So This Is Christmas...

It is here again, Christmas morning and here on the west coast we have leftover snow from last Tuesday so it is a White Christmas here.  The above is a selfie I took after performing the "ritual of the gifts", cold in my living room so wearing my reading blanket as a shall.

I hope that when you woke this morning that you were comfortable, and that you are in a place of comfort even in the Christmas morning Chaos.

I try not to have an overly complicated Christmas, the keyword is try. There are these things in life that I now call "Plot Twists" that kept popping in and making things interesting . In trying to keep things simple, life often steps in and takes over. Like the flu, or a snowfall that was unexpected or my crown and tooth attached that popped out last week after only a few months...

In the hype and sensory overload of the holidays I try very much to take the bad with the good and found myself going out of the way to avoid things that usually cause me a great deal of anxiety.  I have also had some truly wonderful friends reach out and help out this holiday season and I will be forever grateful for their support.

I made a point of taking a little more time this year to just listen to things that made me laugh, chose to listen to music that made me more happy, and tried to avoid the news, watched movies that made me feel "Christmassy" and over ate things I truly loved  (even when it did not love me).

"Booked for the Holidays" is an event on my Beyond The Bookmarks page, I have been running full time since the first of December and I can not thank all of you who have joined us since the start of this 24/7 month long celebration on Facebook. A huge thank you to the more than 38+ authors who have joined us and given us their time and some goodies along the way this month so far! Don't forget to drop by and say hello on the event from time to time, the event runs right through until midnight on December 31st.  Click here to come and join in the fun. 

I even wrote and published a short holiday story I shared, here is the link in case you missed it! Click here for Please Use The Guest Towels.

I feel more relaxed this Christmas at least I write this, and yet I am waiting for the other shoe to fall. I am sure I have forgotten something or someone this holiday season and as I write this, having just put out the gifts under the tree I hear the tale tell sounds of paper ripping and notice that our cat Mia who has shown zero interest in the tree until this very moment is working her way through and under the gifts...if the tree comes down too I may laugh and not cry. The above photo I found a bit to late this year, but I am going to start making and handing these out for next year! Simply brilliant!

The stores have long since closed and if I have forgotten anything it is too late anyway. I also know that what is truly important can not be bought, or found under the tree and with that I thank you for spending some of your Christmas day with me.

From my table to yours I wish you all the best that this season has to offer.
Thank you for joining me here for a cup of tea and a Christmas reflection...

I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmial.com

It is not Christmas until I have heard Dave Cooks The Turkey by Stuart Mclean...

Well it is very close to Christmas and this incredibly busy season for me is not complete without listening to Canadian Author Stuart Mclean telling the "Dave Cooks The Turkey" story.

Years ago I was introduced to the iconic voice and heartwarming stories written by Stuart Mclean one of Canada's most iconic voices and brilliant authors. While I listened to Dave Cooks The Turkey, I found myself laughing, crying and totally relating to the story that rolled off Stuart's tongue.

Years before my brother in law had also discovered Stuart's writing and had begun buying my mom his books each year at Christmas, I quickly borrowed and devoured them. I learned that Stuart had a program on CBC and I would listen, laying back on the couch with headphones on and laugh and smile until my face hurt.

I saw Stuart Mclean in 2008 with my friend and in 2010 I bought my mother tickets to the Christmas concert so she and I could hear him together, I gave them to her in August for her birthday, she was as excited as I was.

My mother died a month and a day later, so she did not come with me and I took the friend who had introduced me in the first place to Stuart Mclean, it was hard and yet healing to sit and listen to Stuart in person. I cried and I laughed and I cried some more. 

That Christmas as very hard. I won't lie, I did not want to have Christmas at all, I was mad and slammed doors and willed the day to be over. 

I did however make time to listen to Dave Cooks The Turkey and several other stories by Stuart Mclean on the CD I had and found it so helpful, in that very difficult time.

Stuart died in February of this year from a Cancer we were all sure he would beat. I was devastated. Grateful and sad and this year as it is the first year without Stuart, so a bit painful too.

I never knew Stuart Mclean personally, never got a chance to thank him or tell him how much I came to appreciate his work, so I am telling you.

For me it simply is not Christmas until I have heard Dave Cooks The Turkey and thanks to modern magic you can listen to Stuart tell this amazing story on a podcast by clicking here. I truly hope you do, it is worth the time, the laughters and the tears. 

Thank you Stuart, Thank you Vinyl Cafe, for making a great Christmas story for us grown ups.
 Thank you for joining me here for a cup of tea and a Christmas memory. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Wreath Making Party Recap...

If you saw my post Saturday you have already seen the wreath I made from drift wood at my friend Jen's annual Christmas party. It was a labor of love for sure and today I wanted to share some of the photos from behind the scenes at the party and the three other wreaths I made that night.

Each year my friend Jen and her mom cut the most amazing evergreens and herbs from their gardens and put them out for us all to use. Over the years we have all collected ribbons, adornments, wires, now lights and items we all share to create our annual wreaths. I use the same forms most years, however this year the first Christmas in our new rental home so I wanted something very special and something along the same lines of the cedar stars I usually make. The drift wood is from the beach I went to in the mornings in August with my husband. While he walked I would sit on the beach and drink my tea. I started to collect some of the drift wood sticks and gradually my form became the star you see in the first photo. 

This is my wreath as I was laying out my greens....

This is the wreath I made for my mother in law. Here I laid the greens out first, then wired them on with a set of lights...

This is what it looked like when I was finished. My mother in law said she loved it!

My friend Jen had this really cool wreath form and she had so much burlap, so I set to work alternating the burlap in red and tan. When i was done I laid out the greens, wired them on and added read berries and bow. This one I loved and I left it for our hostess and her family.

I also made one of the more traditional cedar stars for one of her neighbors. Jen put out a wonderful dinner and we had a lovely time. Her aunt ties the world's best bows, and the company the family keeps cannot be beat.  This is one of my favorite events of the year.
Thank you for joining me today for a cup of tea and a look at the Wreath Making Party.
I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

The Irish Countrywoman's Association Book Of Christmas

Whether we like it or not Christmas is running full speed ahead of us and I feel like at times if I don't start running I will miss the train to Christmas town. It sneaks up every year and I will be honest most years recently I have struggled to find that so called Christmas Spirit, that once I seemed to be obsessed with. I want to look upon Christmas with the same eyes of a child again, however that magic seems to elude me more often than not. These days I find that rather than the constant enthusiasm I once had for Christmas, is more subdued. Spirit that once shaped my childhood and captured my breath, is perhaps not as strong.  When I do feel it, that is when I am very lucky enough that the spirit of Christmas moves me, it does so more as a gentle breeze than the hurricane of yesteryear.  So I look for new things and ways to reclaim the holiday, and recapture the spirit. I found last spring a book put out by The Irish Countrywomen's Association and I enjoyed it so much, that I went online to see if they had any others. I found The Book of Christmas. When it arrived, I found, that between the pages magic could be found and that even though it was just past Easter, this was a book I would enjoy for years to come.  This book is a collection of stories, recipes, poetry, crafts, history and memories from women just like me and their secrets on how they celebrate Christmas. With lovely photos and a wonderful ribbon bookmark this is a great gift for yourself or someone you may know who may need an uplifting holiday gift.

My interest in this series stems from finding out in 2015 what my heritage is. Through DNA I was able to solve part of my own mystery of who I am and where my mother came from. She passed away in 2010 and never knew who she was or where she came from. She was adopted at age 5 and it all remains a mystery to this day. My mother however always identified with books, movies and stories about Ireland. She always wanted to go there. I know that she would have felt very emotional to have had it confirmed that she was Irish, had she lived long enough for that technology to become accessible. Finding my heritage was not just important to me it was a gift and a victory. So I find that I too am drawn to the Irish and their stories, because now I know they are my stories too.
Since my mother's passing, I have had to find a new normal, take back the holidays even when I did not want to celebrate anymore. I am getting there. It is still hard and it may always be, but I keep trying to reclaim that magic. This book has helped me do a little more of that!

For many Irish families, that sense of 'bringing home Christmas' is very much alive: welcoming loved ones back to the family homestead, gathering gifts beneath the tree and fresh food in the fridge, filling your home with the sounds of family and friends having the craic, and your kitchen smelling of mince pies and mulled wine.Christmas is a magical time of year for the women of the ICA - a time of tradition and celebration. But there's plenty to be done! It's time to start making lists, so that when the time comes to check them twice you know you've got everything covered.The ICA Book of Christmas lets you in on secrets and tips that have been passed down and perfected through generations of Irish families. Find traditional recipes for festive feasts, advice for `the big shop' and buying the tree, techniques for homemade cards and gifts, and shortcuts to get your home ready for the festive season. Not forgetting the little touches that make an Irish Christmas complete, like the wreath on the door, the candle in the window and stirring a wish into the Christmas pudding.In the whirlwind of eating, drinking and merry-making, the women of the ICA ensure there's still time to reflect on the importance of blessings and memories with heart-warming lines from poems, short stories and carols

You can find your own copy of The Irish Countrywoman's Association Book Of Christmas by clicking here from The Book Depository.

Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a (preholiday) holiday book review. 

I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Fancy Friday Finds, Looking Ahead To The Festive Season

I admit it once my annual Witches Tea is done my thoughts race to the holidays, even though I love Halloween (where I get to wear my Witch Hat in public and there is all that lovely little chocolate bars and kids to knock on my door to come), I can not help but turn my thoughts to Christmas. Helped by my equally excited sister in law on Vancouver Island who continually shares year round Holiday ideas with me, today's post is a nod to the upcoming Festive season.

I really would like a new Christmas Tree this year, I am not into cutting down trees it's not my thing and I love the look of this tree and its functionality. While I would love a dark brown or black tree that I saw last year at Canadian Tire (Trust me it looked spectacular) this one caught my attention as it comes pre lit, BUT It Self adjusts from 7ft tall to 10 feet tall!
YOU HAVE TO SEE THE VIDEO ON THE HOME DEPOT WEBSITE, CLICK HERE
Totally magical and very cool, just need a lotto win as this one is over $500!

On to some Etsy Finds and I really liked this Tea Towel that is offered by  ToasTeaJunction you can choose the color of the tea towel and weather you want it trimmed in plaid or not. Click here for shop and listing. 

Sharing this one but sorry to report, I had to buy it! So you won't find it in The Acreage Etsy Shop  but you should check this Canadian shop out has some amazing items...

but I did find you a cream and sugar to enjoy...I honestly can not wait for my teacup and saucer to arrive! Market Place Vintage 1 has these to love and enjoy (on my wish list now!) Click here for shop and listing. 

I really love this teacozy pattern. I wish I could make these, I can basic knit but would love to be able to turn these out, as a fan of Santa and Garden Gnomes these are on my project list for sure. You can find the pattern to purchase and instant download by clicking here from the mymamakints Etsy Shop.

I leave you here as I anxiously await the arrival of my Santa Teacup and saucer! You may think it is early but it always sneaks up on me! Thanksgiving in Canada is only two weeks away and then time speeds up even faster! October 31st I swear the Christmas music starts at the mall!
I hope you have a wonderful day and that you enjoyed today's Fancy Friday Finds.
I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

A Cup of Tea and A Holiday Cookie Exchange

There is something to be said about taking back the holidays, I have struggled in the last 6 years to regain the joy of the holidays since my mom passed away. Finding that new normal and making the most of it is a work in progress. Life is crazy, the holiday hype makes Christmas time even crazier, that vortex of holiday crazy seems to start earlier every year. I know it is November but with less then a month to Christmas Day,  I am thrilled that my friends kindly humor me and come to my annual cookie exchange before everyone is booked through the new year.

 I have lost track of how many years I have hosted a cookie exchange party and though it is always a ton of work it is always a great way to start and enjoy the holiday season! Last night some of the most wonderful people in the world baked 15-16 dozen cookies and brought them here to swap with others. The result is a home bursting at the seams, children, cookies and joyful noises fueled by friendship, appetizers and of course cookies!

 The table filled up quickly and everyone took home an amazing assortment of cookies. If you have never done one of these types of cookie swaps before I really encourage you to try them, it is so much fun and really when I started we all baked a double batch of cookies and swapped, now the party has grown and each year we seem to bake more!
I really love hosting this party!

This was the last year for this party to be in our current home and a nice way to say good bye to the old, while keeping my eyes on next years party! Though I know we have to move on, it is really hard to say good bye to our neighborhood, I am struggling a bit with starting over.  Next year we shall have even more space so perhaps we will all bake 20 dozen....who is with me? Let me know if I should add you to the exchange!

I will be back with a cup of tea (a few cookies) and a cozy mystery review for you tomorrow. Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cookie exchange! I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

I love White Christmas, it is my most favorite holiday movie of all time. I have now watched it at least twice a day since December 1st. I have it on for the background noise and find it so very peaceful.

 That had me thinking about a tea I had last year called White Christmas. Stash has a White Christmas White tea that I enjoyed and have yet to find this season...

I also came across Harney & Son's White Christmas Tea and isn't the tin fantastic? I have not seen this in store either but you can get a great deal on line right now! For this and their Christmas Blend for $24.95 by clicking here.

Not living in the USA I miss the Yankee Candle store and this set would be a delight to have on my table as well. I could do an entire themed tea party based on White Christmas, the gowns, the dance moves and the music! So much to love.

Beautiful White Christmas Stockings hung by the chimney! These are made by SouthHouseBoutique click here to see them in shop.

What fun it would be to set up a White Christmas Tea Party. Perhaps next year I shall host one and I hope you will stop by! If you are looking for a Christmas Themed Cozy to read this holiday season I stumbled on this wonderful list from Cozy-Mystery.Com Click her for their alphabetized list of wonderful Christmas Cozies! I am off to pick my next cozy to read! 
Thank you for joining me for A Cup of Tea and A White Christmas and List of Cozy Mysteries! I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread and A Different kid of Advent Calendar

I started my day yesterday with some delightful things upon my table. Krista Davis amazing Cozy Mystery Murder Most Howl as well as some Earl Grey Shortbread from the Cookie Exchange and the Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas Treasury for Kids which has 24 stories for the holidays, now that is my kind of Advent Calendar!

Later on I made a Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread which turned out really well. I posted a photo on Instagram and on Facebook and was asked for the recipe so here it is!

Karen's Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread

1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 cup white sugar
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups of coarsely mashed bananas
2 table spoons of sour cream or yogurt
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/4 cup of cocoa powder
1/2 cup of boiling water

Pre heat your oven to 375
In a large bowl place your flour, baking soda and cinamon
In a medium bowl place your sugar eggs and beat together add your oil, vanilla and your sour cream. Add your this liquid mixture to your flour mixture and stir to combine.
Boil 1/4 cup of water and then add it to a small bowl of the 1/4 cup cocoa powder mix it until it is combined. Remove 1/2 cup of the batter and add it too the chocolate mix.
Grease your loaf ban and place the white batter in the pan. Spoon the chocolate batter on top and swirl with a knife to combine the chocolate and vanilla, creating a swirl pattern.
Place it in the oven and bake for 50-65 mins. Check for doneness is a clean tooth pick when inserted and pulled out of the center of the loaf.

Cool for 5 mins then use a knife around the edges to loosen, turn it upside down on a cooling rack to remove then place right side up to cool slightly. Slice and serve or wrap and give as a gift!
Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy recipe! I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Wednesday Wondering's And A Cool Tea Christmas Craft

Squirrel our cat is not enjoying the heavy rains we are experiencing here anymore then she was the very low temps and icicles we had just a few days ago. That and the absence of our recently past other cat baby kitty has her a bit out of sorts, actually it has most of us a bit out of sorts. Trying to cheer her up a bit and even letting her sleep on my computer chair when I would love to sit down seems to be slightly helping but not really.
We took the boys to our animal shelter on Sunday to see if they had any suitable cats for adoption. We got Squirrel from the same shelter as a 2 year old rescue, but they only had two cats, neither of which get along well with other cats. I feel like it is too soon anyway but we shall see. Time for tea, well a tea craft that is.

A friend shared this craft with me on my Facebook page yesterday and I loved it so much, I would love to give making these a try, perfect tea lover gifts!
Thirsty For Tea is the name of the website and I just signed up to receive their posts, Click here for their website and tutorial.
I hope you have a wonderful day and thank you for joining me for A Cup of Tea and A Cozy Mystery. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

One Month To Christmas!

 

It is one month to Christmas day and all the hype is in full force. I am Canadian so we don't have the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow but some how we are getting the black Friday sales here, it has happened over the last few years that our retailers are cashing in on the American Tradition of crazy deals. I am looking forward to seeing what is on sale but for the most part I wont be partaking in the cross border mayhem.

I do love homemade items at year round but especially at Christmas. I have just started to take out my Christmas decorations an am planing on putting them up this Friday. I have a Cookie Exchange that I am hosting on Saturday and I am looking forward to the 15 dozen cookies headed my way!

I saw this quote on Facebook a few weeks ago and I fell in love with this idea. So I have been actively searching for the right books for the people in my life and have three wrapped for my boys, I have to buy the chocolate later or I will eat it now but I think this is fantastic! The ultimate handmade Christmas gift is a story after all and why not give the gift of your favorite cozy mystery series or book you read this year to someone you love or even a community center, library, seniors home or hospital this year.

I can think of some wonderful series and authors I would love to share with my friends, this year had so many fantastic cozies!

I am in the holiday mood now and I love shopping in my pj's from home, one book for me one book for them....
I hope you find time today for A Cup of Tea and A few Cozy mysteries! I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com