I want to say a big thank you to my blog friends and followers who come to visit every once in a while, read my posts, and take the time to leave a comment. Your comments make me smile! They let me know that yes indeed, there are people out there who enjoy reading what I post! So, again, thank you for your friendship and support this past year. I hope to see a lot more of you in 2015. My world is a happier place with you in it!
Are you curious as to what I have been up to these past few weeks? Well, let me show you!
December is a very busy month for our family. Both my husband and I celebrate our birthdays in December, and of course there's Christmas, and the holidays! Those two precious weeks of Christmas holidays are my favourite time of the year. My husband tries to schedule the same time off work as our girls have from school, so that we are all home together for Christmas break. Lucky for us, it worked out perfectly this year!
My darling husband, Nuno, celebrated his birthday on the 14th of December! I baked him his favourite cake, Victoria Sponge (filled with homemade buttercream and raspberry jam) and decorated it with vintage cake toppers - evergreen trees, chopped wood and an axe, He recently taken on a new hobby - collecting and restoring old axes - so it was the perfect theme for his cake!
These are some of the presents waiting to be open on Christmas day. Isn't the tree skirt beautiful? I especially love the ruffled edge! I had been searching for a red/white gingham tree skirt but to no avail. One of my dear friends found one and mailed it all the way from the USA to my door! How lucky am I?
And this is what Christmas morning looked like at our house! These were the first gifts my girls wanted to open - their gifts to each other. Annabel bought Peter Pan for her sister with her savings (Anita LOVES Peter Pan) and Anita bought her little sister this giant Mickey Mouse stuffy because "Mom, she always hugs it whenever she walks into The Disney Store!".
This is me with my husband and my girls celebrating my 38th birthday in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. This is where I spend my birthday most years. It's my favourite little getaway! A place that's far enough away, but close enough to home. Niagara-on-the-Lake is a couple hours drive from where we live and has become a much anticipated birthday tradition for all of us!
This is the famous gazebo situated at Queens Royal Park, overlooking Lake Ontario. On clear days, you can see the CN Tower and the Toronto skyline across the water! Many couples choose to perform their wedding ceremonies here. Isn't it romantic? This gazebo was actually built for a movie filmed in the 80s, called Dead Zone, When the movie was finished, the gazebo was donated to the town. Whenever I visit NOTL, I always stop here to take a picture.
This is Queen Street and in the center is the Memorial Clock Tower/Cenotaph . This heritage district has plenty of shops, one-of-kind boutiques, galleries, and eateries. It's quaint, historic, romantic, and I fall more in love with it each time I visit! I took this photo before the sun came up, around 6:30 am on a frosty morning stroll through the deserted streets.
This is the lovely hotel where we stayed for two nights. It's our second time staying here, and we hope to visit again soon!
I will leave you with one last photo. I took this shot the morning before we left for home. As you can see, it started to snow! Niagara-on-the-Lake always looks so magical in the snow. The snowflakes fell fast and furious and within minutes, everything was covered in white. I couldn't resist taking a photo at the corner of King and Queen Street where the glorious Prince of Wales hotel lies. Isn't it a beautiful scene? It was pure magic!
Here's wishing you a magical 2015! May this new year fill our homes with love, peace, joy, and laughter! Happy January, friends, and happy new year!
Rosinda, Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family! I loved seeing all your December celebrations! Your daughters are so cute and I especially love how they chose gifts that each one loved. Your trip looks amazing and magical. Have a wonderful day! ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha Ellen! Enjoy the rest of your week! Keep warm! XO
DeleteHello there!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to you both!
I love the cake you made for your hubby. : )
Looking forward to visiting you here often this new tear.
Have a cozy day!
Hello Billie Jo! Thank you for your comments and the birthday wishes! I look forward to visiting with you, too! Stay warm! XO
DeleteAs always, your photographs are lovely!!! It's wonderful that Nuno takes time off during the holidays. Family time is so very important! I, too, love the fact that the girls bought presents for each other with their savings. That is so beautiful, so giving, and such a wonderful learning as they grow up. Giving is LIKE receiving, only better! The snowy scene is like a postcard; it almost doesn't look real it's so beautiful! Here's to a wonderful 2015 filled with goodness and joy, love and laughter, health and happiness.... xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Joann! Cheers to you and your lovely New Year wishes! I wish the same for you! Blessings all around! Stay warm! XO
DeleteDear Rosinda, Nuno, Anita and Annabel,
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
May God Bless you all with Love, Peace, Health and Happiness :)
It is always a pleasure to read and to look at all the beautiful pictures, smiles and words you use on your blogs.
From the start to the end you put a smile on my face!
Being part of this loving family is my Greatest Blessing. Love you all to the moon and back!
XOXOXOX <3
Thanks, Mom! I'm glad my posts put a smile on your face! We are blessed, indeed! Love you lots! XOXO
DeleteSending belated happy birthday wishes to you and your husband. We have twin daughters who turned 40 on December 23! Love that scene before you left NOTL with the snow and the horse drawn carriage. It's like a picture from another time!
ReplyDeleteHello Nellie! Thank you for the birthday wishes! Happy belated birthday to your twin daughters!! There is much to celebrate! Happy New Year to you and your family! XO
DeleteWhat a wonderful group of pics showing all your December celebrations. You all look gorgeous as usual and very happy. The girls are adorable and very sweet that they're such good friends. I love that tree skirt too! So glad your December was filled with magic and sparkle!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Nancy! I hope 2015 fills your life with magic and sparkle, too! Sending love to you and best wishes for BooBoo! XO
DeleteGosh, you have been busy! I have somehow been missing your posts on Facebook, so am happy to see you here! You have shared some really cute photos. Hope you have a wonderful 2015 ~~~Deborah
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deborah! It's lovely to see you here! I've missed you! I wish you a happy, healthy new year! Hope to see more of you this year, too! xoxo
DeleteHi Rosinda, Beautiful pictures of your family and the red and white gingham tree theme. NOTL looks so romantic and your photos capture the feeling perfectly. I really love the last one with the snow and the horse and carriages waiting...ready to go.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you. I really enjoy your blog.
Off topic here, but a little while ago I inquired about an EB mug that you have...well, today I bought one! It is the barn owl, which reminds me of my grandparents farm from years ago where a beautiful owl lived in their barn. My mug is a special purchase of a 2nd year all clear for me. I am just thrilled that I found it today and I wanted to share this with you.
Audrey.
Hello Audrey! Thank you so much for your comments and new year wishes! It makes me happy to know that you treated yourself to an EB mug. The barn owl mug is just darling! It will be lovely to drink from it and be reminded of your grandparents each time you do! Thank you for sharing the news with me. Hope to "see" you soon! xo
DeleteOoh I missed this post sweetie! Just catching up! Love it..the gorgeous family photos (so happy that I have actually met everyone in person!) and the lovely vacation shots too. Wishing all of YOU a belated but no less happy Hew Year! Xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you for your good wishes, sweetie! Hoping 2015 brings much love and joy to you and your loved ones! xx
ReplyDeleteI just realized that I never commented on this post! I know I'm a little late but I am wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy 2015! Your December was certainly busy with birthdays and holidays! All the best things in life! ♥♥♥ Love seeing all your photos! Happy Days! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you for your good wishes, Danielle! I wish the same for you and your family! Happy 2015! Cheers! xo
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