Love and Blessings.

 Photo credit: The Toronto Star

We've really hit the ground running this winter in the great white north - record breaking snowfalls and the worst ice storm since Mother Nature unleashed her fury on Montreal back in 1998.  

On top of the dangerous driving conditions, treacherous sidewalks and fallen trees and branches everywhere, too many people in Toronto and the surrounding areas went without power during the coldest days we've had so far.  Power outages extended into and past Christmas while the hydro company did all they could, working around the clock to restore power..and more importantly, heat, back into their homes. 

We were one of the very lucky neighborhoods who never lost power - a pleasant surprise as our area is heavily treed and it seems that we are usually included in the small percent of the city who lose power periodically due to anything from a major storm to simply a gusty day.  

With the city still under an extreme weather warning and precarious ice covered trees leaning dangerously over roads and highways with their too-heavy load, we headed north this holiday season to spend the holidays with family in their newly built timber frame home, away from the chaotic hustle and bustle of the big city.

5 days of glorious snow covered landscapes, a visit to the stables, an attempted skidoo outing (the ice on the lake was still a little too slushy..) saunas and festive drinks around their roaring fireplace, we were fed, catered to..and fed some more until our drive home, back to the reality.  

Our new year's eve this year was a quiet one - a lovely time to reflect on everything gone by in 2013 and an anticipation of what's to come in 2014.  Starting with a dearly overdue visit back to B.C. this month, a much needed time to reconnect with my family and rejuvenate my soul - there's also a  exciting trip to Ireland planned for a very special wedding!  

It's going to be a busy year, one brimming with love, family and dear, dear friends.

And speaking of dear friends, I want to wish all of you beautiful people the happiest of a new year!  May this year bring for you more love, happiness and good health than the last.  And as always, thank you so much for checking in here once in a while - your holiday emails have been such a pleasure to receive!

Love and blessings,

xo Blue Gnome