Boxing Day

EPIC POST BELOW - GRAB A COFFEE AND SETTLE IN

Something for you to listen to: Boxing Day by Reliant K

I love the sentiment behind the lyrics of this song:

Take it all down, Christmas is over
But do not despair, but rather be glad
We had a good year, now let's have another
Remembering all the good times that we had
Oh no more lights glistening
No more carols to sing
But Christmas, it makes way for spring

Though hearts of man are bitter in weather
As cold as the snow that falls from above
But just for one day we all came together
We showed the whole world that we know how to love
Oh no more lights glistening
No more carols to sing
But Christmas, it makes way for spring
Oh no more lights glistening
No more carols to sing
Christmas, it makes way for spring
Oh remember that Christmas, it makes way for spring

This Christmas I partied with family members, old

::(Most of) The Duclos Family::



and new.

::Isabelle::



::Aaron::





:::

All of the gifts that I made over the past year have been well received (thus far)! Here are the few that I didn't get a chance to share with you yet.




This pillow, for my sister, was inspired by a similar pillow in this year's issue of Martha Stewart Holiday Gifts.

The pup you see snuggling with my brother-in-law in the upper left corner passed away earlier this year. His name was Baxter, and he was twelve years old.

Baxter belonged to my sister's in-laws, who are her next door neighbors. Her two pups are the same breed, and Baxter was their very bestest friend.

My sister and BIL don't have any kiddos - so the loss of a dog, is an immense one. I made this pillow with printer fabric to display images of happy memories with all of her "boys" with old Baxter prominently featured.

She totally teared up. Point scored!

Next up, a custom CD Visor for my dad:







There were a few tasty gifts too:

Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes (with Cream Cheese Frosting) went to my brother-in-law, Geoff







Ultimate Cinnamon Rolls went to my brother Mike and his girlfriend Sylvie



A note on the cinnamon rolls, should you try the recipe. I'm not a fan of the frosting recipe that accompanies it. I took leftover cream cheese frosting from the Guinness cupcakes and put it on top of the rolls. The results were heavenly!

Here's everything packed up to head off to my parents' house for Christmas Eve:



:::

Christmas Day started like this:







Some gifts are easier to open than others!!!




Then we watched the first season of House ALL DAY LONG.

It was good.

How was your Christmas?

:::

Mine is yet to be over! Matt and I are going to upstate New York this week to sit by a frosty lake and spend some time with good friends. Then we'll be off to New Jersey for Matt's grandmother's 100th birthday (we doubt she'll have any idea as to what's going on, but it's a great excuse to see family), where there will be another round of gifts to dole out to nieces and nephews and in-laws on that side of the family. More fun is yet to come!

I'll be taking some time off from blogging until after the New Year. I hope that you are all having a spectacular Christmas season and I can't wait to see you all in the New Year! Cheers!