Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Making Merry
I'm a big Christmas freak fan, and I love how this time of year brings everyone together. So, I wanted to think of a fun get together for our friends to spend an evening together and get in the festive spirit. H and I got our creative hats on and hosted a cookie decorating party for 15 adults and 2 kids this week.
We baked up 4 batches of cookies (2x sugar cookies and 2x gingerbread cookies), made some snacks (crab cakes and Christmas Morning Wifesaver) and whipped up some festive drinks (mulled wine and eggnog), to get the party started!
We asked everyone to bring their favourite treats to decorate with, and we had such an amazing selection of candies and sprinkles, it was fun to see all the different kinds of little sweets out there, and what combinations others like-- like pretzels, icing, chocolate, and candies all on one sugar cookie !
We set up a few decorating stations in our living and dining room, making sure each area had a selection of icing and goodies, and then set everyone free to create some magic.
Lucky for us, everyone got really into it and had a blast creating their edible art, even our youngest participants, who were surprisingly skilled with the icing bag!
The whole evening was a blast, and I think might become a Christmas tradition. But, next year I need to bake less cookies, we ended up waaaay over estimating. Lucky for us, our friends and colleagues were kind enough to help us with the leftovers ;)
And, my struggle to get clear images in low light, just proves why I needs a new camera (hint hint)...
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Holiday Gift Guide for Foodies
OK, as promised..... As most of us have a foodie in our lives, H and I put our heads together to come up with a Foodie's gift guide. These are pretty much all tried, tested (and typically used daily) by my resident (professional) chef- perfect for the recreational or hard-core cook in your life.
1. Global knives- H uses these at work and at home. He's used most brands and likes the quality of the knives and they are at a reasonable price point. I like the polka-dot handles ;) Tip- They can be bought individually or in sets depending on what you are looking for.
2. Peugeot grinders- H has used their pepper grinders for years (and this year Sinterklaas brought him a Peugeot salt grinder). They are now available in pretty much any colour in the rainbow, so are the perfect way to add a functional pop of colour to any kitchen.
3. Bamix immersion blender- the mac daddy of hand blenders. Sadly we don't have one of these babies for our house yet, we are waiting for our cheapo one that I've had since university to die on us!
4. Plain White dishes- not only are they timeless, they also make your food look the best. We have several sets of white china, including this Sophie Conran design which was our wedding set.
5. Mortar and Pestle- Great for grinding up herbs and spices (or even candycanes for peppermint cookies!). We have a granite one, but they come in marble, ceramic etc.
6. Fresh Herbs - No chef worth their salt does not prefer to cook with fresh herbs, so why not pick up some herb plants at your local garden center. Pair them with some cute plant pots for a window sill or wall (hmmm, I think those planters should be added to my wish list!) and you've got a gift any foodie would love.
Note: We were not perked in any way for these recommendations. None of these companies know who the heck we are, they are just products we know and love.
1. Global knives- H uses these at work and at home. He's used most brands and likes the quality of the knives and they are at a reasonable price point. I like the polka-dot handles ;) Tip- They can be bought individually or in sets depending on what you are looking for.
2. Peugeot grinders- H has used their pepper grinders for years (and this year Sinterklaas brought him a Peugeot salt grinder). They are now available in pretty much any colour in the rainbow, so are the perfect way to add a functional pop of colour to any kitchen.
3. Bamix immersion blender- the mac daddy of hand blenders. Sadly we don't have one of these babies for our house yet, we are waiting for our cheapo one that I've had since university to die on us!
4. Plain White dishes- not only are they timeless, they also make your food look the best. We have several sets of white china, including this Sophie Conran design which was our wedding set.
5. Mortar and Pestle- Great for grinding up herbs and spices (or even candycanes for peppermint cookies!). We have a granite one, but they come in marble, ceramic etc.
6. Fresh Herbs - No chef worth their salt does not prefer to cook with fresh herbs, so why not pick up some herb plants at your local garden center. Pair them with some cute plant pots for a window sill or wall (hmmm, I think those planters should be added to my wish list!) and you've got a gift any foodie would love.
Note: We were not perked in any way for these recommendations. None of these companies know who the heck we are, they are just products we know and love.
Friday, December 7, 2012
What I'm Hoping is Under the Christmas Tree- 2012 edition
December is here, and with it the holidays. There are not a lot of needs in my life that I can't fulfill, but there are always a few little wanted things I have my eye on. As everyone else is rushing around trying to find gifts for their loved ones, I thought my list of wants, might inspire some of you so ( I know other people's inspire me), so here's my wish list for 2012:
1. Custom Portrait of our house- as it's our first house together, our little ranch will have a special place in our hearts forever. This would also be great as a house warming gift.
2. Portable hand vacuum (yes, I am a wife who wants avaccuum as a gift, does that make me weird?!), when dragging out the main vacuum is not needed, and with a dog in the house I'm guessing that will be happening more often!
3. Vintage or vintage style oscillating table fan- I'd love a bright blue one!
4. Digital SLR camera - to take my photog skilz up a notch (and better capture action etc.).
5. Self-healing mat for quilting- since mine bit the dust during the basement reno's floor installation
6. A new carpet for our living room- With the room finally painted, it's time to really style and decorate it. My faves are this and this.
Next up, the Casa Waffles gift guide for the foodie in your life (with help from my resident foodie!)
2. Portable hand vacuum (yes, I am a wife who wants avaccuum as a gift, does that make me weird?!), when dragging out the main vacuum is not needed, and with a dog in the house I'm guessing that will be happening more often!
3. Vintage or vintage style oscillating table fan- I'd love a bright blue one!
4. Digital SLR camera - to take my photog skilz up a notch (and better capture action etc.).
5. Self-healing mat for quilting- since mine bit the dust during the basement reno's floor installation
6. A new carpet for our living room- With the room finally painted, it's time to really style and decorate it. My faves are this and this.
Next up, the Casa Waffles gift guide for the foodie in your life (with help from my resident foodie!)
Friday, November 23, 2012
The Real Deal, or Fake it 'till you Make it?!
This year I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, and by that I don't mean snow. I'm thinking white Christmas tree! As it looks like we may be hosting ~30 people on Boxing Day for brunch (Dec 26th for any of you non-Canadians or Brits), so I'm thinking this year is the year for something fun and different, and statement worthy.
Growing up we were a real tree family, and as an adult I've always been a real tree kinda gal ( my name's Sarah, and I love pine smell!) . But... I've been getting the fake itch this year, and although I should be into it for the reduced carbon footprint, and other environmental reasons, yada yada yada.... that is not what is inspiring my to consider the leap to faux, I'm all about the aesthetics baby! Note: Our tippy tower of Pisa real tree last year showed one of the key cons to real trees!
Cruising the Internet hasn't help this itch, as I'm loving how versatile white trees are, be it tone on tone...
Or with bright pops of colour...
I've seen some reasonably priced options at the big box stores, so now I have to make the decision on:
Growing up we were a real tree family, and as an adult I've always been a real tree kinda gal ( my name's Sarah, and I love pine smell!) . But... I've been getting the fake itch this year, and although I should be into it for the reduced carbon footprint, and other environmental reasons, yada yada yada.... that is not what is inspiring my to consider the leap to faux, I'm all about the aesthetics baby! Note: Our tippy tower of Pisa real tree last year showed one of the key cons to real trees!
Cruising the Internet hasn't help this itch, as I'm loving how versatile white trees are, be it tone on tone...
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And I'm really loving how they look at night when lit with white lights, almost like they are glowing...... love love love!
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The topper for me in the white tree debate, is how the white is a great backdrop to the ornaments, and lets them be the star that they are. I also love that by changing the colours of the decorations you can really change things up and tie it into your decor. Finding this gorgeous image in our living room's colours may have pushed me over the edge into the white tree camp.
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I've seen some reasonably priced options at the big box stores, so now I have to make the decision on:
- Is this a phase that I will grow out/get bored of?
- Do I really want to store a honking big tree for 11ish months of the year?
- How big do I go, table top sized or a big kahuna?
How about you... are you on team real or team faux? For those of you that are fakers, any tips on what I should keep an eye out for when picking one out? And, do you think we should we go big.... or go home?
Friday, December 30, 2011
Happy belated Holidays and 2012 to do's
We are a bit slow on the uptake here at Casa Waffles, so instead of wishing you all a happy holiday, we'll just go with all the best for 2012
In case you were wondering, our big To Do's for the upcoming year are (and how we decorated our place this Christmas Season, cuz who doesn't like getting a peek at other people's decor... or is it just me who loves peeking in windows to see how in people's rooms.... wait, that came out weird.... I'm not like a peeping Tom or anything, it's for research !:
Basement Reno - it's time that "spare" unused space in our basement started bringing home the bacon
New Roof- because the tarped roof look is so 2011!
Attic Insulation- time to bring our insulation into the 21st century, cuz in our climate R4 isn't gonna cut it
Paint the Exterior- yup, we're planning to say buh buy Smurf Blue, much to the relief of our neighbours!
Paint: the upper hallway, entry, living and dining room- I'm thinking really pale greige, something like our bedrooms
Installing closet doors: Yup, no more exposed linens or cleaning supplies for us!
Oh, and a not so sneeky peek at our last big project in 2011....
Big hugs, Sarah & H
In case you were wondering, our big To Do's for the upcoming year are (and how we decorated our place this Christmas Season, cuz who doesn't like getting a peek at other people's decor... or is it just me who loves peeking in windows to see how in people's rooms.... wait, that came out weird.... I'm not like a peeping Tom or anything, it's for research !:
Basement Reno - it's time that "spare" unused space in our basement started bringing home the bacon
New Roof- because the tarped roof look is so 2011!
Attic Insulation- time to bring our insulation into the 21st century, cuz in our climate R4 isn't gonna cut it
Paint the Exterior- yup, we're planning to say buh buy Smurf Blue, much to the relief of our neighbours!
Paint: the upper hallway, entry, living and dining room- I'm thinking really pale greige, something like our bedrooms
Installing closet doors: Yup, no more exposed linens or cleaning supplies for us!
Oh, and a not so sneeky peek at our last big project in 2011....
Big hugs, Sarah & H
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
A few Little People
I was all commited to finishing up my growing list of WIP's.... when I stumbled across some super cute paper piecing patterns over at Sewhooked.
Since H had to work late last night leaving home on my lonesome, I rushed through my normal to do list, whipped up some KD (one of my imported from Canada indulgences!), and gave paper piecing a crack. So, even though I have a ton of other things that I should have been doing, my excuses of: 1. they were cute and 2. I have to do some paper piecing for a one of my bees soon, won out. The fact that the blocks are Christmas related and that it's January, did not persuade me to stop. I kind of figure that at the rate I'm adding WIP's, I'll probably need the 11 months to get it done!!
Anyways, few hours later I had produced these:
A level 1 tree and a level 2 Mrs Clause, not to shabby if I say so myself.
For some unknown reason I pulled a "striped" fabric out for Mrs Clause's jacket -why you ask would I choose a stripe for my rookie attempts at paper piecing??... dunnno, I think I'm a glutton for punishment! I almost pulled my hair out and stomped on the ground during my attempts to match the stripes but, I'm glad I perservered because I think she turned out pretty adorable. My stripe plan worked out (kind of- they were supposed to be vertical- but at least I matched up the slight angle they ended up on!) by giving the needed definition to her arm so it doesn't blend in- score 1 Sarah :)
Oh yeah, and I love how the background fabric looks like snowflakes :) Before bed last night, I already pulled out the fabrics for the next three blocks, Santa, an elf, and a penguin...
Since H had to work late last night leaving home on my lonesome, I rushed through my normal to do list, whipped up some KD (one of my imported from Canada indulgences!), and gave paper piecing a crack. So, even though I have a ton of other things that I should have been doing, my excuses of: 1. they were cute and 2. I have to do some paper piecing for a one of my bees soon, won out. The fact that the blocks are Christmas related and that it's January, did not persuade me to stop. I kind of figure that at the rate I'm adding WIP's, I'll probably need the 11 months to get it done!!
Anyways, few hours later I had produced these:
A level 1 tree and a level 2 Mrs Clause, not to shabby if I say so myself.
For some unknown reason I pulled a "striped" fabric out for Mrs Clause's jacket -why you ask would I choose a stripe for my rookie attempts at paper piecing??... dunnno, I think I'm a glutton for punishment! I almost pulled my hair out and stomped on the ground during my attempts to match the stripes but, I'm glad I perservered because I think she turned out pretty adorable. My stripe plan worked out (kind of- they were supposed to be vertical- but at least I matched up the slight angle they ended up on!) by giving the needed definition to her arm so it doesn't blend in- score 1 Sarah :)
Oh yeah, and I love how the background fabric looks like snowflakes :) Before bed last night, I already pulled out the fabrics for the next three blocks, Santa, an elf, and a penguin...
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