happy holidays!

 

i love the holidays for the warmth around the house, for the indulgences, for spending time with family and friends.  i will take the next ten days off from blogging to relax with my boys... see you january third-ish.

and, thank you so very much for spending time here with me.  from my little family to yours, wishing you the happiest holidays.  however you plan on spending it, i hope it is peaceful, joyful and restful.

weekend pics, out and about in whistler

we were snowshoeing and tubing and snowball making our hearts away. we stuffed our bellies with delicious food from alta bistro, so. very. good.  we stayed warm and cozy in our hotel room, reading, playing board games, and kai loved that the bathtub was out in the open instead of in the bath and indulged in a long soak.  adventure and togetherness, my kind of weekend.

my favourite?  snowshoeing.  i must admit that with the approach of winter, the first thing i do is start to fret the cold, i do, but being in whistler reminded me that as long as i am dressed properly, moving, and being in the moment (regardless of how chilly it is), it's okay.  actually, it's better than okay, snowshoeing is a time to stop sort of speak, taking one step at a time, and being still in the beauty that winter offers us.  i loved it... despite kai's whining about the hills (he got over it though as he usually does).

my boys' favourite?  the discovery of the snowball maker.  it makes the perfect snowball.  they were giddy about this thing.  a lot of laughing and making and tossing occurred.  kai even had followers admiring it; children gawking in disbelief, parents asking where to buy one, people marvelling at the perfect snowballs.  what will they think when they see this one?

my boys couldn't just pick one thing of course.  their second favourite thing was the pork cheeks braised in apple cider and served with german butter potatoes, pickled raisins, radicchio in mustard and orange, toasted almonds, bacon, and anjou pear - i had a taste and it was very good.

snowshoeing on the callaghan valley mountain just south of whistler:



 

snowballs in the village:





 

 

  

 

 

tubing (note: super fun but too busy and pricey... next time we'll bring our sleds and find a hill):





 

 



hope you had a lovely weekend.  happy holidays, are you heading anywhere (snowy) this week?

 

winter is here



 

 

this weekend brings winter.  when it arrives, it is best to embrace it.  it will be warm and cozy, regardless of the temperature outside. 

wearing warm sweaters, woolly socks and dressing in layers.  stefan will cook soup, stews and other comforting foods.  for dinners, kai will light candles often. drinking hot chocolate sprinkled with tiny marshmallows.  oh, and let us not forget blueberry tea.  boots by the door... rain boots for us vancouverites.  ski pants and jackets hanging on chairs to dry when returning from the local snowy mountains.  cats leaving mud tracks as they come in from the cold and rain.  blankets crumpled on the sofa.

it really is a lovely time of year. 

i am looking forward to bringing in the winter season snowshoeing and tubing in whistler.  i can't think of a better place to be this weekend.

 

whatever you are up to this weekend, i hope it's a lovely one. 

 

all images by kinfolk.



holiday making

i am a fan of christmas.  i like decorating the tree, the wrapping, the food that comes from stefan's kitchen, kai's excitement (i even let his eating of too many sweets pass : ).  tea, gingerbread cookies, peppermint anything. school christmas concerts, gift buying, garlands, lights, the music.  yes to all of it.
 
below you will find some pics of holiday making that have taken place during the last week or so: the tree finally decorated; a party for kai's buddies with gingerbread decorating, balloons, and goodie bags; the cats getting in on the action; building a gingerbread house, and just some plain silliness.
 
my boys and i are excited for the holidays to come.  seven more days!  can you believe it?



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

after kai's christmas concert today we are headed to the german christmas market. should be fun!  and you, what kinds of holiday making are you up to?