Catching up. How’ve ya been? This’ll be a long one to make up for my slacking of late. And fairly random. Prepare yourselves.

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Remember when my sweet husband bought me an espresso machine? I’m pretty sure it’s the best gift (other than, of course, my engagement and wedding rings) that he’s ever given me.

Every year, my mom and I try to get to pottery/craft sales featuring local potters. Both of us collect pottery but have so much that we’re now just looking for specific things. I still want large platters, a sealing jug to keep my milk in, and a girl can never have enough coffee mugs. I don’t like mine to match. No two are the same. Our favourite table is the one full of the ‘crap’ that the potters can’t sell at full price because of flaws. I can rarely even spot the flaws, and besides, just like in people, I think those little idiosyncrasies make the pieces more special. A few weeks ago, my mom and I hit one of these sales and check out my $5 (regular $20) purchase!

Now that’s what I call a latte!

Incidentally, since I got it I’ve had approximately 250 lattes and saved $1250. Twice the price of the machine. Well worth it!

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We got our tree up last week, finally! I prefer to get it up as soon as Halloween is over so I have more time to enjoy it, but for some reason I was kind of busy this year…

The boy’s face lit up and he squealed when he got up from his nap and saw the sparkling lights. That’s what Christmas is all about. (Okay, well not really, but it was cool.)

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We had the boy’s paternal grandpa and his wife here last weekend (and yesterday Grandpa came again!) and finally got some pics of them with the boy. I don’t know why I always forget to take pictures when we’re with them. I always remember right after they leave!

Don’t they look like nice grandparents? They are.
Notice the boy’s “girl boots?” That’s what his daddy called them, so I exchanged them for the dark brown which look much better. I was originally trying to save money by getting something that both genders could wear should we ever have a girl. Apparently that was a bad idea.

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The boy got several new Christmas outfits - check out this cute bum flap!

and this is the front…

(Okay, that was a section purely for grandparents. I know you’re not interested in every new outfit. But it’s my blog. So there.)

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Now, for the infamous Christmas meme. Ahhhh, Christmas….

Christmas is my favourite time of year. I love when everyone has time off together to relax and have fun. Everything about it is great. Unlike some people, I don’t find it stressful at all. I enjoy every minute, and I’m sure it’s only going to get better with our own kids.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate. Dark and rich. Once a year, an eggnog with some spiced rum, but only once. I find it too rich. And I’m kind of scared of drinking raw eggs.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? He wraps them. Everything is wrapped - every tiny stocking stuffer!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Only white on everything. I like it classy. (Not that I’m classy ~ I just like my house to look that way!)

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No. We don’t have any. I think I’ll get some next year and make it a tradition so I can still kiss the boy once he won’t let me anymore!

5. When do you put up your decorations? As soon as Halloween’s over, it’s fair game.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Acadian tortiere. (Click for our Christmas recipes)

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? There are too many to pick just one. Probably one of (a) going to bed and trying really hard to stay awake to see Santa and the reindeer, (b) getting to stay up late for midnight mass and a midnight snack with friends of tortiere and chocolates or (c) playing with my new toys all day!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I have no idea what you’re talking about.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Always! Usually something from an aunt/uncle or something. Not anything huge. I think we’re going to start a Christmas PJ’s tradition with our kids.

10. What kind of decorations are on your Christmas Tree? White lights, silver bows, silver balls & stars, silver Victorian tinsel (real tin).

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Dread it, because I hate driving in winter. I like a white Christmas, but only after everyone’s arrived and then it can melt before anyone leaves!

12. Can you ice skate? Yes! I figure skated for about 13 years. Sadly, I suck now, but I can still get by.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? That would have to be my engagement ring in 2002.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Family, friends and traditions.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Grasshopper pie or DQ ice cream with teddy bear sauce.

16 What is your favorite holiday tradition? Again, it’s hard to pick, but one of (a) Christmas Eve games with family and stuffing stockings with my mom, (b) Boxing Day (and the 27th at our little boutique) shopping with my mom.

17. What tops your tree? An angel. I want a new one, but I haven’t found a nice silver one yet.

18. Which do you prefer ~ giving or receiving? Giving! I love giving. I don’t really care what I get.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I love all of them. Lately, I really like “Santa Baby”, but also the more traditional “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and all the rest.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or yum? Yum, but only one a year. Unless they’re in my hot chocolate!

From Michelle and Deb.
If you haven’t done this one, feel free!

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One last thing (which I saved for last, lest I piss off the sleep gods) - the boy slept 12 hours without waking last night. I’m not even going to put an exclamation mark, even though that sentence deserves it after 2 months of crap sleep. Maybe that will help?

(We’re on an elimination diet - rice cereal is a no-no here. It looks like he has an aversion to “white stuff” like the Big Guy. We’re working on other stuff, but so far that’s the one that got us some sleep. Have any of you fed your babies chickpeas?)

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Oh, and go enter that contest!