2013 at a (long...ish) Glance

(I've been meaning to get this out for about...16 days now but I kept putting it off).
It takes quite a while! And it's also fairly lengthy...lots of pictures!

Well, 2013 is officially over. Seems like just yesterday that it was beginning!

Here's what happened with us throughout the year...

...I left behind my old blog and started anew here!

...Georgey got fixed. 

...I've eaten a lot of ice cream...especially during DQ sales...

...Scott and I left behind our first little apartment together and bought a new house!

(Virtual tour)

...I completed a 30 day hot yoga challenge and I've still been loving it ever since!

(Google images)

...I realized I love TOMS, so comfy!

...I had a spider haunting my vehicle...

...we added another fuzzy cutie to the family! Bruce!

...we went to Texas! Fun times!

...we celebrated our one year anniversary!

...I completed a survey so you could get to know a bit more about me!

...little Brucey got fixed. I remembered how horrible drugged up cone headed kittens are...

(cute yes...but mainly horribly irritating...)

...I test drove a bunch of vehicles, but eventually decided upon a shiny new Subaru!

(about a week later, I ended up with a big ol' crack in the windshield...)

...I did some thinking, and decided to go back to school!

...some Smile Cookies from Tim Horton's were enjoyed!

...I started and finished all the Jane Austen books...and I also decided to withdraw from school (not necessarily related...but they were in the same post).

...I got some color put in my hair for the first time! Purple! 

(Sorry, it's more difficult to see in pictures...)

...cookies were baked! Quite a few cookies...

(mmmm~!)

...Christmastime was nice to see both sides of the family :)

(Had some good times with Hettie while she was here).

(Our "family photo")

And that pretty well sums up our year (give or take a few things here and there)!

The biggest things would probably be... buying a house, buying a new vehicle, and my decisions with school (and a couple things not blog worthy). 

What're your big memories from 2013??

What're you looking forward to in 2014?

Thanks for sticking with me!

Love you too. 

xo T

Happy New Year 2014!

Hello again!

It's been a week...have you missed me?
I'm sure you have...

Happy New Year!!!!
Wishing you all the best in 2014.
May it be filled with kittens, snuggles, ice cream, and happiness!
Let's all get up to some new adventures ;)

Love you too.

xo T, S, G, & B

(Oh, if you didn't know...Scott is moustached...)

Merry Christmas!

Have a fantastic Christmas!
Enjoy and make the most of it!
Safe travels as well!

Here's one last Christmas song!
The video is only slightly creepy...



Merry Christmas!

Love you too. 

xo T

PS. I'll be taking a little break for a bit. 
Talk to you soon!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve is here!
Only 1 day left until Christmas!

I should hope we're all ready by now ;)

Today, we head down to Lethbridge.
Although we no longer act out the Nativity (old memory here), we'll go see the live Nativity Pageant.
I guess we're lucky it's not too cold this year!
I don't know for sure, but I think we're sticking with tradition this year and ordering Chinese Food! YAY!
I'm pretty sure it was 2 Christmases ago that I had it last!

Other than that, I believe we'll just be relaxing and spending time together!

What's on your Christmas agenda?

My pick for number 12 is pretty well tradition now.

On the twelfth day of Christmas a Trudy gave to you, time with friends and family, eleven hours of relaxing, ten cozy jammies, nine hot bevies, eight festive goodies, endless heaps of snow, six Christmas songs, fiiive strriiiiiiinnnnggs of liiiiiggggghhhts, four candy canes, three snuggly blankies, two fuzzy kittens, and a small fiber optic treeeeee. 

I don't know about you, but my favorite thing about Christmas...has always been the time I get to spend with loved ones! I cherish the memories I have from past Christmases and I look forward to the time I get to spend with everyone each year!

And that wraps up this year's 12 Days of Christmas (Trudy style)!

And my Christmas song today is THE Christmas Song.
I've always loved Celine's version.



But Nat King Cole is definitely a classic as well!

So, as always, thanks for all of your love and support to my family, friends, and readers.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas! Safe travels!

Love you too!

xo Trudy, Scott, George, and Bruce! 

(You try taking pictures with 2 crazy cats and trying to get them to look...gong show...)

PS. Here's Day 11 if you missed it. The Cookie Monster!

Christmas (Eve)^2 + Cookie Palooza

Okay okay, maybe not cookie palooza...but today has been a long day.

I had all my cookie doughs made and ready for baking, and today...was baking day.

I'll lay them all out for you...

Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies

These are pretty soft, simple and delicious!

Whipped Shortbread Cookies
(Can't find the recipe I used...but they're really simple)

You can really taste how unhealthily scrumptious they are.

Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

These were a pain in the buttocks. But they are pretty tasty.
Personally, I'd recommend leaving the almond extract out...not a big fan...

Chocolate Turtle Cookies

These are very...indulgent I suppose. The caramel was a pain.
But they're definitely yummy.

Peppermint Rice Krispies

Just followed the basic recipe for Rice Krispie Squares but added peppermint extract in. 

Originally I was going to try something I saw on Pinterest and add  drizzled white and semi-sweet chocolate and crushed candy canes on top.

However, by the time I had finished baking and topping all these cookies...I was done and decided these could be kept simple. 

Originally I was also going to do a couple other things as well...but I was spent. I'm sick and tired, and I think I've got enough goodies. 

All 3 cookies recipes I shared links for are by Sally. 

I've mentioned her before. She creates delicious things. 

2 days to go until Christmas!

On the eleventh day of Christmas a Trudy gave to you, eleven hours of relaxing, ten cozy jammies, nine hot bevies, eight festive goodies, endless heaps of snow, six Christmas songs, fiiive strriiiiiiinnnnggs of liiiiiggggghhhts, four candy canes, three snuggly blankies, two fuzzy kittens, and a small fiber optic treeeeee.

Or even more than eleven hours! After my day of baking, I feel as though I need a long time to recharge my batteries (especially since they're depleted from my sickly state).

Getting to relax is most DEFINITELY one of my favorite parts of Christmas!

Don't you agree??

And onto the Chrtistmas song of the day!
One of my favorites for sure!
(I say that about practically every song, I know...)

(NOTE: They kind of ramble on a bit at the beginning, you may have to link over to YouTube to watch)



You didn't think I'd  leave Bowie out, did you? ;)

Enjoy your Christmas Eve Eve.
Talk to you tomorrow. ^^

Love you too.

xo T

PS. Here's Day 10 if you missed it. 

Merry Christmas Baby + Kittens?

Although the weekend is coming to a close, all things Christmas-y are in full force!
Only 3 measly day until Christmas.
Before anything else, Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Dad today! 48 years!
Love you guys! :)

What did you get up to this weekend??
Scott and I ran a few errands (and I made some cookie dough - festive goodies will be coming) and other than that, we've been keeping things pretty tame by cozying up at home.

When we did go out yesterday, it was madness! Utter madness!
And we were only by the minor strip mall near our house as opposed to the big malls.
I can't even imagine what they were like....

Unfortunately, I feel as though I'm coming down with a cold of sorts. What a fantastic Christmas present.
Yesterday when we were out, we went into Petland to get a couple toys for the kittens.
It was a danger zone...
There were quite a few animals on the ready for adoption...
Ya.
I saw the cutest...smallest little kitten who needed a home...
I wanted it so badly!
Would that make me a crazy cat lady?
I know, I know.
Anyways...kitten remained at the store.
Hopefully she finds a good home.
It makes me sad to think about it...let's move on~

12 Days of Christmas.

On the tenth day of Christmas a Trudy gave to you, ten cozy jammies, nine hot bevies, eight festive goodies, endless heaps of snow, six Christmas songs, fiiive strriiiiiiinnnnggs of liiiiiggggghhhts, four candy canes, three snuggly blankies, two fuzzy kittens, and a small fiber optic treeeeee.

Is there anything better to cozy up in than jammies??
I think not.

I could live in them!

Usually I like to wear shorts because I'm also wearing my moccasins and am also under a snuggly blanky...
HOWEVER, I do have one pair of cozy Christmas pj bottoms...

Aren't they cute?? :3
I've had them for a few years...so they've gotten quite a bit of wear!

Do you have a favorite cozy pair of jammies?
Or do you find something else more cozy??
Birthday suits? 

Song of the day! This is always a classic in my books!
Merry Christmas Baby!



I also found one by CeeLo Green and Rod Stewart. Interesting.

I'm going to daydream of baby kittens.

Love you too.

xo T

PS. Here's Day 9 if you missed it.

Hettie Memories and Yummy Things

Happy Saturday to you! Also, Happy First Day of Winter (supposedly....).

A week ago, we had a Hettie come stay with us...and just yesterday I dropped her off at the airport.
It was sad to bid her adieu...but we had a fun week!

I realized we didn't take ANY selfies and there are only a couple pictures in total!
Oh well.
Here's some highlights!

...hot yoga. Hettie had never been, so she decided to take a risk and check it out! She at least somewhat enjoyed it and commented that it was kind of challenging and obviously very hot! We got nice and sweaty!

...we got to work out together. Before she moved, we were work out buddies! It was nice to be reunited and get some good workouts in!

...shopping. We spent a LOT of time at the mall. We're both kind of slow shoppers and apparently we're also quite bad influences on each other....
It was fun regardless ;)

...finding ginormous Toblerone!

I think the picture speaks for itself ;)
No I didn't get one...yet.

...a couple stops at OJs (Original Joe's). For chicken fingers and fries of course. So good!
Though the last time, the fries were definitely under cooked! Even after a second try! Yuck!
No one likes a limp fry. We thought our line of fries looked pretty ridiculous.

...we walked, quite a bit! 

My feet felt so sore!

...we watched a few Christmas-y movies. 

Love Actually, Four Christmases, and The Holiday. 

...we had lots of laughs, good times, and made new memories! 

Miss you!

Enjoy your Christmas...and even more important, the fondue party ;)

Only 4 days left until Christmas now!

I'm hoping you're all ready by now!

On with the 12 Days of Christmas!

On the ninth day of Christmas a Trudy gave to you, nine hot bevies, eight festive goodies, endless heaps of snow, six Christmas songs, fiiive strriiiiiiinnnnggs of liiiiiggggghhhts, four candy canes, three snuggly blankies, two fuzzy kittens, and a small fiber optic treeeeee.

Yes, I'm pretty sure I talk about these hot and festive bevies every year! They're just so tasty! And they're only here once a year...I'm just doing my duty!

I don't have nine different pictures or even nine different bevies for you...but I'll share a few I've been enjoying!

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate (Starbucks)

It was my first. Delicious...and sweet!!!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate (Starbucks)

Always tasty, and not too sweet. 

Candy Cane Hot Chocolate (Tim's)

A classic. Also quite sweet! I'd stick with a small...

(Recall me saying I've been enjoying candy cane flavored things) ;)

Have you been enjoying some festive hot bevies?

What's your favorite?

For the song of the day, I had Beach Boys on the mind! 

Very catchy song!

(Sorry if it's not working to play over blogger...link over to YouTube to hear!)

ORRRRR would you prefer this song??

Oh, and yes...cookie dough making has begun.

Love you too.

xo T

PS. Here's Day 8 if you missed it!