Baking You Crazy
125 5th Ave North S7K 6A5 Saskatoon, SK, Canada

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Wishing you all the best -Heather @ Baking You Crazy

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AND BLESSINGS -Final Day Dear Grandma and Grandpa Lange, Today is Christmas eve, and we all know that is your day. Come to think of it, all of Christmas is yours, as in just two days it's Grandma's Birthday! I always loved that your Birthday was right after Christmas, somehow it made me feel like the joy of the season might never end. This year is sort of a bummer, so instead I'll talk about years gone by. As kids, we would have piled into the car and... drove out to your house after Midnight mass (which was really at 5or 6 ) along the country roads Dad would drive us seeing nothing but darkness, until just over the hill a tall spruce at the end of the drive decorated with the lights Grandpa hung all the way to the top on the front end loader! A billow of smoke is puffing up out of that skinny chimney, the kind that made it hard to believe Santa could get down. Once we all get inside it is warm and welcoming, many hugs shared. Of course we need to set up for the Seidle Sister Christmas Chorus which we have prepared with care and you would look forward to before opening gifts. Before that we would eat the least suspected Christmas meal, Chinese food! Grandma always said it was a nice change from Turkey, and of course she was right. After we have had our fill we will retire to the livingroom and enjoy each other's company before a marathon of Kaiser; I'd probably sit on grandpa's lap to learn all the best tips and maybe try a sip of beer&clam(much to Grandma's dismay.) I know they say only the good die young, and sometimes people tell me "don't grow old, it's a trap" to which I respond "growing old is a privilege, not everyone gets to." Because I know darn well I don't care how good it made you, I'd trade almost anything to hear Grandpa singing just like Bing, and smell that Avon perfume while hugging Grandma. You might be gone, but we remember you well and often. We do our best to keep your traditions going. I didn't know it then, but being one of only three grandchildren to the most loving Grandparents who ever lived is the Christmas Gift that will last a life time. We miss you so much, and love you even more. I'm doing my best not to take any wooden nickels. So, with your sweet and sour ribs and egg rolls in heaven I hope you have yourselves a Merry little Christmas. Love Heather See more

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AND BLESSINGS DAY 8 part 2 My Mom! For anyone who knows my Mom, you don't need me to tell you that she has a huge heart and has time to listen and chat with anyone. This is just one of the things that makes her a wonderful Mother, friend, sister, daughter, nurse, and her new favorite name-Grandma. My mom had always been big on quality time spent learning, playing, growing and just being together. It's not uncommon for her to bump into people she knows ...out and about and get lost in conversation. Because of her very neighbourly spirit and chatty tendencies, she knows so many people well and always has time to chat, and if she doesn't know you as well- she probably knows someone you know and will find some common ground. She is a very warm and kind person with a wonderful ability to make you feel so special. She finds the good in everyone and everything. I know she is an amazing nurse and played a big roll in my choice to become a nurse and inspires me to make sure and take time to genuinely care for and get to know my clients/patients today. In keeping with the above my Mom has never been as big on gifting material items as she has been on putting in time. She believes that the time you spend, and the attention you give are so much more valuable than anything you can wrap in a box. As a young girl my mom would help me make gifts with items I could find in nature, around the house or baking! Once I found a fudge recipe and asked her to help me make it, I remember taking it to a family gathering and it being a big hit! My mom proudly telling everyone that I made it. Her patience and enthusiasm to help me put in the time to create something special for my family is something I often think of. This year I was able to bake for friends and family only instead of the stress of making large orders to sell. I couldn't help but think that this is how my mom does it, she puts in the time to create things, moments, and memories that last a life time. My Mom has inspired me to make the most with what you have, where you are. You don't need much to show you care, all you need is some time and your full attention. Love you Mom!

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AND BLESSINGS DAY 8 part 1 Angela! Ange is My partner, Bryan's Mother. I met Bryan's parents, Ange and Jeff a few months after I started dating Bryan at their lovely home in Toronto. Since then we have spent time with Bryan's family in various locations spending lots of quality time doing fun and memorable activities, along with stimulating conversations and time spent recharging and relaxing among wonderful. We were very lucky to have Ange visit us he...re in Saskatoon for a few days in early Fall, it was a very special time for us all. When I think of Ange, what stands out to me is her value in time spent with family. She is probably the best at organizing family activities and agendas. She is also diligent about making sure to video call with Bryan (and now myself) weekly to stay connected, which is so appreciated. Ange is not willing to let things fall by the wayside when it comes to staying connected. Whether or not she realizes it, I think Ange was fairly well equipped for lock down and social distancing before she even needed to be. Even being provinces apart we always feel her generosity and presence in our home. Like many families the Smith's have a few Christmas traditions as well that we are happy to be a apart of them! Each year Ange has a Christmas tree Ornament made up of cute little snowmen or gingerbread people to represent the family that year! In addition she has also gifted us some of these ornaments which are some of the only ones we put on the tree this year (due to the fact that we have 2 very rambunctious cats knocking the others down). Seeing them warms my heart and helps family feel near. Also, I would like to include that during my first Christmas in Toronto I received this cute set of three tree cookie cutters in my stocking. The largest one is now my go to tree cutter. Thank You Ange for your value in Family and you ability to make each individual feel so special. We will miss all the Smith's this Christmas, so much. It has been a long time- nearly a year of no travelling. We can't wait to see you all again. You are all in our thoughts and hearts until then.

HOLIDAY BLESSINGS & TRADITIONS DAY 7 part 2 My Dad! My Dad was lucky enough to be the recipient of three daughters. I don't think everyone would think he is lucky, but they would be wrong. I was fortunate to grownup in a household that did not push gender roles. We were raised to be self sufficient in many areas of life. Along with that he was/is hard working and extremely talented in the artistic dept. In his own expert way I think he was able to instill and foster a se...nse of adventure, curiosity and artistic expression in each of his daughters. Helping my dad build log furniture, watching him paint murals with an airbrush, or being the lucky winner of a campfire side widdled toy(to list only a few)- artistic inspiration and a sense of curiosity were never scarce. As a youngster at times I would ask him to draw or build something for me for a school project to which he would respond- why don't I help you do it? At the time I remember feeling annoyed that he wouldn't just help me outright- however as an adult I realize that he was helping create confidence in myself and inspire my own artistic style. By his example I will also say that I have come to appreciate, feel influenced and most inspired by nature and all the shapes, colours and designs that occur in the natural world. This has been a guiding principal for me when baking, to not over do it, trying my best when I can to let the nature of the ingredients and process be the star of the show. Each year when I make my sugar cookies I know my Dad will be proud of me, he always loves seeing the artistic expression of each of his daughters and all those he admires and cares for. I owe my Dad a big thank you for helping me discover my love of working with my hands and the confidence to create my own designs and to know that they are worthy. I will miss my Dad's pranks over the holidays and him generally drawing refernce to all the going ons from How the Grinch stole Christmas. See more