Back to reality........

We have a self cleaning option on our stove/cooker for the oven.  So after the turkey/bacon fiasco on Christmas Day,  I put it onto self clean on Boxing Day for 3 hours.  3 hours later the stove is a bit better, but still filthy.  So on Sunday morning, I sprayed it all with Easy Off oven cleaner and that will be my job Monday morning scrubbing the oven. 

Its a smooth/ceramic top on my stove, and that too was filthy; I have no idea why, but anyhow, spent ages scrubbing the top to get all the spots off it.  Then I had to scrub out the laundry sink, as the washer drains into there and it was blocked again.

Then of course the ironing was to do, the fire to clean out and more laundry to do.

By this time I figured it was time for a bit of retail therapy, so we went to the mall.  I needed new slippers, as mine stunk.  When you can smell stinky feet when you have your slippers on, its high time to change them.  Got new underwear, which I badly needed.  Then we popped into Home Depot to price out some stuff for future projects.

Of course had turkey for supper, still got more left, but not too much.  Managed to finish off the leftover veggies, so other than some dessert,  no more leftovers for us!!

I am taking part in a challenge on another site I go on, and thought it was interesting enough to mention on here.  For the month of January, you have to eat out of the pantry/fridge/freezer and try not to spend anything in the grocery store.  Any money you save, you can use it for something else, or better still put in your savings account.  I have another turkey in the freezer, plus a big ham, so I have got a good start.  I thought this would be an interesting challenge.    Also for anyone who decides to take part in this, you have a couple of days to prepare for this......like I have to!!

Bits and bobs; and where did this pop up from?

You know the more I read your responses yesterday agreeing with me about how much work it is for such a short period of time, the more I am determined to so something different next Christmas.  No idea what yet, but I am also going to have a Christmas break.  I put my oven onto self clean for three hours on Boxing Day, and I am still going to have to scrub it down {{{SIGH}}}  The full pound of bacon I put on the turkey made a heck of a mess....so more work there.  So maybe next year we'll just have cold meat, salad and sandwiches...pretend we are in Australia and its too hot to cook!!

I forgot to show you my new Christmas ornaments this year.  The first one is a Waterford Crystal one there is a better picture of it on the link.  It's number 2792/5000, and my mother got it for me.  Its nice but I prefer my Wedgewood one.

My mother also sent me this beautiful Wedgwood one, I can't find one on the Wedgwood site for a better photo.

Finally the kids got me this Wedgwood one, and it is on this site

Needless to say I was very pleased to receive them.  I now have five Wedgwood ornaments and they are front and centre on the Christmas tree.

For the first time in many, many years we were not all up at the crack of dawn to go Boxing Day shopping.  Neither me nor dh really wanted anything and so the kids went out mid morning and were back by 3pm with only a couple of things each.  Me and dh went up to Chapters and Michaels and I got my Christmas cards for next year at Chapters, and picked up my Christmas crackers for next year at Michaels.

We had a full range of weather on Boxing Day, from rain, snow, freezing rain and fog.  It got rid of a bit of snow, but made everything slippery.  At least with it raining, it was a bit warmer.  Both kids went back home on Boxing Day night, and dd took Olive with her.  She never left dd bedroom the whole time she was here, however she did come out of under the bed so that was good.  Meanwhile Molly has got over the excitement of having a house full of people and is flaked out in front of the fire!!!

Finally, for some reason this song popped up in my head and I can't get rid of it....LOL, and I have no idea where it came from???

Christmas Day night............

Well here I am sitting here at 5pm on Christmas Day evening, sitting in front of the fire, full to the gills and ever so contented.  Santa was good to all of us, we all did very well, and the kids were happy with what they received.

The meal was good, as was the company.  I must say though its a lot of work for a short period of time.

Dd brought her cat to stay with us while she was staying with us.  Now Olive isn't familiar with dogs, and isn't that keen of them it seems.  When she saw Molly she arched her back, all the hair stood on end, she started to hiss and swatted at Molly, then disappeared under the bed for the rest of the day.  Molly of course started to howl, but I am pleased to say she has since lost interest in her.

This is a new bird to me that came to feed the other day, I think it is a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet.  Not sure if it is a male or a female, as the male only has its "ruby crown" during mating season.  Pretty little bird though.  The light was really bad as well that day, so this is my best photo.

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to you all. I hope you have a lovely day with your family. You eat too much, you fall asleep in front of the tv and generally have a lazy day enjoying yourself!!

Skywatch Friday...........

I actually took these last week, I am looking towards the Dufferin Museum and Archives which is close to where I live.

For more Skywatch Friday photos, please click on this link

Christmas Eve.....

Thought I'd show you some photos of our place. Yes it has snowed, and we're in for a White Christmas.

O Holy Night by Josh Groban



Twas the Night before Christmas Poem

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Some photos and other things....

I made a couple batches of cookies on Tuesday. The first is Cathy's Maple Cookies from the Better Home and Gardens magazine. 

I made sugar cookie's

Sugar Cookies, recipe here  I used the baking sheet below for one lot of the cookies , and they weren't that good............

Look at how fluffed up that Sparrow is, it must have been cold out there....

This is a photo of the female Northern Cardinal, again all fluffed up...

Finally a fluffed up Blue Jay......

On Tuesday it looked like God was sprinkling glitter down from above, when it was snowing, it was so pretty.

I love this song, would also like to see these guys in concert. Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Canon Rock