Early Christmas at the Dodges!

Proud Grandparents!

Oh that cute little bum!

Little guy loving his parents!

Check out Britt's new haircut! In love!

oh he's sleepy in his cozy warm sweater

Hey, is that a rye and ginger being mixed in the corner?

Happy early Merry Christmas everybody! Mom and Dad and Ryan and Britt and Rocky celebrated last night in Toronto! Britt and Ryan are heading to Florida this Christmas with Britt's family so they had a little early party just the five of them last night!
It looked like so much fun! Ryan and Britt and me and Vince had an agreement of no presents this year but that didn't include my handsome Doggie Nephew! Rocky got a comfy brown agryle sweater from his loving Aunt Sam and Uncle Vincent. He so damn cute I could eat him! What do you think?
I hope you enjoy these pictures and can feel the love streaming out of them the way I can!
Love and Hugs!

A disguise

I am not my thoughts and they are not me.

My mind and the thoughts it produces are a part of me along with my ego, my body, although....

These thoughts I have whether they be pleasant or unpleasant are not who I am and I'm learning to let them come and go with no attachment. My true self is that of pure love. A radiant light deep inside that doesn't have thoughts, only love.

This helps when I have sad or disturbing thoughts. I used to be so attached to them and live inside them with such guilt and despair. I am trying everyday to just let them pass gently.

All of these feelings and thoughts of sadness, aniexty, obsession and loneliness are just a temporary mask overtop of my true loving self. I am always there.....with love!

P.S. I can't believe how long I lived with a mask over my true self believing it was really me! HA! What a waste! From now on I will giggle at those masks and then let them go. (I hope)

Weird? Confusing? or true for you too? I would love to know!

Love and Hugs

Weight Watchers 6month Update

Good morning everybody! Today is Monday and that means weigh in day for Weight Watchers. I realize that I haven't been updating you and I don't want you to think I have given up. Not even close! I am still very committed even with that foodie free for all Paris trip.
I set a mini-goal for myself to be under 200 pounds by Dec. 21st which would be my 6month anniversary on Weight Watchers. I am happy to say that I have reached that goal one week early. I am at 199.5 pounds or 90.7 Kgs. I am overjoyed! I haven't weighed under 200 pounds since I was maybe like 21 years old!
All together I have lost 25.1 pounds in the last 6 months and since I started my weight loss journey 3 years ago I have lost a total of 45.5 pounds!
I've started to explore my spiritual side and am feeling more in tune with myself than ever. I think that is also having a wonderful result on my health. I can't thank my partner Vince and my Mom and Dad and Aunt Jane for their support enough! Without you this would never be possible! I am continuing this journey of health so that I may be a better mother and daughter and wife and live a strong long life with all of these people! That's my number one goal!

Love and Hugs

P.S. Did you know just a 10pound weight loss can dramatically change you blood pressure and cholesterol levels! It doesn't take a lot to change your health for the better!

It's Friday, you know what that means don't you?

Sleeping in, cuddling and maybe a little dinner party on Sat. night? We are also going to a mantra workshop on Sat. afternoon and replacing our toilet seat! Fun stuff!

What about you guys? Christmas parties to attend? Shopping? Still waiting on those recipes you are planning for the Holidays..........

Love and Hugs from Us!

Read all about it! Food and Drink is here!

This years cover is a Belgium Air Cake

I won't even attempt to make these but had to include them for their sheer beauty

I hope to make this Risotto for Vince's family Christmas dinner minus the lobster

And these easy apps for the apero hour before dinner

You can't have frenchie apero Christmas Eve without oysters!

Throught out the week I thought about trying out this homey side dish

And rolling up my sleeves covered in flour for these sweet potato gnocchis

Vince's Mom loves soup for dinner and I think this creamy parsnip one is just the ticket
Oh man! Me and Vince are going to try and convince them to bring out the Raclette machine!

And finally this Butter Ripple Rum looks divine! Too bad they don't sell Butter ripple schnapps in France!

Check it out! Mom and Dad brought the Holiday 2010 edition of LCBO's Food and Drink to Paris for me! It's so beautiful! And free! And I am overjoyed! I am reading it slowly and thoroughly. Soaking each page of gorgeousness in and planning my holiday recipes. We will be in Metz this year for a week and half and I hope to help around the house with all the meals. There is just something about getting the Food and Drink Holiday Edition and then choosing which recipes to make. I'm so excited to get my hands dirty and spend hours in the kitchen with these recipes!
What about you? What are your plans for Christmas cooking and baking this year?
Love and Hugs

Just,

'Be Still'

And then you will be well. Or feel better in my case. Once a day a small moment.
Love and Hugs

We're Baaaaaaaaaaack!

Goodmorning Everybody! We are back in Malta after a beautiful week spent in Paris with Mom and Dad. Paris never ceases to bring out the giggly kid in me. There is just something there. Maybe my soul lived there before? Hmmmmm.
Well we are back where the sun shines bright through my windows every morning and the people smile and shake your hand on the street. I love Malta and Canada too. My heart is big enough for you all!
Gosh what a trip! I hope to share some more pictures soon! It was so blissful to sit back and take my parents in. Their laughter and just the sweet pleasure of being in their company. I must be the luckiest kid in the world! I love you Mom and Dad! Thanks for making the trip and spending time with us! Nothing could have been better!
Love and Hugs