2024 FAVOURITE IMAGES

January birthdays. 

 

The NHL All Star game in Toronto. Feb. 2024

My sign showing the year the Leaf won for the last time.

Scotia Bank Arena.

My= 

Seeing my childhood hero- Dave Keon. And all the celebrities that were there.

A grandson playing hockey.

My pile of granny squares to use in several projects.

Spring Maple Syrup Festival.

Birthday cakes.

Flowers on Mother's Day.

Spring tulips everywhere.

A grandson's graduation.

ATVs at a Music Festival.

King's Plate 2024. Saw some races before it was cancelled due to torrential downpours.

Swings in a row.

Ribfest Aurora.

Artwalk Richmond Hill 2024. Bought that pink picture in the upper right hand corner.

An unusual sunset on my street.

 

Food at Christmas time.

And last but not least-

 Christmas goodie bags as name tags.

 Christmas Eve Fish and Chips. Tim's goodies. Christmas feast.

Food always plays a part not only for good eating but family times.

So lots of family and community time. My facebook page has the many photos taken there of people and art.

2024 is over. What will 2025 bring?

#2024images#familyandfood#art#parties#cakes#hockey#graduation#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#nhlhockeyallstargameatscotiabank

NAME TAGS FOR A CHRISTMAS TABLE CAN BE FUN

Each year I put name tags on the place settings at the holiday tables. So how to change it up a little.

One year I used some cups with goodies. 

The last two years I have made Christmas goodie bags. What to put in them besides Christmas candies and a candy cane. So this year I included gum. 

The bags were a hit with the family especially the grandchildren. They eyed the gum.

So now to think of other goodies for other occasions that will keep the kids interested.

Using candies this way is good. I used to put candy canes and candies on the table. No one would take them home. Now the bags go home with family. I have not fun making them but enjoy seeing my grandchildren appreciating them.

Simple idea but enjoyable for all.

Name tags in a variety of forms can be useful and edible.

#nametags#bagsofgoodiesfornametags#keepingthefestivetablesfun#foodatchristmasisalwaysgood#kidslikeseeingtheirnames#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CHRISTMAS 2024-FUN AND FEAST

 11 of us around the dinner table. Family at its best.

Appetizer table.

Sophia took a photo of the table with all the food. Christmas crackers on the table. I always put an extra one by Sophia and me. It is a reminder of Adolph's spot. Small way to include his memory in the day.

A traditional Canadian Christmas dinner with turkey and all the trimmings. Many veggie dishes.

Of course I gave each family group Christmas goodie baskets.

A bag of candies, goodies and gum made the name tags for the table more special

Christmas was good. Family was fine and healthy. Lots of good eating and conversation, As long as I am healthy I will continue to cook and host. When it becomes too much, then I will order one of those ready made meals and have the family bring an extra dish or two.

How was your Christmas? Did you have too much to eat as usual?

#christmas2024#eatingatraditionalcanadianturkeydinneratchristmas#turkeyandallthetrimmings#lovingfamilytimeatChristmas#christmascrackers#rememberingourlovedonesatchristmas#reflectivethoughtsbybrabara#barbaradimambro

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS.

No matter what you celebrate enjoy the blessings of the season.

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#merrychristmas
 

GGODBYE FALL HELLO WINTER- ARE YOU READY?

 Although it already feels like winter since the middle of November, it officially arrives tomorrow.

I like the longest day to arrive because it means we are headed back to the sun returning to us. 

The winter Solstice is bittersweet for me. I always look forward to Christmas and being together with family.

But a dear friend died December 21, 2001 from a traumatic injury on his farm.

Larry. He will always remain in my heart. 

So bring on winter. I am going to try to be outside more. I know nature with its natural light and fresh air is good for the soul.

What do you like to do in winter?

#wintersolstice#winter#goodbyefall#missingagoodfriendlarry#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS CAN HAVE MANY MEMORIES! WHAT ARE YOURS?

 Okay I love Hallmark Christmas movies. Sappy but happy. Predicable but enjoyable.

On one I watched today the character was talking about the Magic Of Christmas in her dialogue.

Too many childhood memories of opening that Christmas stocking on Christmas day. Always a delicious apple and large orange. Christmas with family.

My mind reflected- when and what made Christmas magical for me.

I started being Adolph's girlfriend Oct. 1966. He mailed me I love you Darling Christmas card which I cherished so much.

Christmas Eve 1969 we were engaged. He put the ring in a pair of fuzzy slippers.

Our first married Christmas. Student married residence at the University of Waterloo 1971.

A time when I always bought Christmas ornaments on sale. These drums and ponies were my first purchases as a married lady.

Natasha's first Christmas. Sonya arriving in the family and making our family of 4 magical.

When Eatons had holiday momentos. 1988 was a good year. Remembering our trip to Florida and our first cruise.

The magic of blending two cultures- Italian Christmas Eve Seafood dinner and Canadian Christmas dinner. 

So sitting in my cozy decorated family room, I feel the magic of Christmases past. 

In all the Christmas preparations, I try to put some magic into my life. Like the raffle prizes I made very pretty for two social events. Like magic watching the winners excited about their wins. 

I have made my house fun for the grandchildren over the years. They can touch and play with my decorations. Lots of craft materials to make fun items.

I recorded a Christmas message on my phone Dec. 25 2019 on how Adolph and I celebrated Christmas Eve and had a good day together before the family arrived. How blessed I was to have him in my life. It was our last Christmas together but a wonderful one.

So what magic will occur with the memories of Adolph and family events locked in my heart forever! 

#magicofchristmas#magicalchristmasmemories#rememberingAdolphatchristmas#familymakechristmasmagical#thatfirstmarriedchristmas#beingengagedonchristmaseve#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

 

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- WIDOWHOOD IN OUR FAMILY HISTORY

 Widows and even widowers happen in families.

Nonna Marie- 3 children and lost her husband in World War One. Had to live with in-laws then son and daughter-in-law

Widowers- Reed lost Claudia and cousin Tim lost Linda

Mama/Concetta cared for Joe with ALS for 7 years before he died in 1974 when she was was 53.

Nonna Adelina lost her husband in World War Two- Rita doesn't have any photos. I just have the one.

Auntie Lynne lost Uncle Norman in 1978.

Auntie Bernice lost Elmer in 1987. Found out the day I was having my first party in the house- Halloween.

Elizabeth Maude lost Patrick when she was pregnant with Ina

Being left without a spouse and how someone survives.

New job, living with family members.

Ward Ellis dies then Emeline on her own. Lived with family members.

Gammie- Elizabeth Anne- lost Charles W in 1942 so a widow- 16 years before her death- then her daughter, then her son-in-law

How old was she when Charles died?

I need to add more to these stories but wanted to publish this post so it would not be lost in my thread.

#widowhoodinthefamily#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FALL BOUNTY- ALWAYS GREAT TO EAT LOCAL

 Even for Christmas the Fall bounty is important for the festive tables.

Veggies and fruit are good anytime.

#fallbountyforChristmas#squash#pumpkin#apples#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS ARE MOVING ALONG

 Presents wrapped.

Christmas cards written with the hope of being able to mail them with this Postal Strike dragging on.

Some food bought. Fresh veggies can wait until a few days before Christmas.

Two Christmas trees and some decorations in the house.

Two social events that were fun. A dinner at the group leader's house. The Richmond Hill Historical Society holiday get together with a buffet of goodies and raffle prizes then a sing-a-long of Christmas music.

Cleaning some corners of the house. Not really for Christmas but because the house is like a dust bowl and needs some work.

Went to a company work event with my son-in-law's company. Nice to be invited.

So not feeling left out of all the Christmas hoopla that goes on at this time.

How are your Christmas preparations coming along?

#christmaspreparations#presentswrapped#buyingfoodforchristmas#twochristmastreesinthehouse#socialeventswerefun#likingtobeincludedinchristmasevents#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

 November was a good month to celebrate a daughter's, granddaughter's and brother's birthdays.

I had lots of cake. 

Took my oldest to lunch with her sister and daughter. Fun lunch.

So celebrating made a dark month bearable.

How was your November?

#novemberbirthdays#celebratingfamilywithcake#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

TRYING TO STAY POSITIVE IN TROUBLED TIMES-BE A DEFIANT CANADIAN

 I feel like there is too much chaos in the world right now.

The American election results and subsequent taunting of Canada and Canadians can be a little disconcerting.

Having a bully in a place of power can be daunting. Or is it?

I have found in life when a bully's bluff is called out the bully loses so much luster. 

And patience is a virtue for all of us.

So staying positive and strong and defiantly Canadian is the rule of the day.

We are a strong nation with strong people. And we have the RCMP for heaven's sake.

#beingCanadianintroubledtimes#Americaisinforaroughride#bulliesneedtobecalledout#reflectivethoughtsbarbara#barbaradimambro

TIM HORTONS AT CHRISTMAS

 I love all the specials at Christmas time.

So a Tims Bailey Cream Donut and a coffee in the festive cup was good to have today.

Of course the Chili with a bun worked for dinner.

#timhortons#baileysdonut#festiveholidaycup#chiliandabun#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro