10 Days of Christmas

Jordan collecting teddy's
at the last game before xmas

I have been so busy the last 10days I have not had time to blog.  Never thought I could be “busy” here, but this is the first time I have sat down to write about our fabulous Christmas.

After our trip to Venice, we spent the next day in Veldon.  It is a touristy resort town about 10 minutes from us.  We were bored on Sunday and I figured this town might have a few things open.  To Jordan’s surprise (he doubted me and thought everything would be closed), the town was busy with Christmas festivities.  We walked around, went into a few stores when it got too cold outside, enjoyed coffee outdoors under heat lamps, and all while overlooking the lake and alp’s.   Not a bad Sunday!

ReMax in Veldon

Like father, like son

Harley in Veldon

Outdoor Coffee

The team had a Christmas party at a restaurant just outside of town and the meal was delicious.  It was the first time I tried beef tartar, which looks like a raw hamburger that you spread over top of bread.  It was… interesting.  Perhaps something you need to acquire a taste for.  We sat around eating and drinking for at least five hours.  No need to rush dinner around here, it’s the European way.  I’m a big fan of going out for dinner, so the longer it can be dragged out the better.

This is only half the group

All of the girls got together for a dinner and a gift exchange a couple days later.  We went to a great restaurant in town and enjoyed great food, drinks, and of course company.  All of our gifts were to be under €20 and we played the gift stealing game.  It got pretty intense and poor Sarah had her gift stolen at least five times.  It was a good laugh.  I love this game and I am so glad I got a chance to play it with a large group this holiday season.  It was also a big night for one of the girls, Annie, as her husband had made a trip to Vienna that day to pick up her new puppy, Tuuk!  He brought him into the restaurant and all of the girls “ooooo'd and ahhhh’d” over how cute he is.  He is a teacup Morkie, the cutest.  So jealous!

Tuuk enjoying resort life

On the 23^rd a group of us went up to a resort in the mountains.  It was an hour’s drive up hill and was the perfect way to spend the two days off.  We got an early start to the day so we could enjoy everything the resort had to offer.  As soon as we checked into our rooms and had breakfast, we put on our robes, had a few drinks, and hit the outdoor hot tubs.  The boys noticed a Ping-Pong table on our tour of the resort, were engaged with it for the first hour, and the girls relaxed without them until they determined a winner… not that there wouldn’t be a rematch before dinner.

The View

Couples Shots

Outdoor Hot tub

Hochshober (the name of the resort) was amazing!  There were several pools, saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation rooms that we visited.  We all went to the Turkish bath’s where I was doused with water twice after two losing rounds of "Categories"… I am HORRIBLE at this game.  We had so much fun, sometimes too much fun, but at the end of the day we were on our best behaviour, and did our best to talk in our indoor voices haha.

Trying to stay quiet in one of the
relaxation rooms

Not the most flattering picture...
But how cool is it that you can swim in a heated
section of the lake?!?! (behind us)

The food there was also great.  They even served bacon at the breakfast buffet, the highlight of Jordan’s Christmas.  We went to lunch in our robes, snacked on food all day around the spa, and enjoyed a late dinner followed by drinks in the lounge.   The next morning we woke up and did it all again until it was time to come home for a Christmas Eve skate at the rink.  Plus, “Santa” (the guy who was dressing up as Santa for the skate) was relaxing with us at the resort and we needed to get him back in time to see the kids.  The rest of us were also looking forward to his performance.

Lunch in our Robes

Dinner Prost (Cheers!)

We arrived back at the rink late in the afternoon and wished everyone a Merry Christmas / Frohe Weihnachten.  Santa did an AMAZING job and it was great to see all the little ones reactions.  There were about ten kids under the age of five and it was adorable.  We went home and went to bed… we were so tired from relaxing for the past two days.  Is that even possible?!

Andy as Santa

Jordan practiced on Christmas day but not until 1pm.  They celebrate Christmas on the 24^th here so it was a little weird to have him go to work on Christmas day.  We opened gifts early and I made crepes for breakfast.  Jordan headed to practice and I skyped with my family opening presents back home.  It ALMOST felt like I was there.  We also had a great Christmas dinner, only we substituted turkey with chicken.

Finally thank you to Jordan’s family for spoiling us as always, and thanks Mom for the matching scarves (this wasn’t intended, she accidently sent two).  It was a great Austrian Christmas and I couldn’t have asked for more, other than spending it with family of course. 

Matchy matchy...
Never to be seen in public together

Getting Lost in Venice



Yesterday Jordan had the day off and we FINALLY made it to Venice.  We have planned to go many times before, but have never made it due to late starts on the day.  Not only were they late starts, we have never been in any shape to go due to severe hangovers as a result of partying the night before.  Usually when the team has a day off we all end up downtown, and people don't even go to the bars here until 12:30am-1... I don't know when the bars close because I have never stayed that late, but i'm pretty sure the sun is rising before they are closing their doors.  We finally wised up and said NO to partying and YES to Venice.

Our Water Route

We woke up early and were out the door by 8am.  We were thinking of taking the bus there but ultimately decided to drive.  Our plan consisted of parking at the Venice airport and then taking the boat from there, through the Grand Canal, and then getting off to walk around.  It was a good compromise as I wanted to experience Venice on a boat, a Gondola specifically, but the rides are pricey.  This way we saved tons of money on parking (it’s a small fortune to park in Venice), and I got my boat ride.  Plus, how cool is it that the Airport has water taxis into the city?!?

Our Airport Ride

Arriving to Venice by boat

Instead of being like every other tourist with their massive maps, travel books, and colossal cameras, we decided the best way to approach the city was to just go unprepared and get lost.  Jordan and I are both really good at getting lost, Jordan especially, so going in with this plan made for a much more relaxing trip.  We jumped ship at the Rialto Port and were on our way.  For the next four hours we saw the grand sights, the hot spots, and alleyways that were only big enough for one person at a time.  We never passed the same place twice.  We were VERY lost and there is no better city to do it in.  So many bridges, tiny waterways… it is by far the most unique place I have ever been.  A city on water with so much charm and romance it was at times too much to bear (after the first few couples we saw hard-core making-out it went from cute to vulgar).

It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day so we decided to pick up lunch at a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant, along with some mini bottles of wine.  We found a place to sit in the sun and enjoyed the views until there were too many pigeons who felt we were impeding on their territory.

By 4pm we found ourselves back where we started and felt as though we had seen it all.  The sun would be setting soon and we decided to catch the boat back to the airport where we parked.  We also wanted to make a stop at the outlets outside of Venice before they were closed (I had my eye on a Prada bag last time I was there, and if it were still in stock, then we were destine to be together).  Unfortunately (but fortunately for my bank account), the bag had found a different owner and there were not any others that caught my eye.  We walked around the outlets for a bit, got a great chocolate pastry to hold us over till dinner, and then got back on the road.

We ended the day with dinner-to-go from Burger King.  What a non-classy way to end a classy day!  But really, who doesn’t love a good American meal every once in a while?!?  McDonald’s and Burger King are the only two American food Co.’s in Klagenfurt and we needed a fix.

Finally, thank you Jordan for taking me to Venice.  I know you love to spend your days off relaxing, and I want you to know that I am grateful for our road trips. xo

I'm dreaming of a...

Familiar Christmas! 

The town is lit up with Christmas lights, the markets are busy every night, and our tree and stockings decorate our house; but something is missing… it just doesn’t feel like Christmas while I’m in Klagenfurt.

I have come to the realization that Christmas just doesn’t feel like Christmas unless you are surrounded by the familiar sights, sounds, and traditions. Not being with my family is the most evident missing factor but I have compiled a list of what feels Christmasy to me:

-          Extended mall hours and crazy shoppers:  Weird isn’t it… I love to shop and when Santa sets up post in the middle of the mall I get that excited feeling that Christmas is right around the corner (they do not have mall Santa’s here).  The Christmas music playing in all the stores, the decorations, the crowds of people speed walking and in a frenzy trying to find the “perfect gift.”  What feels more Christmasy then that!?!  It is December 16 and no sign of extended mall hours here.  Can you imagine a mall only being open until 7pm Monday-Friday and closed on Sundays?  It’s really strange when I think about Yorkdale being open until 9:30pm Monday-Saturday, or better yet, 24 hour shopping!  What a luxury!

Poor Santa

Click here to listen!

-          Star 102.5fm:  It is a radio station out of Buffalo, NY that starts playing only Christmas music the last week of November (fortunately they have a strong signal and we get it in Whitby).  It feels like Christmas every time I get behind the wheel as this is my #1 setting over the holidays.  I now stream it on my computer so we have Christmas music playing here 24/7.  Jordan is not a big fan... but anything to make it feel more like Christmas around here is important!  Or at least I think so.

-          Parties: More specifically work and family parties which are one in the same.  I am sad that I cannot be there and feel as though I have missed out when I hear all the funny stories.  For the most part these are just nice dinners at great restaurants, but it is the one time of year that my whole extended family gets together to do this.  Plus, getting dressed up and going out for great food tops my list of favourite things to do.

Good food, best company

-         Christmas eve: This has been pretty routine over the years.  When we were younger, we used to have my aunt and uncle over, as well as the Neal family, and ended the night by opening one gift of choice.  My Grama Mackie always stays over and Christmas is not the same when she is not with us.  She used to take my sisters and me to the Nutcracker in downtown Toronto and we LOVED it.  It was an annual tradition.  I was just thinking how fun it would be to do that again sometime, here’s hoping that I’m home for Christmas in years to come.

The Nutcracker... Love all of the costumes

-         Christmas day: When we were young we used to get up early and wait for my parents to get up so we could open gifts.  The funniest part about this is that NO ONE in my family is an early riser and early to us, even as kids, was around 10am.  My Grama is always up before the rest of us.  My dad always video tapes us opening gifts, even to date, and then he makes a big breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs and bacon.  We lounge around the house all day while my mom and Grama prepare dinner and then Pat and Joe (my Grama’s sister and her husband) come over to celebrate.  I LOVE to watch our old Christmas videos, some of them are hilarious!  One that stands out is my sister Brooke opening gift after gift in search of the “water baby” she so desperately wanted.  She was not happy until she found it and didn't care to open any gifts after that.

-         Florida: Another weird one… but our Christmas always revolves around a family trip to Florida/Disney.  Whether we leave a few days before Christmas, or the normal routine of leaving on December 26^th, we ALWAYS go to Florida around Christmas.  My family is driving down on the 26^th and I am so sad that I will not be there.  We love our road trips and joke about driving each other “car crazy.”  Six people in one truck + all of our luggage makes for a fun ride haha.  Even Keltie is going to Florida this year!  It is her first trip and I know she will love it.  

Christmas at Disney's Boardwalk

Those are all the familiar “it feels like Christmas” points that I can think of right now.  I am sure there are more but they are the standout ones.  Last year was my first Christmas away from home and it was difficult, as expected.  Jordan and I had an amazing four days off, travelling around San Francisco, Napa Valley/Sonoma, Carmel/Monterey, and driving down the Pacific Coast Hwy back to LA.  An unbelievable trip that I HIGHLY recommend to everyone I talk to about travelling.  Although we had a tree and made a turkey dinner on Christmas day, it just didn’t feel the same.

Our tree last year

The drive

Making Xmas Dinner

I can only imagine how hard it is for parents whose kids are not home over the holidays… after all Christmas is, and always will be, about kids!  Whether ones babies are celebrating their first Christmas or their 25^th, Christmas is about being with family.  I know how difficult it is for my parents that I am away and wish I could snap my fingers, or better yet click my heels, and be home for the holidays.

The best parents in the world :)

Luck of the Irish

Last night the team won (woohoo!) and we went for a few drinks at a local Irish pub.  Great time, with great friends, and amazing serivce by Juliane our bartender.  So great that we even had McDonalds delivered to the pub... What a night!

McD's curly fries and Beer at the pub

I love it here!  Tonight we have our team Christmas party.  Should be fun.  I need to hit the mall in a half hour to hopefully find an outfit...wish me luck!

Third time's a charm!

Yesterday Jordan and I went back to Slovenia for the third time (my third time Jordan's second).  Unlike the last time we went together, we were prepared and had the proper highway passes.  We needed to make a trip back to return a jacket I had bought at Zara during my trip to Sloveina on Sunday (they would not exchange it here in Austria even though they have it in store and both countries use Euro’s…frustrating).  Thankfully it is only and hour drive.

We decided to make a day of it but got a late start as always.  The night before, after Jordan’s game, the other couple in our building came over to hang out and drink some wine.  We didn’t think it would turn into a late night but it did.  4am rolled around and we were destroying our gingerbread house and making pizza.  I knew this day would come, I predicted it in an earlier blog post, and the gingerbread house tasted a lot better than I thought it would (Christyne you were right, the lemon icing was good!)…then again it could have been the wine.

We rolled out of bed around 10am and Jordan made plans with a few of his friends who are playing hockey in Ljubljana.  After we returned the jacket and walked around the city for a bit we met up for sushi.  It was good but it just doesn’t compare to Oishi Maki’s all you can eat.  Jordan and I have created a list of things we cannot wait to do when we get home, and other then spend time with family and friends, the whole list revolves around food.

·         Keg dinners

·         All you can eat sushi

·         Dairy Queen dessert

·         Harvey’s burgers

·         Vegetables and fruit (they have a very limited variety here)

·         Bacon

·         Tons of fresh seafood

·         The list goes on….

With this list comes an added 20lbs… not looking forward to that!

I got side tracked, back to our day in Ljubljana.  After sushi we all went for some hot wine at the Christmas market.  The city was beautiful at night with all the lights and music.  I only saw it in the daylight when I visited on Sunday with the girls.  I was also glad that Jordan had a positive experience in Slovenia… like me he was holding a grudge since the last trip.  We are now big fans of the city!

Today was pretty relaxed.  It was a beautiful day here in Krumpendorf with clear skies and a perfect view of the mountain behind us.   We went for a bike ride to the grocery store (so European of us) and spent the afternoon hanging out on our balcony.  I love it here.  I will be so sad when the day comes to board the 8+ hour flight home.  If I wasn’t missing my family I would spend the whole year travelling around the world.  I have the travel bug, and once you have it, I don't think it EVER goes away.

Sunset view from our balcony