Celebration time

We'll be heading off to the airport soon and boarding the plane for the UK. I still can't believe we'll be in England when we get up in the morning (or rather, when we get off the plane). It seems like ages ago when J booked the tickets as an end-of-school celebration.

While I have two classes yet to finish, I feel that this trip is still very much a celebration. Aside from getting what I consider my "dream job", thus far and accomplishing the goal I set out for myself when I first entertained the idea of enrolling into my studies, I think even without that, there's so much to be grateful and happy about in my life. I get to spend every day with my two favorite people (my best friend + special little person), I have my health, I have a wonderful family, extended family (including my in-laws) and friends...and I still believe in daydreams and adventures.

I'm looking forward to ringing in the New Year with J+H and our friends in the UK on the streets of London and even more excited to see what this year will bring. Until then, I hope that you're taking time to celebrate the special things in your life. Take care and talk soon. xo

P.S. Wheeeehoooo! We're going to London AND Paris!!!! I can't wait!

How to say thank you

One of my favorite things about Christmas is watching H's eyes light up over Santa's visit but I especially love seeing her spend time with her grandparents. She loves them so much and it's always so heartbreaking to see how sad she gets when they leave.

She told me tonight that she doesn't know how to say thank you to them for all of the nice things they do for her and for us. She's such a conscientious and sensitive soul with a kind heart. I tear up just thinking about it. ♥

Brown paper packages

When we got home from visiting with one of J's best friends today, we were greeted by two bulky packages - one from Japan and the other from NYC. (Joy!) I love to receive anything in the post, let alone packages wrapped in parcel paper! There were so many sweet surprises in each...literally! A tin of Jacques Torres' delicious hot chocolate, two packages of Kaki No Tane Choco and TEN glorious, magnificent, soon-to-be-empty boxes of my all-time favorite treat - Meiji chocolate covered almonds! (Somebody pinch me!)

[I should also mention that there were some awesome CDs, a really interesting book and two very beautiful cards included, as well!]

We're so lucky to have such special and thoughtful people in our lives. In fact, this is how I felt during the holidays this year when both J's family and mine came together to celebrate Christmas in Kingston.

My parents and sister flew in to spend the holidays with us and we all drove down to celebrate with J's family including his parents, sisters, brother-in-laws and his adorable niece. This is the first time we've celebrated with both families and J's family were so warm and welcoming, not to mention, the most amazing hosts. On Christmas morning, we all sat around the tree opening our Secret Santa gifts, emptying our stockings and watching lil' B celebrate her first Christmas. There was so much food (including munchies and goodies!) and the wine was flowing throughout the visit. There were also about a hundred pictures taken and some good laughs shared, as well.

So, this is how our holidays have been, thus far. Hope you've been having a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. And for those who can't be with us during this time of year, we're thinking of you and remembering you in our hearts.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you peace, love and happiness today...and always. xo

[Wonder if this is what Santa looks like in London. Guess I'll find out soon. Teehee.]

Sunday snaps

We got up early to sit among the 400 (or so) viewers who were at the IMAX this morning to watch Avatar. I won't give away any spoilers but I thought it was definitely worth seeing. I especially love that the film took twelve years to make it to the screen for the technology to catch up with James Cameron's vision.

It's really quite a simple plot but an amazing ride with incredible special effects. Did I leave feeling inspired and moved beyond words? To be honest - not really. I found that I couldn't entirely connect with the characters, though, I did tear up a few times. I really wanted to connect to this movie but I just couldn't. The one thing that did blow me away was the fact that I was sitting there in the theatre with my daughter and in awe that I was alive to share the experience with her and the technology required to create such a film. It kind of blew my mind and that brought me to tears.

We were starving after the show and headed to Hosu on Queen for some delicious Japanese food. Of course, it was also an opportunity to debrief about how we felt about the movie and provide our feedback (but mostly, it really was to eat).



We then headed over to my friend G's "Christmas-tree-with-real-candles-mulled-wine-too-many-cookies Open House". If you take a look at the pictures, you can even see the candles being lit on the tree which is a German tradition. (Of course, in my family, it would be known as a fire hazard as there is no way we children would have been trusted with such a thing!) There were all kinds of homemade cookies, snacks and savoury finger foods not to mention, the most delicious mulled wine (too bad it's a work day tomorrow).

Saturday snaps

Here's a peek at what I've been up to today...just in case you were wondering.
Eating tofu bacon with pancakes for breakfast and listening to old school eighties music.
Visiting the Drake General Store...and taking pictures of strangers.
Eating fries with H at Poutine's while people watching on Queen West.
Going for a walk...and noticing bursts of color.
Looking for inspiration at City of Craft...and buying Christmas gifts.
Admiring vintage toy boxes.

Hope you're having a lovely Saturday - wherever you are and whatever you're doing. Talk soon. xo

No shave and a haircut

My husband cut off his shaggy mop today. He looks so cute (not that he wasn't already handsome but just sayin'). ♥

Snow+rain=bleh

It snowed last night and then, it rained off and on during the day. It was so miserable and wet out.

I'm glad the day's over and I'm at home - all cozy and warm. G'night, all. Sleep tight. xo

Brotherly Love

J & I had a nice little date night on Saturday evening which included dinner at Commensal and watching the movie Brothers. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it. The cast is amazing and so is the film. Watch it but make sure you give yourself time to process it and debrief, afterwards.

[I ♥ Jake Gyllenhaal...especially with facial hair]

Hello Cupcakes

It's been a while since we've been to Fresh so it was nice to get reacquainted again. I had the Simple on Soba with grilled tempeh and J+H had their favorite, Magic Tofu Wraps. For dessert, we had two very delicious chocolate cupcakes - one had mint icing and the other was creme-filled (and both were vegan). We washed it down with a nice cup of Hojicha tea...ahhh. ♥

This weekend, I'm taking a course in Constructivist Counselling during the day and watching movies at night. :)

Hope you have a nice weekend. Talk soon. xo

(Can you believe it's already December?!)

Pimpin' and primpin'

Stuck a feather in his hat and called it Pimparoni.

(Looks courtesy of JCPenney. Seriously.)

Oh, snap!