Last year's tree and this year's "Season" is coming ffffffffffast!!

Some gifts are ordered, some are hiding, some need to be finished (knitting), some need to be started (knitting) - who would have thought my boys would like the toques I made for the gift drive to go with a toy? Son #1 already plucked one out for himself and I need to make two more now for hubby and Son #2. A little gift knitting while watching Christmas movies sounds like a good way to spend these dark cold evenings. My favourite Christmas movies...Bridget Jones -1 and 2 of course, The Holiday, The Family Stone, About a Boy, Love Actually and of course the classics which for me include Little Women (the new one).

On the night of the solstice I always burn a log in our outdoor fireplace...it's the last fire for the year...to "drive the cold winter away". Sometimes I'll sit outside and watch the fire, all bundled up and sipping something firey...like Irish Mist or Bronte Sherry.

If you shop at the LCBO (ha!who in these parts doesn't?), each season, they offer a huge magazine filled with recipes both drink and food and I have to say each and every recipe is fantastic. Last night I made a chicken recipe - boneless, skinless breasts and stuffed into a big pocket you put, slivered almonds, fresh rosemary, brie, finely chopped dried figs, pepper and fold it closed; dip in egg, coat with a breadcrumb and slivered almond combination; brown in a bit of butter/olive oil; finish off in the oven. Yummmmmmmm.

I have to say this was DELICIOUS and I was the only one who thought so. Both Mr. and Mr.Son moved food around their plates like children. Figs? Brie? Together with chicken? You would think I was trying to poison them. And I wasn't...honest.

It's not my turn to cook tonight and I think they will be happy for that :>). Sheeeesh.

I'm going to start this little cardi very soon...I swatched and came out with the perfect tension for once in my life! I'm looking forward to a big session of garter stitching while watching TV and finally I found a pattern for the Debbie Bliss merino I was saving.

I'm looking for all the "greys" that everyone says are NOT there. Hah! Liars...see they're there and there are lots.

Corkscrew Hazel losing it's leaves for the season...I like the glass balls that decorate the tree in the winter and enjoy the curly branches best of all.

Yarn swatch for my newest project...the cardi.

Some finished cowls and just in time...the temperatures have dropped.

Anniversary #34...can you believe it? I can't.....look what Bryan came home with...haven't had time to give it a go yet.

Vegetarians look away....this is a serious hunk of meat...our Anniversary feast surrounded by our family - our kids and my folks.

Whenever I make a "roast" of anything...I place the meat on a bed of luscious veggies, add a bit of salt & pepper and olive oil...this mixture leaves tasty drippings that make the best gravy...onions, garlic, baby bok choy, celeric root, carrots, squash and a sweet potato.

The Tina Turner concert was also an aniversary gift to ourselves. Fabulous concert...68 and still rocking...she is a woman of grace and style. If anyone has had a chance to hear Tina chant (a clip can be found at youtube), you know how her voice can resonate through your chakras.

At 68, Turner is still simply the best (From the Toronto Star, November 14, 2008)

Nov 14, 2008 04:30 AM

Unlike her last concert here eight years ago, Tina Turner didn't have an agenda last night: no new songs to plug, no threat that this was her last tour of big stadiums.
The two-hour show before a sold-out crowd of more than 16,000 at the Air Canada Centre was simply a celebration of her 50-year, eight Grammy-winning, 180 million album-selling self; or, as the most successful female rock artist of all time humbly promised the audience – "a recap of my work done in the past."
Backed by a potent seven-piece band, she opened the show some 20 feet in the air on a pedestal that slowly descended to the stage and launched that gravely voice in full throttle with "Steamy Window."
She was very loud – even in her "Hi everybody!" hello –and there were times when it seemed like you could've heard her from the rafters without the mic. That meant slight distortions depending on your seat. She laid back for a three-song acoustic set after the intermission, singing from a stool, then bounded up before the last note had quelled and delivered a spirited version of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" as if being still had been penance.
Turner changed outfits several times, favouring sequined capri sets and micro minidresses. At 68, the Nutbush, Tenn., farmer's daughter is a well-proportioned size 10-12 with legs that seem to start just under her bosom. With just a shimmy here, and a shuffle there, she left most of the choreography to the nubile young dancers, but never seemed lacking in energy in the eye-popping show, which featured pyrotechnics and elaborate technical staging.
She embodies triumph over expectations, aging, the music business, her rural origins, and especially over that famously abusive ex-husband, Ike Turner, who died of a cocaine overdose at 76 last year.
But Turner holds no mean grudge. Ike figured prominently in the memory lane footage that opened the second half.
Even though she stoked the Mars-Venus division for a "What's Love Got To Do With It" singalong – "Fellas, are you going to let us girls beat you at your own game?" – she had the genders united by the end of the song.
Turner is a nonpareil blend of strength and grace. I heard 27-year-old Beyoncé, with whom Turner kicked off this year's comeback in a Grammy Awards duet in February, say that she's over being known as a hot girl and desires to become an icon.
Tina Turner is proof that you can be both.

Thursday night....Air Canada Centre....we'll be there!!