My First Christmas After Losing My Parents. Trying To Find The Season's Joy Again

Of course like most things in life I do expect that a little rain must fall but no one warned me I would have benefited greatly from building an ark. I lost both my parents in 2017. My dad on the 2nd day in January and my mother in May on my birthday. They had been married 56 years, 4 months, 26 days. As with any loss the "firsts' of birthdays, holidays or special occasions are particular hard but when it comes to Christmas... well that was my mother's favourite time of the year and her absence is resoundingly deafening.

So how do you do it? How do you find the joy in the holiday season after losing someone you have loved so very much?

LIKELY THE BEST COOKIES YOU'LL EVER EAT. EVER!

Food, Eat MeChristina FordDecember 14, 2017Almond Cookies, Martha Stewart, Best Cookie Ever, Baking, Christmas Baking, Holiday Baking, Mary BerryComment

MAKING THE MOST OF THE SHORT WINTER DAYS...GET OUTSIDE!!!

SEVEN SISTERS CLIFFS, EAST SUSSEX ROAD TRIP

If you are anything like me the lack of sunlight as you approach the dead of winter is so unbelievably depressing. Living in London it actually starts getting dark at 3:30 in November AND we haven't even got through the worst of it. So what is that saying, make hay when the sun shines? So in order to survive the long, dark winters you have to make the most of the short sunny days and a road trip is exactly the way to do it.

6 THINGS I BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW STARTED IN LONDON, THAT I DON'T WANT TO LIVE WITHOUT TODAY

London has always been an exciting, creative city. Its history, art, culture and subculture has shaped the world scene today and I am not just taking about The Beatles or that Grandad Boy-Band, The Rolling Stones. I was very interested in learning that some of my favourite things (insert Julie andrews singing here) were born out of London.

RAGE AGAINST THE LATRINE. ASIA TOILETS - HOLY CRAP!!!!

A-BROAD OBSERVATION - TOILETS OF ASIA

I have always consider myself a student of the world, you know... open to celebrate the vast colourful differences between one world, culture and traditions and my own. I have been fortunate enough to travel different parts of the globe and I willingly drink in those cultural differences between countries, ....until now.

PLAYING IN THE MUD. LOOKING FOR BURIED TREASURE ON THE BANK OF THE THAMES

You think you have learned all there is to know about London history? Been to every museum, taken every tour, listened to every audio guide about the Tudors "this" and the Stuarts "that". Well until you start digging in the London mud, turning over a few rocks your education on London is totally incomplete

A WEEKEND IN NEW FOREST Where Wild Horses Couldn't Drag Me Away

Ever bored with London? Ok, that is a trick question. But sometimes you need a get away. Turn down the volume, unplug, breathe fresh air and exhale. New Forest is just the wonderful escape to do just that. Just a two hour drive south of the hustle and bustle of London where the only traffic you are likely to hit are a herd of wild horses taking their own sweet time crossing the street.

The Notting Hill Carnival

An estimated 2 million people descended for two days for The Notting Hill Carnival, one of the largest Caribbean festivals in Europe. With thousands of dancers, performers and some of the biggest and (loudest) sound systems you can carry on the back of a truck, I had to go and let my inner "island girl" out.

REMEMBERING PRINCESS DIANA- 20 YEARS LATER THE WORLD STILL MOURNS

I know if you are old enough you will remember exactly where you were when you heard the news that Princess Diana was dead. AUGUST 31, 1997. I can hardly believe that it has been 20 years. I remember setting my alarm to watch the fairytale wedding of Princess Diana to Prince Charles like 750 million others and sadly setting that same alarm 16 years later to watch her funeral.

Christina FordAugust 31, 2017Diana, Princess of Wales, Andrew Morton, Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace, White GardenComment

My Crazy Obsession With Chalk Paint... OR...How I Spent My Summer Vacation.

For those who know me even a little you would know my obsession with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint has gotten waaaay out of hand. In fact there are family members who have suggested that they are concerned for me and my mental well being when I run out of things to paint. Well luckily that day is not here yet. So I thought I would share my obsession and take you through step by step my latest Annie Sloan Chalk Paint project as I repurpose someone else's junk, two old side tables into my personal treasure...all while not spilling a drop of rosé.

OH CANADA. A Huge Happy 150th Canada, From London

I might not be in Canada celebrating my homeland's 150th birthday but boy oh boy did London step up and throw a great party. Trafalgar Square was full of Canadians (and friends who love poutine and beer) as thousands joined in to celebrate Canada Day.

LONDON'S DEVASTATING FIRE. Why was I so compelled to visit Grefell's charred aftermath? Because... LIKE A MOTH TO THE FLAME I had no choice

It is believed to be started by a faulty appliance. The fire broke out in Grenfell Tower, an apartment building in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea not far from where I live. Grenfell is located in a pocket of social deprivation within one of the wealthiest areas of Britain. London's wealthiest borough yet its poorest neighbourhood.

And....They Are Off (hmmm?)....EVERYONE GET NAKED

Has it really been a whole year since last I was standing fully dressed "betwixt" all these naked cyclists? Where does the time go? The World's Naked Bike Ride took over the streets of London... as well as 70 other cites in 20 countries. And me.... I of course had to be smack dab in the middle of the action.

Things I LoveChristina FordJune 17, 2017World Naked Bike Ride, Hyde ParkComment

FEARFUL IN LONDON ? Strangely, Not Like You Might Think

By now everyone has seen and heard about the terrorist attack at London Bridge and Borough Market. Currently leaving seven dead and 48 seriously injured. As a Canadian living in London thankfully I have never experienced this kind of anger, panic and terror these extremist groups are invoking on others. However this Canadian girl has now found myself in the middle of city that is a prime target for attacks. Am I fearful….? Not yet. Am I keenly aware of my surroundings as a potential target….? You bet I am.

Saying Good-Bye To Elena. The Last Lessons My Mother Taught Me.

It was my birthday. May 15th. The day I came into the world...and it was the same day my mother left it. My mom had been diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She cheated cancer once before, ovarian. I was 10. No reason to believe that she couldn't do that again. Or at least I thought.

HOW TO SPEAK BRITISH. BLIMEY... WHAT ARE THEY SAYING???

It was my birthday. May 15th. The day I came into the world...and it was the same day my mother left it. My mom had been diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She cheated cancer once before, ovarian. I was 10. No reason to believe that she couldn't do that again. Or at least I thought.

Crazy REAL British Laws You Are Likely Breaking Everyday.

So currently I am back in Toronto to spend some time with my mother and family. It is spring, it is April and the weather REALLY, REALLY SUCKS. Barely a crocus in sight. Currently in London however the weather and foliage looks exactly like this!

My Five Essential Items I Will NEVER Travel Without Again

Since I moved to London I have been very blessed and fortunate that I have been doing a lot of travelling. Not since my days of television production and pre-children have I accumulated so many frequent flyer points. As result I have learned a few very important things along the way that I thought I would share about travel. In particular what to carry-on. I have not solved the huge mystery of my severely over-weight checked luggage...but one travel challenge at a time.

Going... Going... SCONE

Is there anything more British than a cuppa tea? Henry James said, there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as "afternoon tea". What is it about this magic elixir that seems to make the problems of the day dissolve into the bottom of a teacup...at least temporarily. 165 million cups of tea are drunk everyday in the U.K, so the Brits might be onto something.

A Glimpse Into Dubai. The Glitzy and The Ancient

Explore, Beyond LondonChristina FordFebruary 13, 2017Dubai, Burj Al Arab Hotel, Toxic Love, Dune Bashing, Moet & Chandon, Desert Safari Dubai, Henna Tattoo, Dubai Creek, Souk, Gold Souk, Al Qasr Hotel, Jumeirah Beach, The Palm, Burj Khalifa Comments

A-BROAD IN LONDON

A Survival Guide To Life, Travel & Being Sensationally Single

SEVEN SISTERS CLIFFS, EAST SUSSEX ROAD TRIP

A-BROAD OBSERVATION - TOILETS OF ASIA

A-BROAD IN LONDON

A Survival Guide To Life, Travel & Being Sensationally Single

SEVEN SISTERS CLIFFS, EAST SUSSEX ROAD TRIP

A-BROAD OBSERVATION - TOILETS OF ASIA

A Broad in London