The Dancing Snowflakes And The Playing Children ~ Plus A Christmas Update!

So yesterday this happened!  After we left the mall, around 3:30 p.m., Toronto experienced a huge snowfall with the most perfect fluffy snowflakes!  And on the way home, playing on the radio was Waltz of the Snowflakes by Tchaikovsky, during an actual big snowfall, while children were making a snowman and all was so perfect.  Only 9 days until Christmas!

That was right after I donated all my change that had been piling up for a while to the Salvation Army Kettle and Christmas shopping.

The night before I took the above picture of the moon through my neighbor's Christmas lights.

And can you believe that there is an entire Christmas Store!  It's through Canadian Tire at Leaside in Toronto, Ontario Canada.  Pretty spectacular!  I was fortunate to get a NOMA LED light up wreath for a meer $19.99 plus tax.  Incredible deal!  I will try and take a picture of it soon, all lit up, and post it here.

Below are a couple pictures from Dufferin Mall in Toronto.  They updated and seem to have new Christmas displays too!  Looks really great!!  I did most of my Christmas shopping there  at their ToysRUs and Walmart. Very convenient and just great!

I am also in the middle of trying to find the most perfect Gingerbread Men Cookie recipe but do I go gluten free or vegan?  I mean I am mostly gluten free already personally but would it be fair to the kids or probably better?  I was thinking about buying the pre made kit but then I decided against it because most are full of things that I wouldn't want to eat myself.  I will try and post about that later.

Photo by Sharon Chen

I already decided on the recipe!  I am going for the traditional Gingerbread Cookie recipe!  It's a 5 out of 5 star rated recipe based on 341 reviews and the creator simply called it "The Most Wonderful Gingerbread Cookie Recipe"!  by Gingerkitten G.  I am sure I won't go wrong with this.  I will also buy some candies and make a simple icing for decoration and extra yum! 

Well that's it for now!  Hope you are having a wonderful winter so far and I hope that your holidays are even better!  Cheers!

Walmart Will Double Your Salvation Army Kettle Donations On December 17, 2016 & Make Toy Donations Too! Plus Silver Bells Film On Netflix.ca Now

2013 Silver Bells Film On Netflix.ca Now

My husband notified me last night that Walmart will be doubling Salvation Army Kettle donations tomorrow up to $100,000 Max and also make $80,000 donations to CTV's Toy Mountain!

Last time we where at Walmart a couple weeks ago we gave and yesterday I donated all my hoarded change too but I will make a special trip to donate more to the generous people over at Walmart!  I still have to donate to toy mountain also so I can pick up some toys also!

Last night I was looking for Christmas movies and I found a great one that included the Salvation Army!  I really liked it cheese factor, a bit of dorky acting and all. lol  I really like movies that have an egotistical jerk who experiences a bit of a fall from it but gets up to be stronger because they found their humanity and compassion!  Such a heartwarming message!

If you can't make it to Walmart and also wish to contribute online &/or volunteer please see: SalvationArmy.ca

Happy Holidays and Season's Greetings to all!  Even if you don't celebrate anything I still wish you all the best!  I just want my fellow man to be happy, healthy and doing very well!

Filling Those Salvation Army Kettles! Change Challenge!!

Last weekend I was shopping with my family and happened upon a very kind volunteer for the Salvation Army so I decided to reach in my pockets for an insane amount of change I had taken with me just in case we needed to take the bus.  We didn't so I reached down in my purse and grabbed 3 big handfuls!  Must have been over $12 in change.  Then when my husband and I were at Walmart we were so lucky to enjoy The Salvation Army band so we gave another $5.  And then I remembered about our change jar!  There was over $45 in small change alone so I am bagging it up to dump in there as well!

A glimpse of my massive change pile. lol

I have seen the good the Salvation Army does in my local community along with the world so I try to donate all I that can and you can even donate online now too.  Of course they are online so with just a few clicks you can make a good difference in the world!  For more information please see: SalvationArmy.ca  Their goal this year is $21 Million but let's see if we can up that with whatever you can give including all that pesky change all over!  Maybe check your couches and old purses you don't even use anymore.  Also note that there is a breakdown of where the money goes and it looks like they give more than 80% of their money to help via charityintelligence.ca.

Big Mac Creator Michael "Jim" Deligatti Dies So Had To Get One To Pay My Respects

"Jim Delligatti was a McDonald’s franchisee who came up with the idea in 1967 because he said customers wanted a bigger sandwich."

Today, we celebrate the 98 inspirational years of Big Mac inventor, Michael "Jim" Delligatti. Jim, we thank and will forever remember you. pic.twitter.com/wmEFrmazdn

— McDonald's (@McDonalds) November 30, 2016

As an Italian Canadian I was very proud to hear that the inventor was Italian American that created one of my favorite burgers!  You know I had to get a Big Mac combo out of respect to Mr. Delligatti!  RIP big guy and thanks!!

And, yes!!!  It was super delicious!  I could have eaten another but my thin fame couldn't handle it.  I will have to get another soon.  I don't eat fast food often but every now and then..

Cheers!!

Quaint Little Stratford, Ontario Is Very Lovely In The Fall

Ontario is a very beautiful province and the city of Stratford is no exception and it's the home of the Bieb too. lol  A great place to visit, especially if you like antiques and theater.  It also has some great little shops and book stores.  We went this past fall and it was such a lovely day and I did take some nice shots with my iPod.  The following are a few that I took that day!  

More on my Flickr in my "I Keep On Falling" folder on page 3.

I also purchased a little recipe book titled Favorite Shakespear Country Recipes by Dorothy Baldock.  I just love some of the old time recipes and terminology rarely used nowadays.