Christmas Discoveries and Ducks

 I enjoy discovering things like Christmas linen or platters that I forgot I had,  packed away after last Christmas.  Each one is like an old friend.

The Advent wreath also had to be brought out and set on the table in the sunroom. I found I had 3 pink candles but lacking a purple one for the 4th Sunday Advent, I used a white one. Until this year I just used 4 red candles or even white ones.  If you use a Advent wreath, do you go by the special candle colours?

We had snow and freezing rain in the night Sunday to Monday and the paths around the lake were still slippery. I hung on to DH as we walked and that worked out fine.  We saw 2 Eagles cuddled up close to each other in the tree they most often choose. It was like they were trying to keep warm.  We also saw many Shovelers and again I noticed that they swam in  circles. I googled this behaviour and found that they cooperate by swimming around and each duck does its part by stirring up food for the duck behind it. I find that so interesting.

I didn't have my camera so the pictures below are off the internet.

 

 Thanks for visiting today, G.M.

Sunday Chit Chat

 I hung a swag on the front door. I gathered some greens and wired them together then eldest daughter added the pretty bow and pine cones.

 

We had a lovely walk by Fish Trap Creek in the early morning when the sky was still clear; now clouds have moved in and rain and/or snow flurries are possible for tonight and all the coming week. 

 

Tomorrow is daughter Sheila's birthday and we'll be getting together to celebrate this afternoon.
I made another tiramisu as well as making some special cookies. This time I used cream cheese instead of mascarpone in the tiramisu and I'm curious how the taste and texture will be different.

Thank you for all the lovely comments that you leave.  Diane had a question about the 2 kittens in my last post. The all black kitten is quite a few months older than the black and white one that our own Miss Kitty presented us with. 

I hope you're having a pleasant Sunday,  GM    

 

This and That

 It's a very wet morning here. Friday means grocery shopping and we let walking around the store take the place of our usual walk. I was thankful not to have to brave the rain. In spite of my big umbrella when it rains hard I come home soaked from the knees down.

A bit more in the way of decorations....Eldest daughter gave me the little red wagon. The little pine in it is one I bought after Christmas last year, greatly marked down.

 The Teddy bears have their tree as usual.

 Remember back in October granddaughter Kate took her kitten home?  I thought you might like to see how much he has grown.

 See how tiny he is compared to a hand?

 This is him now, stretched out beside his 'brother". Now that the two have worked out their problem of who's boss, they get along great.

 I hope you're having a wonderful day,  GM

Thrift Store Finds

 

 I found this odd little Christmas "tree" at the thrift store. Someone glued baby food jars together then stuck some tinsel in each jar also a little light.  My picture  isn't great but you get the idea. One just never knows what treasure there is to be found for a few dollars. When I no longer want it,  back it will go to amuse some other family.

 This pail was also a thrift store find. I gathered some of the pine cones while eldest daughter brought me more.  Slowly things are being brought out of the Christmas cupboard.

Thanks for coming by,  GM

Christmas Craft Market

 My daughters and I as well as granddaughter Kate had a lovely time browsing at a Christmas craft sale over the weekend.  Lots of pretty things to admire. 

 

 No doubt there will be a few more of this kind popping up in the next month.  After all, only 33 more days until the big day. I got the Christmas cards done today, all except one and I need to get the address for that one.
I hope your week is off to a great start.  G.M.

Nuts and Bolts

 

 

It's a fairly pleasant day,  a mix of sun and cloud. Last night the temperature dipped down to minus 4 but by noon it had risen to plus 5. On our walk we noticed that the lake is beginning to get a layer of ice all over. The forecast for next week is for slightly higher temps with rain, so the ice might melt quickly.

Do you make "Nuts and Bolts"?  It's a big favourite around here and I only make it around Christmas.
 ( yes, I'm a bit early which may well mean a second batch will have to be made).  If you are not familiar with it you can find many recipes on the internet. I took the first picture before I baked it. Then after it cooled I filled an ice cream pail which has a tight-fitting lid to keep moisture out. Not that it will last long around here.

I know many of you have your Thanksgiving celebration this week and are busy getting ready for that.
I hope you have a blessed day with your families and/or friends, or just a quiet time of reflection by yourselves. 

Granny M.

Christmas Cactus

 My Christmas cactus is blooming ( or is it a Thanksgiving cactus? I'm never sure).  The white one is a bit later and it's not as full of buds as the yellow/peach-coloured one.

 

I baked peach muffins yesterday and we all enjoyed them so much that I made another dozen today.

The fruit cake has been cut up, wrapped tightly in foil and frozen.  I noticed that it seemed a little dry so I took a skewer and poked a lot of holes in it and brushed the top liberally with rum. Hopefully that will make it more moist. I must remember to change the time on my recipe card. 2 1/2 hours is too long obviously even at a low temperature.

Have a pleasant weekend. 

Granny M.