Christmas wishes

For the past few years, our families have attempted to focus less on spending money at Christmas and more on just spending time together. Since me and my sisters are all out of the house now, getting together with our parents and siblings for an extended amount of time isn't the norm anymore – it's a treat.

One way we have tried to simplify Christmas is by picking names rather than buying gifts for everyone. We use an online gift site, elfster.com, and keep the spending limit at $50. While the limit caps the amount we can spend, we are free to add extra goodies to the gift, be it a coupon for a back massage, home made truffles, or a promise to help with computer woes (that would be a prime gift for you, Mom).

Personally, I also strive to avoid Christmas box store mania by selecting -- as much as possible -- items for my wishlist that promote shopping local, shopping small business, and/or shopping handmade.

So what's on my list this year?

Stationery by LauraLaineIllustration, 
resident of Hamilton. 

Makeup from Cheeky Cosmetics,
temporarily located in Montréal.

Jewelry from 5andUnder 
in Toronto.

Baby sling by SnuggleBugSlings
on Etsy.

Gift certificate to White Rabbit Books,
downtown Georgetown.

So what are you wishing for this Christmas,  

and how do you keep Christmas gift-giving simple? 

The first day

Today was my first day of maternity leave.

Depending on when Baby V makes his/her appearance, I'll have anywhere between tonight and mid-December to nest and rest.

So today I did a bit of both. And it was lovely.

I slept in.

I baked some bread.

I made some pumpkin chocolate-chip muffins.

I cooked up some winter veggie casserole in the slow cooker.

I tidied up around the house.

And then I had a nap.

My schedule will definitely not be so restful when our little one arrives, so for now I am thoroughly enjoying this time of quiet preparation.

A day out with the girls

This weekend, my Mom treated me and my sisters to a day out at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. While my Mom had been there before, it was a first-time visit for the rest of us.

It is quite a nice place to visit, especially during the colder fall and winter months.

Here are just a few shots from our day. (Photo credit: Eldest sister, Toni H.)

The Conservatory also boasts other wildlife, including birds, fish, turtles, and larger (more sinister!) creatures.

Afterwards, we went out for lunch in downtown Guelph and did some shopping at the local stores. How lovely!

If you are looking for a nice outing, consider heading to the Conservatory sometime. There were many kids out and about, as well as adults both younger and older.

I plan to visit again sometime for another day out with the girls.

Thoughts on remembrance

This summer, Ben and I had the opportunity to visit the Netherlands with his Dad, Mom, brother, and sister. Since both Ben and my grandparents immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands, we were able to explore our roots and a history we had only previously heard about.

One of the things we did in the Netherlands was visit the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and Memorial. As one interested in history, I expected that I would find the site interesting and informative. What I didn't necessary expect was the emotion I felt when walking through the rows and rows of graves.

The reality of the lives lost during WWII and other wars can sometimes fail to fully register when living in a country like Canada. I have learned about the losses in school, and I have heard wartime stories from my grandparents, but to actually see the final resting place of so many people -- many of them younger than myself -- was something altogether different.

While a sombre experience, visiting the war memorial was one of the highlights of the trip for me. Should I ever return to the Netherlands, I will visit the war cemetery again. The visit this summer changed my perception of Remembrance Day this year, and I hope and pray that I will remember more deeply and more often than just November 11 in the years ahead.

Thankful

On Sunday, my lovely sisters hosted a baby shower for me and baby V.

After all the guests were gone, I was struck by an overwhelming sense of thankfulness -- for fellowship with friends and family, for food to enjoy and savour, for toys and clothes and diapers, and for a community of people so willing to support me and Ben in welcoming this little one into our lives.

Here are a few snapshots from the day.

The Omas-to-be and Mom-to-be

The matriarchs: Beppe, Grandma, Oma A, Oma V, Gran

The sisters leading us in a rousing game
of nursery rhyme trivia.

My lovely sisters, Toni and Eileen.

In action.

Can't get enough

Can't get enough of this song lately.

If you haven't checked out Patrick Watson, you really should.