we always like to cheers together and being 1330 miles apart doesn’t stop us although it took a bit of direction from the kids for me to get my mug in the right spot, lol…
there were lots of treats and great minds thinking alike as we all opened Chapters/Indigo cards…
technology has made such a difference in our lives…
I wasn’t expecting to get up early, but apparently my body remembers previous Christmas mornings, lol… although it was 6:47 am when I woke up, for many years it was often around 4… and I would eventually start banging pots in the kitchen to encourage all of the sleepers to wake up…
around 7:30 I got up, made breakfast and then read for a while in the living room enjoying the tree lights…
there were matching pyjamas, calls, texts, visits and naps throughout the day… the naps may have had something to do with the 6:47 wake-up, lol…
spaced amongst all of that were relaxing dinner preparations… beautiful mashed potatoes, delicious stuffing and tasty gravy went perfectly with chicken, turnip, ham, and previously homemade cranberry sauce…
I was absolutely spoiled with a myriad of wonderful gifts…
my BS group gathered for lunch, a visit, and gift exchange…
we had a great time;-)…
everyone chose what they wanted for lunch and a few of the group picked up the order… we gathered around the dining room table and visited as we enjoyed our meal…
back in the living room we had cookies and coffee, and then shared our goodies;-)…
I am always amazed at the wonderful items that we each find or make for one other… none of us really need anything so it is fun to produce little things to share…
and usually there are donations to favourite charities… mine, this year was to Made with Love, which is helping feed the hungry here in the city…
we usually end with a group photo… technology tried to beat me, but in the end we got a few great pictures;-)…
last night we went to The Leaf at Assiniboine Park…
I’ve been waiting ages for it to be finished… the Conservatory closed in April 2018, which feels like a long time ago… this was our view as we stepped into the space… possibly the waterfall is splashing a bit more than expected as there are a few areas that are wet, lol…
it didn’t disappoint;-)… the tropical biome is lovely and I expect it will look even more beautiful as times goes on…
the technology always interests me and they have done a great job of hiding the fire extinguishers but making them easily available…
the space is big and bold with the tall waterfall and large pond…
we spent a lot of time watching the koi… they were beautiful colours and huge… I was struggling with a bit of fish-envy…
I am looking forward to visiting next in the daytime…
the Mediterranean biome was reminiscent of the CMHR building with lots of stone… and it was possible to touch most of the plants;-)…
the display area was cute with many poinsettias, seasonal decorations and places for group photos…
the poinsettias were a sweet reminder of the old Conservatory at Christmas time…
the view looking down from the catwalk was wonderful although I felt a bit nervous with the height, so my grandson took all the pictures, lol…
the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden at the top of the building was nice…
it was late and dim so we only spotted a couple of butterflies that were resting… I definitely need to visit it in the daytime as well…
it wasn’t too full of visitors, and there were a number of staff (likely many were volunteers) to get you in and around the site…
there was a place to leave your coat (unattended) before entering the biomes, which was great as the space is warm;-)… there is ample parking and you can purchase tickets online or as you enter… you need your membership card, with ID, just like at the zoo…
a wonderful treat and I can hardly wait to visit again😊…
it was around zero, so today’s project involved hooking up the extendible hose in the basement and then topping up the hot tub…
in the process of connecting the hose I had to go out to the garage for a washer… at which point I discovered that the garage side door wouldn’t open… I tried the key, as it seemed locked, but that didn’t work…
I went in through the overhead door and tried to open it from that side, but no luck there either…
in previous winters the problem had been that it wouldn’t stay closed, lol…
so, will have to see what happens in the next while, sigh…
herbiggirlpants 