Woman in Real Life

The Christmas tree farm is an annual tradition for us, and it's one of my favourites. Actually this year we went to the Christmas tree farm twice. The first time was just for show - or more specifically a show. We visited MacPherson Tree Farm in Ballantrae seven weeks ago to be filmed for an Organic Panic Christmas special about organic versus non-organic Christmas decor. We got some strange looks back then as we headed home with a Christmas tree on the car roof. I just know people were thinking, "Do they really think that tree is going to last until Christmas?"

This past weekend we headed back to the Christmas tree farm fo real. This time we went to Horton Tree Farms' Kennedy farm east of Aurora, Ontario. We generally hit up the tree farm the first weekend in December, but end of  November is close enough! Apparently other people agreed because the place was hopping.

The Christmas tree farm has to be one of my favourite places on earth. So much so that on this last visit I briefly considered giving up our home and buying a property like the one the tree farm sits on. They have a little lake behind their home that's dotted with canoes and surrounded by a forest. Tempting.

Friday has rolled around again. Christmas is a distant memory. Two or three more months of winter to go. Not that I'm complaining...well, maybe a little.

Here, cell phone pics from the week...this week I'm showing you my Instagram photos. My son started an Instagram account this week, as did my husband. They aren't looking for followers. We basically just look at each other's photos. You can follow me @ziajojo if you like.

We got our Christmas tree a couple of weeks ago, and I am just getting around to sharing the photos. I didn't want to skip it, because I love the tree farm we go to so much. It's Horton's Home Farm in Stouffville, Ontario. What I love about it is the restored log cabin on site.

It's Friday. Have a good one. And don't worry too much about your Christmas shopping. It will get done. It always does. (By the way, that little encouragement was just as much for me as for you -- I have barely bought a single present.)

Normally I would call this Insta-Friday, with the "insta" representing cell phone photos. But I am mixing cell phone and camera photos, because I am tired of the quality of my cell phone photos. Nope. No iPhone 5 over here. Not that I'm jealous.

I am including this photo of fruit to illustrate a story about kids...my kids. I sent pears and apples in their lunches yesterday. Mostly they came back untouched. So, I cut them up after school and put them out like this. They ate it all. Apparently they are too lazy to bite into a whole fruit.

Seems normal to you, I’m sure. Not to us. Our previous two cell phones were about eight years old, and on pay-as-you-go plans. I’m not a big fan of talking on the phone. I’d much rather talk over a cup of tea.

Inspired by Lindsey, however, I have used the new cell phone to do a bit of a photographic week in review.

My husband made a delicious curry yesterday, from Robin Robertson’s Vegan Planet.

Everyone got a little something sweet in their Christmas stockings…and I don’t mean the clementine in the toe. Here’s the kids’ candy stash.

The grown-ups have a candy stash too. We haven’t used much because we are too busy eating Christmas cookies.

I made another banana bread today. With eight kids in and out of the house, it didn’t last long. My niece liked it. She said banana bread usually makes her gag. She had a second piece.

My daughter had the rare opportunity to play games with three of her female cousins today. So cute.

My husband took five kids skating. Brave man.

I made some pasta while they were gone skating, along with Nonna’s peas and mushrooms.

For dessert, I made some “classic chocolate chip cookies” from How it All Vegan. I used chocolate chunks for a change.  Yes, I made dessert, even with a bunch of Christmas cookies still in the freezer and a candy stash in the pantry. I can’t be stopped.

I am not generally a snow lover, but it does make the front path look pretty.

The trees are wearing fur coats.

Our family room looks so cozy with the Christmas tree. If only we could actually sit down. You’ll see that there’s a book on the table. It almost looks like people read here…but the kids won’t allow that. My husband tried today (while I just knowingly smiled), until the banging in the basement got too loud to ignore. Have a great New Year’s Eve!

We haven’t had much snow yet this year, so it took me awhile to realize that Christmas is coming soon. No, I haven’t done all my gift shopping or baked my holiday cookies, but at least we have the outdoor lights up and the Christmas tree decorated. Baby steps…