12 Days of Christmas Ornament Countdown – Day 8

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This handsome man is pretty special to us. He comes to our tree straight from the Rebecca Cohn auditorium, where we have watched The Nutcracker, by Symphony Nova Scotia, many times. My mother-in-law, Carol, started taking my daughters to see the Nutcracker when they were small and it became a Christmas tradition. The Nutcracker is a wonderful story about a toy nutcracker who comes to life, to save a little girl from the ferocious Mouse King, in an enchanted kingdom. The enchanting music, by Tchaikovsky, and the ballet dancing, and the giant puppets, always put me in the mood for Christmas.

Symphony Nova Scotia, Halifax Dance and Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia put on a wonderful performance of The Nutcracker, every year. If you haven’t been and you’re from Halifax, you simply must go!

12 Days of Christmas Ornament Countdown – Day 7

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Poor Bashful. He’s all we have left from a beautiful Snow White ornament collection, my mother-in-law gave us, when my girls were very small. They were all broken, one at a time, when we tried to let the girls place them on the tree, themselves. This serves as a warning for all of you, who have precious ornaments, and let your young ones decorate with you. Put those glass ornaments high up, even if they are themed for the children!

 

I would love to replace these some day and add to my collection. It’s funny that, as a huge Disney fan, he’s the only Disney ornament I have! Do you have any character ornaments on your tree from a movie or theme? I’m pretty sure there has to be some star wars or lord of the rings ornaments out there somewhere!

 

The 12 Days of Christmas Ornament Countdown – Days 5 & 6

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Yuppers, I failed my own ornament countdown. Just too busy at this time of year. So, today you get two ornaments at once! You’ve done that with your advent calendar too haven’t you?!? Secretly it’s kind of twice the pleasure to eat two chocolates at once, rather than spread them apart. You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.

Today I’m sharing one of the amazing and unique snowflakes my Great Aunt Barb made for me. This crochet ornament is only one of many completely different snowflakes on my tree. I love them all, especially, because they came from family.

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The 12 Days of Christmas Ornament Countdown – Day 4

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Day 5 is all about showcasing local art. This beautiful Three Kings leather ornament comes from a 12 days of Christmas collection by Judith Brannen. It is one of my most treasured ornaments because Judy is a close friend of the family and like a second mother to me. I think of her fondly every time I look at the ornament and put out my 12 days of Christmas ornament book.

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You can check out Judy’s art at Laughleton Gallery in West Chezzetcook or at the MacDonald House, at Lawrencetown Beach, NS. Also at the MacDonald House is the Fancy Lucky Vintage run by Judy’s daughter Amy. Fancy Lucky has the most fabulous vintage clothing, accessories and local art/jewelery/soap! Do you have a favourite local artist or shop?

The 12 Days of Christmas Ornament Countdown – Day 3

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A few years ago we started collecting ornaments with an Atlantic Canadian theme. My dad has a really cute lobster and we got this beautiful mermaid for our own tree. She’s made of glass and is very breakable. I would normally not consider this type of ornament, but now that my kids are getting bigger I’m hoping I can keep her whole for a while!

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Do you have any breakable ornaments on your tree? Do you let your children put them up?

My Favourite Photos from We Day Atlantic Canada!

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Nothing my daughter could have told me about We Day last year, could have prepared me for the sights and emotions, of actually being at the event. I have to send a big THANK-YOU to Telus, for being a sponsor of We Day, and sending me there to share in the event. You just can’t explain to someone who hasn’t been there, how inspiring the speakers were, or how much energy there was in the crowd. How do you explain the feeling of positivity and happiness, that simply radiated from the building? We Day has inspired our youth to build schools in Africa, help with breakfast clubs in Canada, and ask for donations for their special events, to buy goats for families in need! We Day is so wonderful because it not only inspires, but teaches us how to get started with volunteering. I hope it continues to come to Atlantic Canada, and new students get to go, every year. If this event continues to inspire and powerfully impact our youth, I know there will be changes, for the better, in our world.

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If you want to start working to make change in the world, download the We365 app and go to the Take Action website! Our family is planning some great fundraisers in the new year. I can’t wait to share them with you and hear all about the ways you have been inspired to help others! Remember, it only takes one person to make a difference and it can happen here in your own city! There are people all over the world who need help and kindness!

The 12 Days of Christmas Ornament Countdown – Day 2

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Day 2 is all about me! This is one of my baby ornaments, which my parents gave me years ago, so I could put it on my own tree. I love having my own ornaments to put on the tree. Tree decorating is not just for the kids! We make it a family affair in this house. The tree is always a mixture of ornament types and colours, but it’s perfect to me!

I just realized I totally gave away my age with this one! I would love it if you shared your special ornaments, too, in the comments below!

The 12 Days of Christmas Ornament Countdown – Day 1

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Our family loves Christmas. It’s a wonderful time of year, where people give more to each other than every before. They give to the food bank, toys for children and spend more time with their family. I’m sure there are many things you can say that are negative about Christmas, such as consumerism and lack of the true meaning of Christmas, but I feel that the good out ways the bad by a long shot. This year I would like to focus on my memories of Christmas, through an ornament countdown until Christmas eve.

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For Day 1 I’ve shared the oldest ornament in my collection. He’s an adorable bunny my grandmother Phyllis gave me, from her own ornament collection. Every year I think of her when I look at Mr Bunny. I just realized he doesn’t have a name and kind of looks like he should. Any ideas? I don’t know how old he actually is, but that fur on his tail is real!

Camp and Cabin Onesies for Mom! #Giveaway

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Pajamas are probably one of the most popular gifts, of the Christmas season. As soon as the cold weather rolls in, everyone in the family wants to get cozy and warm. My family is no exception and my children have received their share of cute flannel pj’s and onesies! Every year when my kids receive cozy pj’s, I’m always secretly wishing I would receive some in my size!

Snugabye has been making cozy and comfy sleep and loungewear for little ones for over sixty years, since 1947! Camp & Cabin Snugabye thought it was about time to make some, for mom’s. I am so excited to chill in front of the fire, this winter, in my plaid flannel onesie! Not only that but it’s perfect for camping season next year! What do you think ladies? Would you wear a onesie to the campfire pit!? I know I would!

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The Camp and Cabin adult onesies would make a great gift for a loved one (or yourself) this Christmas. Make sure you order by December 20th in order to receive it on time! You can save $15 off a Camp and Cabin Adult onesies ONLY now by using the promo code COZY! [Read more…]

Holiday Light Traditions

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Do you enjoy the lights that people put up during the Holidays? It’s been a tradition for us to drive around, and look at the biggest light displays, every year, since I was a little girl. There was a really big display in Saint John, where I grew up, called Murphyville. It was located on the side of a steep hill and was covered in different buildings all lit up. It was beautiful and people would come for miles around to see it every year! Unfortunately, the family was not able to take care of it any more, and it came to an end in 2012.

Murphyville Holiday Lights

One of my favourite streets to see the lights on every year, in Halifax, in Connaught Road. There are at least two big houses that put on an amazing display, every year, which benefits a local charity. [Read more…]