CHRISTMAS MEAL SPECIALS BRING SOME SOCIAL ISOLATION JOY

 So I wrote on Granpalovestocook about my fun in trying food specials.

The Swiss Chalet Festive special. I had the rib/chicken combo. Loved the stuffing and cranberry sauce. I also bought poutine as well as the Coconut Cream Pie. It took me a couple of days to eat everything. I had the ribs the first night and the chicken the next day for lunch.

This week I tried the Pizza Pizza Holiday at Home special A medium pizza with 3 toppings, 3 drinks and one dessert.

I also bought some cauliflower bites and 5 chicken wings. So I ate two wings, some bites and one slice of pizza. Put the other 7 slices in baggies in the freezer for eating over the next couple of months. The best was the funnel cake dessert with caramel sauce. Not bad for a pizza place.

Being home alone. Cooking alone is not fun. So ordering something fun brings some eating joy to this Senior.

Buying food that can be frozen for a meal another day also works. 

If some grandsons can visit then the pizza slices will make a nice snack.

The real dilemma is what to order next week. Or should I make some room for the big Christmas feast that is coming in 13 days.

#christmaspecials#swisschalet#pizzapizza#eatingaloneisdifficult#beingsingleandeatingalone#buyingatreathelpswiththeisolation#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CHRISTMAS IS COMING

 I must admit I am enjoying all the hoopla of Christmas this year.

Being at home brings more time for TV and the Christmas movies.

My granddaughter has been watching my classic Christmas movies with me when she can. She is in my bubble.

I found some craft ideas to do while I watch TV. 

No baking as I have bought baked goods from Supermarket stores. Like the PC chocolate chip pie. I need to decide when to heat it up and whom with by my partner in crime!!

A cheesecake variety pack too.

Since ideas are frozen, there is no hurry to eat them now.

I like everyone's Christmas lights. My two Christmas trees bring me joy at night with their lights.

No parties. But there will be a virtual one on Monday night with the Richmond Hill Historical Society. I will tell you next week how that goes.

I am trying to find church services to attend- online of course.

So looking forward to whatever the season will bring.

Have received a couple of Christmas cards which I really enjoy. Nice messages warm my heart. People realize this is tough Christmas for us with our Empty Chair!!

How are you enjoying Christmas?

#Christmas#ChristmaswithanEmptyChair#christmaslights#watchingchristmasmovies#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SUPPORT OUR CANADIANS IN CHINA

 I saw a simple plan to support bringing our two Canadians home.

Send Christmas Cards to the nearest Chinese embassy or consultate.

Michael Kovrig

Michael Spavor

Write a card for each then send to the Chinese institution. 

Put it on Social Media.

#FreeChinaHostages as the tagline.

So let's bring our men home.

#freechinahostages#canadiansashostages#michaelkovrig#michaelspavor#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THE VACCINE BRINGS HOPE TO THE WORLD

 The vaccine is starting to be rolled out.

Yay for Britain and 90 year old as the first person receiving it. Do you believe the second person was a man named William Shakespere!

It's a new dawn.

We still need to follow Public Health guidelines. We are not out of the woods.

But we are starting the journey.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. To science. The scientists. The lab workers. All the professionals that will help roll it out.

THANK YOU!!

#vaccinebeingrolledoutinbritain#startingtoseethelightattheendofthecovidtunnel#stillfollowpublichealthprotocols#stayhopeful#loveandsupporttothosewholostsomeonetocovid#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DECEMBER-TIME FOR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

 

Snow brings the feeling of Christmas.

Time to think about sleds and skates and walking in the snow.

Of course shopping or are you finished.

I still need to buy a few more things for some grandchildren.

Wrapping is under way. 

Cards sent and some letters to write.

Some phone calls to make to people. More emails to send.

Charitable donations made. International, national and local.

So a little at a time. 

How are your preparations going?

#christmaspreparations#snowisgoodforchristmas#christmaswrapping#beinghomeforchristmas#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NOVEMBER- THE MONTH WITH HOPE

 We hoped that COVID would begin to go away. 

But alas it surges.

Our family celebrated 3 birthdays- my granddaughter, my daughter, my younger brother.

So everyone a year older.

House decorated for Christmas. 

Outside lights put up. Solar lights bringing some atmosphere to the outside.

As we leave November 2020, we do hope that isolation, distancing and practicing good public health practices will bring some changes in December.

#novemberandhope#beinghopefulfortheendofCOVID#practicegoodpublichealthpractices#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FINDING PEACE IN GRIEF

 5 months since my beloved husband Adolph died.

Grief is an isolating and painful journey.

Personal for everyone.

Different for everyone.

It depends how it is entered. What was the circumstances of the death?

Initially I was just very tired.

Handled my grief well enough. But a lot of going through the motions.

Private tears. It is my way. 

No " povera me" for me.

So leading up to Natasha's birthday was hard for our family. The first without her Dad. Painful and lots of tears.

But then it happened after an afternoon nap. 

Peace in my soul. A different feeling.

Knowing Adolph is okay. He is in a good place. 

I will always miss him. But at peace I can live without him. 

Why? Because I was blessed to have had him in life. The memories. The love of our children. The love of our grandchildren. So he lives on through them.

#beingatpeaceingrief#griefisverypainful#findingpeaceingrief#knowinglifecangoon#knowingIcanlivewithouthime#Iwillalwaysmisshim#lovefromchildrenandgrandchildrengetmethroughitall#Iwillbeokay#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#grief#dealingwithgrief#gettingthroughgrief