Oh by golly, have a holly jolly

Yay, Christmas is here! I love this time of year.

My Christmas actually started last week out in the country at my mom’s. We had a wonderful brunch and gave and received some sweet gifts. I got a lot of kitchen stuff this year! Pots, pans, knives, muffin tins, baking sheets and a spring-form pan (I had to ask what it was!).

Then it was off to my aunt’s for our family dinner. I’m certainly blessed to have such a great family; everyone is always happy and there is never an argument. And we’re Irish, French and German! (With some Nigerian mixed in.) Maybe it’s the booze. The one thing I missed this year was my Uncle Hans’ song “Strokin” playing through our formal dinner. Oh well, I guess you can’t get everything you want.

Today it’s Christmas Eve and I will be doing something I have never done before… I’m going to Midnight Mass. As most people know, I’m not a “churchy” person. Far from it. But I’m pretty excited to go since I will be celebrating the holdiay with Chuck. As hard as changing holiday traditions can sometimes be, this one seems like a piece of cake. If it’s anything like listening to monks chant in Florence, I might become a weeping basket case.

Another holiday change… we are attempting to make a turkey dinner tomorrow. And I’m not responsible for the turkey (Chuck is, ha). These next few days are going to be filled with new traditions, and I’m looking forward to it!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Update: Christmas mass was nice, but seriously... too much incense people! I couldn't breathe. Also, our turkey dinner was a hit. We used this glaze and it was delicious. The gravy turned out super yummy too.

Rubber duckie, you're the one

It’s been a busy couple of weeks. Work is always crazy in December; this year especially as I’m trying to finish a couple of projects before year-end. Christmas shopping is hectic and all the while I’m trying to organize getting my bathroom updated.

I’m not the best at this reno thing. I don’t really know all that goes into this stuff, so I just have to trust the guys that are doing the work. So far, they have been great. (fingers crossed it continues)

It will be exciting to see the bathroom finished. It’s tiny, so I’m going for brightness. I’m putting white subway tile and glass tile in the tub and octagon tile on the floor. I want it to have a classic old-time look, but with modern touches. That should suit the style of my house.

I picked out the new fixtures last week and I am in love. The sink is a pedestal and has a unique modern look. The faucet (pictured) was not the style I was looking for at first, but the minute I saw it I knew it was the one.

Currently, my bathroom tub is surrounded in linoleum. Yep, that’s right, flooring! It looks nasty. Really, my whole tub is a mess. Only the shower works and the tub itself is in desperate need of resurfacing.

I feel like this is the year of renos. I haven’t had an opportunity since I moved in to do all of these big fixes. Most of my fixes have been small and completed on a tight (really non-existent) budget. It’s been easy to decorate and paint. That’s stuff I can do on my own and don’t need help with. Actually, that’s not entirely true. Much of the decorating and fixes have been done with my mom’s help. She has sewed curtains, recovered furniture, painted walls and even took down kitchen cupboards when I wasn’t looking.

And to be honest, she’s the reason I’m in the “year of renos” too. If it wasn’t for her I would still be shivering in my living room every winter.

Tis the season?

What beautiful weather we have been having in Winnipeg this fall. It's been so mild that I cannot believe tomorrow is the first of December! Crazy

Ah December, always a crazy month of decorating, shopping, visiting and eating. Those are a few of my favourite things. Ah, who am I kidding, those are all of my favourite things!

This year I'm a little stuck on what to give as gifts. Usually I put a lot of thought into it, but I've been distracted with other things (reno’s and work especially). I might be a little challenged in the gift-giving area this holiday...uh oh

I had good intentions to paint a few gifts, but I never got off my lazy butt to start; just did some preliminary sketches that led to... nothing. And that sucks! I enjoy receiving gifts (who doesn't), but I really enjoy when I give a good gift. That's why Christmas rocks. Birthdays are fun and all, but I like it when everyone gets something.

Oh well, I'm sure I'll find some interesting things in the next few weeks. I better! I have a no gift card policy (that would be an unwritten policy, Larry David).

Hmmm, I wonder where I can buy this leg lamp? I think it would be perfect for mom and Art's new place.

Update: I did get off my lazy butt to paint a few gifts for Christmas. Two NHL logos for die hard fans (Flyers and Devils) and this old car for Art.