Groot Gingerbread Cookies

My favourite cookies are gingerbread cookies and I always make them at Christmas.  Because I liked "Guardians of the Galaxy" so much, I decided to make the cookies look like dancing Baby Groots!!  

I used the gingerbread cookie recipe from my Betty Crocker Baking Basics cookbook and I found the stencil here.  

Merry Christmas everyone!!!
xoxo M

The Nutcracker

I have loved ballet ever since I was a little girl.  The first ballet I ever saw was The Nutcracker when I was 8 years old.  It is such a beautiful story with the most wonderful music.  Tchaikovsky is my favourite composer.  Last week, after exams, I decided to treat myself to a performance of The Nutcracker.  

I went to the box office of the Four Season Centre for the Performing Arts (where the National Ballet of Canada and the Canadian Opera Company perform) and bought a rush ticket.  I was lucky enough to get an orchestra seat for only one third of the price!!  

If you arrive 45 minutes before the show, there is a story time for the audience.  An adult Marie and her brother Misha (in the National Ballet of Canada's version, both Marie and Misha go on an adventure with the nutcracker) reminisce about their adventures and explain some of the ballet choreography.  I thought that this was really helpful for children (and adults) who were new to the story and/or the ballet.   

I can never decide what my favourite part is of The Nutcracker.  I love the dance of the snow maidens, the dance of the flowers, and the duet with the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker.  I also really like how The Nutcracker incorporates the little dancers from the ballet school - I especially love the little lambs!

The Nutcracker is great for children or those who are new to the ballet.  It is beautiful and has lots of little funny scenes.  Every ballet company has their own unique spin on the story.  The National Ballet of Canada choose to set their production in Imperial Russia.  This makes for incredible costumes and scenery - the Sugar Plum Fairy lives in a Fabergé egg!

The Nutcracker ballet is always so dear to my heart and I treasure both times I have seen the ballet.

Have you ever seen The Nutcracker Ballet?
xoxo M

Fifteen Festive Favourites

This tag was created by Tom Fletcher

What is your favourite..?

1. Festive food - Christmas pudding (my Aunt Nancy makes an amazing one!)

2. Reindeer - Olive (the other reindeer); of Santa's 8 reindeer, I like Dancer

3. Day of Christmas (as in "The Twelve Days of Christmas") - the thought of 10 Lords-a-leaping always makes me laugh

4. Christmas Song - there are so many I love so I'll tell you my top 5: "Last Christmas", "Christmas Lights", "Christmases When You Were Mine", "Baby It's Cold Outside", "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"

5. Christmas Present - my dad made me a beautiful doll cradle when I was little 

6. Christmas Film - "It's a Wonderful Life"

7. Christmas Cracker Toy - I once got round dice in my cracker... 

8. Christmas Cracker Joke - "Why does Santa have 3 gardens?" "So he can 'ho, ho, ho'!"

9. Decoration - My acrylic ballerina ornament

10. Candle scent - any that smell like Christmas trees

11. Christmas advert - I like this one from Tim Hortons and this one from Sainsbury's (both make me cry)

12. Festive Tradition - Decorating the Christmas tree with my mom while we listen to our Christmas CDs (we always listen to the Celtic Christmas albums)

13. Place to Spend Christmas - wherever my family is

14. Festive Fact - there is a species of snail named Ba humbugi named after the line in A Christmas Carol
15. Snowman accessory - carrot nose

Let me know if you do this tag in the comments!
xoxo M

Toronto Christmas Market

Every year for a few weeks in December, the Toronto Christmas Market is held in the Distillery District.  The European inspired market is filled with unique booths selling everything from British candy to Matryoshka nesting dolls.  On stage, there are performances such as storytellings and sing-alongs.  The market is very festive and great for people of all ages.

I recommend that you should visit the Christmas Market at Night.  The crowds are a lot smaller and the hanging lights are lit.  

Have you ever been to a Christmas Market?
xoxo M

"You're the One that I Want" -- Book Review

I had read a sample of Giovanna Fletcher's "You're the One that I Want" on iBooks and I was quite intrigued by the storyline.  Sadly my local library did not have it and it never seemed to be on the shelves in the bookstore.  As I was doing my Christmas shopping yesterday, I wandered in to Indigo (the big bookstore chain in Canada) to have a look around.  I walked past the adult fiction section and I decided to check to see if "You're the One that I Want" was in stock. Lo and behold it was!  I started reading it last night and I was instantly hooked.  I finished it today on my train ride home.  I honestly don't remember the last time I read a book this fast.  

Ben, Maddy, and Rob have been friends since childhood.  As they grow up, they realize that their relationships change.  Maddy discovers to find herself in the midst of a love triangle with both of her best friends in love with her.  Who will she choose?  

The chronology of "You're the One that I Want" spans about 15-20 years with the narration being split between Ben's and Maddy's voices.  I found this book to be funny and charming with plenty of raw, emotional moments.  The characters were beautifully described and I instantly became attached to them.  I found the ending to be incredibly surprising and bittersweet -- I had to fight back a few tears!  "You're the One that I Want" is definitely a page-turner and will keep the reader on their toes.     

I would recommend that people over the age of 16 read this book.  It contains some language and some adult scenes.  

I really enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait to read Giovanna's other book "Billy and Me"!

I hope you enjoyed this book review!  What books have you been reading recently?

xoxo M

*Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored in any way.  All of the products mentioned have been bought by me or given as gifts by family.  All opinions are my own.

Exciting Times Ahead

Hello everyone!!
It's been an awfully long time since I've last posted but I have been so busy with exams and essays that I haven't had time to think of much else.  I only have one exam left and then I will be home!

As a little holiday treat for you, I am planning on blogging everyday during my winter break (December 20th to January 4th)!!  I have so many exciting things planned for this and I can't wait to share them with you.

I will see you on the 20th for the first post!!
xoxo M