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

NaBloPoMo: Writing Prompt Wednesday

National Blog Posting Month

Blogging Daily in November

#NaBloPoMo Day 16 - Writing Prompt Wednesday

As a part of BlogHer's National Blog Posting Month in November, I also enjoy taking part in their November Writing Prompts.  This gives me a chance to broaden and challenge my writing skills to write about something I may not normally write about.  It makes me think.  Today's writing prompt was:  

Nov. 15: What are the best/worst dishes at Thanksgiving dinner?

The best dishes are easy!  I love turkey (dark meat) with nice homemade gravy, mashed potatoes, and stuffing!  Not sure why I don't eat Thanksgiving dinner more often.  I missed having a Thanksgiving dinner at home this year.  We made a turkey because they were on sale but decided to use the meat to make other dishes and casseroles.  Needless to say I missed the traditional turkey dinner with stuffing and mashed potatoes with gravy.  

One of the best parts of baking a turkey was the beautiful turkey stock that was made from the turkey bones.  That is so flavorful to have homemade turkey stock from a turkey that has been roasted in the oven for hours.  It's not just the turkey, but what you can do with it.  

Then what are the worst dishes?  I have yet to discover a good healthy vegetable or greens that will go with the Thanksgiving dinner.  Brussel sprouts or green bean casseroles are among the worst dishes but even worse is when there are dishes that are out of place like a chinese noodle dish, that shouldn't even be on the table.  I know some people like to do ethnic foods with their turkey even something as simple as turkey with rice, but that is the worse for me.  I am traditional with my turkey dinners.  Can't wait for the next one!

PS I always seem to get my days mixed up but it's too late as I have just finished this post.  You all get to read the writing prompt from yesterday today.

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: 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!

1st Cookie Swap Exchange - December 2014

Hello Vancity Girlfriends,

December is here and the holiday festivities are near!  I remember that years ago, I didn't know what a "Cookie Swap" was and now I'm the organizer for one at work and am a participant for one with friends.  

At least I now know what  "Cookie Swap" is!  So for those who don't know, a cookie swap or cookie exchange is a party where the participants bake cookies for everyone else.  Normally you would bake 1 dozen cookies per participant, of course, when I organized my work "cookie swap" I reduced it to 1/2 dozen per person.  

Some people have really big "Cookie Swap" or "Cookie Exchange" parties, but that's not me.  Mine is simple, let's trade cookies, and then go home.  Or you get the idea.  The one with friends is a let's have an excuse to eat out in a restaurant, swap cookies, and then go home.  That makes it manageable instead of someone hosting a cookie swap.  After all isn't baking 4-5 dozen cookies enough work?  

For my work cookie swap my friend volunteered to bake the gingerbread men for me and I spent a morning decorating them with simple store bought icing.  They have the scribblers icing packages that are perfect for the job.  The gingerbread men stayed together for the photo shoot!

Gingerbread Men

Devinely Delish who gave me tips on how to take pictures of your baking so they look fabulous!  I have to admit that after I used her tips, I fell in love with cookie photography.  I want to bake just so I can take pictures!  

With the cookie swap, I was able to have my cookies to feed my hobby of foodie photography.  We have star shaped shortbread, jam thumbprints, and peanut butter reindeer.  Come back again to see my 2nd cookie swap cookies.  

Star Shortbread

Jam Thumbprints

Peanut Butter Reindeer