CHRISTMAS VACATION

After an amazing turkey dinner we are trying to get ourselves packed for our trip to the Canary Islands tomorrow. All I want to do is nap. Looking forward to a fun filled all-inclusive vacation at the Iberostar. Santa brought us all snorkel gear. I hope everyone has had a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year xoxo

MERRY CHRISTMAS

This is my new favorite Christmas song. Happy Christmas everyone! xoxo

CHRISTMAS EVE SALMON EN CROUTE

Steve wanted to have Beef Wellington for our Christmas Eve meal and for some reason I remembered fish being tradition. In 1998, my friend Sarah had me over for Christmas Eve Lobster, and it was fantastic! Maybe that was just a Nova Scotia thing? We compromised and I found this really cute Salmon En Croute recipe. Happy Christmas Eve everyone. I'm really missing my family right now and would love to be sitting around a table enjoying this fabulous meal with the entire Walker/Gillespie family & a few friends too! xoxo

A NEWQUAY CHRISTMAS EVE, EVE

THE DOG FRIENDLY HEADLAND HOTEL

We had an amazing stay at the Headland, one of my favorite city break hotels thus far. The hotel greeted us with a hotel tour that ended at our room, which had been upgraded 3 room categories. My favorite things about the room were the leather dog foot stool and, of course, the stunning views of Fistral Beach. If you are heading to Cornwall and want a first class hotel, this would be it. If you would like something self catered, they have gorgeous ocean front cottages. This hotel is 100 percent dog friendly!

You many recognize this hotel from the movie, The Witches,
(Roald Dahl.) If you are a history buff this hotel is full of great facts including:

Ghosts of the past

During the Second World War the hotel was requisitioned and became an RAF hospital. On several occasions guests have reported the harmless ghosts of men in uniforms walking around the corridors late at night, and in 1994 a guest was awakened by someone stroking her cheek - perhaps a gentle nurse checking her temperature? Extensive renovations throughout the late 90's may have awoken more of the ghosts of the past; one of several sightings include a woman wearing a maid's uniform disappearing through a wall into the Ladies Powder Room - spookily in exactly the same position as there was once a door.

EDEN PROJECT

FIFTEEN

Being the huge Jamie Oliver fans that we are, we went to his restaurant Fifteen on our trip to Cornwall. It was everything we expected and more the views were breathtaking & 'with just a little bit of olive oil,'  the food was quality!

HEADLAND SNOW

We are heading to Headland this morning for our romantic getaway. Hopefully we make it !

TAKE ME WITH YOU

LUNAR ECLIPSE

A rare winter solstice lunar eclipse occurred on the official first day of winter for 2010.

It’s highly unusual for a lunar eclipse to fall on the same day as the winter solstice, or shortest day of the year. The last one that happens was in 1638. If you missed this lunar eclipse, you’ll have to wait until 2094 to see another, if you can somehow live that long.

Winter solstice has been celebrated by civilizations long before the birth of Christ. Many stone circles such as the celebrated Stonehenge in England. On the sunrise of the first day of winter and the longest day of summer, the sun shines through one trilithon (one stone laid flat on top of two others.) Since 2005, modern pagans have been allowed to stand in Stonehenge during the summer and winter solstices.

The lunar eclipse was visible in South America, Europe, parts of Asia and most of North America.

TIFFANY & CO

CANDY CANE LANE

SNOOZE BUTTON

Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

CHRISTMAS SWEATERS

SNOW

I opened the window this morning to the smell of snow mixed with wood burning stoves. The snow is beautiful and I love winter but we are heading up to Cornwall this week and leaving to The Canary Islands after that. Heathrow as well as other airports were closed yesterday and I'm hoping we won't have any problems getting out.

Steve ran into work this morning. (crazy) He said, he used his "studs" and had no trouble. After eating and drinking as many calories as we did this weekend I will be heading to the gym for my guilt workout and then try to stay away from all the leftover goodies. If only England was like Toronto,  I could enjoy the snow and not have to worry about roads or airport closures. After all, it's only a few inches! xoxo

MARTINI & MISTLETOE 2010

We had another successful Martini and Mistletoe party. A few of our friends couldn't make it because of the weather but all of our neighbors turned up and it was great to get to know them all better. Connor wanted to make a martini menu and I didn't see the harm in it; they turned out awesome. We are out of Gin, Vodka and Vermouth, impressive night. Not only does my husband make a fantastic Gin & Tonic, he can now add Martinis to the list. I can't wait for next year! xo