New Easter Tradition

I love traditions especially the ones that occur around holidays. So this Easter I started a new tradition for my Ontario family and friends...The Graham Family Easter Egg Hunt, based on the Easter Egg Hunt held each year in Nova Scotia by my mom's family.   

Eggs were scattered around 12 "stations".   Mostly filled with Easter treats but I had a few non-junk food items such as erasers, pencils, and some festive drinking cups. 

The minion eggs I made...these were my fave!

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The kids all received name tags for their baskets.

I can't throw a party without decorations.

We had a potluck supper with yummy festive desserts.  Was a great way to end the day. I loved this new tradition and have already got all the eggs sorted and bagged ready for filling again next year!

~Elizabeth

Embracing Winter...Yeah I'm Done With That

Up until last week I could say I really embraced Winter this year.

I joined a women's snowshoe group and discovered area trails and parks I didn't even know existed and spent time with amazing ladies while doing so.

We enjoyed many fantastic outdoor activities with family and friends.

Emma going dog sledding!

Celebrated with the community at our local winter carnival, which I was a member of the planning committee.

 

 

As a family we celebrated the Olympics and cheered on our Canadian Athletes.  Emma and I cheered when the ladies hockey team won Gold (listening to the game on the radio in a Tim Horton's parking lot) and watched the men's hockey Gold medal game early Sunday morning enjoying a breakfast at home.

Olympic cookies I made for Emma's class.

Emma and I enjoyed a fantastic day in Ottawa, taking in Disney on Ice.

We watched curling game after curling game.

There was snowmen and sliding.

And the snowshoes really got a work out this winter.

Even Dustin tried snowshoeing!

And don't get me wrong-sometimes the natural beauty of winter is just stunning. 

 

But this is what we woke up to this morning.

 

Needless to say my enthusiasm for winter is vanishing pretty quickly.  And to top it off, last week, yet again, the whole house came down with another cold, Dustin's developing into an pneumonia.  I'm so sick of everyone being sick.

I think many of us would agree we are ready for Spring.  But as always, during the transition between seasons, I find myself reflecting on the long months that have just passed.  Making me grateful for the time we had with family and friends.  Being thankful that my children are happy and healthy, aside from the constant colds.  With Spring comes renewal and more blessings and we look forward to embracing and celebrating that season too!

~Elizabeth

Happy 1 Year "Raising Two and Everything Else I Do"

My blog turns one year old today!  This week I went back and re-read all my posts.  What a fun way to remember a year of events, thoughts and memories.  I think my favorites were A Brook, Some Rubber Boots and Childhood Memories, Maple Syrup Season, Strawberry Picking, and A Letter to My Daughter. 

Last year in February, March and April I had significantly more posts than I had the remainder of the year.  I, of course, was on maternity leave.  It makes a big difference.

But my lack of posts makes me think why I even do this.  So I was pleased to read one of my earlier posts which reminded me why-this blog is a creative outlet, a way to share my experiences with family and friends, and possibly connect with people or share an idea that might be helpful to others.  And also entertain you-I assume if you are reading this you are a regular follower - and if you've been reading along all year-I must be entertaining you.

So I think I'll keep writing if you'll keep on reading.  I'm not going to get hung up on posting schedules.  I'm not going to get frustrated if I don't get all my Christmas posts done (if you'll recall I said I would write all my Christmas posts in January because I didn't get them done in December-never happened). When I have something I think is worthwhile sharing, I`ll try and write.

This winter has been so busy but in a good way.  I've really embraced winter this year and am trying to get out and enjoy it and maybe, just maybe, I'll get to write a blog about that very soon.

 
Thanks for a year of comments, support, and love.

~Elizabeth

The Weather Outside Is Frightful

As I sit here and write this we're getting yet another snowstorm so the weather outside really is frightful.  As I stated in my New Year's greeting, I'm dedicating my next few posts to prolonging the Christmas spirit.  

Outside decorations fall within my responsibilities.  I hope Dean realizes how lucky he is that he doesn't have to stand there and curse and swear while he unravels strings of lights.  I do the outside decorating because I enjoy it.  So here is a glimpse of what I put together this year.   

Last time you saw this bike it was part of a post I did on Spring arriving...oh those days seem so far away!  So to incorporate the bike into my Christmas decorations I just hang a pair of skates from the handle with a bow and some greenery and put a spotlight on it. I can see this decoration from my kitchen window so really enjoy it.  I scored a grapevine reindeer with white lights during the Boxing Day sales, so I plan on placing that near the bike next year. 

This mailbox is at the corner of our house. This was the last mailbox that Dean's grandpa made and our good friend Shelley painted a deer scene on one side and Malagash, NS on the other side.  The mailbox has so much sentimental value it only makes sense to showcase it in my decorations.

 

The three snowmen I made a few years ago-need to add a 4th for Dustin!  Maybe I'll make that a project this year!  And now my favorite...welcome to our home.

 

 

I love a festive front door for any season, Christmas is no exception.  It's amazing how beautiful some old metal buckets, a sled, some skates and a pair of old skis can look like with a few white lights and some greenery and red bows. 

The inside Christmas decorations are mostly down but the outside decorations will likely remain up for a little while yet-until the weather outside is a little less frightful.

~Elizabeth

Happy New Year!

As you'll know from my Merry Christmas post I ran out of time to send Christmas greetings as well as a lot of other things.  I have many blog posts written in my head that all relate to my favorite time of year - Christmas!  But alas, not one of them have been written and posted. 

So as I sit here and cut up this year's Christmas cards into next year's gift tags (cause yes I do that), and drink the last of my Christmas cider in front of the tree, I realize I don't want this feeling to end.  I'm dreading taking down the decorations-I find everything so depressing those first few days after all the lights and decorations are put away.  So I've decided to try and make this feeling last a little longer.  My next few blog posts (and at my current rate that could be into April) are going to be dedicated to everything Christmas-all the stuff I wanted to share leading up to this amazing time of year. 

As we usher in 2014, I want to thank my readers for following along.  If I've entertained you even a little bit than I have succeeded.  (Any Anne of Green Gables fans out there?  You might recognize that line.  I just finished my Anne marathon which I watch every Christmas).

A special shout out to my best friend and sister Beckie who has delightfully started 2014 with a blog! So proud of her!  Check her out at Be Happy! 

 

Wishing everyone many blessings in 2014! 

~Elizabeth

Merry Christmas!

This is obviously a late post.  I honestly have no idea where December went.  As many of you will have noticed-I sent no Christmas cards this year.  For a few reasons-the biggest being I ran out of time.  But for the last few years I've been struggling with the fact of how much waste Christmas generates.  So consider this my first official electronic Christmas greeting which will include my traditional family updates along with a few pictures.

2013 seemed to be a busy year (as we can all relate) but here are the highlights:

Dean continues to keep busy on our beef farm.  Moose hunting season proved to be a success for him, after a few years absence.  He was excited to join a new gang and hunt in a new place.  He's already planning next year's hunt.  Deer season he was not so successful but we will not starve-with a freezer full of beef and moose meat as well as chickens that were raised on the farm this year by Dean and a neighbor. Dean finds great joy in sharing the farm with Dustin and Emma - he loves taking them in the tractor or the Ranger.

I returned to work in April after my year long maternity leave.  If you're a regular reader of my blog you know I love planning activities and events, including birthday parties for Emma and Dustin and our annual Advent activities which Emma really enjoyed this year.  I'm on the planning committee for our Community Winter Carnival which happens in January.  Beckie (sister) and I traveled down to Kingston for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts which was a highlight of the year for me.  We also enjoyed a trip to Nova Scotia for Easter which I think will become an annual tradition for us. Summer family vacation just involved a few days trips locally and Mom joined us for a visit at Thanksgiving which was wonderful.

Emma started school in September which is so hard to believe.  She turned 4 in October and keeps us entertained everyday.  She started step dancing lessons this year and is really enjoying them. Her loves right now are anything Hello Kitty and drawing/coloring/printing.   It's not unusual for the kitchen table to be covered in papers that she has been practicing her letters on or drawing pictures.  One of her Christmas presents was snowshoes so hopefully she'll get some use out of those this winter.

Dustin is our little ham.  He turned one in May and keeps us busy.  He loves being outside and it's hard for Dean to get out the door without him.  Dean just has to say the words "I'm going to feed the cows" and Dustin is getting his boots on.  He also loves coloring and drawing and his trucks and tractors.  He seems to have inherited a love of music and step dancing as well so it wouldn't surprise me if we see him on stage in a few years too.

We're hoping this finds all our friends and family healthy and happy.  We wish you all the best as we get ready to ring in 2014.

Much love from our home to yours.

~The Graham's

Advent Calendar

This time last year I was on maternity leave with Dustin.  I wanted to do something special with the kids to countdown the days until Christmas.  So after pinning many ideas I settled on an advent calendar filled with festive activities and special treats.  It was so much fun!

I mention that I was on maternity leave because that is how I had the time to do all these activities.  As I prepare to do the same thing this advent season I just can't help be slightly disappointed that I am now working 40 hours a week instead of having 40 hours a week to dedicate to Christmas crafts and activities.  I have a feeling this year's advent calendar is going to be scaled back significantly.  

Anyway, as I prepare for this year's advent calendar I had to go back and refresh my memory on all the things I did last year.  So here is it:

First the advent calendar. I bought an old wooden frame at a local thrift shop.  I wrapped cardboard with Christmas paper and strung twine across it.  Then I hung 24 squares using mini clothespins.  On the back I placed the activities of the day.  This is something I'll do differently this year.  I spent a lot of time planning the 24 activities but things would come up and I'd have to change things around.  This year I think I'll just plan a few days ahead.

Here was the 24 activities we did:

1.  Make hand print ornaments.

The original pin I found is not working anymore but if you search for salt dough Santa recipes there are many options. 

2.  Write a Letter to Santa

3.  Go to the "Old Time Fiddling Show"

4.  Make Cinnamon Ornaments
 Click here for the recipe I used. 

5.  Bake Christmas cookies

6.   Set-Up Nativity scenes

We set-up two Nativity scenes at Christmas.  One is the Fisher Price Little People one which I bought for Emma her second Christmas.  The other was handmade by my Aunt Margie. It has so much sentimental value for me as my mom has one identical to it.  I even had a friend build the barn which also matches what my mom has. 

7.  Do Hand/Footprint Crafts

8.  Collect items for the foodbank
9.  Watch a Christmas show with treats
10.  Make gingerbread houses (planned by local play group)
11.   Open special gift (Christmas books)
12.   Make special hot chocolate treat just for you

13.  Pick out Christmas tree

14.  Go to special Christmas brunch (planned by local play group)

15.  Decorate Christmas tree

16.  Help Mommy wrap gifts

17.  Drive around and look at Christmas lights

18.  Decorate Christmas candy trees

Love this idea of using waffle cones for decorating Christmas trees.  So much easier than gingerbread houses.

 

19.  Have a picnic in front of Christmas tree
20.  Make Christmas crafts
21.  Have dinner by candlelight
22.  Open special gift (new Christmas socks)
23.  Breakfast for dinner (special pancakes)

24.  Open One Gift (Christmas Eve Gift)
This was always a highlight for me when I was a child - getting to open a special gift on Christmas Eve.  I usually give the kids pajamas, a new book/toy and a special treat. 

 

I loved doing these 24 days of special activities with the kids.  Some days were easy-some days I cursed myself for starting it.  But the kids (especially Emma as Dustin was really too young to notice) I know really enjoyed it.  I've been thinking about all the activities for this year's advent and can't wait to get started (I better get on that...December 1st is on Sunday!).

~Elizabeth