Blue Christmas

Decorating for Christmas at the McGrath house is simple and understated: bows, boughs, and sparkle are added, reflecting Dave and Carolyn’s love of the sea and the outdoors, while favourite knick-knacks are dressed up.

blue Blue bird of happiness: The bird cage that sits in the sunroom receives an unusual “nest” for CHRISTMAS Christmas, with added sparkle from white lights and ornaments in the pine boughs.

Dartmouth, Carolyn’s first time away from Newfoundland where she was born and raised. Living in Dartmouth but working in downtown Halifax allowed Carolyn to satisfy her lifelong need to be on the water. “I rode the ferry to work every day. I was in heaven doing that.” Moving into a brand new home allowed Carolyn to create a living space that reflects her love of the sea. Her palette consists of creamy whites and dreamy blues, particularly turquoise, with gold accents thrown in to reflect the sun, as well as the siding of the house, an unexpected, and delightful, find called “Newfie Gold.” At Christmas time, Carolyn decorates the open-concept main floor simply by adding more turquoise accents, sparkling white lights, and outdoor greenery. She also moves around the carefully curated knick knacks in her home, many of them souvenirs of her post-retirement travels with Dave, to repurpose them for the holiday season. On her living room table, she places an olive wood plate and the olive wood carving of Mary and Jesus brought home from their trip to Israel, while a photo of her then-eighty-year-old mother standing next to Santa Claus moves up from the guest room in the basement to the “Newfoundland Corner” in the kitchen. Tiny clusters of pine needles and cones are tucked into bowls, onto tables, in display cabinets, and around candles throughout the house, while larger bows grace the table and the mirror in the front foyer.

Carolyn mixes in white lights, blue and green baubles, and even some fake snow. “I bring in anything from the garden that I think will go but very little changes,” Carolyn says. “That way I can appreciate each thing for what it is.” The decoration in the centre of her dining room table is perhaps her most treasured one, dating back to the 1950s. Known as “the Christmas log”, Carolyn says it was on her family’s table at Christmas with three red candles in it since she was old enough to remember. “Mum moved away to Ontario and the log moved with her. For some reason, I ended up with it, and it was in pretty bad shape,” she says. “I didn’t take it out of the box the first Christmas I had it here but I like doing crafts and DIY things so I thought it would be nice to take it to Ottawa and show Mum that I appreciate the things she’s given me over the years.” It turns out the much-cherished Christmas log was just a smooth cardboard cylinder with flat sparkles on it, and by the time Carolyn took possession of it, most of the sparkles had fallen off. But Carolyn wanted to fix it up “because it’s a memory from my childhood” so she cleaned the old glue and sparkles off then glued fluffy snow on it and, of course, added new sparkles. For her table, Carolyn adds three white candles and cedar sprigs, along with some of the blue and green sparkly baubles that are scattered throughout her living room, dining room and kitchen. The glass sunroom off the dining room is decorated for the festive season, as

ADMISSION*

• Adult $5 • Family $16 • Children (5 and under) FREE

*Includes admission to the McCulloch Heritage Centre

Visit our website athomeonthenorthshore.ca

Far left: Christmas treasure: Carolyn remembers this “log” from her childhood in Newfoundland. When it came into her possession. When her mother moved to Ottawa, she refurbished it to sit in the centre of her own dining room table.

Left: Sea and sky: A mirror in the living room reflects the view of the Gulf Shore Road property that captivated the McGraths the first time they saw it.

well. The Buddha statue, with his turquoise holiday necklace, and the little metal bird that sits in his lap spend the summer in Carolyn’s gardens but overwinter inside. The handmade bird came from South Africa and Carolyn’s only regret is that she didn’t buy more of the colourful birds from the man selling them along the side of the road. It’s those little touches that create the warmth of a seaside Christmas: the tree made of blue and silver balls sitting in a large antique birdcage, a glass snowman with a turquoise scarf, the handknit gnome who sits under the tree with its glass starfish ornaments, and a big teddy bear on the sofa with a sign that says ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas’. Of course, this is Grathford Glen so it’s a blue Christmas dream come true, where everything sparkles with meaning and memory.

The First Gift: When the McGraths finally began building their dream retirement home in December 2005, Dave spent the winter living in the already-built two-car garage so his wife could move in that spring.

light up your stove Enjoy up to 30 hours of burn time

VINTAGE& STOVE FIREPLACE

MADE IN CANADA

We clean chimneys and pellet stoves WOOD | PELLET | PROPANE | ELECTRIC SALES | INSTALLATION | SERVICE

PULL APART CUPCAKE ARRANGEMENT Cupcakes are a great choice for family gatherings, workplace parties or a lovely hostess gift. Order this pretty Christmas Wreath or a Friendly Snowman arrangement of delectable chocolate or vanilla cupcakes from the award-winning Birkinshaw’s Tea Room and Coffee House. 2 Ratchford St., Amherst. 902-661-9300. Order online at www.birkinshaws.ca

Gingerbread Greetings Bouquet This jolly gingerbread man mug can't wait to serve up this festive mix of Christmas blooms, and years of hot cocoa sipping fun! Send a hug with Bordertown Flowers & Frills at 60 South Albion St, Amherst. 902-667-3811. Order online at www.bffamherst.com

Dairy-free advent calendar Yummy milk chocolate advent calendars that are dairy free, gluten free, soya free and vegan! Made with rice, cocoa, and sugar. Get yours at Candy Craze. 147 South Albion St., Amherst. 902-661-1751. Sleep Soundly Holiday PacK Give the gift of a great night’s sleep with a contour CPAP pillow, a pack of pollen lters, a non-heated tubing and a canister of mask wipes. The Snore Shop. 109-4 Robert Angus Dr., Amherst. 902-660-5340.

Cozy, casual & pretty cool Designed in Canada, this Taxi Delray tall boot is all about the fusion of function and fashion. It’s made of vegan leather and is one of the dozens of new styles you’ll nd this season at The Copper Tree Boutique in the historic Dayle’s Grand Market building. 129 Victoria St. E., Amherst. 902-694-2511.

woodland tin tea set Perfectly sized for little hands, this 15-piece Woodland Tin Tea Set includes a lidded teapot, four plates, four cups and saucers, and a serving tray. Everything packs neatly into an illustrated, heavy-duty cardboard carrying case for tea parties on the go. You’ll nd them at Beans & Cocoa Toys and Gifts, at Dayle’s Grand Market, 129 Victoria St. E., Amherst. 902-660-2078.

Holiday

handcrafted beeswax candles Margie Allen makes her fragrant beeswax candles by hand in her Spencer’s Island studio on the spectacular Bay of Fundy. Maritime Mosaic at Dayle’s Grand Market, 129 Victoria St. E., Amherst. 902-661-2137

original fibre art landscape Fibre artist of the year Brenda Clarke captures local landscapes by “painting” with wool! She dyes her own wool by hand and her husband makes the beautiful frames. Maritime Mosaic at Dayle’s Grand Market, 129 Victoria St. E., Amherst. 902-661-2137. mansour’s menswear The Green Coast sweater is made in Italy of the most excellent materials, and this popular popcorn knit style is available in more than a dozen colours at Atlantic Canada’s oldest menswear store. Sold in-store and online at Mansour’s Menswear, 27 Church St., Amherst. www.mansoursmenswear.ca 1-800-929-3992.

Nina the yoga spirit Ann Dunlap’s one-of-a-kind textile sculptures add a weather-resistant touch of whimsy to any home or garden. Maritime Mosaic at Dayle’s Grand Market, 129 Victoria St. E., Amherst. 902-661-2137. blundstone boots Blundstone Women’s Series in Shiraz are comfortable, stylish, high quality and make a perfect gift! Choose from a selection of gorgeous colours. Your feet will thank you! 30 Church Women’s Clothing, 30 Church St., Amherst. 902-667-8028.

Holiday shopping passport: Nov. 19-25 Collect stamps in a special holiday passport to qualify for a $750 shopping spree grand prize draw!

students’ day on the town: dec. 1 Mount Allison University and NSCC Cumberland students get a free ride from campus to Amherst, special gifts, “tax-free” shopping and free lunch!

cheers to the season: Dec. 8-9 Mix holiday shopping with a fun day out and enjoy food and beverage tastings, trunk shows, mini spa treatments and live music. Cookie crawl: friday, dec. 14, 4:00-8:00 pm Buy a ticket and exchange it for a cookie tin to ll with cookies you pick up at stores all over Amherst. A limited number of tickets are available, and can be purchased online at www.amherstcookiecrawl.eventbrite.ca victorian christmas: Dec. 15-16 Enjoy the sounds, sights, and scents of a traditional Christmas with costumed carollers, horse-drawn wagon tours, and a Victorian photo booth.