From the category archives:

Happy holidays

Christmas Parades of Eastern Ontario – the 2010 Edition!

1 November 2010 Feature

Edited to add: Looking for the 2011 information? You’ll find it here! Last leaves drifting from the trees? Check. Halloween safely behind us, tucked into bed with a sore belly from too much candy? Check. Weather turned cold, grey and damp — and snowy?!? Check. Yay, it must be time for my annual guide to [...]

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Merry Christmas to all!

25 December 2009 Happy holidays

Wishing you and your families a joyful Christmas filled with love, laughter, and a good dose of silliness. With much love, DaniGirl, Beloved, Tristan, Simon and Lucas

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The Christmas Eve Photo Project

24 December 2009 Happy holidays

Inspired by Andrea, a photo-essay of hourly pictures of the most excitement-laden day of the year: Christmas Eve. First stop, breakfast with cousin Noah at 8:30 am: (Can you believe they were up at FOUR am? Yeesh!) 9:30 am: The gingerbread house is decorated, and accessorized with Belgian chocolate Santa, courtesy of my Loblaws advent [...]

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Update on Ottawa’s Olympic Torch Relay and Christmas Light celebration

9 December 2009 Happy holidays

Remember last month when I mentioned that the Christmas Lights Across Canada program (where each year hundreds of thousands of lights throughout downtown Ottawa are launched with a special lighting ceremony on Parliament Hill) will this year coincide with the arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay? Pretty cool stuff, eh? Well, the National Capital Commission [...]

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Gift idea – DVD of the Month Club

2 December 2009 Happy holidays

I got a pitch for a DVD of the Month Club from Film Movement Canada and thought it was a cool enough idea to share with you. It would make a great gift idea for someone who might otherwise be difficult to buy for, and the prices are reasonable for new DVDs. Just thought I’d [...]

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Hooray for December!

1 December 2009 Consumer culture

I‘m always glad when November turns to December. Despite the short days and cold weather, December is a bright month filled with warmth. We got our first dusting of snow yesterday, which helps to add a festive feeling, and there’s plenty of talk of pending holiday lunches and get-togethers. I even ordered my Christmas cards [...]

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Ottawa Olympic Torch Relay meets Parliament Hill Christmas lights!!

17 November 2009 Happy holidays

How cool is this? According to the NCC’s website, the annual Christmas Lights Across the Capital festival, otherwise known as the lighting of the downtown holiday lights, will this year coincide with the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Ottawa: On Saturday, December 12, at 7 p.m., the 25th edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada [...]

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Canadian Toy Testing Council: Best Toys for 2010

16 November 2009 Consumer culture

This time of year, it seems like every website, TV show and magazine is offering up the “Best Bet” toys for the holiday season. I’m always a little bit skeptical though: can I trust Disney to objectively assess the other guys’ toys, or am I just getting a thinly disguised “Best Disney Toys” list? That’s [...]

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Holiday cards – your preferences?

6 November 2009 Happy holidays

Yes, it’s early. I know, not even the second week of November and it’s my second post about Christmas — third if you count the Christmas light in my 365 post! But I’m trying to wrench a little organization into my life and planning ahead is giving me a small sense of control. So! Christmas [...]

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The Giant Christmas Parade Post, 2009 edition

1 November 2009 Feature

Edited to add: Looking for the 2011 information? You’ll find it here! This is an exciting year for Santa Parades in and around Ottawa. For the first time ever, the main Ottawa Help Santa Toy Parade will be held in the evening, and the new route will bring it past Parliament Hill. How cool is [...]

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