Top 5: Favourite Things About the Holidays!

Hurrah! I am officially on holidays! I finished my last exam this morning and am now fully in holiday mode. So to celebrate, I would like to share with you my favourite things about the Christmas season (as it is one of my favourite celebrations! I think Easter and Valentine's day are in close comparison...) I've compiled some images/videos/recipes to go along with the list, so I hope you enjoy!

1. Celebrating the Saviour's birth! THE most important part of the season and the reason why we celebrate! He is the basis of Christianity and (as I heard in church on Sunday) the definition of reality:

"In the beginning was the Word (meaning Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men." John 1:1-4

2. Listening to Christmas Albums. I have a few favourites that I listen to every Christmas, without fail. My all time favourite album is "Home For Christmas" by Amy Grant! It brings back nostalgic memories of Christmas of years past. This year though, I have been enjoying:

        a. "A Very She & Him Christmas" by She & Him- itunes download

b. "Born Is the King" by Hillsong- itunes download

        c. "Silent Night" by Timbre (magical, enchanting sounds!). The album is available for FREE 

    download on bandcamp!

3. Doing Christmas Crafts. Christmas crafting is such fun and so relaxing, especially when you don't have any exams left to worry about! I can't wait to try out making some of the crafts I've found on Pinterest such as these lovely ornaments from A Field Journal. 

4. Doing Christmas baking/ eating sweets. I am all about anything sweet. I've got a sweet tooth like no other! I especially love any baked goods that I can whip up over the holidays. I'm excited to try out these Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies from The Cooking Photographer. And why not make a little Apple Cider to go with, like this recipe from A Beautiful Mess blog:

Needed: 4-5 cups apple juice, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 3 ounces spiced rum (optional), cinnamon sticks and apple slices to garnish.

In a small pot heat the apple juice, spices and rum (if using) over low/medium heat. Stir often while the mixture is heating so the spices will blend into the juice (you don't want any spice clumps). Once it's hot pour into two mugs and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

5. And finally, I LOVE all of the outdoor fun in the snow! I can't wait to go, sledding, cross-country skiing, and skating! Hopefully, there is a big snowfall before Christmas. My fingers are crossed!

Picture from: Dirty Pretty Things

Wow. That was a loaded post. I guess it makes up for all of the times I haven't posted in the last few weeks! What are your top 5 favourite things about Christmas?

Top 5 Thrift Finds (Of This Week...)

So the other day I promised to post about my thrift trip and I know, I forgot fashion friday again...next week, I promise. This is kind of a combined thrift/fashion post. With all the hectic happenings of preparing for a new school and new province, it's kind of nice to be able to take a day to thrift. MCC is my friend- we get along pretty great. Here are a few of my finds.

1. Alright, so I will probably never wear this, but I thought it was such a fun vintage nightie, I had to get it. And since it was the "Fit everything into a bag for $5" sale, I couldn't resist. It could come in handy for a photo shoot!

2. An old lady blouse in a pretty print- I may try re-designing it to something more of my liking.

3. I love looking for pretty old pillowcases to use as fabric. This one caught my eye with its dainty blue flower bunches.

4. A nice little nautical scarf. I can never pass up a sailor themed item. If it's got anchors, it's mine!

5. And my favourite (these pics don't keep with my theme of the great outdoors as a background...) a vintage set of milk glass luncheon plates! The last time I saw them at MCC, I had considered buying and didn't and they've kept on popping into my mind ever since. I couldn't pass them up this time. Tea party anyone??

Top 5: Ways to Spend a Spring Day

Ok. I'm back. I'm at a computer for the time being after not having access to one for weeks! I really do wish for an early birthday present... To catch you up on life at Bottomley Cottage and all the places in between, I've decided to combine it with a Top 5 segment. Since I have been enjoying spring, here are my top 5 ways to enjoy a spring day:

1. Go vintage/thrift shopping. I will get these random urges to head out to the local MCC and go crazy looking for treasures. This picture was taken when I was visiting BC for my good friend's wedding and we stopped at a HUGE antique shop. Too expensive for me, but so fun to look at! 2. Enjoy the blossoms. Simple as that. I LOVE blossoming trees.

3. Feed lambs. Ok well, there were no lambs yet, but the sheep were sure enjoyable at the university farm. This is one of my favourite places in Saskatoon come spring.

4. Go barefoot. Absolutely thrilling to be able to walk out of doors without shoes on and get my feet filthy!

5. Have a picnic. This was taken recently at Richelle and Ryan's wedding which was the CUTEST wedding I have ever been a part of! This was at the reception where we had bread, meat and cheese!

Top 5: American Cities

Alright, new segment! It's time for Top 5! Everyone likes lists, right? Ok here is my list of the top 5 American cities I would like to visit some day (In no particular order...)

1. San Francisco- Full House. Do you need any other explanation? I've gotta see that house! Oh, and I hear they have some pretty neat trolleys, as well.

2. Seattle- Surprisingly, what sold me was not the very first Starbucks, although I do love a good coffee. I hear it's a very artistic city, which only makes sense why I'd like to go.

3. Portland- Ok, I admit, it was a fictional series that got me hooked on Oregon. I'd like to visit Portland to see if the city is as great as I've imagined it to be!

4. New York- New York, New York, It's a wonderful town! Or so I hear. To see the galleries with artists I admire would be a dream as well as the shopping, broadway musicals, hotdogs, pizza,...the list could go on.

5. Charleston- This city, in particular, is not necessarily THE point of destination. It more so represents the whole of the area that I want to see! North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, I want to see it all!

All pictures taken from Art & Soul of America