back to reality

Coming back to the city and then back to work after a relaxing long weekend away is almost tortuous. You look so forward to the weekend for weeks and it goes by in a flash.....we seriously need at least 2 long weekends a month to stay sane! This is my fourth Thanksgiving away from my family... which is fine {during University I was always working anyways}. This year like I mentioned earlier I went up to Manitoulin Island! I love love love going there! The ferry ride over is the best part, it really breaks the trip up so you're not driving the whole time and you can drink delish Caesars and watch Lake Huron go by while doing it! Once you're on the island life is literally at a standstill, it's so quiet the days linger on and the weather is almost always perfect! It was the best Thanksgiving setting for sure!  Hot apple cider, board games and turkey! Here are a few snapshots from the weekend! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving..... next stop... Christmas!*

Chi Cheemaun docking at South Baymouth

Bridal Vail Falls

afternoon drive down the island

Thanksgiving Dinner Table

my wonderful craftsmanship!

sun setting over Lake Huron

hiking down the river

Bridal Vail Falls {again}

Christmas in the Rockies

As I mentioned in older posts, we couldn't afford to fly home for Christmas this year, so we decided to start  new traditions! Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day in the mountains! This might have possibly been one of the best Christmas's I've ever had! There's nothing more Chrismas like driving into Banff National Park and being greeted by a snow storm,  moose and deer all around us and a beautiful chalet with a wood burning fireplace!

Christmas Eve

 

Christmas Eve

Christmas Table

Cloth Napkins - $10/ four Gluckstein Home
Beaded Napkin Rings - $2.99 each  Gluckstein Home

White Placemats - $12 each Urban Barn

Mistletoe Sangria and Bacon Wrapped Turkey

Chrsitmas Day & Banff

we must have been good this year!

Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Tunnel Mountain

Main Lodge

Wood burning

A white Christmas from our window

delicious 5 course Christmas dinner

Beef Tenderloin and Gnoochi

Homemade Ice-cream



Boxing Day

Morning Hike

Arctic Parka: $400 North Face

Boots: $170 Sorel

Banff Springs Hotel - Ice Rink!

Banff Springs Hotel lobby Christmas Tree!

Top Five

This past week one of my best friends was visiting from Ontario.  We had a full 6 days to do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted and it was glorious!   It was her first time visiting Alberta so I wanted to show her as much as I could  {and what I knew}.  Here are our top five things from the past week....*

{Raspberry Margaritas}

{Hiking}

{Mechanical Bull}

{Flowers still in bloom}

{Dipping our toes in fresh glacier water}