Christmas Crafts - Calligraphy Cards and Reindeer Hot Chocolate

Christmas is around the corners and even though in Vancouver we have slush and ice left and not much snow, it is still Christmas time.  It is not too late to make some calligraphy cards and reindeer hot chocolate for gift giving.  

With the calligraphy holiday cards, they have one word each on the front.  LOVE, PEACE, JOY.

Supplies:  blank cards from the dollar store, calligraphy pen, and ink.  

I have taken calligraphy classes in Vancouver from Fox & Flourish, and the Westcoast Odessey of Letters conference.  

I have also found the calligraphy tutorials and practice sheets on the Postman's Knock to be helpful.  

Once you have the tools then it just takes practice and the best is to make the card with love instead of perfectionism.  After all they are handmade card and that's already ready more personalized than store bought.

Next are these cute hot chocolate reindeer.  I was lucky because my girlfriend was already making 50 of these for her family and friends and had already bought the supplies when I decided to make a few.  She kindly said we could just make them together as he didn't need 50 reindeer and since I only needed 8 reindeer, it worked out perfectly.  It was great to be a part of the factory line and learn how to make these Hot Chocolate Reindeer cones.  

Supplies:  hot chocolate mix, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, brown pipe cleaners, googly eyes, red pom poms, treat piping bags.  

There are several blogs that have the full how to for making these hot chocolate reindeer and also free printables which I should have included as not everyone actually knew what they were.  Ahh, it is the thought that counts. It's an added bonus that they look super cute!  

Reindeer Hot Chocolate Printable
Reindeer Hot Chocolate Instructions

Vancouver Event - Renfrew Community Craft Fair

National Blog Posting Month in November

#NaBloPoMo Day 5 - Renfrew Community Craft Fair

Everyone has different holiday traditions and one of mine is participating in a local community craft fair.  It is a way to bring handmade jewellery and crafts to life by giving them a new home to someone who falls in love with what I make.  Renfrew Community Craft Fair has been home to my craft fair goods every year.  I invite everyone I know and it is also a way for me to catch up with friends and have mini reunions with everyone as they shop for local handmade Christmas presents.  

It is a good time to get away from the pushy malls and instead take a look at crafts that people have made with love in a local community.  I find the community is friendly and often I find customers who recognize my table from previous years.  That is what happens with traditions!  People know how to find me and my earrings.  

This year I've invited my friend Taslim to share my table and I'm looking forward to see what craft uniqueness she will bring.  Plus I have an opportunity to spend the day with a long lost friend.  

Save the date!  Saturday, November 26th from 10am - 3pm at Renfrew Park Community Centre in Vancouver, BC.  

Sign up on Facebook (Admission is FREE) - https://www.facebook.com/events/333621707014959/

Earrings are my specialty and you can find some of the pearl, skull, coin earrings below.  I'll also have painted gift boxes, felt cutlery stockings, and more!  Still have 3 more weeks to prepare so there may be a few surprises.

Vancouver Event: Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Hotel

Even though Christmas Day is over, you can still enjoy the festivities and the holiday spirit with different attractions in Vancouver.  

Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Regency Hotel conveniently located beside the Burrard Skytrain Station downtown Vancouver is open today and tomorrow for everyone to enjoy the gingerbread houses displays.  Secondary schools and culinary schools compete for first, second and third prizes in the friendly gingerbread competition.

The large display this year is a replica of Gastown and the Steamclock.  If you want to take a break from the hectic malls and shopping on Boxing Day, then step inside Gingerbread Lane for a little bit of Christmas to help you relax on a bustling day.  Hard to believe that these culinary creations are edible.  Enjoy!

Vancouver Event: Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Just wanted to share a place that I went to on Christmas Eve.  I had family in town from overseas and they had heard about Capilano Suspension Bridge so we decided to take the free shuttle that leaves from Canada Place downtown Vancouver (close to Waterfront Skytrain Station) to the tourist attraction.

We decided to take the 3pm Capilano Shuttle so we could see their special holiday Canyon Lights during the day as the sun is setting and at night.  We were very lucky that we decided not to get a coffee and instead went to stand in line for the shuttle a bit early.  Good thing we did because they only had only 30 spaces as there were three other stops that had passengers waiting.  We were one of the last ones on the bus.  

When we arrived it was still light out and we decided to get our coffee first and warm ourselves up before we went across the Capilano suspension bridge.  It was nice to have a warm drink by the heat lamp before our winter adventure began.  

We walked across the Capilano Suspension Bridge along with lots of other tourists and visitors.  I never knew that this was one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vancouver.  In the summer, they have buses leaving Canada Place every 10 minutes.  Now I have to admit that I am afraid of heights and going there was facing my fears straight on.  I'm glad I did.  The scenery is breathtaking and beautiful.  During the walk, I held on tight and took one step at a time, probably with the look of fear on my face, but I did get better with practice.  I think that there were so many tourists, some young, some old, and none were scared of crossing that bridge gave me courage.  

Once on the other side we did the Treetops Adventure which is walking along the bridges among the trees.  I did much better at this since they were shorter distances and as it got dark we could only see the lights of the bridge instead of what what down below.  Then we continues our trek on ground as they had Christmas tree lights along all the walking trails.  

Cliffwalk Adventure

Then we went across the other side to do the Cliffwalk Adventure which are bridges against the cliff of the mountain walking up to the top.  All of the bridges were lit with Christmas lights.  More festive lights were on the trees as we walked back down to the gift shop.  

They did have quite a lot to do and see and the walking around alone took us two hours easily.  So it was worth the $37.95 per adult as the entrance fee.  Since I was a BC Resident I received an annual pass at guest services so I can return anytime to the attraction.  With a free shuttle I may bring other friends or visitors who come to Vancouver.  

Canyon Lights is still lit up until January 3rd, 2016 so if you still have time to check it out:  https://www.capbridge.com/visit/

Vancouver Event: Bright Nights at Stanley Park

Hello Vancity Girlfriends,

In October Vancity Girlfriend Carolyn was asking me to pin down a date for Bright Night Christmas Train at Stanley Park.  (Or maybe it was her son Toby ;)

Of course I agreed as I haven't been on the Christmas train in years.  I find it difficult to go to these family friendly events without a kid.  Sometimes I borrow a niece so it's nice to be invited to experience excitement through childhood eyes.  Secretly I am a child at heart and love these events.  

Bright Nights Christmas Train is taking a short train ride through a Christmas lights wonderland (I can't say winter wonderland because there is no snow).  A portion of the proceeds for this event goes to the BC Firefighter burn fund to help burn survivors and their families.  

When you first arrive you can see all of the Stanley Park trees covered in Christmas Lights which is quite a beautiful sight.  Then you can walk to the barn which is essentially Santa's workshop where kids and adults alike can talk to Santa and get their picture with Santa for $10 cash.  Luckily the mom had it all planned.

Now getting on the train these days is completely different from what I remembered years ago.  The last time I went on the Christmas train on a blustery day, we just bought our tickets on sight and then stood in line.  The experience now is waiting in line for 1/2 hour so you can be first in your time slot before you can get on the train.  It helps if there are fewer people in your party because they will ask and you can get ahead sometimes.  That's what happened with us and we had 4.  Before that they were asking for 2 to get on an earlier train.  

Bright Nights is a beautiful sight and I loved all of the Christmas Lights.  I guess I don't have the patience of a parent and didn't like waiting in the light rain for an hour even though I appreciated the festive scenery.  Also since it was the last weekend before Christmas, the place was packed and crowded to the brim.  If you choose a time earlier in the season, it may be less packed but that is hard to say.  I'd definitely want to go after sunset to see the bright nights.  Kids love it!  

Cookie Swap Testing: Reeses Piece's Cookies

My girlfriends and I every year organize a Cookie Swap where we each choose a festive cookie and then share them with each other at the cookie swap.  Instead of having someone host the cookie swap, we choose a restaurant that we can enjoy and bring the cookies already packaged for each other.  

I'm quite happy that this year I only have one cookie swap (last year I had two and I needed to enlist the help of my friend to get them all done).  Okay that means that last year I only decorated cookies for one of the swap.  

This year since I'm ahead of the game I decided to open up a Cookie Test Kitchen.  Or that's what I call it.  I'm going to bake different cookies to see which one I like the best for the cookie swap.

The first cookie I baked on the weekend was a Reeses Pieces Cookie.  They reeses pieces candies were on sale so I just used the recipe on the back of the bag.  

I reduced the amount of sugar as I don't have much of a sweet tooth.  I usually just omit the white sugar in recipes, or something like that, and used half a bag of candies instead of the full bag.  The cookie has a strong peanut butter flavour and surprised my husband that it didn't contain any peanut butter except the amount that was in the candies.  The Reeses Piece's cookie tastes good, but it doesn't really make the cut for a holiday cookie.  Next year it looks more like it would suit a spooky Halloween with the orange and brown colours.  

My Cookie Swap test kitchen continues....what cookie will be next......

Vancouver Event: Starbucks Holiday Share Event

Dear Vancity Girlfriends,

Christmas is in the air in November!  Starbucks Red Cups are back to bring holiday cheer to our festive drinks which includes my all time favourite Peppermint Mocha.  There's also Chestnut Praline Latte and Caramel Brulee Latte both of which I've never tried but I might now that it's Starbucks Holiday Share Event.

From November 12 - 15 from 2-5pm, if you buy one holiday drink, you get one free to share!  Now that's worth trying something new and you can add a snowman cookie to share.  

Find the details and the invitation here:  http://atstarbucks.tumblr.com/shareevent

Vancouver Event: Pan Pacific Wish Breakfast

Dear Vancity Girlfriends,

Every year I truly do love the Pan Pacific Wish Breakfast.  It is a festive event that supports a great cause and it gets you in the mood of the holiday spirit.  There are Christmas carolers and choirs, lots of people, media and public support who come out to give toys to those in need.  It's a wonderful venue at the Pan Pacific Vancouver and the breakfast is spectacular in my mind.  Best of all is that you are surrounded by people who all have the same motive, to give toys to the kids so everyone gets a Christmas!  (And I don't even celebrate Xmas myself).  I recommend waking up early to go the Pan Pacific Wish Breakfast to avoid the line ups.  It's coming up in a few weeks on Thursday November 26th from 6am - 9am.  See you there!

Here's the information from the Rock 101 website:  http://www.rock101.com/christmas-wish-breakfast/

The Pan Pacific Vancouver, Global BC and Rock 101 are collecting new unwrapped toys and cash donations benefiting the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau on Thursday, November 26th from 6am to 9am. Bring a new unwrapped toy and join the Willy In The Morning show LIVE for a free breakfast in our efforts to make Christmas a little brighter for families across the Lower Mainland.

Last year, Vancouver residents dropped off 40,000 pounds of toys and over $25,000+ in cash donations for the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. We look forward to you joining us this year!

Where: Pan Pacific Vancouver 999 Canada Place
When: Thursday, November 26, 2015
Time: 6am – 9am
What: Bring a new unwrapped toy and enjoy a free (amazing) breakfast!

2nd Cookie Swap - December 2014

Wow!  Originally when I organized my work cookie swap, I never thought much about the timing of the swap.  When the end result ended up with two cookie swaps in one week, I was happy that I only asked for 6 cookies per participant.

With the 2nd cookie swap with friends, the we decided on 12 cookies per participant.  I did cookie testing in the month of November and tried cookie recipes that took hours to make because the dough needed to be refrigerated overnight and then baked.  Those cookies were just eaten at home with friends. 

As the exchange date drew closer, I knew that I needed to make cookies that were small so I could make four dozen cookies easily.  I wanted to make a festive cookie as well so I decided on the "Chewy Peppermint Mocha Cookie."  I discovered this recipe by doing one of my multiple google searches and it has simple ingredients that I already had in my pantry or I could easily find.  It's from Eat, Live, Run website:  http://www.eatliverun.com/chewy-peppermint-mocha-cookies/

When I made the cookies, I used a cookie scoop so they were a bit rounder almost like a truffle shape.  The cookies were a success!  I managed to bake probably around 60 cookies because I dropped teaspoons of cookie dough instead of tablespoons.  

Cookies have inspired me to do more food photography because they are great still models.  Featured below are the other cookies in the cookie swap that included Chewy Peppermint Mocha Cookies, Lavender Shortbread, Christmas Sugar Cookies, and Holiday Cookie Bark.  Let's see if they can last until Christmas!

Fitness: Fitbit Aria Scale

Dear Vancity Girlfriends,

Christmas came early this year and I got a Fitbit Aria Scale!  Yes, that's what I had on my "Wish List" and then voila it's Christmas in July.

Now Christmas is usually the time when we start to think about our New Year's Resolutions and fitness and healthy lifestyle.  For me, that's all starting now.  Of course Vancouver decided to bring on a summer heat wave and hotter temperatures than usual so it is a bit difficult for me to exercise in 30 degrees when I'm sweating just sitting and watching TV.  August has just begun so I have another month or two to work out my healthy lifestyle routine.  

My Fitbit Aria Scale is just the beginning.  It's a part of the Fitbit series and I already wear my Fitbit One everyday to track my steps (yes, this is a pedometre).  What I like about my Fitbit One is that it is linked to my data and automatically tracks my daily steps.  (I also can't cheat my steps this way).  I can set goals and see how far I'm coming along.  They have a weight feature where I can enter my weight manually, but I never did, so that's where my Fitbit Aria Scale comes into play.

Now with my Fitbit Aria, all I have to do is step on the scale, which records the data in the same place as my Fitbit One.  I can see how much I weigh, % of body fat, and BMI.  Now the sad part is that it can be a bit difficult to see where you stand, the motivating part is that you can get better and maybe I'll be halfway there by the time Christmas comes.  

I now need to get together a fitness regime and healthy meal planning to go with my Fitbit Aria Scale.  Did I forget to tell you that it will only tell you how much you weight, but you still have to do the work to get fit!

So with that in mind you can expect to see more upcoming posts on meal planning, fitness and how I'm doing to reach my healthy lifestyle goals.

Currently I am overweight slightly and my body fat percentage is a tad above normal so my lifestyle goal will be to get into the normal range by the end of the year and keep it there.  

Thanks for reading and we'll see you again next time!

Vancity Girlfriend Maria