Merry Christmas

While I'm slugging it out at the mall, trying to get ready for the main event in just a few days, here is last year's Christmas post recycled.  A quick Q & A about our Christmas traditions which, as traditions go, will be the same this year.  

What makes Christmas such a special holiday for you and your family?

It's all about time with family.  All year long we're hard pressed to make time to see grandparents, cousins, aunts & uncles.  During the Christmas holiday we make time to spend with our families.  Oh, and the food... can't forget about all the great food!

Were you told the truth about Santa by your parents or did you find out another way?  And... do you plan on lying to your kids when the time comes?

I don't remember when I had my ah-ha moment.  I know it was a gradual thing, first being suspicious, then searching for hidden presents (and finding them) and finally knowing the truth.  And, yes, we have lied to our kids for years!  The older kids know what's up but our youngest is still a believer, and the second youngest is on the fence... he's suspicious but afraid to stop believing for fear that it may mean the end of the present train.

Source: Etsy

I'm grateful to our older kids for not spoiling the Santa illusion for their younger siblings as they each came to realize the truth, and helping us preserve the magic a little longer.

Real tree or fake?

Real, always real!  Although after the problem of this year's leaning tree, I'm tempted to pick up a fake tree during an after Christmas sale.  Getting the tree is one of our favourite traditions and usually involves a family outing to Drysdale's Tree Farm. I love, love, love this place and we've made an event of getting our tree there almost every year since we've lived here.  It's magical.  Horse drawn wagons, hot chocolate and bonfires, Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, sled dogs, a Town Crier, Christmas carols, and the most beautiful shop for decorations and ornaments.  Not to mention the best selection of Christmas trees I've every seen.

It's such a festive place, so much to do and see... and they have a beautiful store where each of the kids chooses a new tree ornament every year.

We didn't get there this year but did find a smaller, local farm where we chose a beautiful tree. 

Do you open presents on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, or both?

 The tradition on my side of the family has always been to open presents on Christmas Eve.  After dinner, which is always a whole filet mignon, we head out to admire Christmas lights and return to find that Santa came while we were out!

When we return home after spending Christmas with my parents, the kids get to open the presents that Santa left under our tree while we were away!

Christmas with my in-laws usually takes place on Boxing Day.  Nothing like stretching Christmas out over three days!

What's your favourite Christmas movie to watch?  Or favourite Christmas song?

Christmas movies that I love.... The Polar Express and Elf.  I grew up watching traditional Christmas television specials and they all hold a special, nostalgic place in my heart, but these two movies are our current favourites!

Favourite Christmas songs right now are both by the Trans Siberian Orchestra, Christmas Eve/Sarajevo and Christmas Canon:

Wishing you all the merriest of Christmases.  

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Pancake Tuesday

Today is Pancake Tuesday... or Shrove Tuesday, or Fat Tuesday... depending on where you live and how you  celebrate.  I have never been to Mardi Gras, nor have I ever participated in a Pancake Race, but in recognition of this day we will have pancakes for dinner. 

Which will make this breakfast-for-dinner-loving-girl very happy indeed.  My go-to pancake recipe is a standard buttermilk one, which I've shared at the end of this post.  It  makes wonderfully thick and fluffy pancakes, but I'm tempted to try something different tonight.  

Like these German Apple Pancakes at Jamie Cooks it Up!  Amazing, no?

There is no shortage of alternative pancake inspiration out there and in the spirit of true over-indulgence, I believe a Pancake Buffet may be the answer.  Seriously, check these out:



Whole Wheat Brown Sugar Banana Bread Pancakes with Vanilla Maple Glaze at How Sweet It Is

Orange-Vanilla Greek Yogurt Pancakes (Whole Grain) at Aggie's Kitchen

Pannukkau {Finnish Pancake} at the Recipe Critic



Pancakes Bananas Foster  from yours truly!

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes at A Good Appetite
Including directions for making your own Ricotta!

Buttermilk Oatcakes & Berry Compote at The Curious Country Cook

Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes at The Pioneer Woman

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce at Ambrosia Baking

Sparkling Apple Cider Pancakes with Sparkling Apple Cider Syrup at Chef in Training

Egg Nog Pancakes from yours truly!

Quinoa Power Pancakes at Rachel Cooks

Healthy Almond Pancakes at Wonky Wonderful

Of course, no Pancake Buffet is complete without an assortment of syrups:

Cinnamon Syrup at Jamie Cooks it Up!

Blueberry Syrup at Closet Cooking

Buttermilk Caramel Syrup at Creations by Kara




Coconut Syrup at Jamie Cooks it Up

Creamy Marionberry Syrup at Oh Sweet Basil

And if one wants to ensure their Pancake Buffet is completely over the top, I give you dessert pancakes:

Boston Cream Pie Pancakes at Country Cleaver

Sour Cream Cinnamon Roll Pancakes with Maple Coffee Glaze by Melissa from No. 2 Pencil at The Pinterest Project

Oreo Cookie Pancakes at Minimalist Baker

Classic Buttermilk Pancakes

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 cups buttermilk*

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Directions

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 

Whisk together the buttermilk, vanilla, melted butter and eggs in a separate bowl until well combined. 

*If you don't keep buttermilk on hand, make your own buttermilk with one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar for each cup of milk.  Put the tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar in your measuring cup, then add the milk to measure one cup of buttermilk.  Allow to sit for a few minutes before combining with the other ingredients.

Mix the wet and dry ingredients.  Allow batter to sit for a few minutes.

Lightly butter a large frying pan and set over medium heat.  Use a 1/3 cup of batter for each 6” pancake.  Flip each pancake when bubbles form on the surface and the edges begin to brown, 2-3 minutes.  If your pancakes brown too quickly, turn heat down to medium-low.  Cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes or until browned. 

Serve right away or keep warm in a low oven while you cook the remaining pancakes. 

Maple syrup is required :)

Happy Pancake Tuesday!

Thank you for featuring me!

  

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Ringing in the New Year

Here we are.  Reflecting on another year gone by and looking forward to the promise of a new year just around the corner.  The past couple of weeks have been a happy wrap up of 2012.  Quality time spent with the kids in preparation for the holidays.  Celebrating Christmas.  Enjoying time with our families.  Slowing down, despite the rush, to enjoy the things that really matter.  New Years Eve always makes me feel wistful.  Reminding me of the relentless march of time... reminding me to treasure every moment.  It also inspires a feeling of anticipation.... of new memories waiting to be made... of a fresh new year just waiting to unfold.

We're spending New Year's Eve home this year.  It's just us, and it's wonderful.  As the kids have grown older, the times that we spend together, all of us together, has become a rare thing, and we've needed this time of re-connection with each other.  So we're watching a hockey game, playing video games, snacking on our favourite snacks, and placing bets on who won't make it to midnight.

And whoever's still up will be outside banging pots and pans at midnight.  

Happy New Year.

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Late to the Party

I was tagged, Christmas style, by the lovely Kera at Nugget On A Budget, and immediately loved the idea of sharing our Christmas traditions!  I've had the post half-created in my mind ever since, but am only now able to finally find the time to post it.  Life is busy at the best of times, and more so this time of year - as it is, I'm still not entirely prepared for Christmas which is just days away!

Lanaya at Raising Reagan started this by tagging five different bloggers, whose Christmas or holiday traditions she wanted to learn more about.  SUCH a great idea!  Those tagged would then answer five questions, pick five more bloggers to tag, and so on....

Since I'm late to the party there won't be any tagging happening here.  It's time to focus on family and Christmas.  Instead, I invite you to create a post sharing your Christmas traditions and leave a comment with the link so we can all be sure to check it out.

Here we go with Kera's questions!

1.  What makes Christmas such a special holiday for you and your family?

It's all about time with family.  All year long we're hard pressed to make time to see grandparents, cousins, aunts & uncles.  During the Christmas holiday we make time to spend with our families.  Oh, and the food... can't forget about all the great food!

2.  Were you told the truth about Santa by your parents or did you find out another way?  And... do you plan on lying to your kids when the time comes?

I don't remember when I had my ah-ha moment.  I know it was a gradual thing, first being suspicious, then searching for hidden presents (and finding them) and finally knowing the truth.  And, yes, we have lied to our kids for years!  The older kids know what's up but our youngest is still a believer, and the second youngest is on the fence... he's suspicious but afraid to stop believing for fear that it may mean the end of the present train.

Source: Etsy

I'm grateful to our older kids for not spoiling the Santa illusion for their younger siblings as they each came to realize the truth, and helping us preserve the magic a little longer.  

3.  Real tree or fake?

Real, always real!  Getting the tree is one of our favourite traditions!  I recently wrote about  the magic that is Drysdale's Tree Farm here.  

It's such a festive place, so much to do and see... and they have a beautiful store where each of the kids chooses a new tree ornament every year.

We didn't get there this year but did find a smaller, local farm where we chose a beautiful tree. 

4.  Do you open presents on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, or both?

When we spend Christmas at home, or with my in-laws, the presents are opened Christmas morning, after herding kids to bed on Christmas Eve so that Santa can come while they sleep.  The tradition on my side of the family has always been to open presents on Christmas Eve, and we still open gifts on Christmas Eve when we go to my parents.  After dinner, which is always a whole filet mignon, we head out to admire Christmas lights and return to find that Santa came while we were out!

Added bonus:  when we return home after spending Christmas with my parents, the kids get to open the presents that Santa left under our tree while we were away!

5.  What's your favourite Christmas movie to watch?  Or favourite Christmas song?

Christmas movies that I love.... The Polar Express and Elf.  I grew up watching traditional Christmas television specials and they all hold a special, nostalgic place in my heart, but these two movies are our current favourites!

Favourite Christmas songs right now are both by the Trans Siberian Orchestra, Christmas Eve/Sarajevo and Christmas Canon:

Thank you Kera for tagging me, Christmas style!

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