It’s Christmas book time

There are several Christmas traditions I enjoy: baking cookies with my mom, sister-in-law, niece and now son; getting and decorating the Christmas tree the first weekend in December, pulling out the Christmas cookbook; and reading a couple of Christmas stories. One book I will discuss later.

But let’s first talk about A Christmas Miracle.

This collection of four short stories is considered a historical romance. I love historical books. I am usually not a fan of the romance, but these stories are more than just a nice love story and great sex.

Each of the main characters in the stories by Virginia Henley, Katherine Kingsley, Rebecca Paisley and Stephanie Mittman feature a strong woman who, while often from a lower class, teach the man in her world what is really important about life and the true meaning of Christmas.

Each story in the book is set in the past, in a time in history that I love (think Black Creek Pioneer Village time, which is likely why the Steeles Avenue historical site is one of my favourite places to go).

While I am not naive enough to think those times weren’t tough, particularly for someone who was poor, it also seems like it was a romantic, gentle time.

You had to work hard but the pleasures were simple - a horse-driven sleigh ride, skating on the pond, decorations and gifts that were made by hand and a celebration of family.

So Begins The Season

I followed Sum41Mum down the 404 this morning. She looked old enough to have a 24-year-old son. Don’t you wish you could flag people down and ask them questions? Questions such as are you really Sum 41's Mum?

This weekend was the start of the Christmas season for me. While I have been listening to Christmas tunes on my iPod for more than a week now, Saturday my son and I were at my parents’ house with my sister-in-law and niece partaking in our annual baking day.

I ate more cookies than I decorated and they were delicious.

I am quite excited for Christmas this year. I am in the mood to shop, wrap and watch Christmas movies, although I find the later hard now that my little guy is here. Perhaps I will take some time off in the evening to simply enjoy movies like Disney’s Beauty and The Beast Christmas, Will Ferrell’s Elf, the new version of Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life and other favourites.