Deck the Halls (part 1)

…and living room, and kitchen, and fireplace mantel.

There’s something you should know now that I’ve been blogging for over a year. I just can’t hide it anymore. I love Christmas. The whole 4 month season from September to December! Twinkly lights, the smell of cedar and cinnamon, jingle bells playing in the store, beautiful Christmas trees in store windows, Christmas parties, Christmas baking, and especially this year, going home for the holidays! This will be Baby’s first Christmas on the outside and I am so excited for her to see and experience it all!

There’s another thing I must tell you now. Christopher and I have moved every year since we’ve been married. It’s pretty much a hobby. The best and worst part for me is bringing out the Christmas decorations in our new location to see what still fits and what no longer fits. Last Christmas we were living in an apartment with no fireplace mantel. This time we have a gorgeous fireplace mantel.

My predicament: since we moved across Canada just recently and couldn’t bring everything with us, I got rid of a whole bin of Christmas decorations and our tree (sad). I figured I would repurchase what I needed when we got here. I did manage to get a 7ft tall Christmas tree with lights from a nice lady on kijiji for $30. But the stores didn’t put out their Christmas decorations until November. NOVEMBER. The Christmas season is halfway through at this point.

Here’s the first Christmas trees in Superstore. What took so long?!

And Christopher and I have finished our repurchasing and have gone into super-saver budget mode. I’ve learned my lesson. If we move cross country again the Christmas tree comes in my carry on luggage I’m putting aside some money right away for Christmas swag.

Does the story end here? No Christmas wonderland this year for Tamri? No! Donations can be sent to This girl believes in DIY Christmas decorating on a budget! Between Dollarama and Pinterest, I’ve been working on some projects. Nothing is complete yet, so if anyone has suggestions, comment away.

The Christmas tree with lights and ornaments but no tree topper or garland. Dollarama has that mesh/tulle stuff that I don’t know how to use yet. I might get some of that.

My Christmas mantle so far. Silhouette village cut out from white bristol board = .50¢. Nativity scene people = $3 each from Dollarama. Still feels kind of empty. Not sure how I feel about the mirror all the way on the right. I’m still planning to hang a bunch of paper snowflakes = free if you take paper from the printer (see inspiration picture)

Inspiration picture above

Behold: the entrance to the kitchen. These dollarama ornaments, ribbon, and icicles have been with me from house #1.

And of course I can’t forget Baby’s window stickers! She sure does like watch the penguins.

Throw back to 2012, with my sister, baking for our annual Christmas party!!

Christmas Baking Begins!

Tis the season for lights, snow, parades, cozy pajamas, movie nights, and Christmas baking!

My friend and I put our heads, aprons, and baking supplies together this weekend past to make some festive treats. Meghan made the perfect gingersnap cookies, which she made even better by sandwiching them with homemade marshmallow creme filling. I wish I took a picture to show you.

And my creation! I got two boxes of Oreo cookies, a bag of white chocolate chips, a bag of mint chocolate chips, some coconut oil, and candy canes.
First, I crushed the heck out of the candy canes in a ziploc bag using a mallet.
Then I melted the chocolate chips (one flavour at a time) with a bit of coconut oil in a glass bowl over a pot of just-below-boiling water.
When the chocolate was thin enough, I dipped the cookies in and placed them on a tray lined in parchment paper. Then Meghan sprinkled the crushed candy cane on top before the chocolate cooled. Teamwork.
And voila!

The mint chocolate chip ones kind of taste like girl guide cookies. We took some to the Halifax Christmas parade. Then we took the rest to church the next day. They are all gone now. Sad Fortunately. Oreo’s in the house. So dangerous.

Here’s Baby’s impression of the parade. “It’s cold. Take me home. I’m a summer baby.”

Let the Christmas Festivities begin!

BBQ Chicken & Taco salad

This weeks easy-peasy meals are brought to you by Baby’s growth spurt and piles of unfolded laundry!

I picked two easy-to-put-together meals this week because, I don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen today.

BBQ Chicken

(There is no picture because I’m putting Baby to sleep and Christopher BBQ’d the chicken for me. I haven’t seen it yet. If you want to know what BBQ chicken looks like, Google it.)

I have some frozen veggies and precooked and portioned brown rice in the freezer. Then I throw some chicken breasts marinated in BBQ sauce on the bbq, cut them up and BAM! those meals are ready.

Taco Salad
(I ended up wrapping my salad into a burrito because someone ate all the chips)

I got some beef taco seasoning  and ground beef. Browned the beef with seasoning and a bit of garlic. While that’s browning, rip up some lettuce, chop tomato’s, and grate the cheese. Serve beef over lettuce, cheese, and tomato. Top with sour cream, salsa, and crunched tostitos.

Easy-peasy meals for me!

And now I have time to visit with Baby and educate her on the ways of Christmas!

Nursery makeover

Is it still considered a makeover if it’s a new room, in a new province? Whatever, it’s a catchy title!

So in a previous post, I toured Baby’s room at our place in Ajax, Ontario. Here are some pictures of her new room in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The inspirational quotes in frames compliments of Aunt Lydia.
Ajax:

Halifax:

And the party lanterns and tree.
Ajax:

Halifax:

As you can see, the tree leaves are now a vine! Welcome to Baby’s jungle!

My next project is, to find a place to display the carousel given to Baby by her Nanny S.
Baby’s is all wrapped in bubble wrap right now but it is similar to this:

I’d like to cut out some carousel shapes from scrapbook paper and put the on the wall behind the carousel.

A project for another day!

Meanwhile, here are some pictures of the silliest of Baby.