Ottawa finally woke up to a snow-covered wonderland yesterday after many worried that we would have a green Christmas for the first time in several years. Luckily, Mother Nature pulled through and the white stuff is adding some sparkle to the holidays.

Dunlop exploring in the snow during his first winter.

I’m sure you know how it is with the holidays — you make all these plans, and there’s never enough time. I had a list of recipes and treats to try, outings and decorating plans, but inevitably the majority falls to the wayside as I spend time with family and friends instead of running around…but, really, that’s ok!

A challah wreath with gingerbread holly

Braided challah dough

Although everything is celebrated in a pretty secular way in my house, we do like to have some hybrid Christmas/Hanukkah traditions. It makes for a pretty tasty holiday!

With all the hustle and bustle I will post the recipes later (but most of these treats are just simple munchies)…enjoy!

Letting the gingerbread men cool down.

Dreydl dreydl dreydl, I made it out of marshmallow!

Candycane marshmallow hot chocolate dippers!

One of our gingerbread houses...this one came with Rudolph and Frosty !

A happy hot choco ! (Made for me while I was studying by my awesome little brother)

So Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, have a great Festivus (for the rest of us), and keep warm in this last week of December!

And, if I may be so bold as to suggest some holiday music, this playlist is pretty versatile. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!