Photo A Day - Epic Birthday Party, and Green Grass

The funny thing about the first snow of the season is that it rarely sticks around.  It would seem the second round didn't see fit to stay either, as we've been looking at green grass for the past few days.  

Berries, easily spotted now that most of the leaves have abandoned their branches.

There was a birthday in our house last week, which called for an epic birthday party.  Boston Pizza and Thor: The Dark World did not disappoint.  It was a fantastic evening.

Weekend omelettes, spaghetti casserole, and family wing night for the birthday boy.

Dogs in smelly hockey bags, and the Game of Life.

Tweet

Photo a Day - It's Getting Cold Out There

It's cold.  And I think it's here to stay.

The days are short now, so it's tough to find good light for photos.  This was in fact very sparkly snow.  You'll have to use your imagination J

We're getting our coffee in seasonal cups, which I love.  

And a chocolate flavoured pop/soda has hit the stores.  Do you call it pop or soda where you live?  Either way, this did not taste good.

The candy cane ice cream and egg nog, however, are really, really good.  Especially in front of the fireplace.

Comfort food in the form of a massive tuna casserole.   An entire block of cheddar, 3 packages of noodles, 4 tins of tuna.  Sometimes I purposely cook for leftovers, and I fully expected some after this meal.  There was barely enough for a small lunch.

And hockey, of course.

Tweet

Remembrance Day Canada

Today is Remembrance Day.  Click the image to check out the post I put together last year in the spirit of gratitude and remembrance.

Thank you to all those who sacrificed so much for our freedom.

Tweet

First Snow

This shift in weather was a subtle thing.  Rainy days, sunshine.  Mild days, cold nights. Waking up to morning frost on the rooftops.

And this morning, snow.

It's not much, but it's enough snow to make me think of hot chocolate, gingerbread, peppermint, and Christmas decorations.  And Christmas cards.  

Which leads to thinking about photos for the Christmas cards.  I have to confess that it's been a few years since I mailed anyone a Christmas card, but I have resolved to change that this year.  I contributed to a post at Shutterfly recently about holiday card photos.  You can read it here:

http://blog.shutterfly.com/15485/holiday-card-photography/

Tweet

November

October has packed it's bags and November has waltzed in.  Soon we'll be caught up in the madness of the holiday season.  But today I feel like I need to pause and just be.

Esse Quam Videri ~ To be, rather than to seem.  I like this, so I got a little creative with it.

We got through yet another round of  Halloween.  We weren't quite as organized as last year, but managed to get the pumpkins carved with time to spare.

And all of the decorations were up before it got dark.  The kids did all of the work while I ran around cleaning up shoes and hockey bags from the entryway, finding last minute costume items, keeping the dogs out of the way and taking care of dinner (ie. ordering pizza). We were finished in less than an hour.

They put together a Halloween window display.  A few strands of orange mini-lights, some black poster board cut-out shapes, and a white sheet backing.  Did they do a great job or what?

Pumpkin seeds were roasted, and candy was eaten.

This weekend we'll put away Halloween and pause.  Just for a short time, because I know they're already playing Christmas carols at the mall.

 

Thank you for featuring me!

    

Tweet

'Twas the Night Before Halloween

We didn't make it to the pumpkin patch this year.  Too many schedules to juggle... our calendar seems to be relentless right now.  Instead, this momma whipped out the camera at the grocery store pumpkin display. How embarrassing.

The weather forecast is for a rainy night of trick or treating.  I'm thinking we bought too much candy.

Some of you may remember last year's Halloween confession.  I did it again.  Those boxes were open within half an hour of being brought home.  Clearly I can't be trusted around chocolate.

Happy day before Halloween :)

Tweet

Photo a Day Monday, Branches Bared

Mama Papparazzi is back.  My camera issues have been resolved, and just in time to catch some newly bare trees.  All those gloriously coloured leaves are now littering the ground and the landscape is suddenly bleak.  

And some dog love.  His favourite spot, at the window, keeping an eye on the neighbourhood.

And some weekend breakfast.  Overnight oven-baked French toast.  I may just have to share this incredibly easy recipe with you.

And because I spend so much time at the rink, hockey shots.

Tweet