Festive season snippets..all is calm, all is bright.

The festive season is in full swing...
socials, lunches, parties, shopping, baking, gift giving, concerts, Christmas Carols, decorations, egg nog lattes and gingerbread houses are just a few of the highlights that I savour and enjoy.
It is a busy time of year.

Maintaining balance and calm we like taking a drive in the country and having a healthy lunch in a waterfront bistro.

These beautiful swans look pretty content nibbling in the farmer's field.

You can see the pumpkins in the back ground and the raindrops on the window of Mr. HB's car.

Caesar salad with kale and romaine lettuce.

Served at Haro's waterfront bistro in the Sidney Pier Hotel.

I spy with my little eye a wee kitten in an Advent calendar...

in one of the shops along Oak Bay Avenue.

Felted animals...

I have a serious crush on these charming wee cute and cuddly creatures!

Christmas Tree in the lobby of the Laurel Point Hotel where we took in the annual decorated gingerbread house display.

The baking and decorating of the gingerbread displays is quite impressive.

I remember trying to make one years ago and it listed so far to the right that it fell apart!

Neighbours are decorating...

the streets looks quite bright and festive.

Oops 

a gold bauble blew down in the gale force winds...

I stopped on my walk to capture the image not realizing that I would be visible in the reflection.

I'll be posting sporadically over the next weeks as there are so many wonderful and engaging activities to enjoy.

Right now I have my nose firmly planted in Louise Penny's latest novel 

the Inspector Gamache mystery series..."The Nature of the Beast" is brilliant!

If you have never read Louise's books start with the first in the series and work your way up.

She uses the same characters and they develop over time.

Thank you for stopping by...

This is how we celebrate...60...OOTD

Mr. HB and I discussed my 60th birthday...
how we would like to celebrate and we decided on a catered dinner, a gathering of family and friends.

We were originally going to go to a local restaurant with a private room.

 and just before we booked the venue our friends offered to host it in their gorgeous heritage home.

This table was set up in their living room!

 Thorn and Thistle is my go to for flowers and my friend artfully arranged them in her vintage vases and planters.

~ Delicious appetizers ~ 

crab cakes followed by lamb popsicles based on Vikram Vi'j's recipe

started the evening off as they were served while we mingled sipping flutes of Prosecco.

All the catering was done by our good friend Julie who is a superb cook and has an eye for every last detail.

She owns and runs Jules catering here in Victoria.

If you have a special event and need some help please give her a call.

We set up a bar...

Caesar Salad to start...

Home made pasta with Gorgonzola sauce with a garnish of crunchy walnuts

Lemon Chicken "Piccata" so tender that it practically melted in my mouth!

Rice pilaf

and trays of roasted vegetables.

Dessert was a chocolate quinoa cake served with whipped coconut milk and fresh raspberries.

Oh and there were cards, gifts, Euro's and tears of joy.

My children totally surprised me with a beautiful pearl pendant and bracelet from Birks.

A pretty silver star and a handy jewelry pouch for travel...

cookbook

I dressed up for the party...

I wore my favourite LBD with an artisan necklace by Debra Kay...

which was swapped for the gorgeous pearl pendant as soon as I opened the box!

Banana Republic Robson handbag and Stuart Weitzman shoes complete the outfit.

I am so grateful for this special party and thank you my wonderful husband, family and friends.

It was a memorable evening and I loved having everyone around helping me usher in the next decade.

We have frequently marked my birthdays on the sandy beaches at Point No Point.

Writing messages in the soft wet sand...

only to watch the waves wash my words away.

"Time and tide wait for no man."

~ Geoffrey Chaucer ~

“The world is a looking-glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown at it, and it will in turn look sourly upon you; laugh at it and with it, and it is a jolly kind companion.”

  ~ William Makepeace Thackeray ~

Plan to keep looking for the magic in each day...

and savouring the beautiful.

In my early 20's in the Magic Kingdom...

where does the time go?

Inside I feel very much like that young woman...

 a few exterior changes...

My hair is grey, with laugh lines, my jaw is softening...

No longer 110 pounds ~ no longer able to fit into that size 6 leather jacket.

Still like to laugh and smile as often as possible.

Have fun and experience Joy.

Love spending time with our friends and family.

Grateful for our grandchildren ~ the greatest gifts.

Thank you for stopping by...

Hostess

XO