Who are you kissing at midnight?

Dear Blog Readers:

The countdown is on. In a few hours, we begin a new year. A new year gives us an opportunity to begin again, renew and refresh. I hope for you, 2024 is a year of learning, loving, and of course, dancing! Remember, dancing is great for your heart health! 

The best is yet to come. Or well, that’s what everyone keeps telling me... 

Warm wishes, 

melissa 

Single life

written by m. fockler 

Holiday baking -- for the neighbours

Today, I baked another batch of ginger snaps, this time for the neighbours. Nothing says, "Happy Holidays" like gingerbread!

Hi. (Photo booth)

Photos taken late November 2023

Quoted

A year-end reflection

I cannot believe that there are only 5 days left of 2023. Where did the year go? 

Over the next week, I encourage you to take some time to pause and reflect on the year. Some potential questions: 

What did you do in 2023?

What did you learn? 

How did you grow and improve?

What did you struggle with? 

Did you practice self-care? How?

What are you grateful for? 

Photo credit: here

Blog Christmas Card

Dear Blog Readers:

I always find that Christmas, and the holidays in general, is a magical time. There is hope for a (better) more kinder world. There is hope for truce and peace. 

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, safe holiday season,

melissa 

Happy Christmas Eve!

Tonight, I'm leaving out some of my homemade butterball cookies for Santa. And don't worry -- these cookies are made with canola oil, a heart healthy oil. I don't cook or bake with butter. I'm looking out for Santa's heart health! 

Saturday Night at the Movies

Grab the popcorn maker. I need to make some popcorn!

Today, I'm watching two 1980s classic holiday films: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story. These films are a staple of my holiday season. Both are comedies involving families wanting the 'perfect' Christmas, but nothing goes quite right! I would argue that Christmas Vacation is Chevy Chase's best movie. Chase's character is so over the top, and yet timeless. As for A Christmas Story, the 'leg lamp award' is ridiculous, but also highlights superficiality in a way that is poignant and remains relevant today.

Happy... 2 days before Christmas!

Do you have any Christmas plans? Christmas traditions? Share below!

Check out the Christmas countdown clock, here.

My Celebrity Crush: Dick Van Dyke

Dick Van Dyke recently turned 98. What an extraordinary talent! 

My Homemade Jam Tarts

Tonight, I'm baking three batches of 24 mini-jam tarts.

Snowflakes

What do I like about snow? Finding animal footprints in the morning... 

Photo taken December 19, 2023

Music Monday

I'm a fan of Chris Farley. And Sandler's tribute to Farley always makes me cry. 

 Adam Sandler "Chris Farley Tribute"

Sing along optional: 

The first time I saw him he was sweeter than shit
Plaid jacket and belt too tight, he wasn't even doing a bit
Then he cartwheeled around the room and slow-danced with the cleaning lady
He was an one man party
You know I'm talkin' about, I'm talkin' about my friend Chris Farley

The magic of nature

At the cottage, over the years, I have had the privilege of seeing deers, up close and personal. I have also seen jackrabbits, grouse, bats, snakes, black bears, porcupines, loons. I even swam with a beaver. However, on my most recent trip up north I saw a moose for the first time. I stood there, watching the moose -- feeling overwhelmed by its power, dominance, elegance, and patience. Its beauty was simply captivating.  

melissa fockler (b. 1984)

Oh, My Deer, 2013

Photograph 

'Small victory' for sustainability

Today, I reached for the bread bag and noticed something unusual. The tag on the bag was made out of paper, not plastic. Super cool.

Pictured above, me holding a 'paper' bread tag 

Hilarious Holiday Fun

Want a laugh? Watch The Grinch read, How The Grinch Stole Christmas! 

Story time with The Grinch 

Question #11

Question: What is on your Christmas wish list?

My answer: I'm wishing for health and happiness. I know it sounds like a "fake answer" but I honestly mean it. And yes, world peace would be nice. 

Photo credit: etsy

My Homemade Ginger Snaps

Tonight, I baked ginger snaps for the first time. I found them easy to make and they taste great! Key ingredients: ground cloves, ground ginger, cinnamon, molasses. 

Introducing, my tree (12 days until Christmas - wow!)

Pictured above, My Christmas Tree 2023

Music Monday

Anyone else have a long day and in need of a little Elvis Presley? 

 Elvis Presley "I'll Be Home on Christmas Day"

Sing along optional: 

On the hills of Georgia
Across the plains of Tennessee
I've seen and I've done most everything
That a man can do or see
But if I could only borrow one dream from yesterday
I'd be on that train tomorrow
I'll be home on Christmas day

Sunday Reading

Today, in the digital age, emojis are used to express affection, intimacy, flirtation. An interesting, open-access reading on the role emojis play in romance:  

Groggel, A. (2023). The power of a 😉: Emojis reducing ambiguity in digitally mediated romantic encounters. Symbolic Interaction. 

https://doi.org/10.1002/symb.668

Which do you like better -- poinsettias or roses?

Personally, I prefer poinsettias over roses. In general, I like plants over cut flowers.

Photo credit: CountryLiving 

Flashback Friday (September 2023)

In this picture, I was getting ready for a bike ride and my chipmunk friend kept following me around. 

Pictured above, me and my chipmunk friend

Stop the gun violence

My Homemade Chocolate Cake

Check out my homemade, healthy, chocolate cake. Key ingredients: cocoa powder and ripe bananas. Want a slice? 

Question #10

Question: Do you think you should share feelings, emotions?

My answer: I think the best thing to do is to tell someone how you feel. Who knows? Maybe they feel the same way! Brett Young's song fits here...  

Sing along optional:

In case you didn't know

Baby, I'm crazy 'bout you

And I would be lyin' if I said

That I could live this life without you

Even though

I don't tell you all the time

You had my heart a long, long time ago

In case you didn't know

Music Monday

 Michael Bublé "All I Want For Christmas Is You"

Sing along optional: 

Make my wish come true
You know that all I want for Christmas
Is you

Sunday Reading

“Money can’t buy a happy life, or a peaceful death.” 

- Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol

My Homemade Waffles

Today, I made homemade waffles! As for toppings, I added wild blueberries and 100% Canadian maple syrup.  

December, already?

Céline Dion "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day"

Sing along optional:

So don't save it all for Christmas Day
Find a way
To give a little love everyday

caricature love

don't waste your time 

on someone who only wants you 

when your hair looks perfect

and your body just so 

and your clothes 

overpriced fashionable: 

they are so not worth it.

'Tis the season

It's time to decorate the tree!

Sweater Weather (Photo Booth)

Photos taken November 28, 2023

Music Monday

This week's song is from the Serendipity soundtrack. 

Bap Kennedy "Moonlight Kiss"

Sing along optional:

wish i could fall
on a night like this
into your lovin' arms
for a moonlight kiss

Waiting for the Toronto Santa Claus Parade (Photo Booth)

Photo taken November 26, 2023

My homemade pumpkin pie

I've been making homemade pumpkin pies for a few years now. 

To make your own pumpkin pie: 

You first have to clean and bake a pie pumpkin. Then, you turn the cooked pumpkin into a puree. You need a blender for this step. Add a few ingredients, including eggs and spices, roll out a pie crust and like magic -- you have a pumpkin pie! 

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

Have you heard about Canadian Pacific decking out one of its trains in holiday decor and lights? I think if I ever saw this train in-person, I would 'flip out' with excitement. What a wicked, cool train!

On a new journey

Today, I removed old photos from my picture frames, making room for new memories! 

Pictured above, empty picture frames 

The mistletoe is up!

mistletoe 

[noun]

a leathery-leaved parasitic plant which grows on apple, oak, and other broadleaf trees and bears white glutinous berries in winter.

mistletoe

i'm saving all my affection 

for my future boyfriend:

my lip balm, stocked. 

Music Monday

Tonight, I'm listening to one of my favourite Christmas albums: Barbra Streisand's Christmas Memories. Listen along with me! 

scent-sitive

I always appreciate when signs are posted -- encouraging people not to wear perfumes and other strong scented products like cologne in public spaces. Why? Because some people are highly sensitive to such smells. I know, because I am one of these 'sensitive' people. 

When out and about this holiday season, think about the fragrances you wear. While it may smell great to you, it may leave someone else with a terrible headache. So, please be kind. Everyone deserves a holly jolly, holiday season! 

I just got back from the cottage.

I sawed a few trees today. Some examples:

Tree #1. 

Tree #2.

6 weeks until X-mas

“What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. 

What if Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!” 

― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! 

My Last Bike Ride of 2023

Today, I pumped up my tires and went for a bike ride.

I rode for about 20 minutes to watch the sunset... 

...and the Canadian geese fly.

Photo credit: melissa fockler, 2023

Inspiration

Question/Comment

Are you going to the Toronto Santa Claus Parade?  

I love a good parade! If you live in Ontario, Canada, you can find a list of holiday parades here.

insert footnote

 The moment you realize

    everyone has left the room

    but you're still talking. 

Remember, and never forget

Today is Remembrance Day.

Please take a moment to remember the sacrifice of war. Please remember all those who died, the families destroyed, the mental health consequences, and the women who were raped (in the war). 

There are ongoing wars around the world today. Please support world peace. 

Photo credit: here

in the middle of nowhere

a strong wind 

brings down a tree 

its branches break 

roots upheave

soil stirs

cloud of dust

its life is in 

the rings 

its red leaves now 

brown

crumbling 

crisp 

crunch 

back to earth 

ready to grow again. 

   Photo credit: melissa fockler, 2008

Question/Comment

What did you learn today? Comment below. 👇

Yard Waste Tuesday (with a buddy)

I was raking up leaves this afternoon and a raccoon kept following me around, watching what I was doing. I snapped a photo!

melissa fockler (b. 1984)

The Curious Raccoon, 2023

Photograph 

Music Monday

Goo Goo Dolls "Iris"

Sing along optional:

And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now

This Old House (Part 4)

Today, I painted the quarter rounds in the bathroom. 

Okay, the big reveal!