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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Smelling Salts Journal
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TZID:America/Toronto
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DTSTART:20170312T070000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181224
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181225
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20181224T060125Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20181223T143355Z
UID:2984-1545609600-1545695999@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 24: Christmas Eve Checklist
DESCRIPTION:Here it is! The annual Christmas Eve Checklist!\n□ Go for a Brisk walk with our mini-schnauzer\, Elvis!\n□ Make tons of Christmas cookies.\n□ Live stream Jon Solomon’s 30-Hour Christmas Radio Show.\n[3pm December 24 to 8pm December 25 on WPRB 103.3 FM Princeton\, NJ\, USA]\n□ LATE-AFTERNOON FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES IN TWO to THREE DISHES.\nDish One Possibility:\nA Massive Cold Fish Plate with Shrimp Cocktail\, Scallops prepared the same way\, and Grilled Squid [3]\nDish Two Possibility:\nSquid-Ink Pasta with a homemade sauce of Anchovies\, Smoked Mussels\, & Clams [4 with 1 repeat]\nDish Three Possibility:\nJust for me [the sole sardine lover in the house] a wee version of Bon Appetit’s Anchovy and Sardine Toasts with Chile Butter [2 with 1 repeat]\n□ CHRISTMAS EVE CAROLS & MASS\n□ COOKIES\, MILK\, AND CARROTS FOR SANTA AND HIS CREW\n[If you don’t believe in Santa in our house\, you don’t get presents!]\n□ KIDS CAMP OUT IN THE BASEMENT\n[This is the crazy tradition they started last year.]\n□ LATE-NIGHT COCKTAILS FOR THE PARENTS with more radio.\n \nRETURN TO THE ADVENT 2018 EVENTS PAGE
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-24-christmas-eve-checklist/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2018
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181225
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181226
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20181225T060127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20181223T144053Z
UID:3164-1545696000-1545782399@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Merry Christmas
DESCRIPTION:Merry Christmas!\nRETURN TO THE ADVENT 2018 EVENTS PAGE
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/merry-christmas-2/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2018
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181231
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20190101
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20181229T011255Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20181229T011616Z
UID:2995-1546214400-1546300799@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:New Year's Eve Film Fest: Train Movies
DESCRIPTION:TRAIN FILMS!!!\nThis year’s New Year’s Eve film fest will consist of movies that take place on a train or which feature a train scene as a main plot-point. Since we’ve already done a few Hitchcock-heavy marathons\, and since we’re not interested in tackling nuclear disasters\, epidemics\, or bloody westerns\, our New Year’s fare will largely consist of drawing room mysteries re-located to the dining car\, peppered with a few salient shorts and documentaries. Here’s the list of films the family came up with together:\nThe Lady Vanishes\, 1938\nMurder on the Orient Express\, 1974\nSuperman: Billion Dollar Limited (cartoon)\, 1941\nThe Train\, 1964\nThe Silent Passenger\, (first Lord Peter Wimsey movie!) 1935\nNight Mail (short/doc featuring W.H. Auden)\, 1936\nThe Taking of Pelham One Two Three\, 1974\nThe Ghost Train\, 1941\nNarrow Margin\, 1952\nBefore Sunrise\, (not my choice)\, 1995\nEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind\, (also not my choice)\, 2004\nA Hard Day’s Night\, 1964\nTo go with\, we’ll be dining on some sous vide lobster tails\, dry fried green beans\, a “leftovers” cheese and charcuterie board\, the last of the Christmas cookies\, cocktails (my new fave is 1 oz Pimms\, 1 oz Rye\, 3/4 oz lemon\, 3/4 oz simple syrup) and tons of apple cider for the kids. Sometime soon\, I’ll get around to that baked Alaska\, but not before midnight.\nWishing you a Healthy & Happy New Year!
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/new-years-eve-film-fest-train-movies/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2018
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191129T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191129T235959
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191129T124500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191129T123728Z
UID:4596-1574985600-1575071999@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Love-To-Do List 2019 Goes Live
DESCRIPTION:SSJ’s Advent Love-to-Do List 2019 is now live!  \n\n\n\nSSJ’s Advent Love-To-Do List 2019\n\n\n\nCheck out the full post\, here!\n\n\n\nAnd don’t forget: SSJ’S 2019 Advent Calendar begins to populate on December 1\, 2019!  \n\n\n\nFollow along daily by checking the  2019 ADVENT CALENDAR MONTHLY VIEW.
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-love-to-do-list-2019-goes-live/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191130T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191130T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191114T180529Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191201T113044Z
UID:4200-1575072000-1575158340@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Calendar 2019 Begins Tomorrow!
DESCRIPTION:MY 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR WILL BEGIN TO POPULATE RIGHT HERE ON DECEMBER 1\, 2019!\n\n\n\nFOLLOW ALONG DAILY BY CHECKING THE  2019 ADVENT CALENDAR MONTHLY VIEW OR HEADING HOME TO SMELLINGSALTSJOURNAL.COM !\n\n\n\nIN THE MEANTIME\, TAKE A LOOK BACK AT MY SSJ ADVENT CALENDARS FROM 2018 AND 2017.
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-calendar-2019-begins-today/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191201T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191201T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191201T060143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220912T155956Z
UID:3640-1575158400-1575244740@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 1: Tree Trimming Party
DESCRIPTION:It’sthe firstday of Advent!Time to trim the tree! \nFirst\, we’ll have to choose one!This afternoon\, we’ll trek over tothe local Scouts lot for a tall\, slim fir. \nThen\, we’ll turn on some music\, make someof my Santa Baby Cookies\, and choose picturesfor the 2019 version of our Favourite Photo Ornaments. \nSometimes\, we throw on a movie when we’re decorating the tree.I’m in the mood for The Lady Vanishes\, one of the films from last year’sNew Year’s EveTrain MovieFilm Fest. \n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-1-tree-trimming-party-2/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191202T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191202T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191202T060121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191204T135145Z
UID:3652-1575244800-1575331140@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 2: Design Bookplates
DESCRIPTION:Design your own Bookplate!\n\n\n\nToday’s Advent TBD is a MAJOR THROWBACK to our very first online Advent Calendar in 2011 [Handmade Holidays: Bookplates for Children] ! The kids were too young to get involved\, and we wanted the bookplates to be surprises. So\, Blaise sketched bookplates. I scanned them\, added text with photo-editing software\, and printed them on sticky-backed paper we found at the dollar store.  \n\n\n\nThe cuteness of our 2011 Lunchbox Season Bookplates!\n\n\n\nToday\, everyone is designing their own bookplate. \n\n\n\nWhether they want a design specific to the holidays or a favourite theme is up to them.  We’ll either use tablets or sketch-and-scan our images. Then\, we’ll print them on a few more sheets of our sticky-backed paper from the dollar store circa 2011. Though Avery labels 6462 printed 90-degrees or portrait-style still work just as well.  \n\n\n\nUPDATE: Here are photos of our designs…now on to making the bookplates!\n\n\n\nBlaise’s Bookplate DesignToby’s Bookplate DesignBea’s Bookplate DesignMy Bookplate Design\n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-2-design-bookplates/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191203T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191203T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191203T060124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220912T160657Z
UID:3650-1575331200-1575417540@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 3: Provide Baby Blankets via Plan Canada
DESCRIPTION:Provide Baby Blankets via Plan Canada Gifts of Hope\n\n\n\nToday\, we’re providing three baby blankets to children in need via Plan International Canada’s Gifts of Hope.  \n\n\n\nHow will you be volunteering your time or supporting your community this year? \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-3-provide-baby-blankets-via-plan-canada/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191204T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191204T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191204T111100Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220912T155633Z
UID:3668-1575417600-1575503940@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 4: Make Clementine's Crullers & Write a Holiday Haiku
DESCRIPTION:Make Clementine’s Famous Crullers\n\n\n\nToday\, we’re going to be conquering our “fear of frying” by making Clementine Paddleford’s famous crullers. Clementine is the lady with the pencil\, above! Her Cruller Recipe comes from Kelly Alexander and Cynthia Harris’ fantastic book about the American tastemaker: Hometown Appetites.  [There’s an adapted version of that recipe in the New York Times\, if you have a subscription — however\, that recipe seems to be formatted oddly with a few extra 1’s in the ingredients list — So\, you should really buy the book! It is a lovely read!]  \n\n\n\nAnd Write a Holiday Haiku!\n\n\n\nAs we prepare our fry-up\, we’ll write a holiday haiku. That’s a poem of 3 lines\, with 5\, 7\, and 5 syllables per line\, respectively. \n\n\n\n	\n	\n	 Print Recipe\n	\n	\n\nClementine Paddleford’s Crullers\n\nFrom Hometown Appetites\, by Kelly Alexander and Cynthia Harris\n\n\n\n\nServings: 16\n\nAuthor: Clementine Paddleford\, c/o Kelly Alexander\n\n\nIngredients3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour sifted4 tsp baking powder1/4 tsp baking soda1/4 tsp saltt tsp ground nutmeg1/8 tsp ground ginger1/2 cup egg yolks about six extra-large1/2 cup buttermilk or sour milk [I used 1/2 c whipping cream with 1 tbs lemon juice]1/2 cup  half-and-half1 cup sugar1-2 quarts vegetable oil for frying\nInstructionsSift flour\, baking soda\, baking powder\, salt\, and spices into a large bowl and set aside. Beat the egg yolks in a separate large bowl. Mix the egg yolks with the buttermilk and half-and-half. Add the sugar to the wet ingredients and stir until well-blended. Add the sifted dry ingredients and beat until smooth. Turn a portion at a time onto a lightly [WELL] floured surface and roll or PUT OUT to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut with a 3-inch doughnut cutter OR a 3-inch biscuit cutter\, then make a hole in the centre of each with a 1-inch cutter or the end of a wooden spoon handle. In a heavy 6-quart pot filled no more than halfway with oil\, heat oil to 365 degrees.  Fry doughnuts 45 seconds to 1 minute on each side until golden brown. Drain on paper bags [OR rags or papertowels on a wire rack.] [If desired\, dust with icing [powdered] sugar\, melted chocolate\, or a glaze of icing sugar mixed with milk or lemon juice by the tbs.] \n\nNotesThis recipe is from Hometown Appetites\, by Kelly Alexander and Cynthia Harris.\n[My changes are in brackets!]\n\n\n\n\nUPDATE: WE DID IT! T EVEN TOOK AN EXTRA CRULLER TO SCHOOL! NOW ON TO THE HAIKU!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-4-make-clementines-crullers-write-a-holiday-haiku/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191205T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191205T235959
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191205T060140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220912T155221Z
UID:3656-1575504000-1575590399@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 5: Family Book Exchange\, The Hardcover Edition
DESCRIPTION:Family Book Exchange 2019\n\n\n\nThis year’s Advent Family Book Exchange shall henceforth be known as “The Hardcover Edition.” Go big or go home. Everyone’s going to pick a name from a hat and buy that person a real “traysure” in the form of a hardcover book\, new or used. We’ll also grab a book for a donation. \n\n\n\nNote: Since we knew what hectic schedules we were going to have today\, we pulled names from the hat a few weeks ago. These books were all ready to go this morning at 6:30 am\, before everyone started the morning hustle. \n\n\n\nB for b:Patti Smith\, Just Kids: Illustrated Edition [Harper Collins]\n\n\n\nT for R:Olga Tocarczuk\, Trans. Antonia Lloyd-Jones\, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead [Penguin Random House]\n\n\n\nR for B:Hans Magnus Enzensberger\, Trans. Martin Chalmers\, The Silences of Hammerstein [Seagull Books]\n\n\n\nb for TLeji Matsumoto’s Space Battleship Yamato: The Classic Collection [Seven Seas]\n\n\n\nAND AS A GIFT FOR A CERTAIN SCHOOL’S LIBRARY:\n\n\n\nCaroline Criado Perez\, Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men [Abrams Press]\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-5-family-book-exchange-the-hardcover-edition/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191206T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191206T235959
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191206T060114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191206T113045Z
UID:3658-1575590400-1575676799@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 6: Festive Streaming-Service Binge
DESCRIPTION:Festive Streaming-Service Binge\n\n\n\nIt’s Friday. We’re going to chill on the couch with some Fish and Chips from our local and have a proper binge of a new-to-us series of shows or films. A few years ago\, we watched The Crown. Will we go for Season 3? Should we revisit Derry Girls Seasons 1&2 back to back? Or should we go with something new? Now accepting all festive and not-so-festive binge-worthy recommendations. \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-6-festive-streaming-service-binge/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191207
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191208
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191207T060712Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191105T032042Z
UID:3660-1575676800-1575763140@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 7: Carols\, Cocktails\, and Cookies a.k.a. Winterize the Song of the Summer
DESCRIPTION:Carols\, Cocktails\, and Cookies a.k.a. Winterize the Song of the Summer\n\n\n\nLast year\, our carol-off consisted of a day of writing punk-rock Christmas songs. This year\, we’re back on a family classic: winterize the Song of the Summer. And by “Winterize\,” I mean\, “Chrismassify.” \n\n\n\nThis year’s Song of the Summer is insanely easy to identify: the one and only “Old Town Road.”  I don’t think it’s going to be too hard to get some Christmas action in on this ditty: \n\n\n\nYeah\, I’m gonna take my horse to the old town roadI’m gonna ride ’til I can’t no moreI’m gonna take my horse to the old town roadI’m gonna ride ’til I can’t no more (Kio\, Kio) I got the horses in the backHorse tack is attachedHat is matte blackGot the boots that’s black to matchRidin’ on a horse\, haYou can whip your PorscheI been in the valleyYou ain’t been up off that porch\, now Can’t nobody tell me nothin’You can’t tell me nothin’Can’t nobody tell me nothin’You can’t tell me nothin’Ridin’ on a tractorLean all in my bladderCheated on my babyYou can go and ask herMy life is a movieBull ridin’ and boobiesCowboy hat from GucciWrangler on… \n\n\n\nAlong with\, Blaise and I will make some cocktails. [I’m dying to perfect a Manhattan…so it will likely be a Manhattan!] And the kids will have plenty of their favourite Reverse Chip Brookie Cookies to take with them down the old-town road\, or the Noël town road\, or wherever it is they end up parking their reindeer! \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-7-carols-cocktails-and-cookies-a-k-a-winterize-the-song-of-the-summer/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191208
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191209
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191208T060811Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191105T104820Z
UID:3662-1575763200-1575849540@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 8: Holiday Concert & Pinochle Tournament
DESCRIPTION:Concert & Pinochle\n\n\n\nToday’s the Saint Michael’s Choir School Christmas Concert at Roy Thomson Hall. It’s going to be an afternoon of rehearsals\, dress up\, performances\, and dress-down. After the concert is over\, we’ll set up by the fire for a 4-person Pinochle tournament. [Here’s a link to Hoyle’s rules if you’ve got a hankering.]  \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-8-holiday-concert-pinochle-tournament/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191209T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191209T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191209T060924Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191127T023720Z
UID:3664-1575849600-1575935940@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 9: Make Block-Printed Tea Towels
DESCRIPTION:Make Block-Printed Tea Towels\n\n\n\nAnyone who knows me knows my obsession with tea-towels\, especially calendar tea towels. If we’re going to have a good time this afternoon\, DIY calendars may be beyond us. However\, we can easily get in on the magic by creating a few simple block-printed tea towels. \n\n\n\nHow are we going to do it? We’ll sketch a few ideas on paper or print out images we love [in reverse] and transfer the best onto small rubber blocks. Then\, we’ll carve our images on the blocks using linocut tools. Using screen printing ink\, we’ll stamp our designs onto flour sac tea-towels. Then\, iron to set.Note: You could do just as well using a holiday cookie cutter on a potato to create a stamp! See our Summer of Funner craft from 2011 for potato stamp ideas! Super stretched for time? Use a pre-made rubber stamp! \n\n\n\nHere’s the Aquarius Sign Zodiac Tea Towel I created as a test run! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnd here’s my Block-Printed Tea Towels DIY in the form of a Recipe Card:\n\n\n\n	\n	\n	 Print Recipe\n	\n	\n\nBLOCK-PRINTED TEA TOWELS DIY\n\n[Originally published in 2019. Sources & some techniques updated in 2025.]\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAuthor: Roseanne Carrara\, Smelling Salts Journal\n\n\nIngredientsFor sources and product recommendations\, see NOTES\, below.Paper and pencil OR washable marker for sketching your designFlour sac tea towels\,* ironedLinoleum carving blocks* [We used 2.75 x 4.5 in Speedy Cut lino blocks. Use smaller blocks if using fabric ink stamp pads. You can also use pink erasers or pre-made rubber stamps\, or carve potatoes!]Screen printing ink or fabric ink stamp pads*Spoon  [one you can wash or compost]Linoleum cutting tips and handles*  [or a knife or cookie cutters for your potatoes!]X-Acto knife  [optional]Twine  [optional]Brayer*Plexiglass* or glass from an old frame on which to roll Ink IronParchment Paper*If you don’t have a lot of these items I highly recommend the Speedball Beginner Block Printing Kit! See Notes\, below.\nInstructionsOPTIONAL: Print a design to the size of your block to use as inspo. [I like to print mine out in reverse\, so that I can see exactly what I'll be sketching onto the block]  Sketch your design in pencil or washable marker right onto the block. [Remember\, your print will be a mirror image of what you draw here!]  Carve the outline of your shape with linoleum carving tools. [Whatever remains raised will print on the towel — in reverse!] If desired\, use an X-Acto knife to cut the shape out of a larger linoleum block. [I don’t bother.]Spread the ironed tea towel on a flat surface. [You might want to line that surface with craft paper to avoid damaging the surface with ink that bleeds through the towel. Note\, the speedball ink we use is washable until iron-set.]OPTIONAL: Use lengths of twine to grid the tea towel to produce equal sized zones for your block prints. [I used 8 lengths of twine to grid my tea-towel into 25 zones.] For Screenprinting Ink: Place about a teaspoon ink on your plexi-glass and use the brayer to roll a thin layer of ink across the glass. For Screenprinting Ink: Roll the inked brayer over the stamp to coat the raised image evenly. ORFor Fabric Ink Stamp Pads: Press the stamp onto the ink pad. Place the inked block on the towel and press down firmly with fingertips or palms. Repeat the inking and stamping process as desired. [Try regular spacing or flirt with an irregular pattern. Try mixing colours or using multiple stamps. ] Allow the ink to dry for an hour. Set the ink with an iron by covering the prints with parchment and pressing for 3-5 minutes for Screenprinting Ink\, 30-60 Seconds for Fabric Ink Stamps. [Consult the directions on your ink/paint/pad for proper heat setting and time.] Enjoy! \n\nNotes\nFlour Sac Tea Towels: Amazon\nLinoleum Carving Blocks: DeSerres*\nScreen Printing Ink: DeSerres*\nFabric Ink Stamp Pads: Amazon\nLinoleum Cutting Tips and Handle: DeSerres*\nBrayer: DeSerres*\nClear Acrylic Plexi: DeSerres\n*If you don’t have a lot of these items\, I highly recommend the Speedball Super Value Block Printing Kit!\n\n\n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-9-make-block-printed-tea-towels/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191210T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191210T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191210T101000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191210T115736Z
UID:3666-1575936000-1576022340@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 10: Donate to Forests Ontario
DESCRIPTION:Donate to Forests Ontario\n\n\n\nLet’s flight climate change\, dozens of trees at at time!Today\, we’re making a contribution to Forests Ontario. How will you make a difference today? \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-10-donate-to-forests-ontario/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191211
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191212
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191211T060121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191105T120651Z
UID:3654-1576022400-1576108740@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 11: Make Fried Chicken
DESCRIPTION:Make Fried Chicken\n\n\n\nLast year’s Advent Calendar started us off on a Fried Chicken tour of the city. This week in conquering our “Fear of Frying\,” we’ll be frying chicken at home. We’ll do this by following Bon Appetit’s Skillet-Fried Chicken Recipe. I’ve provided a reprint below.  \n\n\n\n	\n	\n	 Print Recipe\n	\n	\n\nBon Appetit’s Classic Skillet-Fried Chicken\n\nRecipe by The Bon Appétit Test Kitchen\, Photo by Mitchell Feinberg\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAuthor: Bon Appetit\n\n\nIngredients2 tablespoons kosher salt divided2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper1 1/2 teaspoons paprika3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper1/2 teaspoon garlic powder1/2 teaspoon onion powder1 3 –4-lb. chicken not kosher\, cut into 10 pieces\, backbone and wing tips removed1 cup buttermilk1 large egg3 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon cornstarchPeanut oil for frying\nInstructionsWhisk 1 Tbsp. salt\, 2 tsp. black pepper\, paprika\, cayenne\, garlic powder\, and onion powder in a small bowl.Season chicken with spices.Place chicken in a medium bowl\, cover\, and chill overnight.Let chicken stand covered at room temperature for 1 hour.Whisk buttermilk\, egg\, and 1/2 cup water in a medium bowl.Whisk flour\, cornstarch\, remaining 1 Tbsp. salt\, and remaining 1 Tbsp. pepper in a 9x13x2″ baking dish.Pour oil into a 10″–12″ cast-iron skillet or other heavy straight-sided skillet (not nonstick) to a depth of 3/4″.Prop deep-fry thermometer in oil so bulb is submerged.Heat over medium-high heat until thermometer registers 350°.Meanwhile\, set a wire rack inside a large rimmed baking sheet.Working with 1 piece at a time (use 1 hand for wet ingredients and the other for dry ingredients)\, dip chicken in buttermilk mixture\, allowing excess to drip back into bowl.Dredge in flour mixture; tap against bowl to shake off excess.Place 5 pieces of chicken in skillet.Fry chicken\, turning with tongs every 1–2 minutes and adjusting heat to maintain a steady temperature of 300°–325°\, until skin is deep golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of chicken registers 165°\, about 10 minutes for wings and 12 minutes for thighs\, legs\, and breasts.Using tongs\, remove chicken from skillet\, allowing excess oil to drip back into skillet.Transfer chicken to prepared rack.Repeat with remaining chicken pieces.Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.\n\nNotesRecipe by The Bon Appétit Test Kitchen\, Photos by Mitchell FeinbergNutritional Content: 1 serving contains: Calories (kcal) 616.0 %Calories from Fat 50.4 Fat (g) 35.0 Saturated Fat (g) 8.6 Cholesterol (mg) 180.9 Carbohydrates (g) 23.9 Dietary Fiber (g) 0.6 Total Sugars (g) 2.6 Net Carbs (g) 23.3 Protein (g) 49.5 Sodium (mg) 613.4\n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-11-make-fried-chicken/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191212T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191212T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191212T061242Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220912T160913Z
UID:3670-1576108800-1576195140@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 12: Mail Christmas Cards and Design Gift Tags
DESCRIPTION:Mail Christmas Cards \n\n\n\nGone are the family photo cards. We’ll be handwriting a select few Christmas cards this year and sending them out as we go. Formerly broken hands need rest. So\, yes\, this does take time…. But\, good news! The first batch sails today! I can’t wait to hear the slam of our local post box! \n\n\n\n[And\, can I just take a moment here to honour my friend Maureen\, who has this awesome family tradition of sending out annual greetings on Groundhog Day? Seriously\, M\, this is genius! Your cards are always the best winter light-therapy!] \n\n\n\nAnd Design Gift Tags\n\n\n\nToday\, we’re also going to design some gift tags to attach to our Christmas gifts. This could be as simple as re-using the linoleum blocks we made for our tea-towels on Tuesday or sketching a few holiday mice onto cardstock.  No pressure. We’ll figure it out as we go! Hopefully\, with a plate of Snickerdoodles.  \n\n\n\n[Oh\, dear\, and remember our Gift Tags from 2015? The cutest! Can you tell I’ve been sorting through old Advent posts?]  \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-12-mail-christmas-cards-and-design-gift-tags/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191213
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191214
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191213T061326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191105T125040Z
UID:3672-1576195200-1576281540@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 13: Spooky Santa Lucia
DESCRIPTION:Spooky Santa Lucia\n\n\n\nHold onto your stockings and ignite your candle crowns!  \n\n\n\nIt’s the Feast of Santa Lucia AND Friday the 13th!  \n\n\n\nJinx! \n\n\n\nYou can darn well bet we’re going to have a scary movie situation tonight. I freaked myself out just looking for movie recommendations! Should we try Krampus? Revisit Gremlins? Black Christmas? The Nightmare Before…? Dead End? Rare Exports? or Silent Night\, Deadly Night?  \n\n\n\nAnd should we order delivery just so we can freak out when the pizza delivery person knocks on our door?  \n\n\n\nIf there’s one thing we’re sure of\, it’s dessert: Our Spicy Pepparkakor\, a Santa Lucia tradition. \n\n\n\n	\n	\n	 Print Recipe\n	\n	\n\nPepparkakor : Spicy Ginger Snaps\n\n\n\n\n\n\nServings: 4 dozen cookies\n\nAuthor: Roseanne Carrara\, Smelling Salts Journal\n\n\nIngredientsCookie IngredientsDry2 1/2 c flour [+ up to 1/2 cup more for rolling cut-outs]2 tsp baking soda1/2 tsp salt1 tbs ground ginger1 1/2 tsp cinnamon1/2 tsp clove1/4 tsp allspice1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepperWet1 c butter1/2 inch cube of ginger minced finely via a microplane – OPTIONAL1 c brown sugar1/4 c white sugar1/3 c molasses1 eggOptional Glaze2 + c icing sugar [a.k.a. Powdered Sugar]1 tsp vanilla extracta few drops of food colouring~ 1/3 c milk or juice\nInstructionsCookiesWhisk all of the dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer or in a separate\, larger mixing bowl.OPTIONAL: Beat the butter and fresh minced ginger together until smooth.Beat the [gingered] butter and sugars together until the mixture is light and fluffy.Add the egg and the molasses to the butter mixture\, and beat until combined.With the mixer on low speed or by hand\, add the dry ingredients and mix just until thoroughly dispersed. Divide the soft dough in two. Transfer each half onto a sheet of plastic wrap and form into a disc.Refrigerate the dough for at least three hours [for easy circlets] and from 4- 24 hours\, or until firm\, for cookie cut-outs.Preheat oven to 350°F [180°C].Line cookie sheets with silpat or parchment.*To cut cookies into shapes: Between extremely well-floured sheets of wax or parchment paper\, roll the dough to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. This may take a bit of muscle at first. But\, when the dough becomes pliable\, it will be quite soft\, and you will want to work quickly to cut your shapes. You might prefer to refrigerate or even freeze the sheets of rolled dough on a sheet of parchment on a pan for several minutes before proceeding. You might also wish to work more flour into the dough to make it pliable enough to use your cutters. Then\, cut the cookies into shapes. And\, place 1/2- to 1-inch apart on lined cookie sheets. To make easy circlets: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place the balls about 2-inches apart on the lined cookie sheet. Press each ball into a circlet with the bottom of a glass or a flat-bottomed measuring cup. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes for cutouts\, 9-12 minutes for circlets. The longer the cook-time\, the crisper the snap.Place the pan on a wire rack and cool the cookies on their sheet for 2 minutes.Transfer the cookies to a wire rack by sliding the whole silpat or sheet of parchment over or by using a good\, thin spatula. Cool completely.IcingPlace the icing sugar in a small bowl.Add the vanilla and food colouring and combine well with a fork or whisk.By the tablespoonful\, add the milk or juice until you’ve made an icing of your desired consistency. Some folks prefer a thick\, full colour icing [less liquid] and some folks prefer a drizzle or glaze [more liquid]. I like an opaque but drizzlable slurry. Just be sure to take your time and incorporate each tablespoonful into the sugar before adding more so that you have “total creative control.”Apply thicker icing with a butter knife or icing spatula. Apply thinner icing by dribbling over cookies with a fork or even pouring from a container with a spout.Allow the iced cookies to sit for 15-20 minutes or until the sugar has set.\n\nNotes*I like to bake these cookies on parchment so that I can move them easily from pan to cooling rack. Also\, this makes icing easy\, and cleanup a breeze. [We can recycle the parchment.]\n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-13-spooky-santa-lucia/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191214T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191214T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191214T061500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191214T120012Z
UID:3677-1576281600-1576367940@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 14: Christmas Canning
DESCRIPTION:It’s Christmas Canning Day\n\n\n\nAnd\, last minute UPDATE\, we’ve got a friend coming over who’s never made jam before! So\, grab your cross-back aprons\, folks. It’s going to be a banner day! Rather than run a marathon\, however\, we’ll keep it simple by making one or both of these recipes: Date Chestnut Spread with Orange Flower Water or Carrot Cake Jam.  \n\n\n\nUnless\, of course\, the kids pitch in to make their fave Whisky Fig Cranberry Sauce or my famous Blueberry Bourbon Vanilla Jam …. Oh\, and then there’s the very large bag of summer cherries I just defrosted. Should we ask our guest create their first bespoke jam profile? It’s steamy work\, but I could can all day! \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n	\n	\n	 Print Recipe\n	\n	\n\nDate Chestnut Spread with Orange Flower Water\n\nInspired by Lillie O'Brien's Five Seasons of JamMakes 8-12 quarter pint jars\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIngredients700 g fresh chestnuts [you may wish to prepare more\, as spoilage cannot always be seen until after boiling and shelling]350 g pitted dates [preferably fresh Medjools]800 g white sugar1  tbs vanilla1 tbs  orange flower water1 medium lemon\, juice of [or juice of half of a larger fruit]\nInstructionsPrepare the chestnuts by using a knife or X-Acto to cut a cross in each one.Place them in a pot of boiling water and blanch for 10 minutes.Strain\, and allow to cool for 15 minutes before peeling\, discarding the skins. [The meats will look like tiny brains!]Weigh the chestnuts that survived the shelling. Use half that weight of dates in your jam. Or\, measure a total combined weight of chestnuts and dates to equal 1050-1100 grams.Place the chestnuts and dates in a saucepan.Add just enough cold water to cover and bring to a boil.Return to a simmer and cook for approximately 20 minutes\, until the chestnuts are cooked through\, like little potatoes. The liquid should evaporate or become incorporated into the mixture.Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.Place the mixture in a Vitamix or use a hand blender to form a thick paste.Weigh the mixture. You should have 1 1/3 kilograms or about 1300 grams. [Write down the number of grams if you have more or less.]Measure out your [800 grams of] sugar. [If you have more or less than 1300 grams of puree\, then multiply the number of grams you have by .60 to estimate how much total sugar you will need.] Put the puree and the sugar into a clean jam pan or another heavy-bottomed saucepan.Cook the puree over low heat until the sugar dissolves.Add the vanilla\, orange blossom water\, and lemon juice.Bring to a boil  and cook for 15 minutes\, stirring as much as necessary to ensure the bottom doesn't burn.  Pour or spoon the spread into clean\, sterilized quarter-pint jam jars\, leaving about a quarter-inch headspace. Use a spoon\, skewer\, chopstick or small spatula to get out as many airpockets as possible! You can also try tapping it on the countertop. But be sure to protect your hands from burning.Seal and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. [12 minutes for larger jars.]Allow to cool for 20-30 minutes.Tap the semi-cooled jars on a table or countertop to get more bubbles out. You may not get everything. And the jam will still be fine!Cool completely\, label\, and enjoy!\n\nNotesIt is best to weigh the ingredients as opposed to providing cup measures in this recipe\, as the weight of fruits and nuts may vary\, and spoiled chestnuts can’t always be identified until after they are blanched and shelled. \nThis recipe is just a slight variation from Lillie O’Brien’s Medjool Date & Chestnut Jam from Five Seasons of Jam (Kyle Books\, 2018). \n\n\n\n	\n	\n	 Print Recipe\n	\n	\n\nCarrot Cake Jam [With Bourbon]\n\nYields 12-14 Quarter Pints\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIngredients2 c finely shredded carrots [5 medium]1 c finely chopped peeled apple1 15 oz can crushed pineapple in juice2 tbs lemon juice2 tsp vanilla2 tsp cinnamon1/2 tsp  nutmeg1  1.75 oz package of powdered pectin4 c brown sugar2 c white sugar1 c  flaked or shredded coconut unsweetenedNEW OPTION!1/4 c  Bourbon\nInstructionsIn a large pot\, combine carrots\, apple\, pineapple in juice\, lemon juice\, vanilla\, and spices.*Over medium-high heat\, bring the mixture to a boil\, stirring constantly.Reduce the heat and simmer\, covered\, for 20 minutes\, stirring often.Remove the pot from the burner.Add the pectin by sprinkling over the mixture and stir until dissolved.Place the pot back on the stove.Bring the pot back to a boil over medium-high-to-high heat and add the sugars.Bring the sugared mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes\, stirring constantly.Remove the pot from the heat.NEW: If desired\, Add the bourbon and stir until incorporatedSkim the foam.Stir in coconut.Ladle jam into hot\, sterilized jars\, leaving a quarter-inch headspace.Add lids and rings and process in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes.\n\nNotes*I don’t make this recipe in my copper jam pan\, because I am worried that the high acidity of the ingredients will harm the surface.\nAdapted from from a Better Homes and Garden’s Special Interest Publication\, Canning\n\n\n\n	\n	\n	 Print Recipe\n	\n	\n\nBlueberry Bourbon Vanilla Jam [No Pectin]\n\nYields 6-10 quarter pints\, depending upon consistency\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIngredients8 Cups  Blueberries\, fresh or frozen6  Cups Sugar1/2 Cup Lemon Juice\, bottled\, to control the natural pectin1/3 Cup  Bourbon1/2 Scraped Vanilla Bean\,  [optional if using extract]2  Tsp Pure Vanilla Extract\, [optional if using bean]\nInstructionsPlace the berries\, sugar\, and lemon juice in a large pot\, smash some of the berries with a potato masher (you don’t need to be thorough)\, and allow to sit until the fruits macerate for about an hour\, a bit longer if the fruit is frozen.Add the vanilla bean and/or extract.In a large jam pan or heavy-bottomed pot\, over medium heat\, bring the mixture to a boil.Simmer the mixture over medium-low heat until it reaches 220F\, about 40 minutes.Add the bourbon and stir to incorporate.If desired\, bring the mixture back up to 220F\, about 10 minutes.  [This is not necessary\, but it will cook out some of the alcohol and create a stickier jam.]Remove the jam pan from the heat and skim the foam.Funnel into jars\, leaving 1/4-inch headspace.For long term storage\, seal and process in a boiling-water bath for 10 minutes.\n\n\n\n\n\n	\n	\n	 Print Recipe\n	\n	\n\nWhisky Fig Cranberry Sauce\n\n\n\n\n\n\nServings: 4 Quarter Pints Per Single Batch\n\n\n\n\nIngredientsFor every 12 oz bag cranberries:1/8 to 1/4 cup whisky 3/4 cup apple cider\, apple juice\, or water1 cup brown sugar1/4 cup [50 g] diced dried apricots  [optional]1 cup [8 oz] fresh figs tips and tails removed\, sliced into eighthszest and juice of 1/2 lime or 1/4 lemon [zest will be added towards the end of the process]1/2 to 1 tsp vanilla extract1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon1/2 tsp ginger1/2 tsp cardamom [OPTIONAL]1/4 tsp cloves\nInstructionsIn a large pot over medium high heat\, bring the cider [juice or water] to a boil.Add the sugar and stir until dissolved\, bringing up to a boil [takes about 5 minutes].Add the cranberries and optional dried apricots. [If your cranberries are frozen\, bring the mixture back to a boil before continuing.]Add the quartered fresh figs\, citrus juice\, extract\, and spices\, and return to a boil.Reduce heat to medium low\, boiling gently and stirring occasionally\, until most all of the berries have burst and the liquid thickens considerably. Be sure to stop when the sauce begins to sheet on a metal spoon. [At least 15 minutes. Larger batches take longer. I prefer a jammy sauce\, so I do tend to cook anywhere from 15-55 minutes.]Add the whisky and citrus zest and stir to incorporate.Boil the mixture on low\, again\, stirring occasionally\, until the liquid once again sheets on a metal spoon. Remove from heat. At this point\, the sauce may be ladled into hot sterilized jars and canned using a boiling water bath [leaving .25-in headspace in jars and processing for 15 minutes.]Or\, ladle the sauce into containers\, cool\, seal\, and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.\n\nNotesFeel free to slice your figs ahead of time and freeze them\, too! \n2020 Update: This Christmas\, I added about 1/8 cup of diced candied ginger [per bag of cranberries]  to my most recent batch.\nThis is a new and improved version of the Whisky Fig Cranberry Sauce from my previous website\, The Lunchbox Season. That’s still a great recipe. But\, this one is streamlined and packs more of a punch!\n \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-14-christmas-canning/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191215T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191215T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191215T061400Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191213T211622Z
UID:3674-1576368000-1576454340@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 15: Perform and Record a Classic Radio Play
DESCRIPTION:Perform and Record a Classic Radio Play\n\n\n\nWe did it in 2017\, and we’ll do it again….Tonight\, we’re going to perform and record a classic radio play.  We’ll choose a script\, take a few minutes to divvy up the parts and rehearse our characters’ voices\, and then we’ll hit record on all of our devices. Which play\, then? The Generic Radio Workshop Series has a strong collection of vintage radio scripts. Their collection of Lux Radio Plays\, alone\, is pure magic. Will we perform radio adaptations of the Thin Man\, Philadelphia Story or Little Women? I have a feeling\, eventually\, we’ll do them all! \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-15-perform-and-record-a-classic-radio-play/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/014-Radio-Play-Advent-Calendar-2019-SSJ-blue.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191216T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191216T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191216T060545Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191216T110007Z
UID:3679-1576454400-1576540740@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 16: Glam Cans 2019
DESCRIPTION:Glam Cans 2019\n\n\n\nBack when the kids were young\, we took part in Well Preserved’s Pimp Your Preserves Holiday Contests! We designed our own canning labels and really dolled up our jars with ribbons\, bells\, and even colourful rulers for the kids’ teachers. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWell\, Glam Cans are back\, baby. Today\, we’re going to do some serious label and tag design and sort through our box of dollar-store ribbons\, bells\, and ornaments and get our gifting on. Time to dress up those jars of jam we made on Saturday! \n\n\n\nFor a starter\, last night\, we used some free online printables to make labels for the tops of our jars. What will come next? \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-16-glam-cans-2019/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/016-Canning-Labels-Advent-Calendar-2019-SSJ-alt-green.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191217T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191217T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191217T061738Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191105T184633Z
UID:3681-1576540800-1576627140@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 17: Give to the Daily Bread Food Bank
DESCRIPTION:Food is a human right\, yet 1 in 7 people struggle to find adequate sustenance in our own city. Today\, the family will be putting food in the Daily Bread Food Bank box at our local grocery. And we’ll be donating funds directly at https://www.dailybread.ca/. \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-17-give-to-the-daily-bread-food-bank/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191218T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191218T235959
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191218T061833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220912T161313Z
UID:3683-1576627200-1576713599@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 18: Kringlewood Lights and Inflatables Tour
DESCRIPTION:Kringlewood Tour\n\n\n\nTonight\, we’ll take our annual tour of the 50+ giant inflatable Santas along Inglewood Drive in Toronto. You can read more about the annual tradition here. Kringlewood\, here we come! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-18-kringlewood-lights-and-inflatables-tour/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191219
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191220
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191219T061933Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191105T190628Z
UID:3685-1576713600-1576799940@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 19: Toronto Christmas Market
DESCRIPTION:Toronto Christmas Market\n\n\n\nToday\, the ladies are heading out to Toronto’s Distillery District for our annual luncheon [mom gets a cocktail!] and a loop around the Ferris Wheel. We’ll also tour the booths and shops and pick up last minute Christmas Gifts and Stocking Stuffers. Check out the Toronto Christmas Market for hours and prime-time-only admission rates. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-19-toronto-christmas-market/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/019-Visit-the-Toronto-Christmas-Market-Advent-Calendar-2019-SSJ-pink.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191220
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191221
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191220T062037Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191105T191513Z
UID:3687-1576800000-1576886340@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 20: Dinner and Star Wars
DESCRIPTION:Dinner and Star Wars\n\n\n\nI can’t believe they’re still making these films…..And\, since there’s always a new hope\, we’re still grabbing tickets months in advance. Tonight’s the final installment\, or so we think\, the 9th film in the 3rd of 3 Star Wars trilogies! Between the last piano lessons of 2019 and the movie\, we’ll be hitting one of our favourite local pubs for whatever it is we think best conjures the “Long Ago\, In a Galaxy Far\, Far Away.” \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-20-dinner-and-star-wars/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191221
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191222
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191221T062102Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191105T192141Z
UID:3689-1576886400-1576972740@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 21: Sketch a Winter Window Scene
DESCRIPTION:Sketch a Winter Window Scene\n\n\n\nLast winter\, Bea sketched the snowy view from her bedroom window. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nToday\, we’ll all sit down to sketch a winter window scene\, whether that’s a view from one of our own windows or some other building in the city (the museum\, perhaps?)….or a view into another window\, a toy store\, or a bakeshop\, or a favourite biblioteque.  \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-21-sketch-a-winter-window-scene/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/021-Sketch-Winter-Window-View-Advent-Calendar-2019-SSJ-blue.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191222T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191222T235959
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191222T062207Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220912T161437Z
UID:3691-1576972800-1577059199@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 22: Great Holiday Christmas Cookie Bake Off
DESCRIPTION:The United Bakers on Spadina in Toronto. \n\n\n\nGreat Canadian Holiday Cookie Bake Off\n\n\n\nLast year we had a few rounds of Holiday Cookie Wars\, wherein we tested our favourite recipes up against other recipes we wanted to try. \n\n\n\nToday\, we’re going to do a Holiday Cookie Bake Off in [up to] three rounds\, similar to the Great “National” Bake Off Shows that air here in Canada and Britain.  \n\n\n\nFIRST: The kids will make their favourite cookie from our family recipes or wherever they’d like. And the parents will taste test. \n\n\n\nSECOND: The parents will make the same cookie recipe\, one which they’ve never seen or tried before. And\, the kids will judge them on their proficiency. This year’s recipe will be Bon Appetit’s Black and White and Green Cookies. \n\n\n\nTHIRD: The whole family will get together to make a show-stopper plate of surrealist-inspired holiday sugar or gingerbread cookies or a surrealist gingerbread house! [Whatever that may mean!] \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-22-great-canadian-christmas-cookie-bake-off/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191223T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191223T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191223T062316Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191223T150310Z
UID:3693-1577059200-1577145540@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 23: Reinvent the Bûche de Noël
DESCRIPTION:Reinvent the Bûche de Noël\n\n\n\nOh\, look at sweet sweet Julia throwing icing sugar on her classic yule log cake\, which has already been covered in meringue-mushrooms and lain in a manger of festive laurels. Over the past 7 years\, I’ve made all sorts of Bûches de Noēl: Chocolate Mint\, Chocolate Malt\, Chocolate Hazelnut\, Cannoli\, my odds-on favourite Lemon with Mascarpone\, Gingerbread\, and traditional Chocolate with Coffee Cream.  \n\n\n\nThis year\, we’re throwing out the cake pan and making a yule log of a different sort: an assemblage of chocolate dipped oatmeal cookie ice-cream sandwiches. That’s right. We’re creating the gourmet version of my favourite California ice-cream novelty: the It’s-It ice-cream sandwich. And then we’re sandwiching the sandwiches all together with an easy whipped cream icing for a yule log like never before!  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFind the recipe and construction HERE. \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-23-reinvent-the-buche-de-noel/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191224T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191224T235959
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191224T062418Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220912T161711Z
UID:3695-1577145600-1577231999@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Advent Day 24: Christmas Eve Checklist
DESCRIPTION:Christmas Eve Checklist 2019\n\n\n\n□ START THE BRISKET: For a change\, this year\, we’re skipping the Feast of the Seven Fishes and Making Bon Appetit’s Red-Wine Braised Brisket   \n\n\n\n□ SUPPORT CYSTIC FIBROSIS CANADA \n\n\n\n□ BRISK[ET] MORNING WALK WITH THE DOG! \n\n\n\n□ HOT CHOCOLATE & MORNING HOT TODDIES \n\n\n\n□ COOL AND REFRIGERATE THE BRISKET \n\n\n\n□ TAKE A RIDICULOUSLY LONG NAP \n\n\n\n□ TUNE IN IN TO JON SOLOMON’S  25-HOUR HOLIDAY RADIO SHOW.[5PM DECEMBER 24 TO 6PM DECEMBER 25 ON WPRB 103.3 FM PRINCETON\, NJ\, USA] \n\n\n\n□ TOP UP THE CHRISTMAS COOKIES \n\n\n\n□ PLAN-BY-SKETCHING THE CHEESE BOARD FOR TOMORROW’S CHRISTMAS LUNCH \n\n\n\n□ REHEAT AND SERVE THE BRISKET \n\n\n\n□ SAMPLE THIS YEAR’S BÛCHE DE NOËL \n\n\n\n□ LEAVE COOKIES\, MILK\, AND CARROTS FOR SANTA AND HIS CREW[IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE IN SANTA IN OUR HOUSE\, YOU DON’T GET PRESENTS!] \n\n\n\n□ LATE NIGHT COCKTAILS AND CAROLS \n\n\n\n□ MIDNIGHT MASS \n\n\n\n□ KIDS CAMP OUT IN THE BASEMENT[KEEPING UP THE CRAZY TRADITION THEY STARTED IN 2017.] \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/advent-day-24-christmas-eve-checklist-2/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20191225T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20191225T235900
DTSTAMP:20260524T063331
CREATED:20191225T112516Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191225T225221Z
UID:3697-1577232000-1577318340@www.smellingsaltsjournal.com
SUMMARY:Merry Christmas!
DESCRIPTION:WISHING YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!\n\n\n\nSTAY TUNED FOR OUR NEW YEAR’S EVE MOVIE MARATHON POST!\n\n\n\nIN THE MEANTIME\, HAVE A BROWSE OF ADVENT 2019!\n\n\n\nAdvent Calendar 2019 \n\n\n\nAdvent Love-To-Do List 2019 \n\n\n\n50 Holiday Gift Ideas for 2019 \n\n\n\nThe Posts of Christmas Past: The Lunchbox Season’s 2011-2016 Advent Calendars \n\n\n\nThe Posts of Christmas Past: Smelling Salts Journal’s 2017 Advent Calendar \n\n\n\nThe Posts of Christmas Past: Smelling Salts Journal’s 2018 Advent Calendar \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 1\, 2019: Tree Trimming Party \n\n\n\nFavourite Photo Ornaments\, the 2019 Edition \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 2\, 2019: Design Bookplates \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 3\, 2019: Provide Baby Blankets via Plan Canada \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 4\, 2019: Make Clementine’s Crullers and Write a Holiday Haiku \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 5\, 2019: Family Book Exchange\, The Hardcover Edition \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 6\, 2019: Festive Streaming-Service Binge \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 7\, 2019: Carols\, Cocktails\, and Cookies\, a.k.a. Winterize the Song of the Summer \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 8\, 2019: Holiday Concert and Pinochle Tournament \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 9\, 2019: Make Block-Printed Tea Towels \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 10\, 2019: Donate to Forests Ontario \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 11\, 2019: Make Fried Chicken \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 12\, 2019: Mail Christmas Cards and Design Gift Tags \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 13\, 2019: Spooky Santa Lucia Film Fest \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 14\, 2019: Christmas Canning \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 15\, 2019: Perform and Record a Classic Radio Play \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 16\, 2019: Glam Cans 2019 \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 17\, 2019: Give to the Daily Bread Food Bank \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 18\, 2019: Kringlewood Lights & Inflatables Tour \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 19\, 2019: Visit The Toronto Christmas Market \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 20\, 2019: Dinner & Star Wars \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 21\, 2019: Sketch a Winter Window Scene \n\n\n\nIT’S-IT Style Chocolate Covered Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 22\, 2019: Great Canadian Holiday Cookie Bake-Off \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 23\, 2019: Reinvent the Bûche de Noël \n\n\n\nAdvent Day 24\, 2019: Christmas Eve Checklist \n\n\n\nVIEW THE 2019 ADVENT CALENDAR
URL:https://www.smellingsaltsjournal.com/event/merry-christmas-3/
CATEGORIES:Advent Calendar 2019
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