Monday, January 2, 2012

My birthday and New Year Giveaway!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my friends and followers a very happy New Year, filled with all that is good - love, health, and happiness.  This year, I spent New Year's Eve with my in-laws at their home, together with family, cousins and friends.  We ate dinner, nibbled on desserts, drank and celebrated the first minutes of 2012 together with a champagne toast.  On New Year's day, we had lunch at my parents' home and spent the afternoon together with them. I am thankful to be here, alongside my family and friends, with a clean slate and a fresh start to another year.  I am already making plans for this year and thinking about all that I want to do and make happen. 

A few days before New Year's Eve, Nuno, the girls and I went on a little getaway to Niagara-on-the-Lake to celebrate my 35th birthday!  We left our snowy city of Barrie and drove approximately two hours southwest, to the town of Niagara-on-the-lake (20 minutes from Niagara Falls).

I've celebrated many of my past birthdays in Niagara Falls because it's one of our favourite getaways.  It's far enough away from home, but still close by, and the girls and Nuno are always on holidays this time of year, so it works out splendidly!


Before arriving in N-O-T-L, we stopped off at Niagara Falls to visit one of our favourite shops - the Hershey store!  No visit to Niagara is complete without a stop in here. 




In my bag is a little something for the giveaway. You will see it at the end of this post!


Our beautiful room in the historic
Prince of Wales Hotel

This painting was hanging in our room.  It reminded me of
the girls and I.

 
Shortly after checking in, Nuno and Annabel enjoyed some relaxing time in the room.  Anita and I, similar, the way we are, couldn't wait to get out there and browse the shops.  Here are a couple photos I took along our walk. 

Exiting our hotel



The Cenotaph town clock is located in the centre
of the main road.  It is a memorial built to honor
those who died during World War 1

On our little walk, we went into one of my favourite hat shops
and I bought myself an adorable knit hat with a rose on it.
And in two other shops, I found a couple of other things for my giveaway! 


Once we arrived back at the room, Annabel was already waiting for us, with her swimsuit on




I took this shot of our hotel late at night, after we arrived from
our dinner.  Isn't it beautiful?  This was our first time staying here.  Some of you may remember
 we had a "proper" tea in this hotel last year, in the tea room.  It is incredibly beautiful, inside & out!


On the day of my birthday, we drove across the border into the State of New York.
We had lunch at The Olive Garden in Amherst and browsed one of the huge outlet malls in the area.
We didn't find any better deals on the US side, so we headed back over to our side.


A slice of Tiramisu!  YUM!!


In the evening, hotel staff delivered this beautiful rose to the room.
They did not know it was my birthday, but how fitting!

It was time for dinner, we hadn't made any reservations, so we went out for a walk.  And look...it started snowing...just for me (one of my wishes, by the way)!




We ended up having dinner at Bistro Six One.
I was pleasantly surprised with their food and ended up eating
THE best grilled salmon I've ever had!  I will defintely be stopping
in here again.



On our way back from dinner, we saw this horse and carriage outside
the front doors of our hotel


Breakfast at the hotel restaurant on the morning after








Nativity scene outside of the Trisha Romance Gallery



The Trisha Romance Gallery in N-O-T-L
houses her beautiful paintings and prints!  She's a favourite of mine!



Greaves Jam, where I found one of the giveaway items!



And...one last stop in Niagara Falls before heading home again.



And Now...

My New Year Giveaway...


Everything you see here, I purchased in Niagara Falls & Niagara-On-The-Lake (except for the candle).  You will receive one Hershey's Black Cherry & Almonds milk chocolate bar, one package of 3 assorted dish towels, a 64 ml jar of Greaves pure strawberry jam, and a champagne bucket candle to officially commemorate the start of the New Year! 

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment on this post and become a follower, if you are not one already.  I will enter all of your names in a hat, and my girls will help pull out the winning name on Friday, January 6th!  I will anounce the winner later that day!
Good luck, everyone!

Happy New Year to you all!  Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful first week of the year!
I will be in touch again soon. xo 

16 comments:

  1. Wow, Rosinda, what a wonderful birthday trip! You have such a beautiful family. It makes my heart smile to see the togetherness. That hotel looks lovely...a great way to end the year. Susan XO

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  2. oh, sweetie pie, you look like you had such a wonderful birthday!!! What an elegant hotel!! Just gorgeous!! Love the big Victorian buildings and all decorated for the holidays!! You had some beautiful weather for that area. Seeing the sign for NY makes me a bit homesick...sigh...but maybe not for this time of year :) Don't place my name in the hat, just wanted to let you know I so enjoyed your post!!! Love and hugs, Sherry xxxx

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  3. I so want to go to that hotel! It's beautiful :) the rose is so pretty, what a nice touch.
    Snow for your birthday is absolutely perfect :D
    Tricia Romance... I've been told about her before...I think my sister told me my profile picture on facebook reminded her of one of T.R's plates?? i'll have to double check. What a coincidence you mentioned her.
    so glad you had a nice birthday, Rosinda!
    love,
    Denise of ingleside

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  4. Oh wow did I have a good time on your birthday vacation! That hotel is beautiful--and looks a little like New Orleans with the wrap around balconies. And what a beautiful indoor pool. It really looks like a magical holiday with only one thing missing--the falls! Hmm outlet malls or falls, which to choose.... You all look so darling all bundled up--so fun for me to see. You're lucky to have such a great yearly birthday adventure!

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  5. Happy New Year Rosinda!!!

    I will help spread the news of your blog---I'm so happy you had a wonderful time in Niagra on the Lake---the hotel is beautiful- I know the American side is 'not that nice' as my middle daughter went there a couple of years ago and was so disappointed. I hope your birthday was just magnificent!!

    Here's to a GREAT year!!
    Love,
    Joann

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  6. You certainly know how to have a great get-a-way, it looked wonderful from the shops to the hotel. I love to browse through cute shops whenever I'm in a new town. Perfectly perfect Birthday and you even got your snow!
    xoxox
    Your pictures are so great I feel kinda like I took the trip with you!

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  7. I'm so glad you had a great time. What a beautiful way to spend your birthday with the best gift of all, your family!!! Love you all. Xoxo

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  8. Rosinda,
    What a beautiful post. You didn't miss a thing... I love every word you said. What a Happy family ...I'm so glad to be part of it.
    I love you all. XOXO

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  9. Hello sweetie! As promised...a cup of coffee mid morning (whoops, just seen it's midday!) and a catch up on your wonderful break & birthday! It all looks so darling - love the photos of you and the girls as always...the hotel looks perfect too, and I loved the little details, like showing us your breakfast (always the things I need to know about!) Happiest of New Years to you all...I know that 2012 will be a great year for all of us. I don't need to be in the giveaway - you've given me so much this year already, in gift form and in the way of friendship xoxo love you

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  10. Rosinda, the way you write it`s like fairy tale stories. Everything sprinkled with icingsugar makes you want more and more... Persons like you make the world a better place!!! Keep sharing your fairy real stories!!!!!!!

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  11. As usual I love reading your posts!!! Im really happy to be part of your family! Even though we dont see each other enough, im always happy to see how youre all doing and how the girls are growing more beautiful each day! I loved the Christmas card you sent us with the girls picture in it, thank you so much! Im very happy that youre all doing well, and that you had a great birthday you deserve it!

    Its not the loud ones that change the world, its the quiet ones that just live to bring a smile to someones face that unintentionally do...... thats you. xoxoxo Bela

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  12. It's all so beautiful -- no wonder you love to go there! I'm so glad you had a wonderful birthday, sweetie, and I hope 35 will be your best year yet!

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  13. hey Rosinda, your blog posts are always so amazing i almost feel like I'm on the adventure with you. Well I guess it helps when you have an amazing husband and 2 amazing little princess' to help make every moment even that more special. Keep up the great work, and I can't wait to get my own copy of your cook book soon when it hits shelves. love you guys xoxox

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  14. Boo i had written the first post , and now just came in here and noticed its not here :(. I guess i didnt press send. Love ur bday weekend pics looks like u had an amazing time<3 thanks for the giveaway ur way to generous xo

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  15. What a beautiful birthday!! Not trying to butter you up, but I wouldn't have guessed you were 35~I thought you were in your 20's! ;)

    Love your giveaway~all fun items!!
    :)

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  16. Hello sweetie,
    So nice to read your post about your Birthday trip, it looks like you all had fun and you managed to spend some fantastic quality time with your lovely family in a place that you all adore. Your Birthday sounded and looked special and I am thrilled as you are special too.
    Love Morwenna
    xoxo

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