Tuesday 31 July 2018

Happy Homemaker 2018-07-31

Linking up to Sandra at Diary of a Stay at home mom 

Back to our regular programming (with one day late!) of Happy Homemaker Monday.  We are back to spend our last week of vacation at home.

The weather

Too hot for my liking! around 28-30C every day with chances of rain showers.

What I am reading
De mère en filles - Alice de Dominique Drouin

On my tv 
dvrd films

Menu - planning
As we are on vacation, it is as we feel each day - no planning this week.  Although I did make banana-oat crepes this morning to freeze for easy lunches next week.
I want to use up what we have in the freezer before Fall.


On my to-do list
Simple things, paperwork, errands.. dh will be starting the bathroom remodel so that'll keep me busy with the picking up.

What I am knitting, crocheting and crafting
Working on a new pair of knitted socks and a shawl with pockets - ONGOING
Wood-slice ornaments - ongoing.

Looking forward to
Working on my Fall calendar 

Something interesting I watched
Haven't watched much of anything with vacations - we went fishing the 1st weekend with my parents, one brother and my sis (bil).  We followed that with 4 days at Hampton Beach with sis and brother in law.

From the camera

Supper at Outback - we go there when we go to the States - very good Steakhouse (quality/price)

Hampton Beach!

Yep, on Friday it was getting pretty crowded

Me and sis on the way back


                                            

Quote of the week


Wednesday 25 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 25 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 25

CIJ day 25 / jour 25


Merry Christmas in July!  Hope you enjoyed these posts as much as I enjoyed writing them.  Now let’s start preparing in earnest for Christmas in December J


Tuesday 24 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 24 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 24

CIJ day 24 / jour 24
Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers?

Let’s see… hum…..  Rudolph, Vixen, Dasher, Prancer

Had to look up the others: 
Cupid, Comet, Dancer, Donner and Blitzen





Monday 23 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 23 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 23


CIJ day 23 / jour 23

Travel at Christmas or stay home?

We travel to my parent’s house for the 24th – we try to leave on the 23rd usually and we stay at my parent’s house.  The 24th is THE big party and the 25th we have brunch at my sister’s house.  In the evening we stay and play cars at my parent’s house.

The 26th we go back home because I host New Year’s Eve party with my family and my husband’s family.

Sunday 22 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 22 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 22

CIJ day 22 / jour 22

Favorite Christmas song

I like the velvety songs sang by the Crooners

You can listen to 2 hours worth here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VezSoAxaYQ

Here are a few:
·         The Christmas Song (Nat King Cole)
·         It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas (Bing Crosby)
·         Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Vic Damone)
·         Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (John Gary)
·         Frosty the Snow Man (Vaughn Monroe)
·         Winter Wonderland (Perry Como)
·         Here Comes Santa Claus (Eddie Fisher)

·         And anything by Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra!

Saturday 21 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 21 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 21

CIJ day 21 / jour 21

Favorite Christmas movie

I hesitate with this one.  My favorite Christmas movie used to be Christmas vacation.  It’s not the classiest movie but it always meant the beginning of the Holiday Season.  What Clark wanted the most was ‘a perfect family Christmas’. 


Now I’ve come to love ‘Elf’ as much if not more.. it is a magical Christmas movie with Santa, the elves, the North Pole, reindeers, a love story.  Perfect!


The movie that me laugh the most however is Christmas with the Kranks – a riot!

Friday 20 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 20 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 20

CIJ day 20 / jour 20

Friday Night at the movies – The Bishop’s wife

It is a story about an angel (Cary Grant) who helps a bishop (David Niven) with his problems.

Some film quotes:

Dudley (angel): Sometimes angels rush in where fools fear to tread. 
Matilda: Nobody expects him be normal; he's a bishop.
Prof. Wutheridge: For some time now, every time I pass the cemetery, I feel as though I'm apartment hunting.
Henry Brougham: Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry. A blazing star hung over a stable and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries; we celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, the sound of bells and with gifts. But especially with gifts. You give me a book; I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. We forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled... all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. It's his birthday we are celebrating. Don't ever let us forget that. Let us ask ourselves what he would wish for most... and then let each put in his share. Loving kindness, warm hearts and the stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth.


Another film to add to my to-see list

Thursday 19 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 19 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 19

CIJ day 19 / jour 19

Worst gift you ever received

Well, I do have a few options for this one…. Hahaha… my husband is not so good at buying gifts, which is why I by my own gifts now J
Let’s see:
·         Jumper cables for the car
·         2 vaccums (1 portable and 1 central) the same year
·         2 butter dishes (1/2 lb and 1 lb) the same year
·         …  J



Wednesday 18 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 18 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 18

CIJ day 18 / jour 18

Mail or email Christmas cards?

I prefer by far mail cards.  It is just so much fun receiving cards in December!  I send out about 20 every year but the mailing costs make this almost prohibitive.  I would love to send handmade gifts but it’s just not worth the shipping cost.

I do send an email to work friends and to some family members.


Tuesday 17 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 17 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 17

CIJ day 17 / jour 17

Favorite gift received as a child

I have almost no memory of things in the past so I can’t say what my favorite was.  I do remember having a doll that eats, drinks and for which you had to change the diapers.  I loved that one.



Monday 16 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 16 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 16

CIJ day 16 / jour 16

When do you put up the tree? When do you take it down?

I put it up by mid-november.  Our Thanksgiving here is in October so I don’t overstep on another holiday.  I love to have it up with the lights in the long, dreary, boring days of November when the natural light outside is at its lowest.

However after New Year’s Eve (I host) it comes down quickly – January 2nd – down it goes.  I enjoy it for 1 ½ months and that is quite enough.


Sunday 15 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 15 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 15

CIJ day 15 / jour 15

Do you buy presents because you enjoy giving or because you feel obligated?

I’d say it’s a mix of both.  I enjoy giving for some but I don’t really like when I “have to” and I think it adss a lot to the Christmas pressure and that’s the part people don’t like – going around and finding last minute gifts in crowds.
I like to give because I “want to” beacause I found the perfect gift. I don’t enjoy giving money except to teenagers because that’s what they want to buy “big” gifts.

What is the point of giving money to an adult who gives you money back?  I never understood this and never will – I prefer not to give than do this.


Saturday 14 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 14 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 14

CIJ day 14 / jour 14

Shop early for presents or procrastinate?

If you know me you know I have a gift list in my purse with the names of the people I give to, suggestions, etc…
I also like to make a few gifts myself so I cannot procrastinate about these.  Even with all ghis preparation I usually have a few last minute gifts but I am getting better at this every year.

My goal is to have all the gifts bought by November 1st (except perishables)

Source: http://www.sweetpeaces.info/gift-list/free-christmas-gift-list-printable-and-online-versions-gift-list/


Friday 13 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 13 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 13

CIJ day 13 / jour 13

Friday Night at the movies – The Shop around the corner (1940)

The movie ‘You’ve got mail’ – my favorite – is based on this movie. 

You’ve got mail is set in New York and they used emails to fall in love.  In the 1940 movie, set in Budapest,  they are pen pals.




I have not seen this version yet, but I have added this to my list.

Thursday 12 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 12 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 12

CIJ day 12 / jour 12

Pick 3 New Year’s resolutions.  Describe how you picked them and how you will accomplish them.

I usually pick my resolutions (or as I call them = goals) to better myself and my environment.

·         Exercise – at least 5 days a week of being active
I go to the gym at my work place 2 to 3 mornings a week.  I get to work at 6:00 am and do some elliptical and some treadmill – just enough to not hurt anywhere.  I also add 1 class either at noon or after work – not cardio – more stretching, yoga type.  I try to do at least 2X yoga at home from youtube.
I’d like to add soft stretching or bedtime yoga to that routine

·         Nutrition:  Keep on learning and trying to figure out the foods that I should avoid for my gut problems (Crohn’s disease + Irritable bowel syndrome).  I should also meet with a new nutritionist (did not work out with the last one).
·         Water intake!  I am very bad at this.  Here’s how to achieve that goal:
o   1 glass of water in the morning
o   1 glass of water before lunch
o   1 tea (very light green tea) in the afternoon
o   1 glass of water before supper
o   1 tea in the evening
Here’s how to calculate your water intake:
Multiply by 2/3: Next you want to multiple your weight by 2/3 (or 67%) to determine how much water to drink daily. For example, if you weighed 175 pounds you would multiple that by 2/3 and learn you should be drinking about 117 ounces of water every day.

These were just examples of the kind of list I make.  Every year I write a list of goals for the upcoming year and how I will work towards achieving them.  My subdivisions are: health, learning, creativity, relationships, etc…

I also found this (10 areas of your life and what to do to improve these by Hal Elrod – magical mornings)  https://www.bohoberry.com/level-10-life/

Wednesday 11 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 11 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 11

CIJ day 11 / jour 11

Do you wish Christmas was every day of the year? Why or why not?

No, I don’t wish Christmas was everyday of the year because building up and anticipating is as much part of the fun than the event itself.  For me, Christmas is my hobby and I prep all year long.  I make some handmade gifts, handmade décor items and hunt for gifts all year long, so I prefer it once a year and I will admit Christmas demands a lot of time and prep so having it often would leave us feeling tired and it would lose all its flavor.



Tuesday 10 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 10 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 10

CIJ day 10 / jour 10

Describe Santa’s journey with his reindeers.  Start from the moment he packs up the sleigh to when he returns back to the North Pole.

Santa starts with Australia so he can be there at midnight.  His beautiful wood sleigh is filled with his big red velvet bag, toys and gifts sticking out.  His big list of deliveries is next to him on the sleigh bench.
The reindeers are fed some ‘Magical food’ which enables them to fly all night without getting tired.  Around 11pm he has a nice glass of eggnog and his Christmas Eve cookies with a special ingredient that keeps him alert all night.  He leaves at 11:30 and starts his deliveries at midnight exactly (he has to wait for the children to be asleep even the tardy ones!)
He goes around the world following the time zones so he is at every place at their midnight.  He flies in and out of chimneys as quick as can be.  His reindeers are perky and excited on this most wonderful of nights.  His last stop is in US outlying islands (Baker Island, Howland Island etc) and then he flies back home.  When they get home there is a big celebration with songs and gifts for everyone.  This is followed by a few cookies and a warm glass of milk and everyone gets to sleep and dream about next year’s preparation.
The reindeers are petted, fed and watered and they get to sleep in their boxes with fresh had for 2 full days.  Santa’s elves take care of the reindeers and the sleigh.


Monday 9 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 9 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 9

CIJ day 9 / jour 9

Wishes for the world in this Holiday Season
·         Peace to one and all
·         Being kinder with each other and our planet
·         Respect for each other and the world.. .. like the John Lennon song
"Imagine"

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today... Aha-ah...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace... You...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world... You...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
·         Health
·         Happiness


Sunday 8 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 8 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 8

CIJ day 8 / jour 8

Favorite Christmas book – Describe the plot and your reactions to it

The most Christmassy book, to me, is ‘Twas the Night before Christmas, by Clement Clarke Moore.
I like it because it includes all the ingredients that make up Christmas: quiet, stockings, chimney, St-Nicholas, children nestled snug in their beds, visions of sugar plum, sleigh, reindeers, toys, dimples, rosy cheeks, round belly that shook when he laughs, jolly old elf,…

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap‍—‌
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and call'd them by name:
"Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer and Vixen,
"On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem;
"To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
"Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys‍—‌and St. Nicholas too:
And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound:
He was dress'd all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnish'd with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys was flung on his back,
And he look'd like a peddler just opening his pack:
His eyes‍—‌how they twinkled! His dimples: how merry,
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face, and a little round belly
That shook when he laugh'd, like a bowl full of jelly:
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laugh'd when I saw him in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And fill'd all the stockings; then turn'd with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle:
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight‍—‌
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Wow!  I looked it up in google and there are dishes for the poem!  I want one!... ooops they are quite expensive on Ebay L  but on replacement.com not too bad – however the shipping is prohibitive – it would’ve been a great gift from me to me!

Here’s  a subway art of the story you can print and put up for decoration.



                                                                                                                                                               

Saturday 7 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 7 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 7

CIJ day 7 / jour 7

CIJ day 7 / jour 7

If Christmas is one of your favorite holidays describe why you enjoy it so much.  Are there any parts of the holiday you don’t like?  If you don’t enjoy Christmas the most, how do you think it could be made better?

I think by now everyone knows I love Christmas for several reasons: family, food, feelings, laughter, traditions, the 5 senses (see my previous post on those).

What I don’t like:
·         Grinches
·         Having to go visit everyone in a very condensed time in different  places (far apart!)
·         Last minute errands (gifts, foods)
·         Pressure for perfect Christmas
·         Very cold temperatures! (-30C yuck!)

Could be made better:
·         In my case I think I’d like more tranquil days .
·         Not having the “obligation” to receive.
·         Less store-bought gifts – more handmade and more heartfelt
·         Simple receptions – cozy – less expectations  (ex: a potato bar, soup bar, instead of more traditional)
·         On Christmas day I’d like a pj brunch and a movie day with games.


Friday 6 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 6 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 6

CIJ day 6 / jour 6

Christmas Night at the movies  - Eloise at Christmastime




I bought this film last year on the recommendation of a MHH Christmas friend.  I have not watched it yet.   I have to admit I thought it was an animated movie.  I looked it up so I could blog about it and discovered it is a real movie with characters and it looks quite good.  For sure I will be watching it this year.

It is about a 6 year old girl living in a penthouse on top of the Plaza Hotel in NYC.  Julie Andrews is the nanny in this film.  Here’s a link for the Plaza Hotel in NYC where you can find all things Eloise-related.  http://www.theplazany.com/eloise/  .  You can even book a stay in Eloise’s room.  There is an Eloise-shop at the Plaza Hotel for outfits, accessories, books and more.  You can book and Eloise-birthday-party or a tea party.  I never thought it was that popular!
The tea party menu is amazing!  I wanted to put it here but can’t seem to pull it off L, but go check it out.



Thursday 5 July 2018

Christmas in July 2018 day 5 / Noël en juillet 2018 jour 5

CIJ day 5 / jour 5

Take 5 minutes to draw your family celebrating the holidays.   Use your 5 senses to describe the celebration’s tastes, smells, looks & textures.

(Insert drawing)

Words that make me think of Christmas

Hearing
·         Christmas music
·         Bells
·         Laughter
·         Quiet
·         Crackle of logs in the fireplace

Taste
·         Gingerbread
·         Turkey
·         Potatoes
·         Roasted vegetables
·         Butter
·         Cream
·         Hot-chocolate
·         Eggnog

Smell
·         Hot bread
·         Cinnamon
·         Pine tree
·         Wood burning
·         Chocolate
·         Gingerbread
·         Cranberries simmering

Looks
·         Christmas lights
·         Greenery
·         Red / green
·         Snow-covered trees
·         Sparkles

Textures
·         Snow
·         Night air
·         Velvet