A loud snort from the adjoining  field caught everyone’s attention! There were two horses there, little Peaches, the daughter of the pony Lew was riding, and Riley the newest horse on the farm. As different as night and day, one huge the other tiny!  They were running together and jumping for joy of the beautiful day!

I hurried over and was lucky enough to get some great photos! Hope you enjoy.

A nice way to keep the memories….

All of the skaters did an amazing job, It was great to see the girls that he practises with each friday evening go out and do so well with their own numbers. It was also fantastic to see Tessa skate again. She coaches and skates with the “Rusty Blades” the adult synchronized skating team out of Mt. Forest. It was great to watch the group numbers that she had choreographed as well. I am proud of both of my kids as they both played such a large part in this production!!

Ghosts!! The most dramatic performance of the evening!

The Scariest moment of the evening!! Here is Tessa getting into  character for her part as a zombie in “Thriller” with the synchro team! That’s my girl LOL…..

When my daughter Tessa was six, I decided to take her to see the Nutcracker in a nearby city a few days before Christmas. We invited our new friends, Jane and Alyssa to join us.

That evening is as clear and shining in my memory as the night it happened. We all got dressed up; the little girls were adorable in their dressy coats, Tessa in burgundy velvet, and Alyssa in white faux fur.

The night was bitterly cold, not a breath of a breeze, the sky was brilliant with stars and the snow was just glittering. We walked from this wonderland into the venue and it was every bit as magical inside. Personally I had never been to a ballet before, and I was truly mesmerized! The music, the dancing (the men in tights!) I can only imagine what it was like through the eyes of our children.

Knowing little girls love to get a little gift, I had purchased a crystal like ballet dancer ornament for each of them to remember the event, and I gave them these ornaments as we left for the drive home.
The girls were so excited to have the little ballerinas after seeing the ballet! Although they were only acrylic, they must have looked like real glass to them, and Tessa was all worried that hers would get broken. We have a chandelier over the dining room table, and I suggested to Tessa that she could hang her dancer from the chandelier. It would look pretty in the light and it would be safe.

Over the next number of years, one by one, the collection of crystal like ornaments grew; it includes several other ballerinas, a figure skater, some simple icicles… I guess this is how traditions start!

Christmas decorating at our house always includes Tessa’s ornaments adorning the chandelier! It is as important as decorating the tree!

Christmas memories, like many other childhood memories have been lost to me.  Until I sat down to capture and share some of these memories, I did not realize that I had so few…
My mother worked hard, supporting 7 other people (six children and one alcoholic husband), she had no choice. The time she had to spend with us was short, and extra money for gifts, and goodies was pretty much nonexistent.  I know that was how it was, but somehow Christmas was still a joyous time for me as a child.

Actual memories though?…

Well I remember my sister Ann jumping into bed with me early one Christmas morning and telling me what there was for me under the tree. She had gotten up ahead of me and checked it out. I was SO upset, it was like my surprise was spoiled!

I remember having a fire in the parlour stove, making a room that was seldom used because it was so cold, cosy and warm. I remember sitting in an easy chair and looking at the jewel tones of the lights on the tree. Do you remember when Christmas tree lights were so beautiful and rich? Today the LED lights cannot begin to compare!

I remember one year asking my mom what I could give to my sister Ann . Knowing I did not have any money and not having any to give me, Mom took me outside,  put some pretty branches into a pail and then we made a marshmallow tree out of it. I was just thrilled and really thought I had given Ann something special. Maybe I had….

I remember the Eaton’s Christmas Catalogue! How we poured through it! I am not sure if we ever actually received anything we wanted or not, but it didn’t really matter, the hours spent looking and dreaming were wonderful hours.

I left home when I was 15 at my mother’s urging. I was suffering from extreme stress, fainting pretty much every day and just not doing well at all due to verbal and physical abuse from my stepfather. I moved 300 miles away and stayed with my grandparents. It was hard. I missed my family so much and from September until November, the thought of going home for Christmas was what really kept me going. I got a phone call in early December from Mom, saying I could not come home, my step father had made it clear that I had left and was no longer welcome. I remember that phone call so clearly, I remember crying and crying,  but I don’t remember that Christmas at all.

The following year things had settled down enough that I was able to go home, and I did for the rest of the years that Mom was alive. After she was diagnosed with her first cancer, but in remission, she had everyone home for Christmas and really made it a big deal! She made us all new Christmas stockings and put our names on in felt. She had wonderful food prepared, and it should have been the most special Christmas ever. About an hour before meal time, there was a knock on the door and two friends of my step father arrived. Drunk out of their minds, waving around a bottle of wine, all excited for Christmas dinner. They had not been invited, they were not wanted, it was horrible. Mom could see that everyone was upset and asked them to leave. The woman became very verbally abusive and threw the wine breaking it, and they left. My Mom sat and cried, she cried because her heart was so big she had room for those people, I have never forgotten that. She had room for them in her heart but the rest of us did not. Her strength and kindness humble me.

Since I have had a family of my own, Christmas has been a very big deal in our lives. I know I spoil everyone on my list, and I love doing it. Having a child with special needs has some challenges, but Christmas morning sure isn’t one of them! I have the joy of watching his childlike excitement every year as he gives as well as receives. This is something that fades for most children as they grow up but not for my Lewbee.  Having family close enough to get together with is another blessing, and the season is always full of visits, Christmas shows, and Parties.

With ten days left before Christmas,  my online retail business should be slowing down enough for me to settle down, and begin to enjoy the season. I still have cards to write, and trees to trim, and gifts to purchase and wrap. All of the things I truly love to do. Wishing you the very best Christmas ever !

Today I filled my summer flower pot with lovely fresh evergreen branches, added some big shiny balls and a big bow, looks great beside my twinkly snowman

Do you have people in your life that always have a smile on their face? Do they make you feel great? Jodi is my youngest sister’s youngest daughter and Jodi is one of those rare individuals that seem to have a perpetual smile on her face!

She is growing up so fast, I spent a bit of time with her last night at a Christmas gathering and it hit home again just how special this young lady is!

Jodi and Abbey having a cuddle at our house Christmas 2009

This is actually one of Jodi’s own pictures, enjoying some sun with her sister Stacey. Both beautiful girls!

Around 15 years ago Candy joined our family.

This little cat wanted to be held, petted and adored ALL the time!. I remember coming home from work and she would race across the room and leap from about 4 feet away, landing in my  arms. I don’t think she EVER scratched me!

Tessa adored her, they were pretty much inseparable. She would walk her on a leash to the neighbours so that she could spend the day there playing. I remember one year Tessa entered her in the fall fair into the best dressed pet category. Tessa and Candy were both all dressed up in orange, with silk fall leaves wrapped all around them – Tessa pushed her in her doll pram! Of course not only did they win first prize but made the front page of the local paper as well!

Time has passed, and Candy’s coat has changed from white to black, her youthful exuberance has faded, but she still wants to spend every moment being the center of attention. She has suffered a stroke, has a worsening heart murmur and has developed what we think is a form of animal dementia. Every time she sees a family member she starts to howl for food (even though her dish is full). It is hard to not lose patience with her, but just pick her up and she will snuggle into your arms with a purr as loud as ever and her life is all good again!

She has slept every night with Lewis for the past 15 years, and has put up with him teasing her, trying to feed her to the dogs, and many other indignities, seldom leaving a mark on him.

Candy thank you for the joy you have brought to us for so many years. I know your days are numbered and more often than not I yell at you instead of cuddling you but you never complain and you never stop asking for that affection. You are a good old girl!

These words were written by Regina Brett 90 years old

1 – Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2 – When in doubt, just take the next small step
3 – Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Change the way you think.
4 – Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick, your family and friends will… Stay in touch.
5 – You don’t have to win every argument, agree to disagree
6 – Cry with someone. It is more healing than crying alone.
7 – Release your children when they become adults, it’s their life now.
8 -When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
9 – Make peace with your past so you don’t screw up your present
10 – Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful
11 – Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
12 – When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
13 – Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save for a special occasion, today is special.
14 – Just because you believe you are right, does not mean you are. Keep an open mind.
15 – Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
16 – Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
17 – However good or bad a situation, it will change.
18 – All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
19 – Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere!
20 – The best is yet to come… (Can’t wait to find out what! )
21 - No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
22 – Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

These words are something we should all read! At least once a week

This was Abbey’s first Christmas. Kinda proud of this shot and edit.

I have looked through my photos from past years looking for some inspiration or enthusiasm and decided to post some of my favourite photos  to see if I can find some of that enthusiasm!

It might be that as an online retailer, I am just so swamped this time of year that I have no energy left for my own family and friends. Might it be frustration that the other members of this family seem to be happy to just leave all of the planning, decorating, and gift buying to me? After 25+ years that begins to get a bit old…..

Anyhow enough with the bah humbug…  Time to shake myself off, put on a big smile and enjoy the season!

I have a beautiful hand bown Kitras glass bowl, that I like to fill with cinnamon scented pine cones and sparkly Christmas balls. A joy to both scences I love it!!

My outdoor decorating I like to be understated! Greenery, white twinkle lights and pretty bows! No blow up santas or Las Vegas running lights for me!! This is the lamp post that invites you to the side door. At night when the lamp is lit it is so pretty, warm and inviting.

My diningroom table set for visiting family. The one time of the year my Limoges china sees the light of day. Candles, cloth napkins, the “family” silver and a beautiful fresh Christmas centerpiece create what I think is a beautiful setting for a great Christmas meal!

Well you know what? I think this little bit of sharing has altered my mood a bit! Maybe I will head to the basement and start bringing up the decorations! Merry Christmas everyone!!