SNOW. We find that the arrival of snow brings on the Christmas Spirit in our home. Every year we wish for it. This year we had our first lovely covering and we thought for sure we would have a white Christmas. Alas the rains came along with some very warms days and flake by flake it has melted away.
PEPPERMINT BARK and other fine foods. So onto another harbinger of the season. The annual peppermint bark making. Somewhat of a disappointment as I forgot to put in the peppermint oil at a crucial stage. Managed to save the day and the bark. YUM! We also produced an abundance of Salsa Sauce in the Fall as per usual. This year we were short a pair of hands and mouths so we made one batch less. I also made peach jam for my homemade greek yoghurt. I started making yoghurt because of the ridiculous price of the thick greek variety only to find that fresh yoghurt is rich, delicious and has no preservatives or additives. More YUM! Steve is always spoiling me with his cooking and has taken to making bread. He is determined to perfect his technique. Fresh out of the oven and buttered liberally will do just fine.
FAMILY. We have been to Canada a lot this year. In June to tour Canadore College in North Bay, Ontario, for Alec. Moving him there. Visiting with the whole Martin Clan in Baysville. Seeing and being spoiled by our friends. Having a care free summer vacation and anniversary at Langdon Hall and Niagara on the Lake. Looking forward to more travel in the New Year when we will be celebrating upcoming weddings. My niece Brigitte is the first of her generation in the Vanderfleet Family to tie the knot with her prince Andrew. And a third knot to be tied around my very dear friends Amanda and her Brian.
Well I probably should have mentioned this first but I’m saving my best christmas news for last. We have both boys home for the holidays. They bring with them laundry, big boots, large appetites, noise noise noise. Loving every minute of it and look forward to a quiet New Year. But the best of all is that they have both found success at school. John at Parkland College in Champaign Illinois where he is studying for a degree in the technical and industrial field with an emphasis on welding. He has been living there full time with his lovely girlfriend Jane for a few years now. Alec has found success at Canadore College where he is studying to be an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. He is doing very well, has made great friends and is freezing his buns. I wonder if I should caution him about licking fence poles??? He has learned that a guy who cannot skate is a chick magnet. One of us at least is getting his fill of SNOW. I as usual am quilting up a storm. Aah, maybe I should make a white quilt.
Steve is working on creating an online presence for me at www.barbiequilts.com. I can also be found on Facebook at Barbie Quilts. I took my show on the road this Christmas for the annual Summit Holiday House tour where I displayed and sold my creations at the Reeves Reed Arboretum. It was the last stop on the tour.
We wish all our friends and family the best for the year ahead. May all your days be filled with Joy. Peace and a little SNOW.