Betsy's First Bath

Well.. not the first... but the first documented one...

Festival of Lights

Every year J and I take his cousins to see Christmas lights. This year we went to VanDusen Botanical Garden Festival of Lights.


These were my favourites. Little flowers in different colours. They were made from recycled water bottles. Too cool!
Just a few bulbs up..


J's Fav's- All in Blues and such.





They had an awful time.

My Birthday Present

So yesterday, during Boxing Day Brunch, J & his family surprised me with a mini Birthday party. I got my first cake in years, and some awesome gifts.

J bought me a new Digital SLR Camera!!! A Rebel XS to be exact!!
Although I have no idea how to use it... I am excited to learn & my Mom gave me photo classes as a gift! ( My whole family was in on the plan too)

The funny thing is, I had to get out the "old" camera to take a picture...

Puppy Portraits

So I got a new toy for my birthday (more to come later)
Although I really have no idea how to use it, I have been "testing on animals"

Barley, the Party Puppy


Betsy, the Danger Doggy

Bella- Up and coming star



Taz, President and CEO, Stella Puppy & Co.

The Christmas Pickle

So...I first started taking part in this tradition when I lived on the East Coast.
And have continued it across the country, all the way to Vancouver.
The deal is:
Someone hides the Christmas Pickle in the tree and the first one to find it gets a prize- and hides the pickle the next year!

Cappeletti

This was SO cool.
J's family is of Italian descent and it is a Christmas tradition to make homemade cappeletti to eat on Christmas day.
Zia Laura lead the charge this year, making the dough, grinding the meat, and teaching me to make the little pasta pockets!

The meat...

Flattening the dough..

Cutting the circles:

The entire family is involved...
Massimo, my Father in law masters the art..


Ready to go...
This was one of the most fun things I have done in ages. It was so incredible to me to be a part of an age-old tradition that J's Nonna started. I had a blast.

A few Wedding shots

:)
Me & My girls




Typical...

My Parents, walking me down the aisle.
This may be my favourite shot of the entire wedding.
The StellasFamilies, united.

The LaRues
All photos courtesy of Leslie & Mark, Sakura Photography

Yes... we are STILL eating potatoes

sigh.. only 6 left from the 20 lb. bag. I swear, I never want to see a potato again. J. thinks he has died and gone to heaven.
On the menu tonight:

Potato Wedges
Garden Salad with Roasted Pine Nuts
Falafel
Salsa & hot peppers.

Christmas Card Exchange & Class

For the Stampin' Up Christmas Card exchange, I took 10 cards of my own, and got 10 different ones that others had made to take home. I also got to make 2 cards!!

2 Cards I Made:



10 Cards from Card Exchange:

Berries, Brownies & Icing!

That's what I took to the Stampin' Up Christmas party!!

New Bedroom Furniture

It's HUGE!!!
lol.. the bed is SO high up... but it looks beautiful!!! And I love love love the storage underneath!!



My Dresser and Mirror...


J's Dresser...


And I can't tell you how MUCH I love our new duvet cover!!! SO awesome!!!

Focaccia

J. LOVES Focaccia bread...
so I tried a new recipe in the bread maker..

Warm Water 1cup
Oil 1/3 cup
Sugar 2tsp
Salt 1 1/2 tsp
Bread Flour 3 cups
Dry Italian Seasoning 1 tsp
Active Dry Yeast 2 tsp

Select Pizza Dough Setting.

After cycle has ended,

With oiled hands, evenly press dough onto greased pan, leaving imprints with your fingers.
Cover and let rise for 20 mins/ 2 times the size.

TOPPING
I used
Feta
garlic (fried in butter)
Italian Seasoning.

Cover with topping and bake 400 for 20 mins. or until golden brown.

Serve with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar.


Topping...
Feta, Olive oil, garlic and spices..


Done and done




Ready to Serve..