Thanks!! I'm Back...


I'm back!  ..and to say I'm 'feeling fabulous' would be an overstatement, but I'm much better than I was two weeks ago.  Yowsa!  Thank you for the nice notes and comments.  They really helped.

This lovely winter wonderland is what we woke up to this morning. 


Even the girls were surprised.  
Yes, I know, Poppy turned out to be a boy.
But in my heart, they will always be 'my girls'.  
I just pretend not to see the rather boorish incidents that occur around the water cooler.


 it was a beautiful day. 

Countdown to...Emergency


This last week has been crazy.  Like many of you, it's all about baking..


Baking in my adorable new apron, that is...
I dare say, I`d wear this over my jeans in the summer.


Baking with my girl, who eats more of the icing than she applies...


No, I'm not outside, I'm inside.
 This week also included a lot of glittering...


Ugly old candlesticks are now sparkly and new...


My girls very first Christmas play.  She's the first one on the left.


This meant..you guessed it, more baking. 
School pressure - anyone know what I`m talking about here!
And this is pre-school.


Also, trying to be the perfect festive mom.  Decorating, crafting, gingerbread houses, shopping, festive light tours, train rides..


But how can we not do these things.  This is what it`s all about.


On top of all that, a lot of styling jobs, multiple 3am jam making nights, deliveries and shipments, holiday luncheon parties, craft fairs, and of course, more baking.   
By tuesday morning, I couldn't breathe. 
Off to the emergency.
I have pneumonia, bronchitis, and I tore the muscles between my ribs from coughing.
I guess that would be my wall.  It`s taller than I thought it would be.  I hit it hard.
Super mom/super career gal fails.
But the drugs are swell.  Now, I can fly.

An Early Gift...


Yesterday, while she was in school, I shopped.
I shopped for pink mats, pink towels.
A pretty hairbrush, some Evian misting spray...


Clippies for her hair, puffs to wipe her cheeks...


And now, she has her very own bathroom.
The guests and daddy are now banned from this space.  It's hers.
All hers.  Yes, she is three.  I may have gone overboard.
But the utter joy on her face..the happiness and pride of having her own place. 
The....well, perhaps excessive hair brushing, use of lotions, lipsticks and mists...they make my heart melt.


Bath time is a breeze now.  She can't wait.
I'm sure this will pass, I'm no fool.


I designed this bathroom for her two years ago. 


And, though I took out most of the bits - you know, the bits you put in so guests say,
"Sweet Mother of Pearl, this is fabulous, she thought of everything!!!!"
I left some of my favourite bits.
Oh, and this isn't the red project.  It's the spontaneous pink one.

Homemade Vanilla...


I don't know about you, but I love vanilla. 
Let's make some... 


Split 3-6 beans in half.
I did five.


Mason jars..


Split beans in mason jars...


Fill jar with vodka.
Now, I know some of you may have trouble parting with your vodka - after all, it 'tis the holidays.
But there is always rum, so just get over it.


And, if you need any more convincing to part with your vodka, look at the happy gift idea you can do with your homemade vanilla. 
Ahh, now I have your attention!
The vanilla needs to sit for about two months, and then, when it starts to run low, you just top it up with more vodka.
I'm keeping this one - so don't expect to see it under your tree.

Red...


There is a lot of red in my life lately. 


Not just because of the season.
Though, that is definitely contributing to the scene.



I've been working on a very large project here at the house.
And I'm down to the final touches.
Red touches.


My sweet little holiday assistant 'Pip' is back too.
He's really the best mother's aid over the holidays.
Little dude wields a mighty power!

The Festive Nest ladies are holding a second sale in the country barn this weekend.
For those who maybe missed out, or need to buy more, it's the 4th and 5th of December
10am - 3pm

632 192nd Street (off 8th Ave), South Surrey
I believe they have made new items!