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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

All Grown Up...

21 Years ago today I became a big sister. And because I was 5 at the time I remember everything so well. I remember my moms belly getting bigger as the day got closer - she used to keep the remote on top of her belly while she watched tv, hehe. I remember my dad taking me to the hospital to meet my baby brother, he apparently was a big baby but he seemed so small to me at the time - like a doll. I had visions of dressing him up in my doll clothes, but I think he grew too fast and was never able to fit (I know, lucky for him).

Today he is much bigger (6'7" almost), and much older. He is more than halfway through university and dreaming about the perfect path to choose once he is done. I am so proud of him, and I am happy that we are close. Sometimes we call each other just to chat, catch-up and plan Christmas gifts!
He was an important part of our wedding day as he led the reception as a very confident MC. I am so happy, and feel so lucky to have him in my life. And I hope that he enjoys a very special birthday!

Happy Birthday Tim! All the best!

And just a quick reminder, today is the last day to enter the November giveaway. A winner will be chosen tomorrow, at the beginning of the Christmas Cookie Countdown!
xox

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Christmas Favourite: Story

I don't remember the year I received this book, but I was fairly small. And it became a tradition in our family to read it at Christmas time. When I was small my mom or dad couldn't read through the whole story in one sitting because I would fall asleep. And even though I knew the story I would love to hear it again year after year. It is a beautiful story about a small girl (Ivy) from an orphanage who ends up in a small British Town admiring a beautiful doll (Holly) in a toy store window. The story is well written, and the illustrations take you back to a simpler Christmas time.
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Now I still find myself thinking about the story when the Christmas Season gets near and waiting excitedly to flip through the beautifully illustrated pages and well written story. I hope I can continue this tradition in the future with a little one of my own.

Do you have a favourite holiday story?
xox

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Get yourself an Early Christmas Present!

One of my lovely sponsors has offered up an item for one lucky Newfoundlander at Heart reader!

Karen from Hodgepodge Arty is giving you the chance to win one pair of her button earrings, winners choice of print.
And I thought I would sweeten the deal a little bit by offering one pair of my boot beanies, also your choice of fabric. Little beanie bags that you can insert into boots or mitts, they absorb water and help to dry out your soggy winter accessories, and then you dry them and reuse them!

So I bet you're wondering how you can win:

Mandatory:
Visit Hodgepodge Arty Shop and tell me which earrings you would choose if you won!

Additional entries (please leave an additional comment for each):
- Follow me via GFC
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow Karen via Twitter
- Heart Karen's shop

You have until Wednesday November 30th 11:59pm EST to enter. A winner will be drawn using random.org on December 1st.

Good Luck!
xox


Friday, November 25, 2011

November Lovlies!

This month I chose to do something a little different. I asked my sponsors what their favourite thing is about the holidays. I got some pretty good responses too. Take a look at these lovely ladies and make sure to spread some holiday cheer in their direction!

My favorite thing about the holidays is being able to spend lots of quality time with the family and seeing my daughter's excitement for Christmas grow the closer it gets!
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Chrissy is offering a coupon code for your holiday shopping needs: 20% off with NOV20.

Favorite thing about the holidays...it's hard because there are so many to choose from!  But, one of them is decorating a gingerbread house.  My husband and I started this tradition a few years ago and look forward to it every year. 
On a Friday night early in December, we set out bowls of candy, order take-out, stream Christmas movies and get to work decorating.  We work on it for hours!  It stays out all month for us to enjoy, usually somewhere around the Christmas tree.
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I love family time! And really love to eat eat eat the food! :D
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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Christmas Favourite: Carol

This was a difficult choice for me, I love Christmas Carols! And choosing just one was a bit of a challenge. But there is one that I could listen to on repeat, in fact I have a cd that I made with about 17 different versions of "O Holy Night" (*blush). The one below is by Nat King Cole, who has such a rich voice it is perfect for traditional sounding Christmas Carols!

Enjoy :)




Isn't it great? It's a little funny to choose this one as a favourite Christmas Carol, because there are many others that talk about more Christmasy things, but I just like to listen to this one, it's calming :)

What's your favourite Christmas Carol?
xox

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

My Rollercoaster Day

Today a wonderful thing happened, and I'm not going to share just yet, but I wanted to let you know how excited I am. Part of my day wasn't so great, somebody said something to me and it made me feel really bad - like I wanted to throw something through a window kind of bad. And then I got some good news, followed by an afternoon painting with a friend (go spread some blog love, she's a little stressed too and I know she could use it!).

I love it when a bad day quickly turns out to be great! So here's hoping your day went splendidly well, and if someone said something mean to you then just smile and know that I adore you! That person isn't worth the time you are spending feeling upset. I'll be back tomorrow to share another Christmas Favourite! See you then. :)

xox

Monday, November 21, 2011

Calling all December Sponsors!

Looking for a great place to hang out in December? Join the Newfoundlander at Heart sponsors!
During December I have a great feature going on (here), that is likely to draw some new traffic to the blog and I will be directing them to my sponsors regularly. I will also be having a great giveaway that is related to the feature and will help out the winner with that last minute holiday baking. There will be a few other fun things going on during the holiday month and if you would like to be a part of it all please e-mail me, or click here for more info!

I hope to spend the holidays with you! And Gunner would love it too :)
xox

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Christmas Favourite: Treat

Sorry I didn't make it by yesterday, I was working at the store and I was totally wiped by the time I got home. I'm popping in this morning to share another Christmas favourite, this time my favourite treat:


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You guessed it! My favourite Christmas treat is fudge. Every year for many many years now my mom has made numerous Christmas treats, one of them being fudge. I remember years ago, a friend of mine who was so accustomed to the Christmas fudge that she went straight to the snowmen tins to see if there was any available. And even though I haven't lived there for almost eight years I still expect some fudge every time I go home for Christmas. This year I will be sure to sample some fudge when we visit for Christmas, but I will also be posting a fudge recipe on my blog during the Christmas Cookie Countdown. I don't know what day exactly, but it will be there! I'm so excited I can't wait!

What is your favourite treat during the holidays? Do you usually make it yourself? I hope you are having a lovely Sunday, and it is much less gloomy out there than it is here!
xox

Friday, November 18, 2011

It's beginning to look a lot...

Like Christmas? A little early, I know. But look what I woke up to:
 
Snow sparkling in the sunshine! So lovely:) What a great way to start the day, and on that note, thank you everyone for your kind words yesterday - I truly appreciate it! It was nice to know that I'm not alone when I'm feeling down. And yesterday got better as it progressed and I managed to finish a project for my shop, and bake these delicious treats to go with the ribs:
 
I decided to show you the magazine photo cause it was dark and there were many buns missing when I took my photos. They were delicious. If anyone is interested I can share the recipe! And it made two sets of buns, so there is a second one in the freezer waiting for another tasty dish to pair with. Today was a much better start to the day, and I'm hoping Gunner and I can get outside and get some fresh air.

In fact I have a little post today over on the 7 Day Push Blog about just that, you should go check it out and get inspired to get outside!

Thanks again, it's wonderful to know I have such lovely readers!
xox

Thursday, November 17, 2011

One Day at a Time

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Yesterday I was feeling very down, I had a list a mile long that I had written (in my head), that I needed to get accomplished that day and in the following few days. I didn't get a good sleep the night before, and desperately needed to go back to bed after Reggie left for work. And when I woke, I didn't feel any better. So my to do list? Got pushed to the back burner while I tried to get myself in gear to at least tidy up the house and have a shower! And by the end of the day, after supper, I realized just how little I had accomplished and felt even worse.

So this morning when I woke I decided not to make a long list, and to just do what I felt up to as the day progressed. And I decided I was only going to worry about today, taking one day at a time. So far it has been good. I caught up on some e-mails, got some pork ribs in the slow cooker for supper, I just put on a Christmas movie, I'm about to make some cookies and perhaps work on a few items for my shop, and then a little later I think Gunner and I will go for a walk and get some fresh air. So far today has been a good day, and I'm going to try to keep it going tomorrow!
 
xox

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Christmas Favourite: Song

Alright, so here is another favourite of mine. My favourite Christmas song, I heard for the first time watching the Chirstmas movie Elf. I liked it a lot and I was always singing it :). Now to me a song is different from a Carol, so I will be sure to share that also! But here is my favourite song:




This version is Zooey Deschanel (who sang it in the movie), with Leon Redbone. And I love it! And I love the cozy fireplace in this YouTube version of the song, makes you want to stay in when it's cold outside :)
xox

Monday, November 14, 2011

Fabric Sample

So a while back on Spoonflower they were giving away a free sample in a pattern of your choosing. I found out about the giveaway about 10 minutes before it closed, but I managed to find one I liked and I checked out just in time! I think it might have gotten lost in the mail, but it made it here eventually, and now I just need to figure out what to make with it :)
It's a pretty cute little scene as is, so I think I'll keep it all together. I was thinking a small pillow, but that might be a little plain. If you have any ideas please let me know!

xox

RevolutionizeHer

Today is a very exciting day! Today is the launch of a new website where a group of women will share the ups and downs of self-employment.And do you want to hear something exciting? I am a part of this group of women! No I am not totally self-employed but I am trying to wade my way into the world of self-employment to supplement what we already have in our little household. And I couldn't be more thrilled about this opportunity. Not only am I meeting great women who have already gone through many of the troubles I am just beginning to encounter, but now I have a community where I can share all my thoughts and feelings, and I will always know that I am not alone! I am very excited for this journey to begin, and I hope you will take a wander over to the RevolutionizeHer website to see what it is all about and who else is involved - just click the button below!

Photobucket
xox

Sunday, November 13, 2011

November?

Gunner and I have been able to enjoy the warmer weather recently, and looking back on our photos I kinda wonder is this really November?
 Gunner bathing in the sun on a warm afternoon, and check out that yard that I raked!!!
 Mommy, can we please go for a walk? It's sooo nice out!
 Gunner and his new friend Pi. She gave him a run for his money, and he loved it!
So although it has been a little warmer (some days), and quite sunny (some days), I know that winter is lurking just around a corner. But I think at this point I'm ready for it! Bring on the white stuff! Sorry to all you non-winter enthusiasts. I mean with all the holiday talk recently you had to know I was gearing up for it. :)

I hope you're having a lovely weekend, it's a little grey here today, but I'm sure we will get outside and enjoy the not yet frosty weather once again!
xox

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Christmas Favourite: Movie

So I actually have two favourite Christmas movies, and I thought I would share a clip from each. My first favourite movie I believe someone bought for my brother and I one year. And it is my favourite version of A Christmas Carol, the think the muppets just make it so much happier than the other versions. I actually own the album, and usually listen to it a few hundred times during the holidays :)






The Muppet Christmas Carol - 1992

The next movie, was also gifted at Christmas time, and I remember watching it with my parents, grandparents and little brother one Christmas morning, years ago. I know it is a remake of a much earlier version, but this is the one I remember and I've always loved it. I recently bought it on dvd so I could continue to watch it every year!





Miracle on 34th Street - 1994

I have to say that I like pretty much any Christmas movie but these two have always been favourites of mine. I hope you enjoyed the first part of this series, and perhaps even found a new Christmas favourite of your own?

I'm still open to some help with the Christmas Cookie Countdown, if you are interested please e-mail me, and you can click the button to the right for more info :)
xox

Friday, November 11, 2011

Poppy Day

Here in Canada today is Remembrance  Day, when we wear a poppy and pause at 11am and have a quiet moment to think of all the men and women in our Canadian Armed Forces that have fought for our freedom in the past and present. So I would like to say thank you to all of those people who fought in the past, and those who continue to make up our Armed Forces today. And I want to say a special thank you to a few men who I know very well:

This is a photo of my great uncles Don and Herb, and my grandfather, George. Two of them were in the Canadian Air Force and one in the Canadian Army. These men, among many others in my family served in the armed forces, during at least one war. It makes me so proud that I have so many family members who took part to create the safe and free country we know today. So thank you! Unfortunately my uncle Don is the only one of the brothers who is still here, and I was so happy that he was recently able to make the trip to celebrate our wedding, and say grace before our dinner. Thanks uncle Don! Miss you uncle Herb and Grandpa! I'm certainly thinking about you today.
xox







p.s. I might have written this post through a few tears. Sometimes this day can be very moving!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Christmas Favourites: A Series

So I thought I would share some of my Holiday favourites, from music to movies to stories and treats. It's my favourite time of year, and because the month of December is going to be pretty full with delicious recipes I thought I would share the things I most look forward to before December. And that way if you are interested in investigating them then you have time to do so before Christmas is upon us. So look forward to these posts once or twice a week for the next few weeks :)

xox

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Goodnight Garden

So it is finally that time of the year when it is too cold at night to hope that anything will survive. I managed recently to clean up my front garden and plant some spring bulbs, and after raking a total of 35 bags of leaves there are still more to deal with - but a much more manageable amount! I took some time to transplant a couple things for the winter, and they will live inside for the winter with the house plants.
 
 
My poor little begonia needed a bigger pot, and the Rosemary was getting tired of all the frost. Well gardens I'm sad to say it's time for bed. Have a good sleep and we will see you sometime in March/April 2012!
xox

Monday, November 7, 2011

Crafting

Some of the crafts I do are rather time consuming, and rug-hooking is no exception. You have to fill almost every little hole in the burlap with a loop of yarn, and depending on the size of your rug it can take a long time (see some of my larger ones here). So I'm working on smaller rugs, and they go fairly quickly when I actually sit down and work on them.
So today, I'm going to take some time to work on these little rugs before I head down to Toronto to visit a friend! I think it's going to be a good day :)
xox

Friday, November 4, 2011

Drumroll Please...

Alright so perhaps a drumroll isn't exactly in order, but I have some exciting news. I am planning a little event for the month of December, and I would love for whoever is interested to be a part of it. And I bet you're wondering what this little event might be!


 

<a href="http://newfoundlanderatheart.blogspot.com" target="_blank">
<img src="http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/NewfoundlanderatHeart/December/CookieCountdown520x354.jpg" border="0" alt="Christmas Cookie Countdown"/></a>



Well if that doesn't explain it, then let me go a little deeper. Every day from December 1st until December 25th I am going to be posting a cookie recipe here on my blog. And I've decided, much to Reggie's dismay, that 25 batches of cookies in this house is just not a good idea. So, I am looking to you, my lovely readers, to help me out! Do you like cookies? Do you like Christmas, and Christmas baking? Do you have a favourite holiday cookie recipe?  Or even just a favourite cookie recipe? If so, I would love for you to spread some holiday cheer and help me out by sharing one of your cookie recipes here on Newfoundlander at Heart. If you are interested in joining in the fun, you can leave a comment below with your e-mail, or you can e-mail me directly. And if you would like to spread the word then feel free to copy the html code above (below the photo) into a blog post!

Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you! :)
xox