It's Wednesday!

FOOD

charcuterie anyone?

Holidays are here! It’s December and all is merry and bright right? Right?!

Anyways, the holidays always make me think of food and what treats my mouth might be enjoying this season. I had the pleasure of dried apricots dipped in chocolate last night! Thanks Jan! Those were amazing…

ummmm, i would DEMOLISH this

I usually skip out on the baking, and make nuts and bolts or more savory food types instead of the cookies. Cheese balls, quiches, I’m all about the balance of the sweet and the salty. It’s easy to see how we can get chubby around the holidays… Always be sure to drink water and remember, portion control! It’s no fun having holiday gut pain because of overeating.

green bean bake for the win!

EASIEST CHEESE BALL OF YOUR LIFE

• 1 BRICK CREAM CHEESE (ROOM TEMP)

• 1.5 CUPS SHREDDED OLD CHEDDAR

• 1/4 CUP DRIED CRAISINS

• 1 CUP TOASTED PECANS

• 2 TBLS MAPLE SYRUP

  MIX THE FIRST THREE INGREDIENTS WELL. SHAPE INTO A BALL. WRAP, AND LET SET IN FRIDGE FOR 30 MINS. TAKE OUT AND ROLL IN PECANS TO FULLY COVER THE BALL. POUR THE SYRUP OVER THE BALL JUST BEFORE YOU SERVE. ENJOY WITH RITZ CRACKERS OR YOUR FAVE CRISPY BREAD!

deelish…

If you try to make this let me know, I would love to know what you think! Also, if any of you have recipes, pop the links below! Merry, Merry!

the fresh perspective...

There is no denying that the holiday season is largely about giving and receiving gifts. At least in our part of the world. Whether we like it or not, society seems to shove it in our face, everywhere we go, as soon as November 1st hits. As much as we all know that these holidays did not originate this way, this has been the portion of these holidays that we have latched onto and emphasized.

Sure, most of us have very fond memories of opening gifts or wrapping presents for our family and friends. I would have to call bluff on anyone who tried to claim they hate the gift part of the holidays. But can we still enjoy the season sans presents?

There are definitely many other magical parts of the holiday season. Walking through your neighborhood with some hot chocolate to check out all the lights, a big fat feast with all your favorite humans, those classic holiday songs that bring back all the nostalgia, the list goes on. Seeing a tree with gifts underneath does instill a feeling of excitement but at the end of the day, is never the best part of the holidays. If I had to choose between watching Home Alone and giving up gifts, I would choose Kevin McCallister every time.

Memories with humans and nostalgia from those memories are a feeling that can never be replaced by receiving an object. I’m not trying to convince anyone to give it all up but we do tend to get a little carried away. Try choosing an activity to do with your loved one in lieu of purchasing something. Those memories will last way longer than an Apple Watch.

-the fresh perspective

Holiday Traditions

Got any family traditions that are coming up?  Anything that a lot of you, or a few of you, get into in December?  I have two small kids that are at the age of actually remembering experiences.  This holiday we will attempt to take the bus (again), go sledding, go skating, and last but not least, go to the Nutcracker.

As they get older, I'll see what we keep and what we ditch.  Taking the bus, in my opinion, is pretty fun.  We take it to the University of Manitoba, and when we get there we run around the snowy fields and throw snow and make snow angels (last year, my youngest sat in the snow and cried while my other daughter and I did all that fun stuff).  I think it's something that they should experience instead of being driven around all the time by me...

At the shop we've kept the tradition of stockings going for the third year in a row.  Starting December first, we put up stockings and all of us fill them till our last shift at work.  On the last day, we open them up and laugh, and cry, and laugh.  It's the best.  We do take the Holidays off and this time spent to make memories and be together is very important for me.  I hope all of the clients that patronize us aren't too inconvenienced by our break, but all of you should know that we are so grateful for each and everyone of you that choose Freshair Boutique to be your salon!

Whatever you get into this month please be careful and please enjoy your friends and family.  You know I will!

Peace