The Magical Distillery District at Christmas Time

Thursday, 2 days until Christmas seemed like a good time to take a trip down to the Distillery District with David and find some last minute stocking stuffers.  This is definitely the busiest I have ever seen the Market (keeping in mind I wouldn't be caught near this place on a weekend).

The pink trees were a wee maze that people actually lined up to go into and take their selfie.  Absolutely everyone had their cameras, phones, selfie sticks out taking pictures every step of the market.  At times I felt like I was in bumper cars, I was constantly boinging off people.  The amazing thing is everyone was laughing and smiling and stopping for pictures.  The Christmas Spirit was every where, just people trying to capture a special moment with family, friends and loved ones.  

There were line ups everywhere.  The only thing David and I thought we might want was the spiral potato on a stick (tornado potato), but when we saw the line up we decided to pass.  It was just fun walking around.

Found this great little shop for my final stocking stuffers, some leaf and jay socks, and just knew Jim couldn't cope without a pair of BABSOCKS :)  If you are looking for something original next year, they had cuff links made from hockey pucks, footballs and polo sticks from specific games and you got a history of the special puck.  This will never be on my list but if you have a spare $250++ hanging around you might want to buy a set for your special guy.  Unfortunately they don't have any pucks around from the last time the Maple Leafs won the cup.

They had signs all around the walls and at everyone there was a line up of people trying to get their picture taken with it.  

Note to self, if you want to take pictures at the market when it is dark, don't get there too early with David, I managed to get him to hang on until 4:45 but that was enough for him LOL.  We were meeting the rest of the family for dinner and I managed to grab a few pics of the CN Tower on the way.  Another "Note to Self" if you want to eat at the market book early, last year Arlene and I couldn't get in anywhere and this year I phoned a week in advance and there wasn't anything available.

From the time the CN Tower was built it has held a magical place in my heart.  Jim and I used to go up to the bar and dance the night away to "Stars on 45".  LOL.  The flat iron building was around way before the CN Tower and it is impossible for me to walk by it and not take a few pictures.

Another great Christmas memory, thanks David for a great day.  

Wright Clan Christmas Gathering at the Fyfes New Home

How did this happen, somehow the "hosting family event mantel" has passed to my daughter and her hubby.  I watched it happen with my mom and my sisters-in-law (they are much older than I :), and voila just like that I have been moved to the older generation.  And these young great nieces and nephews are moving onto the adult table.  I'll probably find a booster seat under the tree for me this year.  

All kidding aside, walking into Rachel and Jay's home yesterday and seeing her all prepared didn't just make me very proud but also emotional.  Ok Ok I'm always emotional, let's add the adjective "very" in front of emotional.  

 

I kept popping around, "Can I help - no just relax", "what can I do - I think we are OK", "do you need - nope just relax mom".  RELAX, it's Christmas, I don't do "relax".  I like being wired.  OK I will take that glass of wine and watch.  LOL.  

 So I started bugging the other kids, let's take pictures under the tree.  

Can I get one family picture before everyone comes.  

This is what happens when mom isn't busy, she get more nervous and has to have a hissy fit.  The 10 second timer wasn't long enough for me to calm down.  Let's try again.

Today isn't only our Wright Clan Christmas Celebration it is also 45 years since my brother Jim and Eileen were married.  The family at that time consisted of 9 family members on the Wright side.  Today there are 29 celebrating this wonderful anniversary, with 10 nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews missing.  

 Julie, John, Liam and Callum, Jim and Eileen's oldest daughter's family.

 Wee Jim Wright's immediate Clan - looking amazing.  Thanks so much for letting us celebrate this with you all.

 Champagne time, the bubbles are being poured.

 Rachel started her speech, Mom tag teamed in as the tears started flowing.  Eileen soon followed suit and finally Jim told the story about their wedding day.  I think by this time we were all teary with emotion and laughter.  LOL

 I have known these ladies since I was 12 years old.  Can't figure out the math but it has been forever, through thick and thin (not talking about our weights LOL) and good and bad, they will always be my sisters, and I can't thank them enough for the amazing children they brought into this world to become my loving nieces and nephews.

 I look at these pictures and feel a huge sadness that my brother John is missing, but I look around the room and am so happy to see his loving family together.  He is definitely here with us today, watching his baby Niece put on such a wonderful day.

 Lunch is a chicken alfredo bake and 2 sausage rigatoni arrabiata, 3 salads, and lots of desserts.  Thanks everyone for all your contributions from appetizers to desserts, there was lots of food as always :)  We do like to eat as much as we like a glass of wine :)

Thank you to everyone for making this such a special first Christmas in the Fyfe's new home.  It is a busy time of year and having so many people making the time and driving in crazy winter weather was so important.

I know in my heart of hearts that Mom and Dad Wright and Mom and Dad Austin and the 2 brothers John were watching over us all today, celebrating with us and keeping us safe.

Merry Christmas everyone.  HUGS to all

xo