Jennifer Michie

Category: The Holidays (page 12 of 38)

December 23, 2018 / 0 Comments

Christmas Preparations

The cookies are baked and stored in tins, a “Pimped out Pumpkin Pie”, recipe courtesy of The American Pie Company is cooling on the counter. The turkey has been picked up from the butcher shop and a loaf of bread is on its second rise before being baked, cooled and cut up for stuffing.

There is a pecan cinnamon-sugar star bread in the freezer, that I made a few weeks ago, that will be pulled out on Christmas Eve to defrost and rise again and then be baked on Christmas morning and smothered in icing for breakfast.

Christmas music is playing, all the lights are twinkling. There is an excitement in the air, but a calmness to our pace. Tomorrow we shall work on final preparations for Christmas day and then Mr. Michie said he had a surprise up his sleeve for me. We’re going to see one of my favourite Christmas movies, “White Christmas” on the big screen. I can’t wait!

It always feels as Christmas will never come and then suddenly it’s here in a rush and a blur of lights and noise and torn Christmas paper and I don’t want to miss a thing! I’m going to savour every moment.

{Image FOUND // Pinned HERE}

December 14, 2018 / 0 Comments

First Batch

Today, I started my Christmas baking. This year, I’m making three different cookies to bundle up and give away. The first, was a batch of “snowdrops”. These are deliciously delicate, studded with pecans and each bite has hints of honey and vanilla and all of that is generously enrobed in powdered sugar. 

As I chopped the pecans this morning I couldn’t help but think of one of the first women I ever worked with, Mrs. Moss.  Her job growing up in the weeks leading up to Christmas was chopping all the nuts and fruit that her Mama would need for Christmas cakes, cookies and pies. I don’t ever chop nuts and not think of Alice Moss. 

I know I’ve shared her story here before and I’m gonna do it again today. She was such a special lady. It’s funny, but along the way, other people’s stories become a part of you. Maybe that’s how we keep them alive, as long as we continue to tell their story, their threads continue to be woven into the tapestry, for their story has become a part of our own story. 

The story I shared of Alice’s childhood during Christmas, can be found HERE.

The first part of her story and how she met her husband can be found HERE.

December 11, 2018 / 0 Comments

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker, by the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House, London. Photograph: Tristram Kenton

Last night, we were lucky enough to have snagged tickets to the encore performance of The Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. Like numerous other people, I’m sure, this ballet means “Christmas” to me and I simply adore it. It was such a part of my childhood growing up. I was very blessed to live in a town that supported the Arts and our ballet company and symphony would put on a beautiful rendition every year. 

I have wanted to see this particular performance at The Royal Opera House for years, but for one reason or another, it just hasn’t worked out. But last night, was perfect. It was the first time we had seen a “live” performance at our movie theatre and we were both truly pleased. It was a wonderful way to see something like this. I know there are elements you miss by not sitting within the audience, staring at the stage together, your eyes wandering over the cast, the sets, feeling the crowds emotions around you. Here, the camera controls what you see. But that didn’t bother us. We felt just as much a part of this performance as if we were seeing it in person. 

Anna Rose O’Sullivan and Marcelino Sambé in the Royal’s The Nutcracker. Photograph: Alastair Muir

The cast was marvellous and we could have not asked for a better Clara (Anna Rose O’Sullivan), Nutcracker (Marcelino Sambé), or Sugar Plum Fairy, who was played by the beautifully talented Marianela Nuñez. This year, she celebrates her 20th year with The Royal Ballet.

During  the intermission, Mr. Michie ordered us hot chocolates. So we started the second Act, nestled in our velvet sofa, drinking hot chocolate, covered with mini pink and white marshmallows. It was perfect! It was a truly magical evening, a wonderful way to start our week and one more enchanting Christmas experience we’ve been able to do this year. 

December 6, 2018 / 0 Comments

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

I forgot to put my shoes out last night, so only Mr. Michie got a surprise. It was a pretty big Christmas chocolate bar that was wedged in his shoe though, so I’m hoping he’ll share a piece with me later.

{Image Phoebe Wahl // Pinned HERE}

November 21, 2018 / 0 Comments

Thanksgiving Eve

There is a pumpkin pie cooling on the counter. I made a fresh loaf of bread earlier in the week and that loaf is now prepped to be used for the stuffing. Celery and onions have been diced and sautéed, in readiness to be thrown into the stuffing mixture tomorrow morning. A turkey breast is chilling in the fridge and the last grocery store run before the weekend was made this morning. I think we’re ready. At least my checklist makes it appear that we are.

I’m so excited for Thanksgiving tomorrow. I’m even more excited about my leftover turkey sandwich and a cold slice of pumpkin pie the following day! Come on, Thanksgiving! I’m ready for you!

{Image HERE // Pinned HERE}

October 30, 2018 / 0 Comments

It’s Almost Time!

Grab your broomsticks, jack-o-lanterns, owls, black cats and lanterns. The bewitching hour is almost upon us! Halloween is almost here!

{“The Halloween Party” (1974), illustration by Adrienne Adams HERE // Pinned HERE}

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