Candy Cane Lane

Candy Cane Lane is a 40 year plus tradition in the city of Edmonton. Thousands of people take to the streets of the west end neighbourhood along 148 Street during the three week period it is available.  Several homes along this stretch of about eight blocks are lit up in festive finery.  One even had a nativity sculpted out of ice this year.  It is best to walk the route for best visibility as the street becomes rather congested with vehicles.  

We went on a Tuesday evening and it was close to -20 Celsius that night which didn't deter the visitors.  All that is required for admission is a food bank donation for which there are several drop boxes available along the route.   

Here are some highlights of this year's showing.

@CandyCaneLane   #Christmastraditions  #Christmas2015  #familyfriendlyeventsinEdmonton

Christmas Time is Here

Muttart Conservatory

Christmas has come and gone with all its bows and trinkets and lights and merriness.  I hope the season has found you warm and full of the spirit of the season.  Working in the floral design/green goods department of the greenhouse has been a great deal of fun and some of that translated to some decorating around the house too.  

at home

We've been a very good kind of busy this year from the 19th on at home with the arrival of my son, daughter-in-law and grandson.  We decided to focus on making memories this Christmas and remove the gift-giving pressures which I think went very well.  Try as we might, not everyone could attend everything.  Some of us attended Candlelight Christmas, went to a live nativity pageant, and everyone went to Star Wars Thursday night.  Going to a movie is a long-running Christmas tradition and this year our eldest chose Star Wars as the must-see movie.  We were all together for Christmas.  Then yesterday four of us went to Muttart Conservatory for the Snowflakes are Falling exhibit in the feature pyramid.  It was a  Christmas wonderland.  The perfect place for family photos. (yet to come)

at work

at work

at work

at home

Tonight we are driving to Leduc for Leduc Country Lights.   

Hoping you had a joyous Christmas, Happy Hanukkah.  Season's Greetings to all.

Muttart Conservatory "Snowflakes are Falling" Feature

November 21, 2015 - January 3, 2016 The feature pyramid of Muttart Conservatory portrayed a vision of Christmas with a sleigh of polar bears, a giant nutcracker and a large child's rocking horse nestled in hundreds of poinsettias. The glass ceiling hung with stars and snowflakes, large and glittery.  This pyramid feature "Snowflakes are Falling" appeals to young and old alike.

Monday, December 28/15 my son, daughter-in-law and grandson visited Muttart Conservatory.  The feature pyramid is the perfect location to take those precious family photos.  I've included some for you.  I regret that not everyone could have been here with us.

Nativity Pageant in Spruce Grove

In this post I continue to highlight some of the family friendly events available during the Christmas season in the Edmonton Alberta area.  Running for only two nights, December 22 and 23 this year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints presented a live nativity pageant in the town of Spruce Grove.  There were two showings per evening with an intermission during which time the public was welcome to enjoy hot chocolate and cookies in the warmth of the church building.  Yes, the annual pageant is held outdoors, complete with actors and animals in a life-like set.

Here are a few photos from the evening we attended.

From my house to yours, Merry Christmas one and all!  

May the spirit of the season linger in your hearts.  

Candlelight Christmas with the McDades

Terry McDade's harp.  Photo taken 2013

This has become our family Christmas tradition....an evening of music in a pioneer setting with the musicians the McDade family.  Two years ago (2013) a friend introduced me to Candlelight Christmas at the John Walter Museum in Edmonton.  Last year I took my husband and this year we tried to take all the family.  Unfortunately one son and his wife couldn't make it and another son was out of the country.  Those who did attend this delightful festive evening were all in agreement that this must become an annual event, forever.  I'm so glad!

Here are a few photos of the evening.  It's difficult to capture the sheer magic of a concert held in pioneer houses through photos.  You miss the smell of the fresh baked cookies and hot chocolate and apple cider.  The ambience can be vaguely captured but until you experience the candlelit houses packed with enthusiastic attendees seated before the McDades, it's only an image in your mind initiated by the photos and words I portray here. Ah, if ever you are in Edmonton during mid December, you must go but tickets go quickly. They begin selling in July and you're lucky if any are available after October.

The McDades have three Christmas albums, all available on iTunes and the official McDade website The McDades.  Little Drummer Boy from the Noel 2004 cd is one of our absolute favourites.  In this version, Jeremiah throat sings the intro. It is amazing!

The McDades' Celtic roots are evident in their music selections and presentations, playing Celtic carols mixed with a few from Canada (the Huron Carol) and some French as well.  If the spirit of Christmas is what you're looking to capture, this is an excellent place to start.

#McDades  #Edmonton  #Christmas  #CandlelightChristmas  #JohnWalterMuseum #Christmastraditions  #oldfashionedChristmas  

In Three Short Days ... Winter Solstice

It's beginning to look a lot like winter here. Today we had a mild blizzard which required me to shovel the walks twice this afternoon. Not too bad but it was a bit chilly. Christmas is fast approaching and I'm excited most of the kids will be home for Christmas.

I've had the pleasure of working in the floral department at the greenhouse the last few weeks. It's been fabulous. I hope this note finds you well and the spirit of the season dwells warmly in your heart.

Make Your Own Festive Wreath