WINTER PHOTOS CAN BE BEAUTIFUL

 If it has to snow might as well snap some photos.

Now if I actually went for a drive to find other scenery.

#winterphotos#takingpicturesathome#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WINTER FUN

 With proper winter wear, the outdoors is the best way to get some relief during COVID-19,

So waiting for my trekking poles. I had trouble finding them as I had put walking poles in my online search. They are called trekking poles. Hum.

I will be walking with them for safety. Not really trekking very far.

So I will have no excuse to be outside and walking a little each day. 

The old fun of walking around a mall or going to a movie are not on the agenda right now. 

But a change of scenery is necessary. Looking out the window does not count. Should I be spying on my neighbours!! I think not!

#winterfun#trekkingpole#properwinterwear#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THE DAY AFTER THE WINTER SOLSTICE

 So after the shortest day and longest night, the sun is starting to return to us.

It feels like the pandemic in some ways.

Darkness.

Sadness.

The never ending pandemic.

No matter what positive twists I try to put on the season, it is harder and harder.

Another bloody lockdown. Are you kidding?

So many of us followed the rules. All the rules.

Now we are being made to feel guilty if we want to share a meal. 

We are told it is just one Christmas. Well it was one Easter, one Canada Day, no concerts, no sports, no Halloween, stay away from each other.

We did not even have a funeral service. 

So for many it could be the last Christmas together.

So is it just one meal, one Christmas?

So many emotions. Why do politicians and public health think it is okay to guilt us?

#wintersolstice#whydowehavetofeelguilty#somanyemotionsaroundtheseason#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#

CANADIAN CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

 Everyone likes to talk about their traditions. 

I have always taken many things I do at Christmas for granted. 

So what are my Canadian Christmas traditions.

Family. Being with family. Connecting with family.

Christmas lights outside. Some people make amazing displays. Others a string of lights or two. This year I put my lights in my living room window so it is easier to turn off with my convenient switch. Then some solar lights in the garden that need no work.

Christmas Cards. Always loved the way my mother would find a spot for the cards. So I do the same now. I have a large Christmas Stocking with pockets in my doorway to the Family Room. Yes I still send cards and love to receive them. I love the messages in them.

Christmas decorations throughout the house. The variety that people can do is endless.

The Christmas Tree whether real or artificial. With saved decorations. One of my favourite is the little angel my daughter made in Kindergarten. 

Presents for family near and far.

Stockings for Santa's gifts. In my childhood It was a real silk stocking from my mother. We would get a large delicious apple and big orange along with little Santa gifts. The big Santa gift would be beside the stocking. I loved buying all the little stocking stuffers for the girls when they were little. Often along with fun stuff, new socks and underwear.

Lots of goodies in the house during December.

The music. Radio or CDs. My favourite- Oh come all ye faithful

And oh the movies. A Christmas Carol. Miracle on 34thstreet. It's a Wonderful Life. My modern favourite is Love Actually. Now there are lots of cheesy Christmas movies on TV. Like the Hallmark ones.

Loving some snow and walking in it. With children around making snow angels or a snowman. 

Local charities- food bank, toy drives and others. Canadians are very giving and generous. Toys are given to those needy children. Not just Christians.

We included Adolph's Italian tradition of a seafood dinner Christmas Eve. Lots of seafood dishes.

Christmas day the big turkey dinner with all the trimmings- bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, corn, brussel sprouts. In my childhood, turnip. But now I have sweet potatoes and squash usually acorn. Desserts have varied through the years. My Mom would make a plum pudding with real rum sauce. I used to bake but now depend on the girls bringing desserts. So yule log, cookies and lots of other goodies. Vanilla ice cream to add to the dessert table.

A festive Christmas table.

My parents often invited someone who had nowhere to go over Christmas. Over the years Adolph and I had his and my extended family and others. His brother alone would be bring 5 extra people to the table.

Now it is just our kids and grandchildren.

There may be some phone calls on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

Ways to connect. Now everybody has some new traditions. Posting on Facebook for days with Merry Christmas to everyone. 

So Canadian traditions are abundant. Different regions may have a different one or two. 

I like making place names so this year is no different.

Stars for some. Trees for others. And on the back 2020 to show the year.

What are your traditions? Do you have some from your childhood?

LIFE IS LIKE CLEANING COBWEBS IN THE CORNER

 We all go about our daily routines.

Our houses are our sanctuary right now.

Then it happens. There is a long gobby cobweb. How long has it been there you ask yourself?

Hopefully you are the first one to see it!! Grabbing your broom or duster it is gone.

Our lives have many cobwebs. We live with them. 

We do not see them. Until one day we do.

We eliminate them. We tidy up some areas of our lives.

Going through stress, hard times, grief, job loss- we often do not catch those cobwebs. Our emotions get in the way.

We have to be ready.

#cobwebsinourlives#findingthecobwebsinlife#cleaningthecobwebsinourlife#notseeingthecobwebsthenseeingthecobwebs#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CHRISTMAS PREPARATIONS ARE SLOW MOVING

 What is next in Christmas preparations for our limited times together?

Well I certainly need to iron some tablecloths.

They make any room festive. Even if it is only for me.

#tablclothsforchristmas#gettingreadyforlimitedevents#tryingtostaypositivethroughpandemicdays#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

A FAMILY TRADITION

 Adolph love stuffoli. A sweet Christmas Italian dessert.

Posted on his blog granpalovestocook December 2012.

So Sonya decided to give it a try. She posted on her Instagram and Blog showing the steps and giving her thoughts.

House of Kerrs

I was the lucky recipient of one plate of it.

Another generation completing a dish.

#struffoli#honeybubbles#granpalovestocook#familytradition#asweetItaliandessert#sonyamakesstuffoliinafamilytradition#reflectivetghoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro