Last year I wrote a few blurbs about the Adopt-a-Family program through the Surrey Christmas Bureau. I’m now noticing a lot of Google search love from people seeking to learn more so here’s the scoop:
The Adopt-A-Family program is a way to match up families in need with caring families, business and other organizations in the [...]

Truth be told, these post should be themed “Christmas in Metro Vancouver” as well as “Holiday Time” as I’ll be featuring seasonal activities of many denominations, for various cities in the region.
The tale of two trains; Surrey’s Bear Creek Park and Stanley Park’s miniature railway.
North Pole Express Train in Bear Creek Park, Surrey
When: December 15 [...]

In honor of my friends who already have their houses decorated with trees in place, and my mother who also loves the season, I’m beginning a segment: Christmas in Vancouver.
As John and I are leaving the country this coming Saturday we’re going to be missing out on quite a bit, just within the week that [...]

In Canada, Boxing Day is observed as a holiday, except (in some cases) for those in the retail business. Boxing Day and the days immediately following are when many retail stores sell their Christmas and retired model products by holding clearance sales. Some shoppers will line up for hours at night (sometimes before midnight and [...]

Christmas Eve knob-hockey

Does it feel like Christmas yet? Almost. We don’t have a lot of money, there are daily stresses that get us down and we can’t visit John’s family and be with loved ones (again) this year. Right now we’re just looking at this weekend. It’s a special time of year no matter what situation you’re [...]

Since we’re spending the afternoon in Surrey I thought I would do a little more than list links to various charitable organizations in Vancouver.
The Surrey Food Bank serves over 13,000 people a month, many of them children, and it is in dire need of food and donations. You can donate in person between 8:00am and [...]

Last weekend we brought our Christmas box up from storage. We unfolded all 3 feet of our fake plastic tree (since we’re not allowed real ones in our building) and setup various kitschy decorations around the house. I came across the Ralphie [imdb] doll my mom gave to me last Christmas. Complete with bunny suit [...]

It’s now that time of year. Lights go up on houses, trees appear in empty parking lots, Santa hangs at the local mall and families face the perilous task of the holiday portrait.
Every year since our kids were born we’ve accepted the challenge. It’s nice to have one ‘professionally’ done picture of the kids every [...]

What do you want for Christmas?
A couple of years ago our family decided it was too expensive and not really worth it to buy for every single person so we took to drawing names. Of course we all still get something for the kiddies - and in our family that number grows every year.
I was [...]