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christmas is in the air.

christmas-tree-lights-2

there’s always that one day – i walk outside, take a deep breathe in of that cool crisp air – and it’s christmas time.  i can smell it and i can feel it.  that’s when i know it’s time to cozy up with a good cup of tea.
or hot chocolate.
or cider.
or – OMG – egg nog.  it’s definitely a favourite of mine over the holidays.  rum or no rum.  it really doesn’t matter.

christmaslights-mug

jazzy christmas music playing while the fireplace crackles on the tv (don’t judge, if only i had a real fireplace.)
the sweet smells of christmas simmering on the stove.  currently, apple, cloves, anise seeds and cinnamon.
reading your favourite christmas book while curled up on the couch with a blanket.
wrapping up gifts in brown paper and tying them up with string.  actually.  i’m not just referencing the sound of music here.
i love wrapping presents!  it’s almost as fun as giving them.  almost.  brown kraft paper is my go to because you can do so much with it!  stamp it, paint it, draw on it, or leave it bare to adorn a red bow.

christmas-tree-lights

there are so many things i want to do over the holiday season, and before you know it, it’s come and gone.  it’s december 6th already folks!  have you got your christmas shopping done yet?  i haven’t – but that’s okay.  there’s time.  shop local if you can.

or how about…

making something – diy – effort AND possibly sentimental!!! brownie points!
a fancy dinner or a movie date
go to the theatre, the symphony, the ballet
plan a three course home cooked meal
go skating
create a playlist you know they’ll love

whatever you’re gifting this year, do it with love.
because – it’s the thought that really counts.  at least, i’ve always thought so.

and all material gifts aside – it’s really the time spent with family and friends that’s the greatest gift around the holidays.

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weekend rambles.

typography-weekend

there are times when i like to doodle.  mind you, i’m not very good at it – but i find it soothing.  putting a pen to paper is not the same as putting these hands to a keyboard.  it’s a different kind of creative.  this past week i spent a great deal of time contemplating my photography homework – looking deep into myself – who am i?

am i the words i put to paper?  or the words upon this screen?
as the years pass and change, do i change or stay the same?

possibly only my notebooks can tell.  and a few select special people.  people who get it – and me.
i love people so much.  such interesting beings we are.  full of mystery.  full of excitement for life.

my phone died one evening – as iphones tend to do in cold weather – and for a few hours i remembered what it was like to be disconnected from everyone in my life.  even my music.  to just be with me.

my saturday mornings are similar.  there’s a stillness that falls across our apartment.  the only sound that can be heard is the steaming and dripping of my morning coffee brewing.  it’s the time i spend with myself before heading to the farmers market that i love.  it’s my time to write, time to spend with my cat tut, time to make a leisurely breakfast, time to just stare out the window at the people below.  in silence.  don’t get me wrong – i love when friends are around.  friends who appreciate the simple life.  the joy in the slowness.  the joy in small talk.  there’s a joy in food and drink that’s shared with others.  those are special people.  hold them close.

i could continue to ramble on – but i’ll save some for another day.
go do something that makes you happy on this last day of the weekend.
be a little selfish.  you’re worth it.
and tell me – how was your weekend? – wherever you are.

Becky Gean and littlesiddallstudios – March 16th, 2014.

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alt business cards – they’re kind of a big deal.

the fun.

altnyc-business-cards-fun

the colourful.

altnyc-business-cards-colour

the crisp and clean.

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check out all these fancy business cards i gathered!  front and back!

also – can we just acknowledge that… i made a gif!
actually – i made three!
this is an accomplishment and maybe should be put on my resume.

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the travelling crockpot – marisa’s dinner.

blt-saladbeef-tenderloin

the ladies gathered for another evening of eating.

the theme?  BACON!

it was in EVERYTHING!

serious!

even in the brownie we had for dessert.
wait – what brownie you say!?
ya… i ate it before remembering i had a camera in my hand.  sorry!

the menu.
appetizer – a deconstructed BLT with avocado thrown in for extra yumminess… salad.
main & sides – bacon & boursin crusted beef tenderloin with braised apple bacon cabbage and bacon wrapped green beans.
dessert – bacon fudge brownies.

so good!  i can’t tell you how happy i am that we started this monthly occurrence… my tummy could though!

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vancouver bound.

vancouver

off i go.  to vancouver.  for a week.  the company i work for is sending me – so this isn’t a vacation – but rather, a work trip.  this will be my third time to vancouver – all work trips – all different companies.  these two photos are evidence of getting to do a few touristy things during one of my previous visits.  trust me, i will attempt to squeeze in as many vacation-like-outings as i can.  let’s see what kind of trouble i can get into after the hour of 5pm everyday shall we.

vancouver-1

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tales of the travelling crockpot. the beginning.

on the very last evening of winterlicious this year, a group of women, who also happen to adore food, went out to dinner at kultura (delicious!) on king st east in toronto.  this was the first and formal gathering meant to hash out all the details of what was to become “the travelling crockpot”.  how that name came about is beyond me.  i remember talks of the sisterhood of the travelling pants novels and that of crockpots… there you have it.  when it comes down to it though, we want to – try new things – step out of our comfort zones – talk about food – and enjoy the company of others.

join us into our journey of food exploration.

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make ahead meatballs. a recipe.

meatball-recipewhat do you bring to a reunion?
what are usually served at cocktail parties?
what do you bring to a potluck?
meatballs of course!
if you don’t bring them, someone will!  once i realized how easy it was to prepare these little mouth popping morsels, i was hooked.

meatball_recipe

check back for when i share my favourite meatball sauce recipe.
it’s sweet, savoury and oh so yummy!
happy cooking – wherever you are.

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until we see each other again…so…tomorrow.

pearson-toronto-airportmy brother is now a travelling tourist.  first stop – taiwan.  follow his adventures – here.

airporttechnology amazes me.  once i said “see ya later” to my brother, it began to sink in that i wouldn’t get to hug him for an entire year.  he’s off on his own – exploring and adventure seeking.  i couldn’t be happier for him.  i also miss him a lot.
skype & facetime, you are forever a favourite of mine.  connecting me when i wouldn’t have the ability otherwise.

skype_callwho have you been able to connect with because of skype and/or facetime?

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5 kitchen gadgets i own and love.

kitchen_gadgets_1

a mini whisk.  a favourite of mine for mixing up salad dressings and fancy flavoured lattes (nutella!!!!).

kitchen shears.  they cut things.  yes, that includes food.

measuring spoons.  i love their durability and they stack perfectly on top of one another – wonderful for my lack of drawer space with the amount of gadgets i own.

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where would i be without my trusty disney bottle opener?  the one on the kitchen shears just won’t do.

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and of course – a tea infuser.

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getting a little personal about my lately – and a pic of my cat.

sunday tut.

sunday_tut

aside from my regular 9-5 job, i find myself wanting to learn to the fullest without actually stepping foot inside a school.  there’s a little bit of fear and regret still lingering in that department, but that’s another story.  i’ve been reading books, magazines, blogs (of course), free ibooks that come on my phone (they rock!), news articles, independent magazines, cookbooks (LOVE!!!!!!) – you name it.  i find i jump all over the place which keeps my brain happy and my thoughts flowing.

i’ve been working on this blog.  in the background.  the behind the scenes.

you know when a movie ends, the credits roll, everyone gets up and leaves?  well – i don’t.  i stay.  some of my favourite moments with mohawk are when we’re sitting in a movie theatre, lights are lifted ever so slightly and the movie theatre staff start filtering in with brooms.  yes, i realize they must dislike folks like me – who stay until the very end.

three reasons i do this.

  1. you never know if there might be a teaser or a fun blooper at the end.  if there is, yippee!  you are part of the select few who got to view this secret part of the film.  and doesn’t it feel awesome?!?!
  2. you have time to relax, reflect and/or talk and discuss with the person you came with.  did you enjoy it?  did you relate with any of the characters?  could you believe the action scenes?
  3. reading the credits.  the names of the people who put that entire film together.  i realize that there is a ridiculous amount of work that happens behind the scenes and i want to celebrate those folks.  mohawk likes to try to find funny job titles.  i like names of people.  so i read them to myself.  as many as i can.  i like to think a feeling of warm fuzzies comes over the people whose names i read.  ridiculous, i know.  but it makes me happy.

with blogs – there are also credits.   just the list is usually a lot shorter.  only now am i starting to realize there are REAL genuine people behind all these amazing blogs i read.  real people who also have crazy lives, hopes, and dreams just like me.

i realize i’m not perfect.  nowhere near.  and neither is this blog.  but that’s okay.  we’re all constantly finding our way.  bumps and bruises are to be expected.  i’m barely skimming the surface into my hopes for what this blog will become.

here’s to taking all my reading into implementing.  and being a little more honest.  with myself – and with all of you who read this little blog.

i have given myself two focus words for this coming month.  organize and intention.  forgive me if i disappear from time to time with my postings or if the site looks strange one day and different the next.  i’m not forgetting about you – just getting a little organized first.

happy sunday – wherever you are.

© Becky Siddall and littlesiddallstudios 2012-2013.