Now that I’m an adult and have a family of my own, I realize how much effort and work went into making those Christmas memories! Of course, I want my Kids to look back on their Christmases, the same way I do, with love and confidence that those were The Days 💛. Ninja and I try to put the same amount of energy into Christmas as our parents did. They taught us that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to make lifelong memories. Nope! You just need to be organized!
Every year I put up our family calendar for December. Each day has an activity on it that will help to get us into the holiday spirit. This year, I thought I would share it with you! This calendar is not set in stone. It is just a premade plan to get you in the mood! If you would rather go skiing instead of sledding… Invite me! 😂 If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t make yourself a cocktail maybe make yourself a fancy hot chocolate instead! Again, these are just festive suggestions to help you all make Merry Memories!
December 1: Start an advent calendar! Over the years, the advent calendar sensation has gotten out of control! Maynard, our Elf on the Shelf, (thanks for that fun gift Sis) brings me and the Kids yummy chocolate advent calendars, both of the Kids usually get an advent calendar for their birthdays as well. I do a craft beer advent calendar, focussing on BC craft breweries for Ninja and of course, we begin this calendar, our December activities calendar!
December 2: Have a merry Mocktail! We love making the Kids fancy mocktails on Christmas movie nights! I will have a Mocktail guide coming out mid December, so keep an eye out!
December 9: Go for a winter walk! While you are out, taking in the beauty of December, collect fir branches, pinecones, and greenery for decorations.
December 14: Give a gift to a stranger! Every year we donate to Toys for Tots, or another group that is taking in gifts for people in need. There are too many people out there that do not get to celebrate Christmas the way I am describing. Help make their holidays just a little bit better by donating today.
Check out How Was Your Week, Honey? Ep.355: Grey Bowl Super Cup HERE! This week, we get together before the big football game. Topics: shopping, hair loss, Mistletoe Margarita, Kevin visits, Traylor, the Grey Cup, more Traylor, girl bands, & piercings.
What happens when you mix 2 of your favourite ingredients together? You get Tortellini Chili! Yum! Double Yum! This dinner was absolutely delicious! Super easy, super enjoyable, and super agreeable for everybody in the family! When nobody complains and everybody is too busy shovelling food into their mouths, that makes me one happy Mama!
Tortellini ChiliAdapted from Closet Cooking
1 tablespoon oil
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 lb ground beef
6 cups beef broth
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon oregano
8 ounces fresh cheese tortellini
Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat, add the onions and saute until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, paprika and cumin and cook until fragrant, about a minute. Add the beef and brown, about 6-8 minutes, before draining any grease.
Add the broth, beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano and tortellini and bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the tortellini is tender, about 10 minutes.
This chili benefits from simmering for longer so if you have the time, hold off on placing adding the tortellini and simmer for up to 2-3 hours before adding the tortellini and cooking until tender, about 10 minutes.
This was a busy week because Ninjas’s brother was in town visiting and I worked. This was my busy work week, 2-2 hour clients. That’s right, 4 hours. I work Tuesday morning, sleep for the rest of the day. Take it easy all day Wednesday, so that I am able to make it to work on Thursday for 2 hours. Then I come home and sleep for the rest of the day and for the majority of the next day. Hopefully, my disability will be approved at some point because this lifestyle just isn’t working for me and my family 😆.
The Kids had Monday and Tuesday off school so HBear helped Ninja in the garage, tidying it up for future birthday parties, while SBean practised saxophone and her sewing skills. I worked on the computer, made homemade soup, and Ninja brought me home beautiful red roses 💛. This weekend HBear was in Kelowna at a curling bonspiel! My Sis and her family stopped by to support her. On Sunday we hit up a few Christmas craft markets, made my Mom’s famous Grey Cup Taco Dip and tried out the new coffee shop in the Cannery. Ninja was lucky and had a few days off this week and was able to spend some quality time with his Brother. Everybody went out for dinner at Shaughnessy’s Cove (while I slept) and Ninja, checked out the new Okanagan Virtual Golf, which he absolutely loved, and now wants to join a team! Lol It was a great week, and I am finally in the mood for Christmas!
