Important Mail.

Though we don't live in her riding, we have a favorite

MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly). She is

outspoken but sensible, engaged with her community

and her constituents, will go to bat for the underdog

and she's gay! We love her spunk, her energy and the

love she has for everyone she comes in contact with.

Even those who make her angry. In our little home,

Christmas really can't start until our card from Janis

and her cat Oregano arrives in our mail. Here it is,

sitting up on our mantle. Love the Santa Claus too!

~ Chy

The Village.

Our tiny Christmas Village. We usually have at

least 2 villages set up each year but for this year,

we had just one. Not as many of the trees are out,

or as many people but we love the cozy warmth.

~ Chy

Snowy Morning.

I truly love looking at on snowy mornings

to see a icy sight that we don't have to go

outside in. The brutal cold has given way to

warmer temps. Now it's hoar frost and fog.

~ Chy

Holiday Sweets.

We had a lot of fun baking then eating

the holiday sweets we created this year.

Just enough to fill us up but not too much

that we had to throw any away. Perfect!

~ Chy

The Night Before.

Every year, we try to do a lot of early prep so that our

Christmas Eve can be a relaxing "no activity" night.

But every year, there is always something to do that

ends up taking time. I guess we're human! This year,

we did some baking on the eve. On the menu was my

"melt in your mouth" Shortbread (the before and after

are above), Gingerbread and more Confetti. We treat

ourselves each year to a dinner delivered to our tiny

cottage ~ this year, we had scrumptious pizza. It was

sooo good! And then it's time to place gifts around

the tree and write a note to Santa, along with a plate

of cookies. Finally, once the house is cleaned for the

big day, we get to sit back and enjoy. Sometimes its

a movie or a PVR'd show. And sometimes, just music!

Do you have a routine on Christmas Eve?

Or do you figure it out as it arrives?

~ Chy

Evening Fire.

It was a bit of a gamble to put a fireplace in our

master bedroom when we built our little cottage

in the big woods. But I'm so thankful we did go

int his direction. So cozy on a cold and frosty night!

~ Chy

Heavenly Drinks.

Our daughters love to create festive and

interesting drinks for all of us to try out

during the holidays. This one we tried

last year and loved it. Jack Frost. Yum!

~ Chy

Special Gift.

We were so excited to be gifted this amazing

crystal nativity set from a dear friend and her

sweet daughter. I have my gramma's set, my

mom's and now we have our own. Beautiful!

~ Chy