Snow is falling for the second time
here, in Sherbrooke city. Blanketing all the areas in white, just in time for the
Christmas season; and for other holidays, celebrated around the same time
of the year.
Rain, is expected, to take over today
and the two should be interchanging, on and off all day.
Traveling to work by bus Friday back, should
be challenging.
In November, I picked up some contract
work, in marketing, trained enough, I will eventually graduate, to working at
home; at least that’s the end game for me, as I expressed it so to the
operating manager, who hired me. I continue to do other internet marketing
work, at home, but this one I need to travel in for.
What is now, so magical, about the bus
ride to and fro, is the decorations of lights and such. I see it on almost
every home and every business this year. There are now lights that are
programed to follow a certain pattern like, there should be music
accompanying them. Its the latest models that I've seen, quite unique really
makes me stare over for more of the view.
I feel like a little kid,
marveling in, 'ah', and in delight, at the lite up houses. There
are lights around their roof sidings, windows, banisters, and lawns. Their lite
up deer, snowmen, Santa clauses and such, all displaying happiest of faces.
Outdoor tree lights, in the multi colors; ribbons draped around,
do-dad's, assorted ornaments, spreading joy.
On the street of
Claire-Jolicoeur and McManny, this 2 storey, little white house; is so
decorated up. Appearing larger then their actual home. Their lawn adorned and
on the house itself; its almost a masterpiece, of fantastic Christmas tales, of
our childhood traditions all lined around. 
The snow
fallen', has added that special touch. It has drawn out the atmosphere most
seeked for; as the spirit of Christmas starts to settle in nice.
It does't matter how old you are Christmas, can be as
delightful as your imagination allows, drawing out, the big kid, in me.
I have my, fake tree up;
living in an apartment I cannot by law, have a real one.
The lights are up wrapped around it; but I have not yet to decorated it. I plan to change that this weekend; with some eggnog and
Christmas music, to accompany me by.
The wreath is up, with lights wrapped around it; hanging from
my living room window, I've attached a red ribbon, made of felt material; to
accompany the hanging switches, to the battery operated boxes. The
kitchen window has its own battery, colored lights hanging.
All around the living room door frame, along to the living
room window frame, I placed red lights.
That one stays up all year long.
It was just easier that way, rather than, bring them down every
year. Plus their cool on, any time of the year, it's the cover over the
lights that make it possible.
This week, is the last week to shop,
my list, buy my turkey leg, bread for stuffing, sweet potatoes,
green beans, corn, turnip, cranberries, and of course fruit cake, not to
mention wine, brandy for the eggnog.
Bless, I'll be all set, to eat, drink and watch tons of my
favorite Christmas movies.
I got
this recipe from Chatelaine magazine.
Homemade eggnog
MAKES 2 CUPS
4 eggs, lightly beaten (or 1 cup pasteurized
eggs)
1 cup 3.25% milk
1/4 cup 35% cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tbsp bourbon optional
1 tsp vanilla
POUR eggs into a medium bowl. Set aside.
HEAT milk with cream, sugar and bourbon
in a medium saucepan set over medium-high, stirring occasionally. When mixture
starts to bubble, remove from heat. Pour half of milk mixture into eggs,
whisking constantly. Pour back into saucepan and whisk constantly until hot,
about 1 min. Stir in vanilla.
Set over ice bath to cool immediately.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve over ice (optional), topped
with freshly grated nutmeg.
*Lightly cooked eggs are generally safe
to eat but shouldn't be served to people with compromised immune
systems. If concerned, buy pasteurized eggs, like Egg Creations, to use instead.
VARIATIONS you can add the following too
if you'd like:
Candy cane eggnog: Add 1 tsp peppermint
extract along with vanilla. Continue with recipe.
Chocolate eggnog: Instead of milk and
cream, use 1 1/4 cups 1% milk.
Add 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate with sugar and bourbon to milk mixture.
Continue with recipe.
Skinny eggnog: Use 1% milk instead of
3.25%. Continue with recipe.
Dairy-free eggnog: Substitute almond milk
for 3.25% and coconut milk for cream. Continue with recipe.
In November of this year;
the Landlord, was suppose to, put up, the winter panels on my balcony. But, the
day he chose to do so, it was too windy, to do it The next morning, I woke up,
to a huge mess, on my balcony. It had blown everything, off the tables and all
the surrounding items in front of door. There was soil and containers
everywhere.
Rain was coming down hard that day and then suddenly I see a double rainbow.
The storm stopped and clouds started to show the sun trying to break through
Gratefully,
the winter panels, are now up and the mess cleared, everything back in it's
place. I wasn't happy, at first, about the winter panels. The first year, I
moved in here; almost 5 years ago. I thought it would take away my beautiful
mountain, rooftop view and those pretty lights that I see at night, and it
does.
But it turns out the landlord, knew what he was doing, it could
very well save my life, trying to go down those stairs, during a windy
storm.
Some mornings I
am blessed enough to wake up to these fantastic sunrises like this one
I still have my visiting little friends who need a extra helping hand
Marley always knows before I do that they are coming.
Being so high up I can see the action in the sky.
A little video of end of October, of
this year. When I met the friend of the Landlord who was considering purchasing
it for his twins attending university in the future. So I walked around
familiarizing myself with other buildings on other streets, close by; that
could offer the same if not better than what I've got to live in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvr6FyTX98Q
Christmas
means different things to different folks. Its a wonderful time, a positive,
cognitive time, for some a magically belief in something, an honor ceremony for
others. It has evolved, into what one can comfortably live with, a
creative like spin into, often classified as, ‘tradition’ done enough
times. Which is what I performed Friday night at 9:30pm. My last day of
work, where I took buses and saw all the pretty lights, hickory do-da-ds on
their lawns, balconies and such. Three or more weeks off until operations are
back, in full swing and more contracts a gotten. In the meantime,
I have
other things to focus my time on, but I have to say, I was enjoying that extra
$$ that led to being able to start cross things off my in order of priority
list. Patience my dove, it will come back again, soothing words to a
transitional phase and acceptance.
I lift
the Christmas boxes off the floor and place them on my bed. Christmas music
playing on my computer, ‘I am dreaming of a white Christmas, Bing Crosby, one
my favorites. All the snow has helped make it feel so full on, and the
merriment beer, is helping to keep it so. I start picking up a piece at a time,
my ornaments and caricatures. I hung all 4 varied size boxes of decorations up;
glancing outside every now and then at at snow covered trees, mountains and
roof tops, a white night sky.
At
5:00 pm earlier, I was waiting for a bus on Alexandra Street not far from
Aberdeen. I saw snowflakes falling on and off all day. It set the scene for the
whole town; making everything seen, along the journey, extra touching. The
streets light shone revealing large snowflakes, for a time. I was standing near
a train track that no longer functions as one. A black, metal bench, covered in
snow; sitting in front of an abandon, empty commercial building, that might
have been a dep. I can’t remember the sign.
I took,
the first bus that came, knowing, I had to walk six blocks to get to my
destination; if I got on it. Nevertheless, my feet had been standing for over
20 minutes; and I was beginning to feel anxious, to get the work started dusted
and done and I needed to feel like I was helping myself, to get there to do it.
I
take this particular bus, to get back home, as it lets me off 2/1/2 blocks from
it.
So
seeing this route going to, provided me a new view of all the decorations
twinkling, all the snow made the shine that much more spectacular, it was quite
something.
The
bus, was challenged, while descending the steeped hills, and turns, as black
ice were forming in different patches. I almost slipped 3 times this day;
groceries were fetched, three hours earlier.
I laid out chips and sour cream, I was
coming to the tail end of decorating,. I have the candy canes, that I leave for last and no tinsel too messy. I start to sing 'oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree how lovely are your branches.' I marvel at my picture perfect tree and the memories collected over years displaying their glee. I feel a broad smile of my approval.
I turned down the music and brought up another player adding all my Christmas animations and dragging a movie in-between each two. My first movie in the player list was the animation of Dr.Seuss ‘how the Grinch stole Christmas’ followed by Charlie Brown. I feel asleep during something, I don’t know what. Woke up at around 6:am, stumbling about, heading for the bathroom. Christmas with Magoo, was playing, as I crawled back to sleep, until 10:am . I busied myself with the soaked chickpeas and prepared them to be cooked. Dishes were washed as the kettle boiled for coffee. I took out the veggies for spaghetti sauce and heated up the black cast iron pan. I chopped up the veggies lightly frying them. I began adding spices of basil, thyme, parsley, chopped garlic, cinnamon, chili pepper, paprika, and stirred in each one adding more butter to gently soften the flow. I put on the lid on and turn the cooking off to let sit. The snow was falling moderately fast, again; the radio playing Christmas music chosen from hosts, of CBC radio.
I turned down the music and brought up another player adding all my Christmas animations and dragging a movie in-between each two. My first movie in the player list was the animation of Dr.Seuss ‘how the Grinch stole Christmas’ followed by Charlie Brown. I feel asleep during something, I don’t know what. Woke up at around 6:am, stumbling about, heading for the bathroom. Christmas with Magoo, was playing, as I crawled back to sleep, until 10:am . I busied myself with the soaked chickpeas and prepared them to be cooked. Dishes were washed as the kettle boiled for coffee. I took out the veggies for spaghetti sauce and heated up the black cast iron pan. I chopped up the veggies lightly frying them. I began adding spices of basil, thyme, parsley, chopped garlic, cinnamon, chili pepper, paprika, and stirred in each one adding more butter to gently soften the flow. I put on the lid on and turn the cooking off to let sit. The snow was falling moderately fast, again; the radio playing Christmas music chosen from hosts, of CBC radio.
I
busied myself, tiding up my desk in the living room, of holiday card
preparations, and stacked the office papers, that need my attention to one
side, noting to myself, a Tuesday task. I was waiting for the chickpeas
to finish cooking; I needed that pot for the sauce. I watered my plants and
took away any of the dead leaves, looked around, for anything, that needed
picking up from the floor and straighten up, around me. Now, as I was adding,
the tomatoes to the pan and scooped out all the cooked veggies. The Choir from
Carnegie hall, was finishing, Opera began playing. Marley, jumped up on the
stool, I looked at her as I chopped up some mushrooms, added them on top,
stirred it into the sauce, and let it cook on low all day with the lid slight
ajar. I scratched the top of Marley's head, asking her if she wanted something
to eat, and she meowed a response. I reach for her dry and moist food and gave
a little of bother in little bowl and it down for her; she jumped down and
walked over giving it an inspection before taking a bite.
It was
by this time, 1:pm and I have not yet eaten. So in the pan I cooked chopped up
onion, potato, and mushrooms, poured 2 whisked eggs and made an omelet with
toasted cheese bread; fresh from the bakers up the street on King.
I
watched a Christmas movie ‘The Holiday’as I ate.
I have some very fond memories while growing up; there was a time when it was made to feel magical. All the
visuals, the decorations, the different bought or handmade calendars, revealing
chocolates, or little toys, hand painted backgrounds handmade candy wreaths, with scissors to cut the candy down. cooking smells, an
air of excitement always brewed up a delightful reaction.
Christmas time written by ©LeeMarie
My mother would sew all my doll clothes
and encouraged me to play with them.
and encouraged me to play with them.
She’d, make every holiday,
fun in some special way,
until the age of 10
Enjoying the sounds of our squeals.
She’d, bake all day,
Design all night.
See the pretty wreaths,
adorned with shiny ribbons,
there’s even candies tied on each end.
I’d smell the short bread cookies,
mince meat pies.
Fruitcakes soaking in cheesecloth filled with rum.
I spied the fudge made with whiskey,
Hiccup, from taking one.
Rows upon rows, of gingerbread men
lying there looking so yummy.
Hark, I’d here choir boys sing their songs,
fun in some special way,
until the age of 10
Enjoying the sounds of our squeals.
She’d, bake all day,
Design all night.
See the pretty wreaths,
adorned with shiny ribbons,
there’s even candies tied on each end.
I’d smell the short bread cookies,
mince meat pies.
Fruitcakes soaking in cheesecloth filled with rum.
I spied the fudge made with whiskey,
Hiccup, from taking one.
Rows upon rows, of gingerbread men
lying there looking so yummy.
Hark, I’d here choir boys sing their songs,
I swear I heard angels sing
along,
As my mother told fantastical
tales of Christmas times.
At the stroke of midnight
I’d hear jingle, jingle, jingle bells.
In my sleepy eyed state, I’d hear a distant voice calling.
‘wake up sleepy head. Santa’s on his sleigh,
Hurry, Hurry now he’s about to part’.
Running to the window,
my face pressed up against the glass I ‘m, wildly,
At the stroke of midnight
I’d hear jingle, jingle, jingle bells.
In my sleepy eyed state, I’d hear a distant voice calling.
‘wake up sleepy head. Santa’s on his sleigh,
Hurry, Hurry now he’s about to part’.
Running to the window,
my face pressed up against the glass I ‘m, wildly,
looking for the reindeer.
I see something,
I see something,
nothing. Alas, I have missed them.
My mother gives me my stocking as a consolation starter.
Hark, I’d here choir boys sing their songs,
My mother gives me my stocking as a consolation starter.
Hark, I’d here choir boys sing their songs,
I swear I heard angels sing along,
As my mother told
fantastical tales of Christmas times. 
I have to run off to the shops later, for the last minute items and
some wine. The plan is breakfast, bath, dress and go, before too many of the
others' are thinking the same. The sun is shining, making the snow
glisten under its spell. The play list has David Bowie and Bing Cosby finishing
up, John Lennon and Yoko Ono's on background vocals, 'so, this is Christmas and what have you done? another year over. A new
one just began'.
I seem to be struggling; I can’t get any of my USB pictures to
upload off any of my cell, camera, nor memory stick. I’ll have to check if a
drive is malfunctioned, it does have me puzzled.
I plan on dinner, wine and movies, for this evening's
activities, as we head into Christmas day. Snow is fore-casted so a magical feel, will make the moments tonight, just
right. Cheers! Stay safe...
Wishing you all a
Merriest of memories made
May it be filled with
Laughter,
Merriment and song.
Bless everyone with
Peace and Harmony
Prosperity and Health
Hearts filled with Love
and Joy all around.
Merry Christmas,
Joyeux Noel
xo
Happy New YearMerriest of memories made
May it be filled with
Laughter,
Merriment and song.
Bless everyone with
Peace and Harmony
Prosperity and Health
Hearts filled with Love
and Joy all around.
Merry Christmas,
Joyeux Noel
xo
Christmas has come and gone and
it feels like -26 Celsius or colder, has now settled into Sherbrooke city and
surrounding areas. Chimney smoke is swirling around with the wind, the sky is
blue as blue can be, pigeons are traveling in packs of 20 as they huddle on the
hydro line trying to stay warm and fed at the same time. I am nestled in,
grateful to be safe, and warm. My agenda other than paper work and fixing the
numerous things that suddenly went wrong with this computer. I am getting the
message I need a new one.
With
the cold, bear like temperatures outside; I decidedly require nothing that
cannot wait until the warmish weather comes by or Sunday, whichever comes
before New Year’s Eve. Books, drawing, movie watching, is on the list of indoor wintry things
to do, and until I get me some honey or sugar, there is no hot brews to go
with it.
Life is still good, in every way. Blessed
May your hearts be larger
Your thoughts be kinder
May you stay positive
and made to feel stronger
May each day your rise be remembered
as a brand new start
May you have many blessings
Enjoying each moment that 2018 brings
Your thoughts be kinder
May you stay positive
and made to feel stronger
May each day your rise be remembered
as a brand new start
May you have many blessings
Enjoying each moment that 2018 brings
LeeMarie
Until Next time,
stay active, steadfast and true to you. Cheers!
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Thank you for taking the time. Kind Regards LM