Dreaming of a White Christmas

Well, here we are again after an interesting two weeks. The weather down here has not cooperated, almost as if someone hit reset and we missed winter. Ah well, there are a few days left for some snow to fall. 

I took off last Sunday to visit my parents in Carleton Place, Ontario for a pre-Christmas get together. Since they have moved, I have tried to visit at least twice a year but for the last two years it has just been myself going up to see them. It makes for a long drive by myself but that just means it's thinking time. I don't know about you but I do my best thinking in two places--one is behind the wheel and I'll let you guess when the other is...Bah-dum-dum.

Carleton Place Nursery

 While I was up there, freezing rain fell and covered everything with a fine layer of ice. It looked fabulous but was a bear to drive on. We paid a visit to Carleton Place Nursery in my uncle's quest to find a fibre optic tree...Yeah, you guessed right, he's a snowbird on his way to Florida. The nursery has a lovely Christmas shop and whoever decorated did a wonderful job. Each tree was a part of a theme and I loved them all. That is a problem I have every year--which theme to use country or glittery or all blue or silver...you get the point. In case you're wondering, my tree is all silver this year with turquoise and lime green accents dotting the rooms. They also had quite the collection of kitchen gadgetry and gifts that are sure to please. I picked up something for family there but I resisted buying for myself or I would have been there all day trying to decide.

I found myself a new stocking! I was chuckling to myself at the thought "Now, that gives new meaning to Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas" that I couldn't take an in focus shot of the thing!

We also paid a visit to the local butcher shop where I picked up the most delicious sausage! It's all handmade in the shop with attention given to unique and tasty combinations. I chose Leek and Feta pork sausages but the chicken and blueberry caught my eye. Maybe next time. The ones I took home with me were a big hit and I'll have to get my parents to get me some more and send them along.

Check out my new BBQ, isn't she a beauty? Found this on display outside of the butchershop. They had a few models of wood pellet burning BBQ's but this one's my favourite. One day I'll move up from charcoal to wood pellet but as of now, I'll have to stick with my wee charcoal grill.

There's just something reassuring about a blatant no bones about it, unabashed display of carnivorous behaviour.

Seriously though, why not slave over a hot grill with a bit of style and humour?

It certainly would be a party conversation starter, wouldn't it?

I love the attention to detail!

Well, that's it for this batch of posts. Hopefully time will allow me to post more before Christmas but if not I want to wish each and everyone out there a Merry Holiday, Happy Christmas, Joyful New Year, Cheerful Solstice, Yummy Kwanzaa, Fruitful Ramadan and anyone I may have missed. Yeah, a bit of facetiousness as I find the whole concept of being offended by well-wishing a mite ridiculous.

Whatever you want to call it, however you celebrate at this time of year, I hope you have a wonderful time.

Be safe, be happy, be well.