My Favourites

Since being off from work the last week or so I have been able to take some time for myself and enjoy some of my favourite things.

Here are my favourite things...

I have recently gotten into painting my nails.  I never use to paint my nails and since having two little ones I thought it was pointless doing them with the amount of time I wash my hands on a daily basis. I found a dark polish colour I love by OPI called Light my Sapphire.  I never would have chosen a dark polish colour but it's growing on me.

I received a wonderful gift from one of my students families.  They gave me some products from TiberRiver Naturals.  I got two bath bombs and a tub of the shower shaker.  The shower shaker is now my favourite, it's the scent Now this is Christmas.  It's a mixture of apples, cinnamon and nutmeg.  The best way to start my day!

I have been caving into my sweet tooth this week.  Too much for my liking!  I decided to make holiday bark with my students for gifts for their parents.  I just used both white and dark chocolate with crushed up candy cane and Christmas sprinkles.  It got me in the mood for bark and I decided to make a recipe I pinned a long time ago on Pinterest called Chocolate Carmel Pretzel Bark.  Oh my goodness it is delicious!  The blogger warned her readers that they may eat the whole pan in one night.  I also tried a chocolate peanut butter fudge recipe.  Sooo tasty and I'm happy that Abby can have it has a treat.

For Christmas Kyle surprised me with four beautifully made photo books by Mac.  He made one for each year starting in 2012.  I opened the gift on Christmas Eve so of course it made me tear up.  Such a great gift!  He said it was incredibly easy to make and order.  He also said it came in less than 3 days in the mail.  I then decided to order my grandma's and my mom's annual calendar through Mac instead of Costco this time.  I think I will be making more the photo books for 2016.

Smoothies!!! I am a little obsessed with drinking smoothies lately.  We make one every morning for breakfast and we all drink it. Here is what I usually put in my smoothie so it keeps me full all morning.

I start with
-2 cups or so of orange juice
-a good handful of greens either kale or spinach
-2 cups or so of frozen fruit (my fav is mango)
-2 tbsp or so of chia seeds
-1 cup or so of plain greek yogurt
-1 tbsp of fresh grated ginger (I put a big chunk in the freezer and grated it frozen)
-1/2 tbsp or so of maple syrup or honey.

Catch Up!

I have been MIA from here for awhile.  Work has been crazy busy and I'm finally on winter break until January 4th.  Yippee!!  I thought I would write and let you know what is happening with us lately.

We have been busy getting ready for the holidays.  We started our Christmas shopping WAY earlier than last year and am proud to say we are all finished!  What?!?! I know it sounds crazy for the McMurtry's to be done something early and on time for once.

To end November we had the chance to attend the Grey Cup Gala on November 28th with some of Kyle's co-workers.  It was held at in the newly renovated area of the Winnipeg Convention Centre.  It was deported so gorgeous and Kyle and I had a wonderful evening.  I had the chance to meet Gerry D the comedian, he was the MC for the evening and was soo funny.  He had me crying.

On December 5th I decided to get my hair coloured for the first time in 5 years.  I absolutely love it!  I went to see a hairdresser at the Unisex in St. Vital centre.  She did an ombre look with dark on top and some light strikes underneath.  I couldn't be happier, I'll be going back to her from now on.

On the Sunday December 6th I was invited to my good friends house for a cookie party.  I made a double chocolate pecan chip cookie.  There was a nice assortment of cookies to take home and I had a great time catching up with my friends.

We are in the process of finishing our basement.  The framing is all done and taping and sanding are close to completion.  My cousin will be coming sometime next week to start painting for us.  We are meeting with the interior designer from Interior Illusions to go over layout, counter top, cabinets and flooring for the basement on Monday.  I am really excited to have the space complete so we can start to enjoy the extra space for entertaining and it will be extremely helpful to have it all done before we put the pool in this summer.

We finally bought a Christmas tree on December 9th from Ikea.  Kyle went after the girls went to bed and put it up and the next evening all of us decorated together.  The girls loved putting the ornaments on and trimming the tree.

Last Friday December 11th we went to Kyle's Christmas work party together.  It is held every year at the Squash Club on Donald.  It's a beautiful venue with delicious food.  It was the first year I was able to drink without being pregnant or breast feeding.  We took a cab to the dinner so we wouldn't have to worry about how many drinks we had.  I tried a glass of this nice white wine called Arrogant Frog, it was so wonderful!  We both had the steak and it was perfectly done.  They also had karaoke after dinner which wasn't my cup of tea.  I would rather much dance to normal music by the DJ.  I was able to dance to several songs, Kyle enjoyed kayaking with his colleagues.

Saturday December 12th we had a busy day with Claire's Christmas concert at 2:30.  I teared up when she was first on stage with her class singing O'Canada to start.  They sang 5 songs and then the 4-5 years old sang five songs as well.  It was so well done.  Santa came at the end to hand out presents to all the kids.

We then headed to our friends place for our annual kids Christmas party.  It's so great seeing all the kids together and she how much they have changed from the following year.  We exchanged books among the families and enjoyed a delicious dinner together.

The Sunday morning we took the girls to St. Vital Mall for photos with Santa and to get the last of our Christmas shopping complete.  My dad met up with us for coffee later at the Starbucks at Chapters.  The Santa photos turned out just as expected, Abby screaming and Claire in her glory smiling away with Santa beside her.  The photo is priceless.

This past Wednesday my school had their annual Holiday potluck and Christmas carolling.  Every family brings a dish to share, we eat dinner and then go out into the neighbourhood carolling.  I made sure Kyle brought the girls with him to the event.  The other teachers and my students were happy to see my family there.  The amount of food at the event was unreal, it could feed an army.  We brought a fruit plater.  The girls loved the food and playing with all the little kids in the gym.  We then took them outside for carolling to about 4 houses before they started to get tired and cold.  We will be doing that again next year.

Then Thursday night was busy.  Claire had swimming at the Rady Centre.  I picked up Abby from daycare and met Kyle at the pool with Claire.  She goes in the water by 5 pm.  We were able to re sign her up for the winter course starting in January in Salamder.  She has passed Sea Otter.  She's been doing really well.  We no longer have to go in the water with her, she has an instructor with only 3 other little ones.  It's perfect!  We also signed Abby up for a class at the same time on Thursday's at 6 so they are both in the water at the same time.


After swimming I went to my Christmas work party at our music teachers house close to our school.  We had a potluck and I made the one pot dish with pasta.  It turned out so good and I would make it again for sure.  A Pinterest Success!  We had dinner and then did a bottle gift exchange game.  I brought a bottle of white wine and came home with a red wine.  It was a great evening and I have really enjoyed my time at my new school.  The staff is lots of fun and is so welcoming and warm.

The girls went for haircuts this morning to the same place Kyle and I go too.  They did so well.  This was Abby's first haircut and she didn't even cry, well maybe it's because there was a sucker in her mouth?!?  Claire kinda of made a funny face when first getting in the chair but then warmed up right away.