Frugal Vacation? Homecation? Staycation? You Choose

While our children are vacationing in Switzerland for the holidays, my husband and I, have our own vacation at home, it's call HOMECATION: word from the Urban dictionary. On Christmas Eve, after going out for some window shopping and before the Midnight Mass, we had dinner:

Flat bread pizza, Pinot noir,

Apple pie and Pistachio/Cashew Ice cream.

After mass, we had Egg Nog (store bought), I have a recipe for egg nog but I didn't feel like making it.

 

Christmas day was Pajama day for me. I wake up late and I indulged myself with this wonderful  ginger/mint nourishing body polish that my daughter Stephanie bought for me some months ago.It's a great product, everytime I use it I feel good, and it makes the skin smooth.

Thereafter, I had my tea, I am an avid tea drinker, I enjoy tea for many reasons: tea contains antioxydants that protect our body from various kind of diseases, tea can boost our immune system and has cancer-fighting effects. Compared to coffee, tea has less caffeine. I drink various flavors of tea.---The aroma of a hot cup of tea and a good book, like this one that I promised myself to finish before the end of the year, it's heaven!

Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant ( I bought it at http://www.frenchbooksonline.com/)

The day after Christmas: Blizzard alert, it's started snowing at 10:00 am. I did not feel like cooking but since we've been eating leftovers, I decided to make this quick meal:

Buttery Potato Fans. Flounder Filet and Mushrooms on a bed of  Steamed Spinach. It was delish!

To make the Buttery Potato Fans,   1- preheat oven to 450 F. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Cut potatoes into 1/4inch slices but do not cut all the way through. 2- Place potatoes on prepared baking sheet. Spread slices slight apart. 3- Mix butter and oil in a small bowl: lightly brush over potato skins and between slices with a small pastry brush. Sprinkle with salt. 4- Bake for 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender and edges are brown. Spread with sour cream or serve on the side. If you want to save time like I did,  prepare potatoes as recipe directs through step 3, but microwave the potatoes for about 5 or 8 minutes depending on the  sizes of the potatoes, then reduce baking time to 15 minutes in step 4.

Dec 27th The front door of our apt blocked by the snow

I took this pic from my living room's window

Dec 28th when I wake up and look outside from my bedroom's window, I couldn't resist, I had to take a pic of this beautiful view.

A BIENTOT!

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Welcome to My Home For Christmas..... and Happy Holidays!

Everyone who follows my blog knows decorating is one of my hobbies.Today I will not say much, I'll just let you enjoy my Christmas decorations

The Entry door, (wreath and wreath holder are from Home Goods)

 

                                        My husband and I, we made this centerpiece

The brown bases of my lamps didn't match my silver decor so I use aluminium foil and Voila (frugal solution)

This is my kitchen window, I use a table centerpiece as window treatment.

This is the bathroom door, I made the door knob decoration for every door in my home, I use pinecones, red ribbons and a glue gun.

                                                        Partial view of the bathroom-

Simple decoration for the bathroom, just a clear vase filled with christmas ornaments the color of the tiles and the cabinet,

                                                    

Santa needs a base

                  I made this base with a box wrapped with gift paper, it's more like it!

                            I bought this flower basket at my favorite store: HOME GOODS

                                                       decoration in progress

                                           All my snowmen are from Home Goods

         The poinsettias are on a soft white tulle curtain ( my creative mind was on frugal mode)

                                                                                                                                         

                               

                     This is an appetizers table for a small Christmas gathering on December 18th.

                                            

                                                                                                

       

                             Strawberries Trifle made by my daughter Caroline( Caroline's Pantry) for the occasion.

                                            

Tiramisu also made by Caroline

May The Light Of The World Shine In Our Hearts

This Christmas And Always!

For There Is Born To You

This Day In The City Of David

A Savior, Who Is Christ Our Lord

Luke 2 : 11

   FROM MY HOME TO YOUR HOME  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Homemade Hair & Body Shea Butter/Beurre de Karite

The first time I made this great body/hair butter was three months ago, it was so great it did not take long before my daughter transfer it from my room to hers, she's been using it since. When my Son came back home from college for Thanksgiving, he used it for his feet and was so happy with the results  he asked me to make some for him. So this morning before he went back to school I made a small jar for him.

I used : 4oz of unrefined shea butter
             2Tbsp of almond oil
             2Tbsp of grapeseed oil
             2Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
             1Tbsp of palma christi oil (castor oil)

I melted the shea butter au bain marie by placing a glass bowl containing the shea butter in a pan fill with water on low heat, you can melt it in the microwave but I prefer not.
I put the melted shea butter in the freezer, if you are not in a hurry like I was, you can put it in the fridge. So I put the bowl in the freezer until it looks like butter then I whipped it  using a hand mixer for 5mns, I added the oils and whipped again until it turned like soft butter (5mns)

I transfer it to a glass jar(Gerber baby food jar) and put a homemade label on it. FRUGALITY my friends!

*SHEA BUTTER has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, prevent wrinkles, activates collagen, softens cracked skin, great source of vitamin E and A that renew and regenerate cells, reduces the occurrence of skin cancer. It can be use to calm skin after minor burns. It softens tough skin on feet, especially heels.
Shea butter is very good for hair, it restores luster to hair, provides moisture to dry or damaged hair from the roots to the ends. It can be use on the entire body, it is suitable for all hair and skin types, it provides protection, healing and moisture to hair and body.

*ALMOND OIL promotes healthy hair, nourishes and smoothes hair cuticles. makes hair grow strong, add shine to hair, controls hair loss.
It contains vitamins B1, B6, B2 and A, it stimulates skin renewal, delays ageing process, lightens dark circles, soothes skin irritation and inflammation, improves skin complexion, cures chapped lips and body rashes.

*GRAPESEED OIL contains the antioxydants polyphenols that help slow the process of aging, tightens the skin, it's a wonderful moisturizer, it inhibits fine lines and wrinkles.
Grapeseed oil can be applied on all hair types, it smooths the hair cuticles, moisturizes and nourishes the hair.
Regular use of grapeseed oil make hair strong, healthy and shiny.

*EXTRA VIRGIN  OLIVE OIL works as a natural hair conditioner, it nourishes, conditions and improves the elasticity of  your hair. EVOO is rich in antioxydants polyphenols and hydroxytyrosol that slow aging by stabilizing the cell plasma membrane. It promotes supple skin, lustrous hair strong nails, radiant smooth complexion.

*PALMA CHRISTI (Palm of Christ) CASTOR OIL- has powerful healing properties, soothes and softens the skin, it promotes hair growth, has many benefits for arthritis, injuries, back pain, helps in fungal infection.