Christmas: Gingerbread Architecture

Oh, I wish I had the talent and patience to make and decorate a stunning gingerbread house like these ones. Aren’t they sweet pieces of gingerbread architecture?

Easier than spending days making a gingerbread mansion would be installing a gingerbread screensaver like this one via Jacquelyn Clark.

Travel: Langdon Hall, Cambridge, Ontario

My beau says that I love Langdon Hall more than the owners of Langdon Hall love it. This may be true. I do love it. It’s luxe and beautiful. The employees are kind. The service is superb. The spa is lovely. The food…oh, the food…it’s amazing. I feel instantly relaxed as soon as I arrive. I appreciate that it’s only a 20 minute drive from our home, and yet, it feels so far away. I appreciate that I feel like I’ve been away for days even though it’s only been one overnight. I am lucky to be a repeat visitor for a daytime meal, a spa treatment, or an overnight stay. It’s a special treat to go to Langdon Hall (it’s not cheap), and I’m always grateful when I can go.

My beau and I recently celebrated our anniversary there, and we were treated so very well.

We arrived around 3pm on day 1, and after a quick check-in, we made our way to the spa for massages and some relaxation time (the sauna, steam room, and whirlpool are currently open to guests who have spa appointments). From there, we got ready for dinner and spent nearly three hours dining on the most artful and delicious food and special drinks. Beyond the food, the service was top notch. Of course, the in-room fireplace made our evening that much more cozy and festive.

On day 2, we continued to be spoiled at breakfast with the best croissants among other things like smoked salmon and a masterpiece acai berry bomb (seeds and smoothies have never tasted this good!). Oh, so good! Not wanting to leave after our check-out time, we took our books to Wilks’ Bar, and we read for a couple of hours by the fireplace. It was so relaxing!

wearing heels for the first time in…2 years?!
coddled egg
albacore
venison
milk chocolate dessert
a plate of croissants
smoked salmon
acai berry bomb
Langdon Hall dining room
treats to go

Christmas: Jingle Bells

Here’s another Christmas decor idea in case you’re looking for one – jingle bells!

These seven bells are from Canadian home decor shops that I’m sure you’ll love.

rustic Christmas bell, $14CAD (small), Monika Hibbs Home; set of three clay bells, $44CAD, Wills & Prior; rustic brass bells, $75CAD, Monika Hibbs Home; angel bell ornament, $8.95, Art of Home; sleigh bells cluster, $28CAD, Wills & Prior; terracotta bell ornament, $29CAD, LD Shoppe; gold hanging bells, $18CAD, Wills & Prior

The Friday Five: Things on My Mind

  1. Recently watched: Look at the interesting discovery in this same sky postcards video. Watching cheesy holiday movies has begun in my house with Father Christmas is Back, Love Hard, A California Christmas, and The Holiday. All the cheesy holiday movies are made even better with a “Hallmark holiday movie watching box” that my beau gave me, which included a mug, candle, and Bingo cards so we can all have fun while we watch! So cheesy and great! We went to see House of Gucci last weekend (I didn’t love it as much as everyone else did).
  2. Recently read: I’m still making my way through the stack of books from last month. I have been reading a lot about our home’s history via the Waterloo Public Library’s digital archives (amazing records!).
  3. Recently listened to: Jack Johnson’s Greatest Hits (on repeat) and all the Christmas carols (on repeat)
  4. Recently visited: Langdon Hall in Cambridge (for a special overnight celebration) and Benjamin Tree Farm in St. Jacobs to buy our Christmas tree
  5. Recently baked: classic sugar cookies (ready to be decorated this weekend)

Christmas: Fa La La Decor

Up to now, I have featured white Christmas stockings and white Christmas trees. among other Christmas-themed posts like decorating with garlands. And today is all about fa la la decor. Don’t these items just want to make you sing as you deck the halls? (See what I did there? :))

fa la la ornament, $18USD; fa la la mini spatulas, $14.95CAD (set of two); falala ornament, $6.95CAD; fa la la garland, $15USD; fa la la mug, $12USD; fa la la gift wrap, $6.99CAD; fa la la sponge cloth, $6CAD; fa la la mug, $5USD; tee, $19.99CAD