Sunday, December 31, 2023

I didn’t make any resolutions for this year so there was no way I would miss my marks. Smart move on my part! I’m glad to see that I wasn’t entirely idle all year.

Books

35 books read. That surpasses the goal I set out in Goodreads.

Needlework/Knit/Crochet

8 projects finished but I’m not telling how many others were started!

Quilting

I finished 10 projects thanks, in the most part, to the monthly sewing sessions with Stacia and Deloise.

Cards

I cut down a lot on my birthday cards this year but I still managed to send off 52 cards. Many of those were Christmas cards that I sent, particularly to those whose birthdays I missed.

Postage

Someone once asked me how much I spend on postage because I’m ALWAYS at the post office. This year’s total is over $2,500, but I consider it money well-spent as it is the cost of living so far away from family. That is still less than the amount I spent on travel.

Sunday, December 24, 2023

I think we’ve been to the grocery store at least three times thinking it was our last trip. Pat was there again this morning for cranberry sauce for the turkey and chutney for the tourtiere! By this afternoon it won’t matter what we’ve forgotten it will be too late.

I really enjoyed our concert last night. We dressed warmly as we expected to be standing outside for a bit before the doors opened. We were the second couple there and were able to wait inside the door. As soon as we got seated we started shedding layers. Both Pat and I saw people from various groups we are involved in.

The performers sang some old favourites but in new arrangements. Can you imagine O Holy Night or Silent Night with a swinging feel? Both came off quite lovely. Every year they seem to come up with Christmas songs that I’ve never heard. I was sorry Silent Night wasn’t the final number; singing that at the end of a concert reminds me of Christmas Eve services at home.

I’ve got a load of laundry in the machine and one more to go. I’ll make my tourtiere this afternoon and then we really will be ready!

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Pat went out to get the last of the groceries early this morning. He needed to pick up a prescription but the pharmacy didn’t open until ten so I said when I walked to the library I’d stop in and pick it up.

I walked pretty much from one end of town to the other before I was done. I stopped at the Freshco pharmacy and the three small boxes fit into my backpack. Then I was off to Save On Foods but they didn’t have what I was looking for. Since I was at the mall I stopped at Shoppers but again wasn’t able to find what I was after. I was able to pick up the gift card I needed, although I had forgotten it was even on my list.

From there I stopped at Walmart and finally found one of the soda stream mixes I was looking for. My backpack was almost full by then so I took out the library book I was returning and carried it. By cutting across a couple of parking lots I was able to hit the library only a few minutes later.

I carried on down the hill to Marine and picked up the small birthday gift I was looking for. I almost called Pat to pick me up (and I’d invite him to lunch) but I powered on and made it back home. I’m pretty much done in now so I’ll sit for awhile and sew down the binding on a couple of birthday cards.

We’re off tonight for the annual Jazzy Christmas that I look forward to every year. We usually have to go to the Townsite for the event but they are performing just up the street at the United Church this year. We’ll still have to stand outside to wait for the doors to open but we won’t need to get there extra extra early in order to get a parking spot.

December 22, 2023

I found my Christmas mouse the day after we put up the tree. The only time I heard it sing was when I took it out of the shed and brought it upstairs. I changed its position this year thinking it would get more sun but until today it had been quiet as … well as a mouse! But today the sun shone enough in the afternoon for me to hear a chorus of Christmas songs.

I’ve been ready for Christmas for a week and I started my holidays about the time I got Kathryn’s birthday package sent off. I’ve spent long afternoons playing on my iPad and doing a bit of stitching. I’ve also been baking.

I had three recipes to try but so far I’ve only managed one of them. In my 12-Days package from Elizabeth I got a scone mix (I love scones). Pat was on Texada so I didn’t want to start any baking until he was home. I’ve tried scones before that didn’t turn out all that good but this mix worked really well. I think I’ll be more confident to try an original recipe; I think my mistake in the past was mixing them too much.

Also on my list were Squamish Bars (in competition with Nanaimo Bars). The recipe came from Connie Kaldor and they sounded good. They are every bit as sweet as Nanaimo Bars; they are mainly sugar, butter and peanut butter. I had to have Pat help cut them; the crust is quite chewy. I’m not sure I’d make them again.

I picked a recipe for Ted Lasso shortbread but Dave’s Mum sent us a package of her shortbread. The first year Dave spent Christmas with us he brought some shortbread and it is still talked about whenever shortbread is mentioned. And nothing has ever tasted as good. I doubt there will be any left for Christmas but we will enjoy every crumb. Perhaps when the memory of Mary’s shortbread has passed I’ll try my recipe.

I plan to make a Citrus Panna Cotta for dessert for Christmas dinner. Pat picked up the turkey today and I’ll make one more trip to the store for a few things.