Chookyblue SSCS Swap ....!

It's been a busy holiday season for me. With Pumpkin's final exams taking place the last possible week of school, it made for a rushing of family visits here and there and every where! I hope you had a wonderful family celebration!

Every year, I participate in Donna's, chookyblue's, Secret Santa Swap!

I've been a part of it from year one. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

My secret Santa this year was Janice, from Australia.  The parcel arrived, so nicely wrapped.

I was allowed to unwrap one package before December 25, the ornament.

Don't they look pretty on the tree?

On the eve of December 24, I opened my main gift! I figured it was Christmas day in Australia .... I wasn't breaking any rules! Lol

This is what Janice sent me.

It's beautiful! The colours are vibrant! The picture does not do it justice!

DH suggested we use it on the dinning room table for our family holiday dinner .... NO WAY! He's not getting gravy on that gorgeous table runner!

Stephen is "suppose" to be working on a credenza for the dinning room. So I quickly took the opportunity to remind him that had he finished the project, that's where the table runner would go! I think I need to crack my whip!

Thank you again Janice for the lovely gifts! Cheers!

Merry Christmas .....!

Hope Santa brings you lots of gifts!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!  Cheers!

Tourtiere, a French Canadien Tradition ...!

Have you noticed that today very little that is sacred? We are so fortunate to have access to all types of foods throughout the year. When I was growing up, the seasons determined what fruits and vegetables we would consume. If it was "out of season", canned goods is what was served.

Gosh, I remember the wonderful Epluchette de ble d'inde (corn roast) that my uncle Maurice would host. It was the only time we had fresh corn on the cob! Delish! It was a huge family gathering, distant cousins were invited. Today corn is available all year long. How special is that?

Candy was not something I had access in my youth ... neither chips and/or soda. Those were reserved for "special occasions". I also did not have access to money that would allow me to buy candy at the corner store. Gosh did we look forward to the holidays! Halloween was such a treat, it had been so long since the Easter Bunny stopped by!

I find that today very little, in terms of foods and what not, is reserved for "special occasions". Most kids have access to candy all year around. What do you put in a stocking when candy is constantly in abundance? As you can imagine, I did not raise my daughter on candy. I kept those for "special holidays."

I guess you can say I'm a tad old fashion. I try to hang on to my family traditions.  For instance, a traditional dish that I make for the Christmas holiday is Tortiere (meat pie). My mother and I will get together mid December and bake all day. We even use my maternal grandmother's recipe. The dish is served at Christmas dinner along with turkey!

This is this year's batch!

It's wonderful to have left overs!

I think today, more than ever, we need to honour our family traditions. Do you have any family traditions that you cherish?

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!

Something naked .... I hope you like it!

Most of you know that I have a dear friend, Cheryl, who lives in Australia. She is such a generous soul, so thoughtful and ... has a warp sense of humour. That's one of the reasons why we get along so well! lol

Late November, she sends me an e-mail saying that she sent me something "naked".

"Some people do not like the naked look, but I tend to like it."

Ok, so Cheryl likes the naked look!

You can just imagine what was going through my mind! Hum .... something naked all the way from Australia ..... interesting!

Well the box arrived this week.

Oh goodie, I get to unwrap gifts! I cannot wait to see what's "naked" underneath the wrapping! lol

Oh .... Gorgeous Australian "naked" wool! It is stunning! I can see why she likes it "naked" .... So do I!

I cannot wait to plan a project with this gorgeous yarn. Any suggestions? There's also a couple of skeins of finger weight yarn ... I'm thinking socks!

As I knit away I can watch the Lake Eyre collection! I hope to one day visit Australia! Cheryl takes it upon herself to educate me regarding the culture and customs! I just love it!

Thanks for stopping by my little corner in cyberspace! Cheers!