I spent the Christmas holidays at Meg's parents' home a few hours north of Toronto. The very day I left, the snow began to fall, and there has been a fresh snowfall every few days since. The snow really does make everything look very pretty. I think Meg's family quickly got tired of me gushing about how festive everything looked, but it really does transform the landscape into one of stunning beauty. Even in Toronto, where the constant traffic turns the snow to a brown mush, I still think the snow makes the place look special.
Anyway, highlights of the festive season:
Tourtière - A Quebecois traditional meat and potato pie made with ground pork and beef. It's traditional to eat it on Christmas eve or Christmas day. It's very tasty.
Mint flavouring - It seems that Canadian Christmas food is synonymous with mint flavouring. We had mint candy canes, mint flavour chocolate brownies, mint ice cream and mint flavoured cookies. Whilst I enjoy an after eight mint as much as the next man, I'm not sure I'm on board with this excessive minty obsession.
Clearing Snow - A quick caveat:
I only had to do this twice, I got to use the fun machinery rather than the shovel and I only cleared a very small area. That said, clearing snow is awesome and there is no possible way that it could ever get boring or feel like a chore.
My expert snow clearing technique
Meg doesn't like it
Meg's dad brings out the heavy artillery.
Walking to town - Every Christmas we would go for a walk as a family. The countryside around our house looks great in the winter time. If there is snow it looks even better. One day this year, I suggested to Meg that we walk to the nearest mall, a journey of about an hour and a half. Meg's family now think we are crazy. They told everyone that we had walked all the way into town. Canada is definitely not a walking kinda place; we hardly saw anyone out and about. Everything has been designed for driving. It's easy to park and difficult to walk. Even going from one store to the next, it's easier to get back in the car and drive across the parking lot. Walking across means taking your life in your hands.
Crummy Christmas movies - Meg and her sister forced me to watch their traditional Christmas family movies: The Santa Clause, The Grinch, Eloise at Christmas time (of course we had to see Eloise at the Plaza first to ensure that I understood the complex back-story) , The Muppet family Christmas, Elf, and The Magician's house. There was a distinct lack of Gremlins, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation,
Brazil, Edward Scissor hands, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Batman Returns, and, most importantly, Die Hard. To make matters worse, they watched Muppets' Christmas Carol and Home Alone without me. I got my revenge by making them watch The Snowman. And it was only introduced by
David Bowie! You're welcome.
The Illuminated park - This local park was be-decked with lights by local businesses and charities. It was so grossly over the top that it was quite breathtaking. Like a festive Blackpool Illuminations.
This Snowman - Which is pronounced with all the emphasis on snow, as if it's his surname. This is also fun to do with most superheros.
Happy New Year to you all and I look forward to seeing you all later in the year!
