How Angelic

Last night I spent a wonderful time up at Upper Canada Village. They are having a night time visit to see some beautiful lights all over the premises. Upper Canada Village is located along the St. Lawrence Seaway that borders Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York. I usually go during the summer months where you can explore the village and see people living the way they did in 1860. You are free to ask them questions and learn about their different talents and trades of the time.
This year I was invited (along with J&S, C&W, and my mother) by my dear Grandmother to join her in walking around the same village at night and admiring the lights. She even decided to play in the freshly fallen snow a bit. This is her special snow angel.
When we first arrived through the gate we were greeted by some carolers singing wonderfully a cappella. I stayed a little while and gave a nice applaud at the end. Then we saw a huge line for the horse drawn wagon ride so we decided to walk around the village first and maybe the line will die down when we get back.
So then our first little visit was to the town church where for the first time we were allowed to actually enter the church (in the summer you are only able to enter the foyer but today we could sit in the pews if we wanted to). So we went in and there was a gathering of people all singing Christmas carols together and ringing some jingle bells. The ladies had a piano and gave out some song sheets so we even sang along, well most of us did J did not (as usual).
After the church we headed down some of the streets and saw some very nicely decorated lights. We heard jingle bells almost everywhere we went. Finally we realized why when "Grandma almost got run over by a horse". Luckily we got her out of the way in time. I made her hold my hand for a while so that it wouldn't happen again (kind of like a time out). After walking all around we went back to see if the wagon ride was any better than before. Nope in fact it was longer than before and we had a very unhappy little girl waiting in front of us. Luckily for all of us she was on the wagon before us and we didn't have to ride with her. Whew!
Then we took a nice stroll through the gift shop. I picked up two Christmas ornaments they were both made of coloured clay one is in the shape of a Christmas tree and the other is of a stocking. The whole night was a blast even though my toes gave out during the trek. I would definitely do it all again next year. Thank you Grandma.

Cat Naps

So Christmas has come and gone and everyone is happy with all of Santa's little goodies. "Santa" brought me a digital camera for Christmas this year which I was more than pleased about. We spent the day at J and S's new place out in Richmond Ontario. I was a nice time and we were lucky to have Grandma there celebrating in the festivities with us. I think and am pretty sure that she had a good time. She was very thoughtful this year because she remembered our cats and got them a nice blanket and some treats which they ate up when they got home (yum yum). As you can see in the picture my kitty Joey is showing his pleasure with the blanket he sleeps in it all day and doesn't really share well with the other kitties (yet). I hope you all had a great time with your family's at this special time of year. I know I did and I am looking forward to seeing the little munchkins again next week.

Happy Holidays

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL....AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!!!!

A Ukrainian Christmas

I went out with some friends last night for a Christmas dinner and a get together. It was much too long since I've last seen them all and they all have new things going on in their lives as I do. One of the girls made this ornament for each of us (which means that she is probably more of a Martha than I am), it is very beautiful and I hung it on my tree when I got home (at the top so the cats can't reach it). Along with the ornament she included a paragraph on how it is associated with Christmas time. I will share it with you too.

A Ukrainian Christmas Tree has a Spider on it for good luck.
The tradition of spiders and webs on the tree is based upon the following legend:

There once was a widow, who lived in a small hut. She was very poor. One day a pinecone dropped on the floor and it took root. Her children were excited that they would have a tree for Christmas. All summer long they made plans on how they would decorate the tree. They were very poor, so poor that they didn't have anything to decorate the tree with. Despite their hard times, the children and the widow were always helpful to others in the village. The widow went to bed on Christmas Eve knowing that the tree would not be decorated. Early on Christmas morning, the woman was awakened by her children. "Mother, mother wake up and see the tree it is beautiful!" The mother arose and saw that during the night a spider had spun a web around the tree. The youngest child opened the window to the first light of Christmas Day. As the shafts of the sun crept along the floor, it touched one of the threads of the spider web and instantly the web was changed into gold and silver. And from that day forward the widow never wanted for anything.

Martha vs Rachael!

Who is the better homemaker of the two? Is it Martha the elegant craftster who is perfect in every way? Or Rachael the fun out going anything can happen entertainer?

Well here are some quotes from both sides:

Rachael says: "Recipes are just ideas, suggestions." - seacoastonline.com
Martha says: "I think baking cookies is equal to Queen Victoria running an empire." - Oprah.com

Rachael says: "Through a series of accidents, I kept ending up in jobs I was completely unqualified for." - seacoastonline.com
Martha says: "Everybody in prison has a business plan." - New York Post

Rachael says: "Fries are very tasty at both Burger King and McDonalds, but I prefer BK." - popcrazy.com
Martha says: I'm not so interested in fast food as I'm interested in good food." - Larry King Live

Rachael says: "I'm like a bobblehead - who would take me seriously anyway?" - OK! Magazine
Martha says: "I'm oriented in the right direction all the time." - Larry King Live

Rachael says: "I'm very klutzy and not really capable of crafting or doing too many domestic things beyond making supper." - Larry King Live
Martha says: "I can almost bend steel with my mind. I can bend anything if I try hard enough. I can make myself do almost anything." - Oprah.com

Rachael says: "Yum-o!"
Martha says: "It's a good thing."

Who are you more like Rachael or Martha? Who do you think won the battle?

Happy Birthday Nugley!

Today is Nugley's birthday. He turned 5 years old today and now he thinks he can move up to the next grade at school. That's probably because he did when he was in Montessori. We had a family get together last night before Nana and Gramps had to go for their holidays. He had a great time and loved his presents. I think two of his favourites were his Maple Leafs T-shirt given by myself and a new watch given by his sister Choo Choo. he took his new watch to school today and told me everytime the long hand reached a new number. I knew at that time that his teacher was going to love this present, well maybe not. We made cupcakes yesterday to have at school today with his classmates. He was a very proud boy and I think he has grown up so much over the past year, especially since September. Going to school is important stuff for him, so he tells me. A couple of weeks ago he had his party with all his friends. His mom invited about 25 children and they all were able to make it.

She had the party at home (she's very brave) and hired a magician to put on a show. The show was about 45 minutes long and maintained the children's attention the whole time (as well as the parents). After the show Nugley told him he could come back anytime.We then celebrated a new holiday called the 12 days of Nugley. It's where Nugley gets to open a new birthday present (from the party) for the next 12 days or so. Some people celebrate Hanukkah others Christmas but we celebrate Nugley first. It made him behave during the weeks and to help get his homework done a lot easier having him know he could open a new gift. He is a great boy and I love being around him and his sister. I learn something new everyday from him.

Happy Birthday Nugley!!

Dear Santa...

I found this cool site where I could write a letter to Santa and have it turn into something fun. You should try it out to and see how it goes. Nothing serious because I think we all take too many things too seriously all the time.

Dear Santa,

I have been a good girl.

It really wasn't my faultwhat happened at Laurie's Christmas party. It was Cheyanne who spiked the punch with too much Chocolatini. I can't help it if I drank 15 glasses. It was so good --- it smelled and tasted just like vanilla.
I thought it was funny when I put Nancy's shirt on my head and danced the mambo on the table while singing "eensy weensy spider". I didn't mean to break Laurie's stereo and I don't know why Laurie would sue me for shoplifting.

I don't remember calling Scott's wife a big donkey --- even though she looked like one with red eye shadow and green lipstick!
And when I threw up on Alyson's husband's leg, it was only because I ate too much of that spaghetti.
After all that fun, I admit I was a little tired. So I fell asleep on my way home and drove my Honda Civic through my neighbours's door. I don't think that was any reason for my neighbour to call me a lazy chicken and have me arrested for assault!

So, Santa...here I sit in my jail cell on Christmas Eve, all roasted and grumpy. And I'm really not to blame for any of this round stuff. Please bring me what I want most...bail money!

Sincerely and silently yours,
Stephanie (really a nice girl)

PS it's only 93 bucks!