Good vs Evil

Evil things…

Good things…

Now if only the good things would do away with the evil things so they would quit calling me. 

Brand New Bag

So… hands up if you have been shoving your lovely DSLR camera in your purse like I do.  Don’t lie.  I know you do it too.

When I bought James Dean (one year ago today!) he was part of a package that came with a carrying case, but the case is um, well….ugly.  Not to mention bulky, hard and far bigger than I need. So for the last year I’ve been toting him around in my bigass handbags rather than finding a more suitable option.

For Christmas my Grandpa just gives me cash to buy something I would like. I should probably put it towards my renovation budget or something slightly more responsible but I like to actually have a gift to show for the money.  So when I found these lovely, plush DSLR camera bags at Janine King Designs on Etsy I decided it was a Merry-Christmas-to-me moment.

Much more appropriate size! Not too bulky at all but still has room for the camera and three lenses…all safe and sound. There are no interior pockets (aside from the lens areas) which is a bit of a shame but there is still room for my extra battery, camera cable, etc. and an outside zippered pocket for money, ID, manuals, and such.

The adjustable strap makes it easy to carry however you feel comfortable. I suspect I’ll wear it messenger style when taking it for nature walks and the like, but for this weekend I just slung it over my shoulder while taking things to and from the car or up and down the stairs.

I like the idea that it’s a nice fabric pattern that helps to disguise the bag as more of a casual purse than a techie paradise. I may be slightly more inclined to take my good camera, as opposed to only my point and shoot, to maybe a few more parties or events.  Lugging my bigass day to day purse in addition to the camera and it’s accessories doesn’t really go with my outfits!

The durability of this bag remains to be seen but I imagine for the light use it will receive along with some simple TLC it will last me just fine.  I’m just happy that James now has a comfy, cozy, safe, and stylish home. :)

Sammich

So ya, there’s that whole Christmas turkey thing.

Really the whole point of all that preparation, cooking, basting, carving and ooh-la-la-ing is the leftovers, no?

All that sliced white meat, chewy stuffing, tangy cranberry, and creamy mayo layered between soft, white bread. Oh my.

Complete with leftover Cabbage & Apple Salad. Memories.

For the record, this sammich is only truly delicious if made by my Mom. If it’s possible to possess the perfect sammich gene she has it.

Here’s hoping she passes it through the gene pool.  So far she hasn’t.

Fine with me. There’s some things a girl just wants her Mommy for.  ;)

Christmas Dinner

Finally! Turkey day at our house!

You may remember from last year our family does Turkey Dinner on Boxing Day instead of Christmas Day. This gives room for my Mom and I to relax between the hectic night of the family gift opening and the day of cooking…and also gives other members of our family the opportunity to celebrate with their in-laws as well.

Mom does the majority of the work (like stuffing and prepping the big ol’ bird) but I pull the bread for stuffing and prep all of the veggies (except for peeling spuds because Mom is a whiz and for some reason I am not).

I am however in charge of my Nana’s Cabbage & Apple Salad.

Oh, and I picked the wine. A BC Riesling by Gray Monk. Dry with a sweet finish.

After a bit of turkey roasting drama…we had a bit of a leaky pan situation and lost a lot of our pan juices…we had ourselves a very moist and tasty bird! My Uncle Barrie did the carving honours…

As always our meal also included mashed potatoes, mashed carrots & turnips, Brussels sprouts, sausage & onion stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy.

I went for round two on the stuffing and potatoes. Nobody whips a potato like my Mom. Good old fashioned elbow grease that I just don’t possess!

Our pumpkin pie may be store bought but you could have fooled me.  This was probably in the Top 5 of the best pumpkin pies I’ve ever had. 

Bailey’s coffee with whip cream completed the meal. Because you know, we all needed an extra shot of sugar to assist in the post-meal crash.

My Uncle Colin provided after dinner entertainment with Lizzie the Cat. Cutey patootie.

I’m now nursing a turkey baby belly and loving every minute of it. NOM!

Family Christmas

Christmas Eve 2010

After cutting up four kinds of cheese, three kinds of salami, and fishing around in multiple pickle jars I had about ten minutes to do my hair. A hot curling iron and a small child’s Christmas bling headband worked some Christmas magic.

I’m the one with the camera so the obligatory bathroom mirror shot ensures I’m part of the photo memories!

Enough snacks for a small family army.

Santa Mommy…

Generally camera-shy cousin…

Cute grandpa and lady friend. Might be the cutest damn thing of the whole year.

Festive Aunt…

Franklyn enjoying the high of his Catmas present…

Lizzie discovering shrimp…

Santa Mommy and the family spoiled me this year.  I’m back in the land of Blu-Ray, finally have a brie baker in my possession, have a cool Etsy tote for James Dean, and my own copy of Eclipse for inappropriate Team Jacob moments.

The surprise of the year?  Another piece of technology to excite and befuddle me!

iPod Touch 4!  Maybe now I’ll actually use the iTunes card she bought me last year.   App suggestions for a newbie to the Apple world?

Many happinesses to you and yours.