merry christmas!

merry christmas everyone!

we're spending the day at home enjoying hot chocolate, eggnog lattes, fresh scones and opening presents from santa... as well as the most awesome turkey dinner (i hope)!

all hallow's eve

just when you thought the living room was safe... in walks the "grim rapper"

zombie girl is in trouble!!!

"what?!?! it's just popcorn! where's the brains i ordered?!?"

watch out grim rapper-zombie girl is on the attack! slice'r up with your mad rhymes!

i hope the mail carrier isn't afraid of spiders! eeek!

gobble! gobble!

i spent the afternoon baking pies with my baker boy seth. this is his pie. he opened the can (no time to roast our own pumpkin... next time! (at least it was organic puree)), added the cream, cracked the eggs, mixed and poured it into the pie shell. and the best part is his turkey hand.
personally, i don't like pumpkin, but i loved the look on his face when it came out of the oven!

happy birthday canada!

happy birthday to the best country in the world!

i don't really like molson beer, but the commercial is awesome and says it all...

happy mother's day to all the great mums out there like mine!

welcome the rat

gung hay fat choy!

it's chinese new year, this year it's the rat (that's me!). according to wikipedia, rats are described as meticulous, intelligent, shrewd (i'm not sure i'd describe myself as shrewd), compassionate, charismatic, charming, ambitious, practical, industrious, honest, eloquent, versatile, familial, creative, hard-working, neat, organized, lovers of music, loving.

(also from wikipedia...)

Being the first sign of the Chinese zodiacs, rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great leadership skills and are the most highly organized, meticulous, and systematic of the twelve signs. Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people who are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include money and power. They are energetic and versatile and can usually find their way around obstacles, and adapt to various environments easily. A rat's natural charm and sharp demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone, but rats are usually highly exclusive and selective when choosing friends and so often have only a few very close friends whom they trust.
Behind the smiles and charm, rats can be terribly obstinate and controlling, insisting on having things their way no matter what the cost. These people tend to have immense control of their emotions, which they may use as a tool to manipulate and exploit others, both emotionally and mentally. Rats are masters of mind games and can be very dangerous, calculative and downright cruel if the need arises. Quick-tempered and aggressive, they will not think twice about exacting revenge on those that hurt them in any way. Rats need to learn to relax sometimes, as they can be quite obsessed with detail, intolerant and strict, demanding order, obedience, and perfection.
Rats consider others before themselves, at least sometimes, and avoid forcing their ideas onto others. Rats are fair in their dealings and expect the same from others in return, and can be deeply affronted if they feel they have been deceived or that their trust has been abused. Sometimes they set their targets too high, whether in relation to their friends or in their career. But as the years pass, they will become more idealistic and tolerant. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats can find true happiness.
According to tradition, Rats often carry heavy karma and at some point in life may face an identity crisis or some kind of feeling of guilt. Rats are said to often have to work very long and hard for everything they may earn or have in life. However, a Rat born during the day is said to have things a bit easier than those who are born at night. Traditionally, Rats born during the night may face extreme hardships and suffering throughout life. Rats in general should guard themselves against hedonism, as it may lead to self-destruction. Gambling, alcohol and drugs tend to be great temptations to Rat natives.

now, probably the worst come-on line, what's your sign?

post christmast post

i've been meaning to post about christmas morning since, well, christmas morning but with all the hullaballoo of the day, week, month, etc., this is really the first moment i've had since.

the first thing the kids got into christmas morning was the stockings. inside- harmonicas, shakers, slide whistles and chocolate!

the musical instrumets were among the biggest hits with the kids. also huge hits... littlest pet shops, jammies, cowboy and octopus and the spiderwick chronicles.

after some breakfast with gramma and poppa (my parents) and more opening of presents, it was lunchtime and time to get the turkey in the oven. now, because seth had said that, "it's going to snow because it's christmas." it did. not a whole lot where we are, but granny had a hard time getting up her hill in new westminster. all in all, it was a picture perfect christmas day. except that my turkey was done about an hour before it was supposed to be (damn stupid small crappy unlevel oven!) and i spent the rest of the time shooing everyone out of the kitchen so i could finish the rest of the meal.

this is ella giving shawn and shelley (now engaged, congratulations!) their tin of christmas goodies. this year i made gingerbread men, sugar cookie snowflakes with nonpareils and sanding sugar smooshed into the icing, peanut butter cups, candy cane cups, cherry cordials and chocolate dipped pretzels and kiwis! we gave out a few of these tins to friends and family. one of our friends literally screamed with joy when she opened it up for a peek. to me, that made the three 1am nights decorating and melting totally worth it!

also on christmas we had pie. two- apple and pumpkin. you don't see a photo of the pumpkin pie because of my stupid oven burnt half of the pie. yes, half. i know i should have turned it around midway through the bake time, but i was busy with getting the tins in order- you don't mess around when there's tempered chocolate!

and anyways, it's okay... i prefer apple.

merry christmas!

here's wishing everyone out there in the blogging world a very merry christmas!

enjoy the rest of the evening, now that the kids are in bed and the mess is tidied up!