Chestnuts Roasting on a Open fire….

This song tends to bring a certain period in time to mind for me.  Not necessarily a simpler time, but a slower paced time when things weren’t so rushed, and how much you spent and gifts weren’t the focus of the season. 

 

A little bit of that time was evoked and shared with my son this past weekend at the St. Albert Grain Elevator and Train Station, where they had a telegrapher send his wish list to Santa in the North Pole via Telegraph!  Man, the Operators fingers sure knew what they were doing as they tapped out this great long list….We opted out writing the list with an old fashioned pen and ink and went with good ol’ lead!  I could see messes happening with ink in a 4 year olds hands and a wandering mind, especially since the great man in red was sitting in the next room waiting to talk and see if you had been good or naughty.

 

We created a couple of crafts and ornaments and decorated a gingerbread cookie (deliciously from Grandin Bakery),...

Christmas Has Come

 I know it is only Mid-October, but the St. Albert Botanic Park has provided us a reason to start celebrating a little early this year. Until October 22nd the gift shop is open and selling everything Christmas. Christmas baskets, ornaments, and end tables adorned with poinsettias are just a few of the items waiting to delight you. As well as a wonderful Christmas shopping opportunity, the Botanic Park complements the experience by providing hot apple cider and a tray of goodies…including my perennial favourite “shortbread” cookies. www.stalbertbotanicpark.com

  I only eat shortbread cookies once a year and I am a purist. I was taught to make shortbread cookies with butter, cornstarch, icing sugar, and flour, topped with a ½ maraschino cherry…and these are the only ones that satisfy me. Recipe below:

1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour...