The Christmas Stocking Mystery has been solved!

I'm sure that inquiring minds want to know which stocking Aleena got for Christmas.  In November, I wrote a post about Christmas stocking stuffer ideas and poor Aleena realized that she didn't have her very own stocking yet!  Okay, I admit she didn't look very sad in this picture but there was a deep ache in her heart that she was hiding from the outside world.  In case you are interested in stocking stuffers in January (who isn't?!), please check out the post at Favourite Baby Things - Christmas Stocking Edition.

Despite the widespread belief that her stocking might feature Rudolph the Reindeer, Aleena was given Candy Canes...appropriate for such a sweet little girl.

Note the difference in size between my stocking from when I was a child to my own children's.  Clearly, the expectations have gone up!  Santa must have gotten a bigger sleigh in the past 30 years.  The odds are good that Santa will be asked to bring at least one new pair of pajamas each year to help stuff these massive stockings.

I want to give a special thank you to my Grandma for making Aleena's stocking.  She also made Jeremy's and Connor's.  My Mom made my stocking way back when.  Now that I've cracked this case, it's time to put them away until next Christmas!

Food & Whine: Happy Blogiversary!

I wanted to share one of my favourite blogs out there especially since it's her 1st year blogging anniversary. Out of all the food blogs out there, this is the one I refer to the most for new recipes to try. Megan, the mommy behind this blog, posts healthy family-friendly recipes that you can feel good about feeding your family. We just enjoyed the Beef and Spinach Pasta Bake tonight in fact. Hope you enjoy! Feel free to follow her blog or 'like' Food & Whine on Facebook too.

Food & Whine: Happy Blogiversary!: "Wow, so you know what I just realized? Today is the 1-year anniversary of this blog! I knew I started it sometime last January but I thought it was later in the month for some reason. I was curious and decided to check the date of my first post and wouldn't you know it, it was a year ago today, Jan 2nd! So in honour of my blog's birthday, here's a bonus post for today with a list of my top 10 posts, selected by most views. This will be my 233rd post. Not bad for one year. I had no idea that starting this blog would ignite such a deep passion from food within me. It has transformed cooking from a chore to an enjoyable and addictive hobby for me. I can't thank all of my followers enough for your support and encouragement during this wonderful year. I look forward to many more yummy posts to come."

The ENVIROSAX Giveaway Winner is...

...Candice M! (Abbotsford, BC)

Candice's favourite pattern was the Bloom Series which is pictured on the right.

Thanks so much to everyone that entered this giveaway.  Clearly, we all love our reusable shopping bags and these ones are well-made with gorgeous designs.  If you keep your eye on websites like Baby Heist, Babyhalfoff or The Funky Tricycle, they've all featured Envirosax at 40-50% off retail in recent months.  If I see them on sale, I'll be sure to post something on my Facebook blog page.   They still have a few of the Botanical Series in Baby Heist's archive if you like that pattern.

Of course, you can also purchase your Envirosax through their website at Envirosax.ca.  (They have several international websites so you can choose your own country before ordering).  Another aspect I don't think I mentioned before is that they have a couple other sizes including smaller sacks called Minisax that could be use for a lunch bag and medium-sized ones called Slingsax for quick trips into the store.

I loved this giveaway and will be sure to keep you updated on my own progress with using reusable shopping bags.  I purchased a 5-in-1 pouch (Candy design) myself recently so that should arrive any day and then I've got a whole set to go shopping with.  I am going to try some of the suggestions given in recent days like keeping a bag in the diaper bag and a few in the car.  For me, it all comes down to changing an old habit and making a new one.

Lastly, I've got some more giveaways lined up so keep checking in!  I am going to feature a couple more talented Etsy sellers this month and hopefully another review product will arrive soon.

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