It's somebody's Birthday somewhere...

"I just don't want to look back and think, 'I could've eaten that'."

Last Saturday I made a cake and had the Grandparents over Sunday afternoon for some tea.
I used a cake recipe from Gesine Bullock-Prado's "Sugar Baby" cookbook and an espresso icing recipe from Call me Cupcake's Linda.

The small cake pan my mom got from one of our visits to The Duchess Bake shop in Edmonton. It is the perfect size for this cake plate that a friend gave us years ago. We've used the pair a couple of times now and it is the perfect size for a little family when you don't want days and days of leftovers.

***

Lately I have been thinking a lot about school and what I want from that experience. And I am rather surprised to say that I'm not looking for a degree or diploma, but just enhancing my knowledge in subject areas that interest me. 

It's weird because I always strived for the best in every aspect and subject in school -- I had pretty steady grades that hovered between 85-95% in every class. I think this might have made my decision that much harder because, though I knew what I loved more, I had a love of knowledge that made some part of every subject enjoyable.

I know now, and perhaps always, that I love English. I love to read. I love to write. I love analyzing and interpreting text. And I want to build my knowledge more in this area and improve.

I also want to know more about photography, web design, the pastry arts, and small business. Consequently, I have come to the decision at this time to apply to Bachelor of Arts and pick and choose the courses I want to take -- but not have the overbearing thought of finishing the degree in four years -- or at all ultimately. Taking some extra courses by open studies. And  then perhaps after a couple of years I will go to NAIT or overseas for a pastry art course...the possibilities are endless. 

And a sort of peace has come over me knowing that I can do whatever I want. 

That thought used to be the reason the future scared me.

Lately...

watching: I got a series for Christmas called, "The Paradise" and mom and I have been watching it every evening we have the chance to. It is also that time of year again, Downton Abbey. It's taken over our Sunday evenings, with perfect wit and posh. If you haven't heard of either of them (which come on really, if you haven't heard of DA your living under a rock!), go check them out immediately and get your British soap opera fix.
listening to: I recently discovered John Newman, thanks to my sister, over Christmas break. This is my favourite song of his. I have also had a rekindled love for Andrew Belle and Ben Howard. And lastly, "I see fire." has definitely been on repeat since watching, "The Desolation of Smaug." 
thinking about: I've been thinking about a couple of things as of late but one of the "regulars" is the future. the future as far as next September. If I'm going to go to school. What am I going to take. Which uni will I choose. All of which have been circling through my mind on repeat with out any clear decision made or any sort of clarity really.
looking forward to: I've been looking forward to my grad trip with my grandparents in June! We are going to England and France and I am beyond excited. It's helped a lot  when I know they are on the same page as far as what I am looking for. I don't want to see England and France, I want  to be in England and France. And learning the difference between those you'll realize they are polar opposites. 
reading: I just started reading, "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie." by Allan Bradley. My dad and grandma have read this already and it has been suggested to me countless of times as I moaned about what I could read next. I remember starting it once and being disinterested so I decided that was that. It wasn't I guess because the past couple of months I've been seeing it on our library shelf and thinking I should give it another go. And I'm so glad I did. It is quite witty and humorous, it's a detective story told from the perspective of an eleven year old, chemist enthusiast. 
making me happy: Right now. Flowers. I got a bouquet from one of our local grocers and it was (surprisingly) quite nice so I took it home to brighten up my room and perhaps give me some false hopes about spring. Another thing that has made me happy this past month is the mild weather, there has definitely not been more than a couple of days that have been below minus five! Strange weather for January. We are used to seeing as low as minus forty, and a constant temperature of around minus twenty.

The scariest moment is always just before you start

I've come to the conclusion that I need to write. more. a lot more. 

It's been ages since I've done a blog post and that is entirely my fault. Sometimes I feel quite alone writing these but I know that is no excuse. 

I started this blog as a creative outlet. And now. More than ever. I need that. 

The days are short and long at the same time. Instead of focusing on what I can't do with the limited light, I suppose I need to focus on what I can. 

I can write. 

I've never been one to make New Year's Resolutions, I've always just kind of had a list in my mind of somethings I wanted to improve. 

This is my mental list of what I want to improve this year:

• My blog and it's content -- bring new things into it. Surprisingly I know quite a bit and I have opinions. I can use that. I want to not be so shy about putting stuff on here. Putting myself on here, but what the heck it's my blog!

• My health. I'm not overweight, nor am I underweight. But sometimes I feel quite lethargic and lazy. I want to exercise to improve my mood and my sleep. I want to eat right so I can fuel my body properly. I am NOT however giving up sweets. I cannot. I will limit my self to special occasions -- like Friday nights watching The Paradise. ;)

• I want to find adventure.

• I want to read more. 

• I want to "make small talk". I work as a receptionist but have never really been good at engaging the clients who come in, it's not my forte. I say the necessary things but never anything more. I want to improve on that.

• And finally I want to enjoy every minute of it. The small things as well as the big. Because goodness knows I don't have very many big things to enjoy nowadays.

Christmas 2013

This year I wanted to put together a little video of what a Christmas at the Collett's looks like.
Christmas Eve is always exciting, some years we host a dinner with all of the family that has gathered so far, some years it's just ourselves. 

This year was a little different I suppose, I had to work -- which was really crummy I can tell you that much -- it was only till noon but still. Mom had made a little cake to enjoy in the evening, Christian made a pizza for supper, we opened our Christmas Eve pajama's and watched Elf. It was really lovely!

Christmas morning is early rising generally -- I think we were all up around 8:30 opening up our stockings and presents. Dad plays Santa each year and hands out our gifts one at a time, Christmas morning breakfast is eaten -- I forgot to film that bit :/ -- before we all get ready to leave the house by 12 to go to Grandma's house. 

The past couple of years we have let Ezra and Seth into the porch to enjoy a treat and have a little nap on the warm floor. It was snowing picturesquely while we opened our presents so when we brought the dogs in it smelled of wet dog for awhile haha!

As family gathers at Grandma's everyone claims a spot in the living-room and after a devotional read by Grandpa some presents get opened for each grandchild and aunt/uncle or mom/dad. Christmas dinner follows around 2 and the rest of the day is spent playing games, ski-dooing or going for a walk. 

I really like the finished product of these clips, that perhaps share a slight glimpse into our Christmas time, I might just do a New Year's version as well. 

Christmas 2013 from Bronté Laurel on Vimeo.

All footage was shot on my iPad. Music by David Ian -- I do not own the rights to this song it is purely for entertainment purposes.

A little do it yourself...

This chalkboard used to be in my grandparents basement, they renovated it this summer and a couple of  weeks ago I saw this board in there furnace room. After claiming it for my own I decided to spruce it up a bit, it needed a new coat or two of chalkboard paint and after that was done I then painted the frame gold. 

I really like it, it has added a little bit extra to my room and I'm excited to whip out some chalkboard art skills and change it up upon my whim. Draped with a little pompom garland it definitely adds a bit of festive-ness to my rather unfestive room. 

I'm excited for the holiday season -- even though my break is not as extensive as I'm used to from school, it is nevertheless a break. I've really been getting into the Christmas baking, planning all sorts of goodies I can make -- dark chocolate espresso fudge anyone? 

We managed to get our tree up yesterday -- despite the fact that it is leaning at least at a 45 degree angle -- it's quite cute and smells AMAZING! Mom and I went to the new greenhouse this Saturday that just opened up this fall -- 5mins from our house (!!) -- and picked up some greenery to use as a festive decoration on our new mantle!

The days are getting shorter and shorter…I go to work in the early morning twilight and go home in the dark, it's not the best for getting things done. You end up yawning at 6:00 and start thinking you might start getting ready for bed. It's quite ridiculous!

We just got another big dump of snow and I don't mind it so much now but I think it should stop at this, yeah? It all gets to be a bit much when you think you still have at least 4 months left to look at it. Right now it is adding just enough to my Christmas spirit, so it's not tiresome thus far ;)

E i g h t e e n

Last week was my eighteenth birthday.

It's weird, everyone asking how it feels like being legal now and everything, and I just think, not that different actually, I've been working my way and growing into eighteen since the day I turned seventeen. 

It's gradual. 

It's not like suddenly when you wake up on the morning of your birthday your a year older. Anyway it was quite quiet I suppose for an eighteenth birthday party, just some family gathered to eat cake and have tea. 

I've never been one to like birthday parties. An introvert at heart, birthday's are just a whole lot of unordinary attention. 

Other than that I must confess the view from where I sit has been rather grey. Work has occupied my days and catching up on my social media has taken up my evenings! It's been rather sad no doubt! 

I can't wait for this stage in my life to be over and yet I dread moving on. I long for all the freedom and experiences of travel and building my own life, but I'm scared. 

I hope this year I can regroup and really focus on my intentions, for after all nothing worth having comes easily, at some point you just need to take a leap of faith.

When I started High School my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see it for miles. 

Now there is a bend in it. 

I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does.

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

Thanksgiving has come and gone. 

Christian and Blythe came up for the occasion, and we hosted Thanksgiving at our house for the 2nd year in a row. 

Seventeen of us and a baby gathered at our house on Sunday.

The feast generally starts at 2 and we eat and complain about our bursting stomachs late into the evening until we begin to feel comfortable again and we bring it out for a second round -- the rational of this isn't very sound. 

It never seems to stop us.

Turkey and a full stomach, makes you groggy, but we always drag ourselves out for a walk in between dinner and dessert, when the kitchen and the dining room is somewhat orderly again. 

Mom and I were in charge of the dessert again this year -- lets just say we over estimated the ratio of desserts to people a little bit, so ziploc goodie bags full of their favourites was definitely encouraged!

It was a good time. 

Always a good time with family.