Capturing: Day 31.

Totally looking forward to getting

back to these carefree days ~ when

the word "Covid" was NOT part

of our daily language. It's slowly

getting there. We truly already

did appreciate life. But now more

than ever, it will forever mean so

much more, until the end of days!

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 30.

Currently, this is our Winter Wonderland. Not a lot

of snow at the moment, though I'm sure that will

change in time. Lots of warm, sunny days, which

means lots of melting too. Enjoying every minute!

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 29.

All week, it's been super warm but at

night very cold. So we wake up to

frosty trees all around our landscape.

Which then melts through the day.

But look at that sky. So blue and very

few cloud cover. Loving this Winter

weather so far. I know it won't last,

and soon we'll have frosty weather

all day long. For now, we cherish the

warmth we are experiencing. Love it!

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 27.

 

I sometimes love that we have such dark
nights. The glow from different spaces
in the cottage, spilling in to other rooms,
gives such a comforting feeling and a
true sense of home, of hygge, of love ....
and of family. My grandmother's dining
set, warm wood floors, beautiful china
and silver sets, cared for thru generations.

These moments bring back memories of

being with family and creating experiences.

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 26.

There are so many amazing things that

I'm grateful for, even in this Covid year.

Our sweet little cottage. Living in the

big woods. My amazing, fulfilling career.

But what makes me work so hard every

day and love just as much is this guy ....

.... and sweet her. Our boys on the coast

and in the Big City and their families ....

.... and these two for always keeping

us all on our toes, all of the time ....

Good food. Lovely neighbors. Caring

friends. And my mama and our family

across the country. We are so fortunate

and every day, I give thanks for it all.

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 25.

We honestly have never had an early

morning Christmas. This year was

no different. We were up by about

10, ate a delicious brekky of cheesy

eggs, maple bacon, blueberry waffles

and hash browns. With mimosa's and

orange juice for the kid. It then took

over 1.5 hours to open our stockings

and all the gifts. We're slow but part

of that is we open one at a time and

everyone oohs and aahs and laughs

over each gift and our reactions. At

noon, we take a break and settle back

to watch the Queen's Christmas speech.

Then it's time to do a bit of a tidy, go

out for a walk, and then start making

our turkey dinner. Play with the kid

and take lots of pictures. Always a

fun morning, with new memories to

hold on to. A very special day ....

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 24.

After weeks of prep and dreaming,

shopping and cleaning, writing and

sending, visiting and sweet baking, the

eve/night before Christmas is always

my favorite time. A walk around the

cottage to make sure every thing is

set. And then we crawl in to bed with

a book or two until we all fall asleep,

content and excited for the morning.

A well deserved rest before the chaos!

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 23.

I bought this sweet and very soft scarf

when we were in Ottawa presenting to

Parliament. A special trip and a sweet

item to always remind me of this trip.

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 22.

A small tree with our sweet babies

names on it. Our babies in Heaven.

The turret holds the big tree, where all

the fun and memories are created. The

living room holds a place for reflection

in the light, and tears in the dark. This

is now our tradition each Christmas.

And we wouldn't have it any other way.

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 21.

Within this Covid experience, the World

has a chance to mend fences and build love.

I hope once this is all done, we continue to be

kind. Love first, peace follows. So hopeful ....

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 20.

Our sweet tiny Angel on top of

our tree. Soft and flowy and bright!

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 19.

A favorite recipe every Christmas is Candy Cane

Cookies. I love twisting them and then baking. 

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 18.

Our stockings were new last year.
I found them just a few days before
Christmas, on an amazing sale. I
want to add some pretty ribbon to
them. One day, when all my other

projects are done, I'll get this done!

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 17.

A few gifts under the tree before
the big day. We have so much fun

hunting for the perfect gifts for

each other, all within our budget.

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 16.

This is the first year we've had outdoor lights,

other than our inflatables and the garland around

the front door. And the two trees on either side

of the front door. We can't do the upper level just

yet as it's super high and safe. Maybe next year

if we can find a company. It looks like there are

missing lights but actually, it's just the trees in

front. All 1,000 lights are lit and accounted for.

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 15.

My favorite holiday song has always been and will

always be "Carol of the Bells." I love all the varied

versions of his song and never grow tired of it. At

home, when it comes on, my family calls it mom's

song! I was in a children's choir as a kid and this was

a favorite even back then. An old song but good!

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 14.

Last week, we held our Candle Light

Memorial Service ~ the Virtual Edition.

We were live from my home and my

co-facilitator's home, separately. Our

grieving families joined in via Zoom.

It was lovely and heartfelt. I put all

the names of the babies and children

we were honoring on our Christmas

tree. Each family was then mailed

their little ornament and tag, along

with a card. A small gesture to bring

hope and healing for those who grieve.

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 13.

The three of us all celebrate our
birthdays in November. For our
dgs's, we went out to the Japanese
Village for dinner. Just the five of us.

Missing our boys so much but glad we

have our little cohort. This will be our

Christmas too. The five of us out of the

ten of  us that are our little family. We

are okay with this, as much as we'll miss

everyone who can't be with us. We can't

even visit my mom in the moment but

all of this is so we all have a Christmas

next year. And we will find ways to make

it memorable. This is family. This is love.

~ Chy

Capturing: Day 12.

Frosty days make for "a

beautiful sight." Amazing!

~ Chy