Christmas draws closer ...

Christmas preparations 

Spent Sunday afternoon and evening wrapping presents

and decorating the parcels.   Had some trouble getting

started however because Phoebe demanded was in need of 

attention and was not inclined to listen to reason and 

allow me to work unimpeded.

Since wrapping presents one handed, with a cat slung

over your shoulder snoozing is awkward ... to say the

least ... I had to be firm and put her down near by to

nap on a chair ... instead of me.

Wrapping paper around the boxes doesn't take too long

to do.   It's making the bows and decorating in general

that takes time ... and is the fun part.    Unfortunately my

glue gun died awhile ago and I forgot to get myself a new

one so all the bows and decorations had to be "stuck"

on the parcels with tape, white glue or tied on with fancy

string or ribbon.    Frustrating at times and I'm not sure

how durable these things are going to be so when they

are being given out I'll be warning the recipients to be

careful with how they carry or transport their gifts.

At least I did remember to buy a new glue gun the next

time I was out shopping.   Better late then never.

Don't think that I ever showed off the new addition to the

library which my DH made for me in August.   I've had this

design stuck in my head for ages now and somehow, for 

some reason, this summer he and I got to talking about it

and the next thing he knew he was going out to buy the 

materials and putting it together.

Four bookcases set edge to edge with a large sheet of 

plywood on top and with a raised edge of trim to finish 

off each side of the table top.   It gives me a whole lot

of space for my bigger books on the shelves of the four 

bookcases plus the top is perfect for working on my jigsaw 

puzzles,  crafting ... and for wrapping Christmas presents.   

I had to haul all my wrapping paper, trims, adhesives, 

decorations and ... um ... oh yes .... the presents ....

from the top floor of the house to the basement ... and 

then back up there again when I was done but it was 

fabulous to work on that table and not have to bend over.  

And that table top is a HUGE workspace.

On the 7th of December I took the train down

to Toronto to meet my friend Darlene and we

spent the day wandering around the city 

looking at the Christmas decorations.

The above trees are in the atrium of the building

where Darlene works (she was on vacation that

week).   Note the sheets of sparkly lights draped

across the balconies.   Very pretty, nicely done.

We went to Yorkdale mall for the morning and

checked out the stores and their displays there.   The

above arrangement was in Pottery Barn.  We were

disappointed in the lack of decorations at Yorkdale 

in the mall's common spaces.   All the shops there were

decorated but the mall itself only had Christmas 

decorations around the area where Santa was located.

Dull!  Boring!!!  Bah Humbug Yorkdale!!!

We went to Allen Gardens in the afternoon and were

much happier with the effort made there to join in the

spirit of the season.    Poinsettias everywhere, in a 

multitude of colours.    Mannequins dressed for winter

in dresses made of foliage and flowers were scattered

around the main greenhouse. 

Anyone for a sleigh ride?

Another greenhouse had fanciful birds perched in

trees and plants, some sitting on "nests" with 

Christmas decoration "eggs".

I guess it makes sense that a Blue Jay would lay a blue

egg.

It was lovely to spend an hour or more wandering

around enjoying the plants and the Christmas 

decorations.

Once it got dark we walked to City Hall where the skating

rink was in full use, the Christmas tree was lit up and 

everything looked lovely.

The Eaton Centre mall had it's giant reindeer

set out along it's main hall.    They are amazing

to see in person.

The CN tower was lit up with Christmas colours

which looked great.

Didn't buy anything (except for brunch and

dinner) during our day out except when I found

this hardcover edition of the third book in 

Deborah Harkness's All Souls Trilogy which

was on sale for just $10.00.   I did buy this when

it first came out in hardcover a year and a half

ago because I LOVE the series and this author!

But I had to grab this copy because of the sticker

on it which said "Signed Copy"!!!! 

Yup!   There you go!   Signed by the author!!!

Me want!    Me grab!!!    Me very happy!!!

This is baking week.   I've been at it for three days so

far and will keep at it until I run out of time.   Stay 

tuned for further reports.

Cheers!