Earthquake

We were shaken awake about 9 minutes ago. We couldn't figure out what it was, after checking we found out there was an earthquake up in Canada. It took about 3 minutes to get to us and it wasn't like the earth quakes we felt in California. In California the earthquakes felt like swaying or rocking. This was hard, shaking.
Scared the... Stuff out of me. I don't think I'll be sleeping for a while.

Monday Motivation the last Monday of 2015!

How is that even possible? This year has flown by!

This week I'm working on some goals for 2016, I've got a cost per dozen eggs coming up, and maybe that's it. We'll see.

Yesterday my vacuum bit the big one. I was not happy even though I hated that thing! A bit of research later, Scribs is going to scoop on up after work today. I'm hoping the new one will do a better job than the last.

I need to work on some kind of toy storage solution, the kid's have WAY too much and no where to put everything. Tough life, I know.

We have no rain projected for the next 10 days and the sun might even come out! I can't wait to get the kids outside!

What's your plan for the week?

Merry Christmas from Scribs farm!

I can't believe it's Christmas already! Yesterday for a shiny, glorious moment it snowed!
The kids are exciting and full of sugar. They're bouncy off the walls. Ellie (Our elf on a shelf) has gone home to the North Pole until next year, not without a big send-off.

why so sad, snowman?

It's funny how having kids changes everything, I was never big into Christmas after the age of about 12. Christmas music was a torture device and the whole charade seemed... well, a bit silly. And then came the babies, and everything changed. I want them to have great family memories, not just of opening present but of doing things together. Putting up the tree, baking cookies (followed up eating way too much frosting and running around yelling "We're full of sugar"), going to see Santa and taking a drive in the dark to see the lights. We've been listen to Christmas music for weeks and surprisingly I don't want to smash my face through a wall. Things change. The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear. And dancing around like an idiot!

LED lights are the best!

My favorite tradition that we've started with A is picking out a toy that he would like to have and donating it to Toys for Tots. I'm endlessly proud when he says "Mom, look at that cool toy. We should donate it!" He's 4, he certainly doesn't understand the how and why. He just thinks that some kids could use more toys and he wants to give them! I'm hoping they'll be ready to let go of the toys they no longer play with, they aren't there yet.

The tree skirt doubles as a cape!

We're also decided that having huge meal for Christmas isn't us. We're having snacks and cold appetizers all day with a few hot ones for dinner. I certainly don't want to spend the day in the kitchen. Maybe when the kids are older and want to hang out in their rooms, we'll do something. For now, with just the 4 of us this works best. I bought some cheese last week that I'm dying to eat. Every time I open the fridge it's screaming "EAT ME!"

One of these things is not like the others. I made 3 of the 4 stockings.

At this time of year, I can't help but think of how blessed we are and I am so overwhelmingly grateful for everything we have in life. My heart is full. I'm a sap I know, but it's true.

I hope your Christmas (or whatever you choose to celebrate) is full of joy and magic. And if that's not your thing, I hope you get to do whatever makes you happy and have a great relaxing day.

Christmas Traditions - Fruit Cake, yay or nay?

There are few things that make me feel like it's Christmas like food. Every year as a kid we'd have the staples - Sugar Cookies, butter tarts, chocolates wrapped in colorful foil, candy canes and fruit cake. Fruit cake is right up there with Egg Nog, you either love it or hate it with no middle ground.  I like it in small doses. One slice a year and I'm set. I haven't had any in at least 7 years, probably more.

My Nana and Poppa made the fruit cakes in our family. Their secret family recipe has been highly requested by those outside the limited few with a copy. No one has made the recipe in many years and I've decided to carry on the tradition.

This year was the first year I attempted to bake this beast. It was an expensive feat! I had very little idea how much work was involved! 1 recipe makes a lot, it would barely fit into my giant stand mixer bowl. There is a lot of chopping and mixing involved, definitely a work out! Baking seem to take forever. I really wasn't sure when it was done, so I guessed and it seemed to be right. I think I texted my mum about 30 times during the whole process.

So if I'm not a huge fan of fruit cake, why make it? Nostalgia? Maybe. Mostly it makes me sad to think that the fruit cake tradition wouldn't continue.

The smell brings me right back to being little and the excitement of Christmas. My first bite was exactly as I remember. Exactly!
I'll be taking some over to the neighbors, one recipe makes about 5 cakes. 5! I've wrapped it very simply in waxed paper and twine. I don't think everything has to be fanky-smancy. Simple is usually best. I certainly won't be offended if they don't like fruit cake.
I think my fruit cake would make my Nana and Poppa proud. And hungry.

And right now, it's snowing.

What are you favorite Christmas Traditions?

Day tripping to grouse mountain

This weekend we took the kids up to Grouse Mountain. They, nay, we had a great time. We strolled around in the snow. The kids had never played in snow until this week. They were bundled and light-up booted. They ran and fell, threw snowballs and ate snow. We had lunch, A. told The Big Guy what he'd like for Christmas, Naturebaby watched the reindeer.

To get to the top of the mountain there's a sky-train. The ride was nice, took about 10 minutes and the operator pointed out peaks, and wild life below. Whoo boy it's nice. Get ready for pictures of trees and snow.

It was a few degrees above freezing, snow was melting off the trees like rain that sparkled in the sun, it was magical. 

Want to test your aim? Take a toss! 

We went hiking, the kids climbed and rolled around. All they wanted to do was eat snow and throw snow balls. 

Snow slides!

Prancer and Dancer were hanging out outside Santa's workshop. 

Views of mountains from the top of mountains. Delightful! It was so pretty, not at all busy and most important the kids had a great time. The kids would have been happy just to have played in the snow. This may not become and annual event but it's worth doing if you're in the area.

Monday Motivation

last year's tree

We had a great weekend, we took a day trip coming up next and this week a certain little boy turns 4.

This week I'm starting my Christmas baking with the kids. Today I'm making Fruit Cake, it's a secret family recipe (obviously I won't be sharing it). This is an annual tradition that I'll be starting. I don't think anyone has made this recipe in years, at least since my Nana was sick. I bringing it back in full swing. I'm waiting for a few hard-to-find ingredients to be delivered.

I'm also baking sugar cookies, using Martha Stewart's recipe. The kids and I will decorate later this week or next week. Then we will watch elf and run around yelling "We're full of sugar!"

I'm bring back the Christmas Crack too. You should probably make it too.

We also need to get and decorate a tree.

What are your favorite holiday recipes?

Photo Friday

I know,  it's been a while since I did a photo Friday. Truth is I haven't really found too much that I've been interested in or had the energy to photograph. So it goes.

A few weeks ago, during the full moon in November we have a great sunset with a giant moon rising over the mountains.

This weekend we're headed up North to Santa's village. It's been a rough few weeks and I'm glad to get out of the house and have a distraction that isn't work. I know that kids will have a great time. I'm looking forward to having some Tim's and getting outside. Especially outside that isn't covered in dirt.

Can you believe that Christmas is right around the corner?