An Honest Reflection!

I cry at Christmas time. I always have. It's not because I'm particularly sad, it's more because I feel so much at this time of year. I really do! It's an overwhleming condition of unconditonal love that I have towards mankind! I can't help myself. 

Maybe it's the eggnog!

But regardless, it's a time to reflect, a time to make amends, a time to forgive, and if anythig a time to love!

My wish  is this wish.

Decking The Halls!

Finally, I got it right! I've been struggling this Christmas with last year's decorations. Before the renovations I had a lot of grey in my home, and because I loved the color of robin's egg blues and more intense colors like teal, many of my Christmas decoration had those colors. And they were beautiful, for that color scheme!

But this year I went for a color pallet of soft browns. I found the greys too cold, and wanted to warm things up! So last years decorations just didn't work! So I threw caution to the wind and started all over again yup, that's right Saturday the Christmas decorations came down and I removed every ounce of blue in the house and replaced it with a more neutral pallet! 

And here is what it looks like now!

Notice the candle burning on the garland!

We lit the candles on the tree last night! So so pretty! And just simply, magical!

And while out shopping for new Christmas decorations I found this lovely mirror to replace the terrible one I had in the foyer!

I just love it!!

Sometimes you just got to start all over again regardless of how much work is involved or just how crazy it might be to tear everything down. I am so glad I took the risk, invested in the new look because nothing disturbs me more when your trying to work with a color that just doesn't work anymore!!

Now what to do with last years decorations?

Happy Holidays!!

Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind...

I'm not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanor. You know, I I I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If you can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed for a life dominated by doubt.

I have never heard this expressed so well. This is a response from Kris Kringle, to Doris Walker when she calls his character fiction. So well said!!

It's almost a recipe for a moments peace, don't you think? If there is anything you can do this Christmas is take that moment to reflect, to believe in something more than just yourself! I think that's exactly what Christmas does for me. I belive in miracles, and I believe in Santa! There I said it!!

I guess that's why I love these old Christmas movies. They evoke a sense of nostalgia, that feeling that the world is beautiful and miracles can happen.

So here are a few that we watch every Christmas which for me embodies not only the spirit of Christmas but how beautiful Christmas can be! 

"It's a Wonderful Life", need I say more!

"The Bishops Wife" is a gorgeous movie.

This is my favorite for "Scrooge" with Alistair Sim.

And then of course there is the musical version which we love as well even if the music score was never as good as it could have been.

And "White Christmas"! Can't go a Christmas without this one!

These are real favorites at Christmas time, especially when we want that sappy, all things are good feeling that you get when the world is right!!

Another favorite for me, although not necessarily a classic is "While You Were Sleeping" with Sandra bullock and Bill Pullman. I know it doesn't look like a Christmas movie, but it really is. It's funny, romantic, and sad in some ways as it addresses what lonliness can be like for some during the holidays!! Good Movie!

Then there is "Die Hard". Considered the #1 favorite at Christmas time if not at least in the top 5. Seriously this and the sequel are just quintessential Bruce Willis! Wisecracking, heroic, saves the day, all on Christmas Eve!!

And then we have the classic "Charlie Brown Christmas". I was surprised that this was released in 1965, I can't believe it's been around as long as I have! Anyway, the music is timeless!! I love the instrumental "Linus and Lucy", its signature piece, but also another identifable favorite "Christmas Time is Here".

There are so many movies to watch and can't possibly name them all but these, I listed above are the true, true favs that I cannot live without at Christmas.

So I'll leave you with:

I was wrong when I told you that, Susie. You must believe in Mr. Kringle and keep right on doing it. You must have faith in him.

Keep the faith folks, and have a Very Merry Christmas!!

Appetizers Using Bocconcini!

This past summer I hosted an "Evening in Tuscany" party for 12 people, all of them my closest and dearest friends! I do a themed party at least once every summer. It's just so much fun and I love all the planning that goes into it!

Because the party was all about Italy, the tuscany region, I learned quite a bit about the food of the region and Italian food in general!

That's when I stumbled upon Bocconcini, bite size pieces of mozzarella made of 100% whole milk. They are so easy to use in appetizers because they go well with a variety of ingredients and flavors.

But of course they go best with tomatoes, prosciutto, basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar!

(I'm doing the hand gesture in Italian for good food!)

If you've forgotten, here's Julia Roberts in 'Eat Pray Love".

Anyway, I thought I'd share some fabulous appetizers using Bocconcini!

I hope you enjoy!!

Jalapeno Boccincini Grills

You can find the recipe here:



Prosciutto and Bocconcini Bites

You can find the recipe here:

Buon Natale



Picture Perfect!

I often think Winter is actually a beautiful season! The brilliance of snow untouched whether it be under sunlit or moonlit skies!

 

So here are a few of my favorite pics!

 

 

 

 

 I actually dream every day of being snowed in! I mean really snowed in!! Cabin like snowed in!! Cut off from the world, with nothing but my family, my dogs, good food, a roaring fire and the speed of my own feet!!

 

I'm not sure how long it would last but I'd love a chance to experience!!

 

 

 

O Tannenbaum!

As you are beginning to suspect I am a second generation German. Both my Mom and Grandmother emigrated to Canada after WWII.

 Christmas or Weihnacten therefore has always been filled with traditions for me and my family. One being we light candles on the tree!

My grandmother brought her original set of these to Canada when she emigrated which I still have!

How pretty it looks, even in a modern setting like this.

So lovely in the evening when just lit! And we mostly don't lite them until Christmas eve which is when we open our presents, another tradition in Germany.

Feeling The Spirit of Christmas

It's been a busy Sunday! Anxious to start my baking I started the morning with some baking!

First the lemon tea cake for Sunday tea!

Then the stollen kuchen on its first rise!

Then the decorating.

I just love the smells of fresh baking and all the warm twinkly lights and candles that just makes the home feel cosy and special!

Tiss the season!

Something a Little Advent..ur..ous!

I grew up with Advent Calendars which was very poular in our German Family! However, these days the traditional Advent Calendars have been replaced by all kinds of ways to ring in the Christmas season. 

Here are a few I found that were slightly off beat and perhaps even for the grown up kid in us!

This is a book Advent Calendar. A fabulous idea for a child that loves books. Something the whole family can enjoy together!

A Whiskey Advent Calendar!Who would have thought!

Another idea is a bottle of wine to mark each day or an assotment of great teas.

And for the girlie girl in the family an assortment of mini nail polishes!!

So there you have it!

What's in your calendar?

Ornamental love!

I'm very nostalgic at Christmas time and although I've been seducded by new trends like everyone else, there are just some traditions I like and can't vear from. Finding the reason for doing Christmas gets harder and harder every year as Christmas becomes more commercialized, and as families change, love ones move away or pass on. So finding the true reason for doing, definately comes what's in your heart that year! And bringing it back to basics is where you got to start! Finding the beauty in it all.

Here are some ornaments that I find beautiful. Something you would find in Grandmother's attic!

Reindeer love!

Although Reindeers have had my heart for the past couple of years never have they been more popular than this year!!!

Here are a few of my favorite pics!! I hope you enjoy!!