt a Senior" program now, and I know some folks (including some seniors!) who are supporting that program this year.

It's not for everyone (and for that, capitalism is eternally grateful).  One acquaintance told me in no uncertain terms that they would never be happy without tangible gifts under the tree (in response to the World Vision gifts I was planning).  I just think that's sad; I get the warm fuzzies just thinking about how happy my Papa was to "receive" his rooster and two hens.  I'm often reminded of the episode of Friends where Phoebe says that good deeds are actually selfish because they make you feel so good.  That may be true, Phoebe, but I'm willing to chance it!

This year, I'm embracing homemade gifts.  I've been crafting up a storm and I'm really excited about them!  My inspiration has been the Christmas Eve excitement that was felt around my in-law's tree a few years ago, when my husband's aunt handed out the hand-knit presents she'd made everyone.  But more about that on Wednesday, when I'm going to share with you Tips for Having a Happy (and Organized!) Homemade Holiday!

Here is a list of quick and easy ways to add some heartfelt meaning to your holiday celebration:

• Don't forget our furry friends!  Most shelters are in need of food, litter, and even old blankets and towels!  Pick up a bag of kibble and drop it off at your local shelter today!
• Here's a warm fuzzy that's actually warm and fuzzy (and costs nothing at all except time).  Many animal shelters are looking for volunteers to walk dogs or cuddle cats; what a perfect holiday outing for you and your family!  (Be sure to call first, some shelters have age restrictions on who can actually handle animals).
• Many grocery stores and restaurants have drop boxes for food bank donations.  Pick up some non-perishables and give a gift that will resonate well past the holiday season.  Some grocery stores even sell pre-packaged kits of the items most needed in your area .
• Keep your community safe!  Volunteer to be the designated driver for a Christmas party, or volunteer with your community's safe drive home program (if they have one).  You could even commit a Random Act of Kindness and spring for a cab for someone who needs one.
• Speaking of Random Acts of Kindness, a popular movement is to pay for the car behind you in the drive-though line at a coffee shop.  See a frazzled looking mom in a van behind you?  You could make her day!
• Contact your local hospital, senior's home, or assisted living facility and inquire if there's anything you could do to brighten someone's holiday.  Think carol singing is cheesy?  Then you've never done it in a hospital or senior's home (be sure to bring Kleenex!)
• Another RAOK!  Next time it snows, take a moment to shovel the steps of your neighbor (especially if they're elderly).  
• A classic Christmas practice is to volunteer at your local soup kitchen to serve Christmas dinner.  You'll look at the blessing that is your home and life with new eyes.

I could go on and on, but frankly, I'm interested in your ideas!  Share in the comments; I may even include your idea in one of my holiday posts!

Wednesday is a big day, as it is kicking off 25 days of Nesty!  I'll be keeping to my Monday, Wednesday, Friday posting schedule, but on the days in between I'll be sharing snippets of Christmas Cheer!  See you then!

 

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

 "The dog is the god of frolic."

-Henry Beecher Ward.

Yesterday was one of those perfect, magical days that really made you feel like the holidays are just around the corner.  Snow had been falling steadily since Wednesday and our world was encapsulated in white.  A trip to the local grocery store revealed that the first load of Christmas trees had arrived, and the entire parking lot smelled festive.  Inside the store, I noted that the "Christmas Foods" had made their annual appearance.  You know the ones I mean, fancy chocolates and cheeses and fascinating breads that only appear during the holiday season.  Storefronts and homes and telephone poles were suddenly alight with Christmas cheer.  We'd even attended our first festive party of the season earlier in the week.

There was just one thing left to do to put us in the Christmas mood...

Walk the dogs in the snow, of course!

If you can resist the sheer joy that is a dog in the snow, then you are made of tougher stuff than I.  Molly is and always has been a winter dog; she handles the cold extremely well and is very agile in the snow.  Our Tinky is all heart and gives it his all; despite his wee size he can hold his own in the snow, even if he does require a bit more coddling once he is home.


Once my pups were warm and fed, I settled in for an evening of Christmas crafting set to my favorite holiday mix.  The scent of cinnamon berry candles filled the air; My world was bursting with Christmas!  God bless us, everyone!

What little rituals or traditions do you follow to put you in the Christmas mood?  Is it something you can plan for, or do the stars have to align?  Share in the comments!


A Happy (if belated!) Thanksgiving to my dear American friends!  I hope you had all the turkey and pumpkin pie you could hold and that you are having a wonderful time at the Black Friday sales!


NB - For those of you concerned that Molly has shrunk, have no fear!  This is an old, old picture of her from when she was a puppy.  I promise to take some newer ones soon!

Mum's the Word!

I'm up to my ears in crafting fun, and I'm itching to share my projects with you, but I can't...

They're all Christmas gifts!  And if I share them with you here, it would ruin the surprise for many of my recipients!  And so, mum's the word until after December 25th!  

What I can say, however, is that I'm having a wonderful time creating heartfelt gifts by hand for all my loved ones!  I'm so much more excited about mailing my Christmas boxes this year!  Not only do I have the joy of giving gifts (making a list, deciding what to give, mulling over choices) I get to decide every aspect of my gifts!  Throughout the year I would have moments of inspiration; a skein of yarn made me think of this person, while a piece of fabric or a beautiful bead would bring to mind someone else.  Every so often I like to take out what I have accomplished so far and look at all of it and imagine being there when the gift is opened.

I'm making good progress but I'll have a few busy weeks ahead of me (well, make that week, if I'm really keen!)  After a bad experience mailing my parcels last year (New Year's gifts, anyone?) I want my gifts in the mail early!

And so, that's all for today, folks.  I really need to go finish...ha!  You thought you could fool me, didn't you!?

Have a wonderful week, and I'll see you on Wednesday!

Happy Thanksgiving, Again!

Hey there American friends!  You have a very big week coming up!  If you're anything like me, you'll be spending a lot of this weekend planning for next week's festivities.  To help you along, today I'm listing my Thanksgiving posts from a few weeks ago:

• Apple Turkeys make a fun craft and are a traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece in my family.  I've included an easy to follow tutorial, complete with pictures!

• Need to bring dessert to a Thanksgiving potluck?   Turtle Pumpkin Pie is sinfully delicious and beyond simple to make.  But shhhh!  Let them think you laboured in the kitchen all day!

• Turkey time doesn't end with the feast!  Hang on to that frame and make Homemade Turkey Soup!

• A few hours of "me-time" is always something to be thankful for!  Why not do some scrapbooking?  Check out this adorable Bo Bunny Pickin' Pumpkins album kit I found at our local scrap-book store.

• Sweet Potato and Pumpkin and Maple, oh my!  Fall has the very best flavours, so why not serve them all up at An Autumn Coffee Party!

• Curious why I celebrated Thanksgiving last month?  Click here for an explanation AND a recipe for Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust.

• And of course, in the midst of all the fun, don't forget to reflect on what you have and what you love, and give thanks.

Have a fun, wonderful week!  Safe and happy travels to all of you who are on the road this holiday season!

Festive Choices!

It's the most wonderful time of the year.  The question is, when does it start?

A popular discussion topic in person, on Facebook, and in blogland this weekend has been decorating for Christmas.  Some people have been polling whether it's too early to decorate, while others are happily declaring that their decorating has commenced!  All around our town, folks are putting up their exterior holiday lights.  However, considering the forecast is calling for snow (which in these parts can reach depths of several feet), this is a practical exercise.  Nonetheless, a couple festive souls have flipped the switch, casting the glow of green and red lights onto their streets.

It all leads to the question; when is the best time to decorate for Christmas?

I'm a firm believer that if it makes you happy, go for it.  Granted, this theory would be stretched if it were August.  My general rule is to wait until after Remembrance Day, and then start moving things out gradually. I start with my "winter" items (snowmen, snowflakes, etc).  Heading into December, I'll begin adding more Christmas specific items, with the grand finale being the reintroduction of the tree.

It's a funny thing about the tree.  I used to wait until after December 15 to put it up.  Mind you, I used a fresh tree, so keeping it fresh was a consideration.  Last year we cut our own tree with friends.  The tree cutting expedition had to accommodate several schedules, so we went a little earlier, and I found it quite pleasant to have my tree up earlier than usual.  

In years past, when I was working, we had some last minute situations.  I would have great intentions of having my decorating complete by December 15, but something would happen and it would get pushed back.  One year in particular we had to go tree shopping quite late in the season; it's a great story (now) but you'll have to wait until December to hear it!  Suffice to say, it was interesting.

I've relaxed a lot on the "rules" of Christmas.  Like I  said, whatever makes you happy is what's important.  This year, I'm starting early and enjoying the whole process, from unpacking my treasures, to deciding where to put my favorite snowman, to sitting by the fire in the the glow of Christmas light, sipping hot chocolate and Baileys.  To achieve this, I'm going to begin doing a thorough late fall cleaning this week, and when it's complete I'll start moving in my "Winter" stuff. (One of my cousins was explaining the concept of "Winter" versus "Christmas" decorating on Facebook today.  I smiled, since this is a conversation I have several times throughout the festive season.)

As for the tree?  This year I've got some novel ideas regarding my tree (or should I say, trees?) that I'm going to keep to myself for the time being.  However, I will share that I'm aiming for earlier rather than later.  Stay tuned!

So, I'm interested; when do you begin decorating for Christmas?  Share in the comments!

Window to My World - Pumpkin Rock

When you move to a new town, it can seem strange, cold, and lacking when compared to the place you came from.  I have discovered, however, that in time, something pretty amazing happens.  Suddenly, your "new" town becomes "your" town, a warm, familiar place with traditions and customs you now embrace.  

Last Halloween, actually, just after last Halloween, we discovered one of our town's unique traditions.  Starting November 1, people from around the town bring their Jack-o-Lanterns to a rock face known as "Pumpkin Rock."  
We're not sure, this may actually be a fairly new custom, but it is one that we were excited to join in this year.  And so, despite the heavy rain, today we headed down to Pumpkin Rock to deliver our Jack-o-Lanterns to their final home.  They seem pretty happy to be there:

 We were really impressed with the pumpkin carving skills on display at Pumpkin Rock:

 After I said good-bye to our Jack-o-Lanterns one last time, we went for a drive to check out the local Inukshuks, which had been decorated for Halloween:

 And that, my friends, was Halloween in our town, a place that has come to feel very much like home!

 

A Nesty Halloween "Post-Mortem"

I absolutely adore Halloween, and we had a really great time this year!  As promised, here is a photographic review of our "Halloweekend!"  

We started things off on Saturday night with a Halloween party.  I was pleasantly surprised at how many of the attendees came in costume.  I decided to get all dolled up a la "Mad Men" in a wonderful vintage dress my mother found at a Value Village store several years ago.  I added a bee-hive, bluish red lipstick and some pearls, and I was ready to go!

One of our guests had celebrated a birthday earlier in the week, so we feted them with a cheerful chorus of Happy Birthday, and, of course, a cake:

 This cake was featured in the 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Halloween.  Another great idea I discovered from Martha was the idea of having a Halloween Candy Bar:

 This station proved quite popular and it sparked many fun discussions about favored (and not so favored) Halloween treats.  I am already planning a Christmas Candy Bar for our annual Typsy Eve bash (more on that in a future post).

We had a wonderful party. Our guests brought some really yummy treats; I'd like to say I didn't have cake for breakfast, but, well, that would be a lie.  We slept in and were pleasantly surprised that there was very little clean up required the next day.  A load of dishes, a sweep of the broom, and a trip to the barn with some garbage, and we were finished!  We had plenty of time to play dominoes, drink coffee, and carve some pumpkins!

  I used the same  set up from the Candy Bar to display our Halloween Treats.  

 We love to decorate for Halloween, and every year we pick up a new piece.  The treat bowl above was this year's addition, while the groovy silver jack-o-lantern was 2009's.  Below is a collage of some of our decorating, with a sampling of our decorative pieces:

 The Trick-or-Treating part of the evening went well; we had approximately 30 ghosts and goblins come to our door.  We still have lots of treats left over (oh dear!).  In between visitors, I enjoyed sitting by the fireplace and getting the Halloween reports from my friends and family across Canada via Facebook and the phone!  Now, the jack-o-lanterns are almost out, the door bell is silent, and it's just about time for one last cup of tea and maybe, just maybe, one more mini chocolate bar (but only one, I swear!).  Tomorrow, I can't wait to check out all the great Halloween stories in Blogland!

Have a wonderful week!  'Til Wednesday!

Window to My World - Halloween at My House

I just love decorating for Halloween!  Here are a few pictures of what I've done to make our home spooktacular for Halloween!  Enjoy!

How do you decorate for Halloween?  Do you decorate the interior of your home?  What about the exterior; is there a wreath on your door, a pumpkin on the patio, or corn stalks and hay bales on the front lawn? We'd love to know!

 

Happy Hallo-week!!!

The excitement of Halloween is really building now!  The big night is less than one week away, and it's time to put the finishing touches on costumes, make sure you have enough treats, and finishing "shrouding" your home in spook-tacular decor!!!  However, prior to Halloween night, it's a good idea to review some safety tips to ensure that you and your loved ones have a spooky, not scary, Halloween.


Even if you don't have children heading out to trick-or-treat, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with Halloween safety advice.  I covered Halloween Pet Safety in a previous post, however there are other steps you can take to keep yourself, and visitors to your home, safe.  As well, by reviewing what safety professionals are advising parents, you can help make their jobs easier by complying with common wisdom on everything from treats to keeping your yard free of tripping hazards.



Below, you will find links to some websites that offer lists of Halloween safety tips. The Canadian Red Cross list has some cute "seasonal" references in it, and the RCMP offers two lists; one for parents and one for Trick-or-Treaters.  I hope you find these links useful and informative:

• Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Halloween Safety Tips for Parents, and for Trick-or-Treaters
• Ten Halloween Safety Tips from the Canadian Safety Council 
• Health Canada offers tips for a Safe Halloween covering everything from Decorating Your House to Costume Safety
• Halloween Safety Tips From The Canadian Red Cross even includes advice on not getting run over by a run-away broom (a fun way to encourage kids not to "criss-cross" streets)

Have a great week!  See you on Wednesday!

Halloween Primer Part III - Don't Forget Your Pets!

There's something about the days leading up to Halloween that seems to invite mischief, tricks if you will.  Acts of vandalism, pranks, and impromptu explosions of fireworks are some of the less fondly anticipated aspects of the spooky season.  Of course, in most cases, these incidents are mostly just annoying, and after a disapproving shake of the head, we go along with our day (or evening, usually.)  

Fireworks in particular are a popular Halloween annoyance, and the nights leading up to Halloween are peppered with explosions.  It didn't really bother us much until we got Molly, who, like many dogs, is absolutely terrified of fireworks.  Last Halloween was especially hard on her, as there were an exceptional amount of explosions going on.  Tinky doesn't seem to be as effected by them, but he does take his cues from Molly.  Long story short, they did a lot of barking, and I got a headache.  I thought that I had stumbled upon a solution when I found a "Sounds of Nature" radio station on the television for them to listen to.  It drowned out the fireworks, and they seemed to like the babbling brooks, cooing doves, and ocean waves.  What they didn't like at all was when the whales chimed in.  Back to barking!

What I'm essentially getting at is that, although Halloween is lots of fun for humans, even some of the more innocent parts of Halloween can be really hard on pets (think costumes, candy and trick or treaters).  Luckily, there are some great online resources to advise you on how to keep your furry friends safe, happy, and calm during the Halloween weekend:

• Martha Stewart.com has a great article on Halloween Hazards 
• The ASPCA's list of Halloween Safety Tips has lots of great advice on everything from candy to costumes.
• The Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan's website Cesar's Way has a great post on how to have A Calm and Balanced Yowl-o-ween.  

 What these great articles all work to establish is that by taking a few precautions, you and your pet can have a safe and happy Halloween together!


Have a great weekend!  I'll be back on Monday as the countdown to Halloween continues!

Halloween Primer Part II - Tunes!

I suppose there are people out there that don't have a soundtrack to their lives, or at least one that they care about, but for me, music is intrinsically linked to my memories.  I'm officially old enough now to say that hearing a song on the radio has the ability to send me back decades.  This past week I've heard REM's "Everybody Hurts" on the radio no less than 4 times, and each time I hear the familiar intro I am back in Grade 12 hard at work on our Christmas play.  Gordon Lightfoot or Simon and Garfunkel remind me of early childhood.  Garth Brooks and Brooks and Dunn were staples during 4-H Weekend and trips to Provincial Show.  The Pogues and Radiohead are university and pubs and roadtrips.  

Still not convinced of the recollective power of music?  I have three words for you: "Dirty Dancing Soundtrack."   See, I told you so!

Of course, events and holidays have their own special soundtracks.  My aunt has a killer mixed CD that gets played at the family Christmas skating party every year.  You might think it would be full of Bing and other holiday favorites, but it's not.  Instead, we whirl around the ice to Donna Summer and lots and lots of hits from the 60's, 70's, and 80's.  We get our Christmas carol fix a few days later at our neighbor's Boxing Day bash, when we (literally) all gather around the piano with song sheets and belt out songs like "Marshmallow World" and "The Little Drummer Boy."  And my mom and I wholeheartedly agree that once October hits and Thanksgiving is over, we are allowed to (publicly) play our Christmas music.  (I mean, it's not like I was listening to it on my iPod during a walk in July or anything...never mind!)  As for events, well, I think the fact that many to-be-weds are eschewing a DJ or band in exchange for plugging in their iPods is a sign that soundtracks are important to our celebrations, our observances, and our lives.


And so, I feel it is important to have a good Halloween soundtrack.  Much like my annual Christmas Mix, my Halloween Hits evolve each year, usually with more additions than subtractions.  Here is a basic list of songs that I like to play in the weeks leading up to Halloween.  These are the perfect songs to fill treat bags, dip caramel apples, or stitch up a costume to:

1. I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow
2. Werewolves of London - Warren Zevon
3. Pet Semetary - The Ramones
4. Ghostbusters - Ray Parker, Jr.
5. Thriller - Michael Jackson
6. People are Strange - The Doors
7. Clap for the Wolfman - The Guess Who
8. Bad Moon Rising - Creedance Clearwater Revival
9. I Put a Spell on You - Screamin' Jay Hawkins
10. Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett

If you're planning to have a Halloween Party, there's a few more tunes you could add.  I always like to remember that, for a party playlist, you should consider that there will be a variety of guests with many different musical tastes.  So, don't be afraid to add in selections from genres you may not listen to on a regular basis.  And hey, more often than not it's the song that everybody would normally turn up their nose at that gets everyone up on the dance floor (how else can we explain the enduring popularity of the Chicken Dance and The Macarena?):
11. Weird Science - Oingo Boingo
12. Eyeball in my Martini - The Cramps
13. Dig My Grave - They Might Be Giants
14. The Devil Went Down to Georgia (Re-recorded) - The Charlie Daniels Band
15. The Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley
16.Black Number One - Type O Negative
17. Dragula - Rob Zombie
18. Bela Lugosi's Dead - Bauhaus
19. This Is Halloween - The Nightmare Before Christmas Sountrack
20. A Nightmare on My Street - DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince



Now, as any horror movie fan will tell you, a properly composed instrumental can be very effective at sending shivers up your spine.  The last few selections could be added into the party mix, but they would be equally great played as background music for a spooky dinner party or as trick or treaters come to the door:
 
21. Halloween Theme - John Carpenter / MCA Music
22. Tubular Bells - From The Exorcist
23. Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Main Theme) - Knightsbridge
24. Materia Primoris (Theme from The X Files) - Mark Snow25. Overture (The Phantom of the Opera) - Original London Cast
26. Beetlejuice (Main Titles / End Titles - Danny Elfman
27. Sleepy Hollow - New World Orchestra
28. Psycho (Suite) -  Elmer Bernstein
29. Theme from The Outer Limits - Neil Norman



And of course, what Halloween mix would be complete without this enduring classic...
 
30. The Addams Family - Vic Mizzy

 My list is definitely designed for a grown up Halloween party, but sites like iTunes have great ready made playlists where you can get ideas for your own personal list if you want one that's a bit more family friendly (I found iTunes Essentials super helpful in making up my list!).  Have fun, and be sure to add in any favorites I've forgotten in the comments!

Halloween Primer - Treats A-plenty (But Hide Them Well!)

Now that we're into the final half of October, there is no denying that Halloween is coming up and coming up fast!  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and I've been having lots of fun decorating and planning for the big event!

While planning the perfect costume / party / menu / all of the above, it's important not to forget a very pivotal part of the Halloween experience - buying the treats!  It may sound obvious, but think back: how many times have you had to make a quick trip to the store on October 29 or 30?  And were you sometimes shocked to discover that there was almost nothing left to purchase? If you mentally raised your hand to either, then you know that it's time to add "Buy treats" to your to-do list.

The next item you'll want to write on that list is "Hide Treats."  Why?  I'm willing to wager that a good portion of you who have made that emergency treat trip did so because you did the unthinkable and dipped into the stash.  It is a well-known fact that, once opened, a bag of mini chocolate bars will not last long (or mini chips, or mini licorice, take your pick).  Regardless of your choice of treat, once its containment perimeter has been breached it's not long for this world.  And so, to prevent this from happening, you should hide your treats, and hide them WELL!!  My treats are residing in a basement storage room with my Christmas decorations right now, and they have been there undisturbed for over a week.  This may be a new record.

There are other steps you can take to protect your treats (and, subsequently, your wallet and your waistline).  One is to not pick out the treats yourself.  My husband picked out the treats this year (our last trip to town was a "two carter" at the department store and he swung by seasonal before I did).  He picked out Pringles and mini bars.  A good pick; although I do love chocolate, I am entirely more likely to rip into Twizzlers or Nibs.  And while I will eat a chip or two if a bowl is placed in front of me, they just aren't tempting enough for me open an entire case.

If you are faced with picking out the treats yourself, you could pick out something that there's no way on earth you would ever, ever eat.  Like those bags of sour powdered sugar objects, or things that look like slime.  I could have a truckload of those items and would feel absolutely no temptation to dip into them.  Now a Tootsie Roll or Pop, that's another story....and that's why I didn't throw a bag of those in the cart!

Do you have a Halloween Treat survival (or disaster) story?  If so, we'd love to hear them in the comments!

Have a great week!  See you on Wednesday!

I'm Thankful for Turtle Pumpkin Pie!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  As with many holidays here in Kitimat, this year we got together with a group of friends and had a Thanksgiving Dinner Potluck.  I love these holiday meals; in addition to the great time we have spending time with our Kitimat friends, we get to try out recipes that, while new to us, are time-honoured traditions in our friends families.  I volunteered for dessert duty on both Thanksgivings we have spent in Kitimat, and although my dessert of choice may not be a traditional family recipe, it is quickly becoming a tradition in my new household, and at our Thanksgiving potlucks!

Last year my mother introduced me to Turtle Pumpkin Pie.  My sister was making it for our family's Thanksgiving Dinner, and as Mom was describing it I knew it would be the perfect dessert to take along to our Thanksgiving Dinner!  I personally love traditional Pumpkin Pie, however some people don't enjoy it, although interestingly enough they almost always like pumpkin flavoured foods (lattes, cookies, and the like).  My theory is that it is the heavy cooked pudding consistency of pumpkin pie that they don't like.  And fair enough; these are probably the same folks who take a pass when bread pudding or custard is on the menu.

Turtle Pumpkin Pie, a Kraft Foods concoction, takes the flavour of pumpkin pie and puts it into a sweeter, fluffier form.  It still uses canned pumpkin, but instant vanilla pudding mix, milk, and Cool Whip are added to make a delightful cream pie filling that is spooned into a graham cracker crust lined with caramel topping and pecans (just like a Turtles chocolate, see?)  The pumpkin filling is topped with lots of Cool Whip and then drizzled with more caramel and a sprinkle of pecan pieces as the final touch.  It's really rich and yummy, and will change the mind of many pumpkin pie opponents.  

Another great thing about Turtle Pumpkin Pie?  It's super easy to make; in fact, it's no-bake!  It only takes an hour to set up in the refrigerator, so you can even prepare it while the turkey's cooking. It doesn't get any better than that! (Oh alright, I suppose if it were calorie free...)

Here is a link to Kraft Canada's recipe for Turtle Pumpkin Pie.

I decided to roast a turkey for us on Monday so we could have "leftovers" during the week.  We especially love making Hot Turkey Sandwiches, and Turkey Leftover Sandwiches (with stuffing and cranberry sauce).  My project for tomorrow is to make Turkey Soup from my turkey frame (I always make sure to leave lots of turkey on the frame for the soup!) I decided to go traditional with this turkey and simply stuffed it with bread stuffing made form my Mom and Nana's recipe, and seasoned it with butter and poultry seasoning.  Sometimes, the heart just needs tradition!  Although, I will admit that I broke out my fancy turkey basting kit and injected some melted REAL butter into the meat before popping it into the oven.  It was unbelievable!

Of course, having a turkey with all the trimmings in the fridge leads to lots of late night snacking!  I will have to make sure I get in lots of walks this week!

I've enjoyed sharing some of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes and traditions with you over the last few posts.  The next big celebration?  Halloween, of course!  I've started decorating and planning already, and we picked up a batch of candy and treats for the trick or treaters when we were in town this week.  As well, I have lots of wonderful homemade treats planned! And of course, I'm looking forward to sharing it all with you!

In closing, I'd like to thank everyone who commented on Friday's post; what an outpouring!  You made me feel great!  I am still catching up with visiting everyone who visited my blog last week and on Monday, but rest assured I will be stopping by your blogs soon!  

Have a wonderful week (it's halfway over already!).  See you on Friday!!!