Saturday, December 12, 2009

Tis the Season...

...to fly south! I think mother nature was issuing payback the last few days over the unusually mild November we had. BUT despite my dislike of the cold, I find it doesn't really feel like Christmas without snow. Maybe that's why I still haven't been able to wrap my head around the idea that Christmas is only 2 weeks away. There just hasn't been enough snow to provide warning! However, if you'd like a blatant reminder take a drive out to your local mall and try to find a parking spot around noon. I dare you.

Along with the logistical nightmares, the Christmas season also brings with it many things to look forward to including those much anticipated seasonal shindigs. And as a result I, along with many others, spend hours on end in the kitchen. This was one of those weeks. On the menu this weekend, Christmas themed cupcakes and a 50th birthday party cake. Apparently tis also the season to double book! Yes I lost some sleep, but who needs sleep anyways?

On a serious note, this is also the time of year to think of those less fortunate. With the economic climate over the past year a lot of people are having to access services which they might have otherwise been able to do without. And with a spike in demand, many worthy organizations are in need of assistance to keep up.

So next time you're in the grocery store consider donating a few items to the local food bank. Or if you're really feeling generous, here are some ideas:

Adopt a family for Christmas through Family & Children's Services:
http://www.facswaterloo.org/html/TreeofHopeAdoptAFamily.html

Donate a new toy through the 570 News Santa's Anonymous campaign:
http://www.570news.com/more.jsp?content=20091116_153825_5404

...or to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree campaign stationed at local malls.

Make a donation to The Kitchener Conestoga Rotary Club's Turkey Drive for turkeys which will be distributed through the House of Friendship's Christmas Hamper program:
http://www.rotary-kc.ca/public/turkey/index.asp

In the end...only kindness matters. Season's greetings!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

A Day at The Spa

O.k., so when I was 7 years old I don't think I even knew what a spa was. BUT times have changed, as became evident when Emma asked her mother for a spa-themed birthday party. And with that thought, Emma's mother transformed their home into a mini spa retreat for a day - complete with a hair salon, nail station, AND those wonderful cucumber eye treatments.

After checking out the festivities myself I found that the only difference between a real spa and Emma's make-believe spa was the sound level! I think it'll be a few years yet before these little divas discover their inner zen!

Anyways, Emma loves chocolate so that made the cake selection easy. The addition of Oreo crumb buttercream sealed the deal. As for the design, I opted to keep it simple. Bubble bath, a few rolled up towels, lemon water, and cucumbers were my ideas of choice for this cake. And now that it's done I'm thinking a REAL day at the spa would be kinda nice. Hmmm...something to add to the Christmas wish list!

Happy birthday Emma!