Chateau Getaway, Christmas Feast, Scandinavian Applique

I have an abundance of things to be thankful for this Thursday. The special birthday was celebrated and Santa came, not down a chimney but through the basement patio door a certain little someone thought. This year everyone chipped in for the big dinner which was a feast and I brought the turkey. So my house had a wonderful smell all Christmas Day.

My inside voice has been rather quiet lately.  I'm the one who must turn everything over and over in my mind and often feels compelled to verbalize whatever idiotic/phenomenal(to me)/strange idea it is that I've thought up.  Perhaps it is being a little emotionally drained and then refilling with all the Christmas hoopla that's made me a little less thinky.   Whatever, it's good to just think everything is fine (at this moment) and to feel more or less neutral about life's issues. Not worked up about anything.  I bet you know what I mean.

Daughter and I enjoyed a little break from life with a three night vacation downtown Ottawa at the Chateau Laurier, a favourite spot of mine.

We spent most of one day at the National Gallery of Canada which is a short walk away.   I don't get to visit there as often as I would like.  We revisited the Canadian art galleries. There were interpreters in two of them and we spent time with both chatting about what an "expert" could see in a painting that we were missing.
Always a treat to see an Inuit Pangnirtung print from the era when I was teaching on Baffin Island decades ago.

We enjoyed room service. Wonderful breakfast oatmeal which made me wonder how did they cook it so it was just right. SIL figures they use sous-vide cooking -Wikipedia link to read all about it, which he enjoys using...in fact, used it on Christmas Day to make us almost melt in your mouth steak.

Pretty but what exactly is it?

 And the views. Here are the Canadian Parliamentary Buildings, which houses our federal government.

And in the other direction at night, sorry it's blurry but the lights-all blue, were so pretty.

Daytime photo of the same.

What a treat for us! I wish we could do this more often.  It was rejuvenating especially for me as I don't get to travel much these days.
My cross stitching went with me and I did manage to lay a few stitches with the help of the excellent reading light over the bed.

I've finished several more of the Quiltmania Advent blocks which are reminiscent of Scandianavian styles.

 After several day's of family get togethers, I'm relaxing today, looking at my presents, and using some of them, just like a kid. Also thinking what a wonderful December I've had despite tears shed for you know who.  And isn't that just life!
Linking this post to Not Afraid of Color as always. Also joining Alycia Quilts, From Bolt to Beauty,  Floral Friday Foto, Creations...Quilts, Art...Whatever and Powered by Quilting.