So the last two days involved some kitchen time... I like to be prepared for the holidays well ahead of time, even for Christmas Eve supper. I baked two tourtieres for that, one yesterday and, once I was informed that we'd likely need two, another today.


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Due to technical difficulties (we lost internet access yesterday morning), I was unable to brighten your Christmas day with this:

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I have a bonus treat, too. We had a family brunch yesterday with my brother, SIL, and niece. Last night, it was dinner at their place. And as some do, we're having family over for Boxing Day. It was going to be a ( Read more... )

I was brought up Catholic. I spent countless Sunday mornings in church and attending Sunday school (technically called Catechism, even though since Vatican II, the Catechism has rather gone by the wayside). I have to admit, even though I'm sort of lapsed, I still feel the pull to Mass on Christmas Eve. And Christmas Eve Mass always--in whatever ( Read more... )

Right, into the home stretch. Here's a traditional carol that I once had to sing as part of a choir. (Yes, strangely enough, I was part of a choir once, long ago. Can't credit it now.) This version is sung by the great Pavarotti. I dare you not to have tears in your eyes and/or feel uplifted by this.

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The forecast is calling for snow tomorrow, a couple of inches. Naturally, that means I won't be driving. Sadly, that will be hard on both parties: me, because I won't be able to sneak a nap in the afternoon (I'll be short on sleep that night), and my brother, because he'll have to stay till 11 PM in order to drive me home. But I'll try to be ( Read more... )

A blessed Yule to you, if you celebrate the solstice, as the Norse (and Germans, and others) did. For indeed, 'tis the longest night of the year. It's already getting dark here, and it's not even 3:30 PM yet! (Though I suspect that might have a little something to do with the rain.) In honour of this holy night, an offering from the choir of King's ( Read more... )

Oooh, here we are, just five more sleeps till Christmas... or in my case, four and a half sleeps (I won't be getting much sleep Friday night, on account of a) working late and b) working early the next day).

On my frigid walk this morning, I was listening to a Christmas mix CD that I'd made some years ago and wondering how I'd make up to
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Sorry I missed out yesterday. I got up late, having had a late night beforehand, and I had to be at work for 11:45, so between breakfast & my shower, I didn't have a chance to go online. But I'll make it up today with two videos ( Read more... )

Nuts! I love 'em! I remember Dad always buying a bag of mixed nuts in the shell at Christmastime, and all of us having a go at them. Dad ate the most, I think, but I'm sure I was a close second. And what do you need to get at nuts in the shell? A nutcracker, of course!

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A couple of Facebook friends posted a version of this involving the Muppets, which put me in mind of the "proper" version. It's always been one of my favourite carols, though I tend to prefer an all-bells version.

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