Lee went back to work yesterday and I'm back tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine, normal eating patterns and normal bedtimes.

We had such a lovely holiday and were blessed to be able to celebrate two Christmases. Our trip back to Canada was wonderful and we were lucky to be able to visit with lots of friends and family. The cold weather made it possible for us to downhill ski for two days. This was only Lee's second time on skis and I was so proud of him as he was making parallel turns by the end of the second day.





We enjoyed picture-perfect weather for Lee's first attempt at cross-country skiing. I hadn't been since Girl Guides but soon we were both moving along at quite a good pace along the trails. We decided to try some of the more difficult trails but we both came to realize that going downhill in cross-country skis is far more difficult than in downhill skis.









Lee's pole had a bit of a run in with a fence.



We also tried some snowshoeing, which again Lee had never tried and I had not attempted since Girl Guides.





We were also lucky enough to be home when the Olympic flame made its way through my hometown. I must admit that I got a bit choked up when I saw it arrive.



We had a lovely visit with friends who were en route back home to Ottawa.



Niagara Falls is even more gorgeous in the snow!





We flew back to the UK on the 23rd so we had an early Christmas day and we were truly spoiled by our family.



Here I am sporting my sister's gift to me: an official Canadian Olympic Team sweater. I've wanted one since the Bay released their line of clothes for the Olympics and was so sad when I found out it had sold out. Yay for my sister for being such a quick little shopper!



The best part of the day was giving my Dad - the man who has everything - his Christmas present. Lee and I picked up 'Freddie' at the Christie antique show when we were last home in September and stored him in my childhood bedroom. The look on his face when we brought it down for him was priceless. Mom and Dad's dog Angus, was not impressed by the purchase.



We also ate my favorite meal at Christmas time: brunch!



Once back in the UK we made a made dash to Marks & Spencer on Christmas Eve to pick up some milk (for tea of course) and some breakfast goodies. Lee's sister kindly hosted Christmas lunch and really out did herself.

Here's hoping I can get to work tomorrow as they are forecasting....what for it.....10 cms of snow! England does not have the infrastructure to deal with any frosty weather so who knows, maybe my holiday will be further extended! :)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Lee and I enjoyed a trouble-free return back to the UK yesterday and have spent today eating, playing with our niece and nephew, and just enjoying Christmas Day.

We had a lovely time in Canada and have returned with some great memories and probably a few extra pounds.

These are the cheesy grins of two people who are very happy to have arrived at Pearson International Airport after leaving home 16 hours earlier.



I'm not sure if we'll ever transfer via Charles de Gaulle airport ever again (massive queues at security) but Air France wasn't bad and I was able to watch 4 (yes four) movies that Lee would never watch with me on the way over (Up, Julie & Julia, 500 summers and the Hangover).

The nice thing about being married is learning new things about my husband.

For example, I didn't know that Lee knew how to tie a bow tie.


[at his work's Christmas party this week]

I also didn't know that he could make a mean homemade sausage roll or that he has a penchant for chalkboard decoration.



I also think he has rather good taste in his music downloads.



Cheers to you Woody!

This advert just came on the television and as is the norm, I started to tear up.



It's just like the beginning of the film of Love Actually. It gets me every time!

Needless to say, I'm very excited for our flight back to Canada next week. This is the first time we've been back for Christmas since 2006! Our plan is to visit with as many people as possible and pretty much eat and drink our way around the greater Toronto area.

Shame a flight to Toronto at Christmas isn't £299 in real life. Ha ha.

Friday was kind of a crummy day. I managed to dye one of my favorite pink shirts (it somehow made its way into a dark wash) and the paper I've worked on for ages was rejected by a second research journal. Some of the criticisms were valid and can be fixed, but some of the reviewers' comments actually question the whole purpose of my research. Ugh. A few tears snuck out after I got the email but I managed to keep them hidden. I would never want my all-male office to see me cry!! We do have the opportunity to resubmit so I hope to get things fixed and send the paper off this coming week.

I didn't want my foul mood to ruin my weekend so I turned to some of my favorite activities.

Reading magazines.


(I was over the moon to find Martha Stewart at our local WH Smith).

Wrapping Christmas gifts.


(Aren't these the coolest boots? I can't wait to see our niece in them!)

Listening to some of my favorite Christmas albums. God bless Spotify!



The Topshop brogues I bought off of ebay also arrived Saturday (gotta love the Royal Mail and its ability to deliver on the weekend).



I am rather worried that (1) they are no longer trendy and (2) if they are still fashionable that I am too square to wear them. They are, however, freaking comfortable and suit my I'm-an-old-lady-that-walks-1.1-miles-to-the-train-station self.

I wore them out today with thick black tights and a short black skirt and tried to pretend I looked as good as this girl:



Picture from the very lovely Anne Sage.

Merry McWood Christmas!



We ordered our Christmas cards with this picture on the front from Vista print. We've talked about sending a joke card for several Christmases, and finally got our act in gear this time around. We even used our joke last name - the combination of our two last names....



Don't we look good? We tried to find the cheesiest outfits possible. I even tried to tint the picture to make it a bit more 1960ish....