glee and other goodies and why I'm blogging mid-morning

Have you seen Glee? (The show, not the gum below.) We are big fans, and I understand that the next episode won't air until April. This doesn't look promising for the show's future. Definitely watch if you have the chance - it's hilarious, clever, and did I mention hilarious?
Have you seen Glee? (The gum, not the show.) We are not gum people (it drives Adam crazy if I chew gum near him, so I try not to), but sometimes I like to have something more than a mint handy in my purse when needed. But I don't go for sugar-free gums with aspartame and other artificial sweeteners, so I was pleased to find this gum at Yarmouth Natural last week. It's tasty, but the flavour doesn't last nearly as long as 'regular' gums. Good for freshening breath in a hurry, though, which is what I was looking for. And really, with packaging like that, who cares what it tastes like?
I ordered some soaps (I know - the last thing I need is soap, but I love it!) from fantastic Amber. I blogged about them over here. Mmmm!
And this is one of our two Advent calendars (and by far Phillip's favourite). I bought it last year at Chapters after Christmas, for maybe $10. It's made of wood, and I love that it's reusable and should be with us through lots of Christmases to come. Adam discovered that Laura Secord milk chocolates wrapped like little presents fit perfectly in each door.

Lastly, I'm home from work this week, since my blood pressure was up yesterday at my prenatal appointment. I have all of my Christmas soap orders done, gifts purchased and wrapped, and now that work's done, it is my full-time job to relax. I go back in a couple of weeks for a follow-up, and I'm keeping track of my pressure here at home. Happy relaxing to me!

forced quince and Christmas menu planning

This picture doesn't exactly scream Christmas, does it? I took it yesterday. For the past few years, I've brought in some quince branches to force, and much to my delight, they never fail to bloom. In a gorgeous pale pink, rather the usual orange-y red colour. Really, this couldn't be any easier - choose a blooming shrub or tree, snip a branch or two, and plunk it into a vessel with some water. I usually snip a little bit into the end of the branch where I've made the cut, so it's able to absorb more water. Wait awhile, and see what happens!

I had a lovely weekend, doing nothing in particular, but getting lots done, and having lots of time with the boy. I think all of my pre-Christmas soaping and wrapping and packing is done! Phew! It always takes longer than I plan on. I've been thinking about Christmas food since I woke up with that bee in my bonnet yesterday. I just borrowed Nigella's Christmas from the library, and it's fantastic. She seems to be popping up everywhere in my travels lately, and I think she's delightful. If we had a TV, I would be in serious trouble with the Food Network. Anyway, we won't have any guests until after Christmas day, and we will be having a turkey dinner at my Mom and Dad's. Also, I'm still turkeyed out from our Thanksgiving (and ours was in October - we had a big turkey!) so I don't think I'll roast a whole one. But I think a roulade would be fun to try. This one looks amazing (you can't go wrong with bacon), but some guests can't eat mushrooms, so I'll need to find an alternate stuffing recipe. But maybe Nigella's ham would be perfect? (I think I could eat ham every single day. Salt and fat with a little bit of meat thrown in? Yum.) I'll keep pondering - the planning is the most fun. For one dessert, I think I'm going to make this, or something very similar. (Just so that I don't eat the whole thing. Because I'm sure that Son #2 and I could.)

Do you have any fantastic Christmas recipes I should try? Please share! Happy Monday!

victorian trading co.

I received a catalogue in the mail recently for the Victorian Trading Co. Along with some (okay, primarily) decidedly strange items which aren't to my taste, there are a few things that I really, really like. Like the cast iron match striker pictured above. And this trundle bed - a bit pricey (and I can't imagine how much shipping would be!) - but isn't it great?

tinder.ca

Tinder.ca is a fantastic new online shop with an assortment of "general household & sundry goods for urban & rural dwelling". This assortment happens to include a couple of my soaps! Along with some fantastic hot water bottle covers that I love , as well as these beautiful beeswax candles (I love burning pure beeswax candles, especially in the kitchen) and these sweet pixie boots! Have a peek - isn't the splash page picture (above) fantastic? I loooove it.

Have a great weekend!