Seasonal Treats

Son K brought these seasonal treats from his workplace recently, it's fun everywhere at this time of year!  I am happy to say I got some Christmas shopping done yesterday and have started on my Christmas cards.  After doing cards for so many years what's happening now is that my friends' kids have moved out in some cases and it's difficult to decide what to put on their family cards.  Some of the kids are even living with partners.  A couple of people have changed addresses and haven't bothered to let people exactly know what their new addresses are.  I buy one international stamp for $2.50 every year to send to an aunt living abroad.  Of course, I lost it and had to buy another one.  It may show up at some point.  It was the tiniest stamp too.

An Unhappy Coincidence

Display at the Mall

Our newspaper delivery man left us a card one morning. It said he would be on vacation soon. We usually leave him a small tip in his card every year, so I was sure to put it out early enough so he could receive it in time!

Within the past week or so, in an unhappy coincidence, my mom fell out of her bed one morning, and so did husband M's mom at their separate residences. It might be time for them to get bed rails, or use them if they already have them. Fortunately, they were both okay.

Sunday Sketches - Tall Grasses

Welcome to Alexandra's Sunday Sketches. This piece features 'Tall Grasses' in the fall, because I like the look of them with the colourful trees acting as a contrast in the background. It's done in my art journal (8 1/2" x 11") in watercolour pencil.

Thoughts now turn to the Christmas season as it is upon us! 

Seasonal Decoration

I thought this was a cute decoration at the doors of the shopping mall.

So have you watched the Disney movie Frozen?  They have started running it on regular TV now.  I absolutely love the ending!

My mom is having fluid retention issues due to her congestive heart failure condition.  Every few years she has these episodes where her ankles become swollen and she can gain 5 pounds within only a few days. She becomes very short of breath.  She tells me she is not tired, just out of breath.  I keep records of these occurrences and the doses of the water pill she takes.  The pills really help her but the body can develop a tolerance for this medicine.  The pharmacist was really helpful and faxed a requisition to our family doctor asking for refills we can use 'as needed'.  So I have a plan in place and my fingers crossed that she can weather this episode!  She lives with my sister and her family who are now ready and anxiously waiting for her to move into long term care as she needs a lot of assistance day to day.

Paint Party Friday - Cleanup Time

Welcome to Paint Party Friday, hosted as always by Kristin and Eva.  The leaves were all over the ground everywhere a few weeks ago, it was time to get them all cleaned up.This piece was done in my art journal (8 1/2" x 11") in watercolour pencil.

Santa Clause Parade

Well Toronto had its 112th Santa Clause Parade this past Sunday, it was appropriately very cold with snow flurries. It was nice to see some of the parade on tv (yes, all warm at home) and hear the Christmas songs being sung by live artists. I love to see the little ones all bundled up, excited to see Santa at the very end!

So the season is well underway! In fact, I've already received my first Christmas card, pictured above. The bauble had to be pasted back on as it detached in the mail. Husband M and I are already invited to a party in early December.

Do you mail Christmas cards to friends and relatives?  I do.

Poached Salmon

This healthy meal was inspired by Jan of The Low Carb Diabetic. She recently posted about a healthy salmon and broccoli bowl and it made me decide to try a poached salmon. Mine was done with white wine, water, tarragon, onions, lemon juice, a generous amount of salt and pepper. It is simple to make, just bring ingredients to a boil and simmer covered for about 10 minutes depending on the amount of salmon fillets. I ate it with blanched vegetables.