Christmas Archives - Valerie Moss

March 20, 2021April 5, 2021

100th Episode: I Cast a Spell on The Moon – e100p4s3

episode 100 part 4 season 3

Hey everyone, it’s Valerie here in this second to last episode we are diving into authors and great books, more Valerie’s and truffle popcorn…my side hustle into Audiobooks, whiskey samplers, and an introduction to my new theme…which is still so fitting EAT READ and CREATE…enjoy this episode

Episode 63&64&65 – Clare C. Marshall wrote Sparkstone Saga A collection of books set in Alberta everyone has special powers and Clare, read for us with her amazing spirit and up beat attitude she was so fun to interview! A 3 part episode.

Episode 66&67& 68 – Valerie Flexual This was a 3 part show, and man did we have fun, she’s is such a neat person, with a larger than life persona – her IG has like 20,000 pictures – she bares all, cleans up the earth every. single. day. and is so genuine.

Episode 69 & 70 – Truffle Popcorn, and my choice is better! One day while I was working away…I missed lunch and my friend Jenny brought me a plate of this popcorn…the rest is history. Join my hubby and I on our day date to this place, Sauce!

Episode 71 – You Don’t Need to Be Like Them Another interview with an incredible Valerie, she’s honest and passionate about helping people – all part of my Valerie Segment. She believes in people helping people.

Episode 72 & 73 &74 – Whiskey Samples & the God’s Chair a mountain and a book Interview with Constance Varga and her incredible book, The God’s Chair…about a boy who turns 16, & a girl Hanna, set in Transylvania…we read, we sample some old whiskeys and enjoy this mystical story. 3 part episode.

Episode 75 – When the Moon hit’s your eye like a BIT pizza pie… a great pizza joint and nice day with my fam jam in Inglewood – worth a stop! Disco ball and black and white movies playing on a projector – lots of stairs to climb and good food.

Episode 76&77 – Valerie Valdivia, Uncanny This Valerie fits into my Valerie Segment perfectly because she’s so creative with her drawings, she drew a perfect sewing mouse complete with a thimble top hat…she’s worth the listen, 2 part episode.

Episode 78 – Chants – Spells and Witches One of my first audio books, Wicca for Beginners, I loved learning all about the myths, paganism and this nature based religion…like Halloween was originally call Sanheim, great listen.

Episode 79-80-81 – Secret of the ‘V’ This was a 3 part episode where I sit down with an old client turned friend, Valora Douglas to talk about being Vals’ – her fancy girly room, her books and more!

Episode 82 – Ornaments – Recipes – Chain Letter! The close of Christmas for 2019, new traditions like tree ornaments, I wrote a chain letter but didn’t get it back…worth- a try, my favourite recipes from The Best of The Best and more cookbook…and a trip!

What did you think of part 4 of this look back isn’t it fun to get to know the Valerie’s – me dabbling into this audiobook world, interviewing local authors and their stories to tell, I just loved this part…so many good memories sort of like an audio scrapbook…

Next week, for our final part, we are closing in on the final 20 shows of my podcast the newest shows, shows that you likely still remember hearing me tell these stories…my new theme, giveaways, interview with a famous Writter and more…

Follow Me:

Website @ ValerieMoss.ca

Instagram @ValerieJMoss

Facebook @VSMoss

YouTube @ValerieJMoss

Pinterest @VJMoss

The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

Stay Tuned for the next season, season 3 on Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss from Studio 17

March 18, 2021March 7, 2021

100th Episode: A Taxi Through the Mountains – e100p2s3

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episode 100 part 2 season 3

Hey everyone it’s Valerie here, for todays episode as we continue to count up to our 100th episode is about a fallen officer, summer camps, this is when I start into the background recordings, my life in signs, a milestone birthday, a podcast winner and more, enjoy todays part 2 of 5 episode…

Episode 21 – Calgary Summer Camps for a 6 yo For all of you parents out there – this is a great go to article pre-covid obviously for summer camps & top pick for our house is….

Episode 22 – Calgary’s Lodgepole Pine, PinusContorta This episode is about Calgary , Alberta’s local forests more specifically PinusContorta – that’s a mouthful!

Episode 23 – Calgary Pay Attention This quick segment is discussing Calgary languages first English, second is…? What language do you speak?

Episode 24 – Calgary History: William (Bill) Shelever 1977 This was a true group project using voices from other people to make this story come alive. Another top post I’m extremely proud of – this falling officer, new baby in his young wife’s tummy & a prisoner in the end who wants conjugal visits.

Episode 25 – behind the Shelever Episode Rookie Cop Shot and how many podcaster voices make this story come to life and where they came from – that made this previous episode happen – such a great collection of talent showcasing an important subject matter.

Episode 26 – Review: Ten, 5 & Humanity A lingering Episode why? Because of a man, down on his luck, with his special orange rock, a vegetarian go to family style restaurant with an even nicer washroom and the kindest act of Humanity!

Episode 27 – Vsquared Promo Take One A great go to for first time listeners, we answer the Why’s, questions about the Calgary weather, Interviews with Wardens, expatriates, crime and being summoned…Anything here sound delicious to listen to check it out!

Episode 28 – Compass? Which Way! UGH are you like me and you have no honing device a fun episode where we talk about internal compass.

Episode 29 – New Podcasts for U Where it’s a series or a story told over a few episodes or something like NPR this is a great list of some of my favs. A small down full of Dicks and serial crime with a little Helen Gimlet uncovered. A great go to for the best podcasts.

Episode 30 – Signs Signs Everywhere is signs My entire career is based on signage and here’s the one project that changed me, the international wing of the Calgary International Airport or the IFP Project.

Episode 31 – Merry Christmas A personal Christmas story about my childhood, with the two side of my family after divorce – made my auntie smile, can you hear the fire place crackling and the people chattering, I can… Merry Christmas from me to U!

Episode 32 – Vegas Baby! A first getaway after becoming parents, a milestone birthday and our 17 Anniversary, a dogs tail remains safe and a 20’ doll comes to life! (Artwork Updated)

Episode 33 – Pure Vietnamese Kitchen I love Vietnamese food, why? Because who doesn’t like a great bowl of soup with the freshest ingredients, this is my families favourite place for Vietnamese!

Episode 34 – Friends What does it mean to have a true friend, trust and loyalty and savouring the moment of this person – Amber!

Episode 35 – Mental Health Podcast Challenge I won an award for this write up, it was true and honest and I believe we all go through bouts of mental health challenges – if you never feel low or sad, you don’t get to enjoy true happiness as you don’t have a comparison!

Episode 36 – TMT: Calgary Scottish Roots Or should I say Calaghearridh, meaning pasture by the bay, and where Calgary got her name!

Episode 37 – Loco Parentis: Student vs Institution In this episode I discuss the role the schools play on behalf of parents – they act as a parent to our children, this is the trust we place on teachers and schools, is this line blurry? (Artwork updated)

Episode 38 – Concrete at The Glenbow A cast cement art piece representing our Calgary, Alberta heritage, oil, wheat, cowboy hat and chinook arch.

Episode 39 – Taxi! This is when I started to play with recording backgrounds and using this in my shows…this was such an interesting conversation with a Taxi Driver from Pakistan and his family story, yes we discuss OBGYNs.

Episode 40 – Activities for Kids & Parents In this episode I talk about group sports with kids and parent as London and I started taking karate together – and boy was this successful.

Episode 41 – Banff Mountain Getaway One thing about me is, I love the mountains, love the sun on my face and the snow all around me, I love to walk in the snow…here’s a trip we took through the mountains of Banff, which is about an hour and a half from where we live, lucky right?

So what did you think about part 2, it’s been amazing to go back and revisit these shows, so much I’ve learned about myself (love the winters) and about this great city that I’ve put down some serious roots. My favourite episode about humanity and the man with his orange rock, the dogs safe tale, our chinooks and more – all links to this shows of course in the show notes along with updated episode artwork.

Follow Me:

Website @ ValerieMoss.ca

Instagram @ValerieJMoss

Facebook @VSMoss

YouTube @ValerieJMoss

Pinterest @VJMoss

The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

Stay Tuned for the next season, season 3 on Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss from Studio 17

December 24, 2019January 29, 2021

Ornaments – Recipes – Chain Letter! – e82s1

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

episode 82 season 1

Welcome back for this Christmas special episode. Giving thanks, setting goals and a personal story.

Me, Valerie Moss and my special person London sharing a moment after decorating is completed! — Me, Valerie Moss and my special person London, Merry Christmas Everyone!

This year when we my hubby Jeff and I were discussing Christmas and where to spend it, we planned a trip to Mexico before the holidays, which I will share after when we get home. We were sitting around discussing this and Christmas is such a different time of year for me, When I was a kid I loved getting together and being with family – like emmersed in and around family, being busy with family. Since growing up and having a family of my own it’s just different. London, my eight year old made me feel so good…as we were discussing plans for the holidays and possibly heading out of town for Christmas Day…she said,” Mom, I like being home, I like when you decorate the house with your Christmas quilts, I like opening my gifts and stocking up here” Man do kids every make you feel good. This did it we are staying home and for once I’m looking forward to it on a big scale.

What are you doing for Christmas? Who do you like to be with and what do you like to celebrate. Do you have special baking. Special Songs and movies that get you in the spirit? Is it playing the Yule log on Netflix while reading a good book in bed, like The God’s Chair?

New Traditions Anyone?

Christmas Tree Ornaments

here’s the hand pressed paper used for the back, it’s parchment and has little designs

Love the layering, coffee sleeves, stickers, parchment and scrapbook paper, plus the hanging strap!

This year I started a new tradition, well only made it once so far BUT it’s a keeper…so before I tell you what I did I’m going to tell you what I’ve done in the past. At the beginning of the school year, London gets school pictures like most of the kids – typically I send these out in a Christmas card with a note. Well once the kids get older they like to help with everything and now that London and read and write she’s helping with this also.

So, I made her write a family list of names for the cards but instead of cards we made ornaments with her school photos. I used parchment paper, stamped with live flowers and pinched in certain ways creating designs like flowers, as the backing. I have these little cardboard frames, I collect coffee sleeves to use in scrapbooking, batches of Christmas stickers and started to layer and play with this. Check these out! they turned out so well. London write a small note telling almost all of the recipients that they were awesome and she loved them in her amazing 8 year old hand writing. Stuff these into an envelope and sent these off.

Christmas Chain Letter

First Swain Chain Letter - I wonder if this is going to work? — Christmas Chain Letter, starting with my letter, and instructions for the next people

The other thing I did was create a Christmas chain letter…I know right? I had this idea, I wanted to have the feeling of family as when I was a child I loved having my Auntie Kathy’s home to go to surrounded by my moms side of 5 siblings plus their kiddies and my dads side 7 siblings plus their spouses and kiddies at Christmas. So, since this doesn’t happen anymore I thought we should do a chain letter…this is how it worked:

Don’t forget to include details and your love note to YOUR Family!

First, I wrote a note with instructions (you read my letter, you write your note and update all of the family on your best things, then I wrote my letter, along with the instructions then I inserted blank paper and stamps to help encourage the next person to write their note, include it with mine and send it to the next family member. I included a list of people/family aunts uncles and cousins for ideas. At the end, send back to me (my address included) and I’d post this on socials for all to see…What do you think? Have you done something like this before? I’ll let you know how it goes.

My Top 5 Christmas Recipes

Best of Bridge Cookies, Mona’s Mother’s Mother’s Best Friend’s Favourite ( I add coconut and oatmeal)
Best of Bridge Cookies, Whipped Shortbread (I’ve made these with cinnamon chips, and also with rice flour and whole wheat flour as well as the traditional all purpose flour)
Jeff Moss, Chocolate Drop Cookies
Poppy Cock
Oakhart Rum and EggNog – the only eggnog that.I like is by Lucerne sold at Safeway only.

Best of the Best: my GO-TO guide for good meals

Chocolate Drop Cookies (haystacks) one of my traditional favourites! — Chocolate Drop Cookies – I love a receipe in someone’s else hand writing

Poppy Cock — Got this one off Food.com and it’s a keeper

Whipped Shortbread, one of the best shortbread cookie recipe out there! — This recipe I’ve been making for 20 years, always a good one, soft and powdery cookies

A new find this year and it is a well worth it try - give it a go! — Only tried this one for the first time this year – an excellent cookie!

Moving into the new year, there’s a few things that I’m changing on the show first I want a theme so for 2020 my theme is going to be: Hobbies and Food with a focus on passion. Instagram @ValerieJMoss Pinterest @VJMoss Facebook @ValeriesVarietyPod

The music for this show is performed by London Moss, as previously she recorded for my show last year, she again is my background for this show. I’m in awe of her confidence at such a young age to feel open and courageous to be on a microphone singing her heart out. She feels proud and I’m definitely proud of her.