Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Time is Here....and giveaway announcement!


Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
 Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year... 


Well it always creeps up on us, doesn't it?

The Menu is ready:

  • Prime Rib with a Thyme-Marsala Sauce
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • A Tofurkey for son
  • maple glazed parsnips
  • roasted carrots and broccoli
  • popovers
  • Apple Crumble
  • French Strawberry Tarts
The cookies (vegan and buttery delights!) are waiting to be devoured:




There are presents under the tree:



Santa Claus is on his way - as I write this he's over Russia...



And outside, it is a winter wonderland.  The ice storm is over with and thanks to the high elevation out where we live, we have emerged relatively unscathed, our trees and shrubs painted with a fine coat of ice, as if they, too, are putting on their Christmas finery...

 



 
 





 And in a sea of white and grey, the little yellow birdhouse dreams of warmer days and chirpy occupants...



But the days are getting longer again and I cannot help but smile at the light that is buried beneath snow and ice, a beacon of beauty and light that reminds me that there is a light within all of us that is there to shine, shine, shine!



 But not everyone celebrates Christmas and for those who do not, I wish you much happiness at this end of year time, and pray for peace and happiness for all of us.

*****************

There were trumpets blaring and a toast to the three names drawn last evening!  I even brought out the dancing bears!



So drumroll please for my first blog giveaway:

ThatDamnGreenDress, you won the cookbook!
InaMack, you won the sequin pouch!
Cate, you won the $25 J Crew Gift Card!

Please contact me at sydforry@hotmail.com so I can get your deets and send your gifts along to you! 

Thanks to everyone else who entered!  And for all your kind words about the 500th blog post!

*******************

So Merry Christmas to all!  I will be offline tomorrow, but back again on Boxing Day!!!

.
Most of all: STAY SAFE OUT THERE!  MUCH LOVE!







 
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66 comments:

  1. Coulda shoulda wouldaDecember 24, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    The branches look so pretty!! Lucky you bc we just have strong rain...merry Xmas Wendy! X

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 24, 2013 at 10:12 AM

      Yuck - rain is bad, isn't it? Merry Christmas to you too, CSW!

      Delete
  2. LaneDecember 24, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    A very merry Christmas to you and yours! Your ice is impressive-- we did not get much--but Toronto is so bad it was on our local news. Hope everyone has electricity for the holiday.

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 24, 2013 at 10:12 AM

      It is impressive in a good way, that doesn't involve losing electricity - so many have lost it! Merry Christmas Lane! Hope to see you in 2014!

      Delete
  3. Blue BoobyDecember 24, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    Is that a cow cookie mixed in with the gingerbread man and stars? I'll take that one. Am off to pick up my tenderloin and flowers for tomorrow. Will set table and maybe bake a bit and then off to inlaws for Christmas Eve presents and dinner. Have a wonderful Christmas my dear. Much love.

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 24, 2013 at 10:13 AM

      It's a bear, but I have put it aside for you!

      We are doing penne a la vodka for Christmas Eve tonight. Off to the walking track now to walk off some of the excess... Merry Christmas and love right back at you!

      Delete
  4. fmcgmccllcDecember 24, 2013 at 9:23 AM

    Of all those pretty pictures, those cookies sent me over the moon. I have not found any in real life and it is giving me a terrific lust for a Christmas cookie. Have a Merry Christmas and a safe and warm one too.

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  5. DaniBPDecember 24, 2013 at 9:24 AM

    Merry Christmas Wendy! You have the best Christmas spirit of anyone I know.
    I'm so happy the storm didn't hit you as hard. We have fresh snow on top of our 3cm of ice and the temperature has plummeted. Stay warm all of you! Your house looks so cozy and festive, as if fairies have been there working their magic.

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 24, 2013 at 10:15 AM

      The fairies have curly red hair and whine sometimes.... Merry Christmas to you too Dani and much love to you and yours!

      Delete
  6. Jen LawrenceDecember 24, 2013 at 9:26 AM

    Merry Christmas!

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  7. Shopping CelleDecember 24, 2013 at 9:47 AM

    Congrats to cate, Ina and that green dress! It looks cold but beautiful there and the cookies look fab. We may let the kids make some later if I can stand the mess. Hope your Christmas is extra special Wendy!

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 24, 2013 at 10:16 AM

      Good luck with the cookie mess - it can be quite overwhelming!!!! Merry Christmas!!!

      Delete
  8. RoseDecember 24, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    Merry Christmas, Wendy! Good to hear you are safe from the storms.

    Congrats to all the winners!

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  9. AnonymousDecember 24, 2013 at 10:48 AM

    That card made me smile, well you are in Christmas land over there, we are just caught in a storm again, no telly, waaaaa! Aerial/roof mishap I think - can Barry come over and sort that before the Queen's speech tomorrow?

    Locked out of email again and 'they' won't talk to me as I'm not the account holder, the mister's first day off is Saturday - bah humbug!

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 24, 2013 at 11:04 AM

      Bah humbug is right!!!!!!!! You need Christmas telly!

      Delete
  10. PatriciaDecember 24, 2013 at 11:01 AM

    Congrats to Green Dress, Ina and Cate!

    We put the presents under the tree after the kids have gone to bed - we will have to force them to go, they've been sitting up very very late together since No. One Son came home.

    Again, Wendy, Merry Christmas, and the same to all your commenters!

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 24, 2013 at 11:05 AM

      Merry Christmas Patricia! 18 year old son has head buried under tree for days!

      Delete
  11. magistraDecember 24, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    Congratulations to all. And thank you , Wendy, for reminding us of the Christmas spirit throughout the year. Reading your blog everyday is like opening a present!

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  12. TeacupsDecember 24, 2013 at 11:08 AM

    Merry Christmas Wendy and thank you for all the blogs ( presents) you so generously and frequently give us all throughout the year. All of your December posts have been brimming with holiday cheer and Christmas magic! I hope you and your family enjoy a blessed holiday and good health and fortune in the coming year.

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 24, 2013 at 11:10 AM

      Thanks Teacups! I wish the same for you and yours! Merry Christmas!

      Delete
  13. FunkyStephDecember 24, 2013 at 11:08 AM

    It is beautiful outside your house Wendy!!! I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Xmas.

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  14. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 24, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    Thanks Steph! Merry Christmas!

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  15. ADecember 24, 2013 at 11:13 AM

    Happy holidays! You have a beautiful spirit and your enthusiasm is infectious! Have a wonderful family celebration:)

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  16. DanielleDecember 24, 2013 at 12:21 PM

    Congrats to the winners! The menu sounds scrumptious and the cookies are a delight. Merry Christmas Wendy and thanks for the simple joys and camaraderie you bring into my life. Have a great day with your darling family.

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  17. GetFreshDecember 24, 2013 at 1:31 PM

    COMFORT & JOY Congrats to your winning trio WMM. Thanks for the extra icicles and lights. Snowing perfectly here now, so enjoying it by the fire. Merry Christmas (or at least a time of calm and blessing) to all, and a very good night. Will Indy be first one up on Christmas morning then?

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 24, 2013 at 2:26 PM

      We actually saw a smidgen of blue this morning!

      It will be Barry or Forrest up first - they are giddy at Christmas!

      Delete
  18. JillDecember 24, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    Merry Christmas Wendy! Here's to a wonderful New Year...

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  19. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 24, 2013 at 2:24 PM

    Merry Christmas Laura!

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  20. A Bigger ClosetDecember 24, 2013 at 3:48 PM

    A very warm and Merry Christmas to you, Wendy! I was glad to read that you got through the ice storm without losing power. Your house looks festive and cozy, and it's definitely a winter wonderland outdoors!

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  21. GPBDecember 24, 2013 at 3:59 PM

    Merry Christmas Wendy, to you, Barry, Sydney and Forrest. I see great things for you in 2014! Xox

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  22. Ina MackDecember 24, 2013 at 4:23 PM

    Merry Christmas to you and your family!
    Now i know why your email is sydforry,because of your kids:)
    Thanks for the give away,i sent you an email.

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  23. the gardener's cottageDecember 24, 2013 at 10:23 PM

    merry christmas to you dear wendy. love your home and the snow and well all of it. mucho love from california x

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  24. Louise @ INGREDIENTSDecember 24, 2013 at 11:41 PM

    Merry Christmas, Wendy! Glad to hear the ice storm did not affect you! We just got power back today (3 days without) and although I know it was only 3 days and others still don't have power yet, it was a very long 3 days and a very stressful time for the whole family. Glad to be back home with heat and hot water.
    Cheers and best wishes!! xo

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 26, 2013 at 8:22 AM

      I am so glad you got power back for Christmas! We had friends in SJ who did not and who spent it at the Hilton! Good thing they are a cheerful lot!

      Delete
  25. cateDecember 25, 2013 at 12:31 AM

    Merry Christmas! That ice on your trees bothers me, although I know it could have been worse. I hope they will survive it. We've had ice damage before and I hate seeing trees ruined. Enjoy your meal, it sounds delicious!

    P.S. there must be another Cate because I didn't enter the giveaway!

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 26, 2013 at 8:22 AM

      Merry Christmas Cate! You are right! I checked - it was an error that you got thrown in! I have redrawn a name! Many thanks for pointing that out!

      Delete
  26. Anthro BloggerDecember 25, 2013 at 12:01 PM

    No snow here, and as beautiful as your winter wonderland looks, I'm sending a little warmth your way. Thank you for a year of friendship, and sharing your fantastic journey. I am so proud of all your accomplishments and lucky to celebrate them with you, albeit through the Internet. Here's to a year of continued success, love, peace and health. Your voice is truly a gift.

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  27. xoxoDecember 25, 2013 at 12:26 PM

    Merry Christmas to you and your family Wendy!

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 26, 2013 at 8:23 AM

      hope you are toasty warm and relaxing xoxo - 2014 is about to be a big year!

      Delete
  28. GSLDecember 25, 2013 at 2:44 PM

    You really do Christmas well! and have a most Merry one.

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 26, 2013 at 8:24 AM

      GSL - you found me! I have told Tabs and Dani how jealous I am that they have James Cagney at their blogs! Merry Christmas!

      Delete
    2. GSLDecember 26, 2013 at 9:21 AM

      Fashionably late!

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    3. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 26, 2013 at 9:23 AM

      But at least let me think you are tap-dancing - in my mind, Jimmy Cagney is ALWAYS tap-dancing!

      Delete
    4. GSLDecember 26, 2013 at 1:06 PM

      Oh just wait til you see my soft shoe!

      Delete
  29. JulieStylesDecember 25, 2013 at 4:10 PM

    Happiest Holidays to you and yours. Wishing you peace, health and happiness in 2014.

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    1. WendyMcLeodMacKnightDecember 26, 2013 at 8:25 AM

      Merry Christmas Julie! I think now that we are in the second act of our lives, big and wonderful things are going to happen!

      Delete
  30. JayDecember 25, 2013 at 7:09 PM

    Merry Christmas to you all x

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  31. MarshaDecember 26, 2013 at 12:57 AM

    Merry Christmas to all. The pictures are magical with the snow and ice.
    Best wishes for the coming year.

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  32. tiffany roseDecember 26, 2013 at 1:31 AM

    Thanks for the beautiful pictures of your winter wonderland.

    You do good Christmas. Merry, merry to you and yours!

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  33. thatdamngreendressDecember 30, 2013 at 4:07 PM

    Thanks so much Wendy! I missed this wonderful post with good news, and magical snow pictures and....DANCING BEARS! (I have a fondness for the things...) Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete

Kindness is a virtue...

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