Christmas Wrap-up, a move and a hair cut

My Christmas this year was so great and I hope yours was as well! My mom and I went to a Christmas Eve candle-lighting service at a local church nearby and it was so moving. We did get cracked up though because the preacher was talking about how back in Joseph and Mary's day, they of course waited to consummate the marriage until after the wedding ceremony. But he accidentally said "constipated" and I thought we were going to DIE! It was hilarious. But we managed to keep it under control. I think even Jesus Himself probably had a little laugh over that one.

I wanted to include a pic of my living room with my white tree. Nevermind the bottom of the tree where I ran out of ribbon.  Ignore that, shall we? ;) Next year, I will prepare better! 

















Lately, I've been on an Italian kick ever since getting Teresa's Skinny Italian cookbook. SO many good recipes in there and so I invited my family over 2 days before Christmas and I made them spaghetti. My mom visited Italy earlier this year and brought me back this apron below, so of course I busted it out that night for them. I don't have a drop of Italian in me, but I can make some jam up spaghetti!

 

My mom's Christmas Day lunch was amaze-zing as always. But of course I forgot to take a picture of her spread. But I did manage to take a pic of the sweet potato salad that I made -recipe courtesy of The Dough Will Rise Again. The only difference is that I used dried cranberries instead of cherries because I had them on hand. It added some great color to the table because if you think about it - stuffing, turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes....they are all so bland in color! So this popped on the table and it tasted delicious. Thanks Christina/Crist for the recipe!

Last but not least, last night I said goodbye to my bestest friend in the world. (on the left) I have known her since we were babies and she is the mom to the sweetest kids in the world. I will miss her like crazy. But fortunately..she is just moving to Charleston! Have I ever said no to a road trip to Charleston? I don't think so. I will miss our mid-week lunches though. Sigh. 





















Totally unrelated though - I got bangs yesterday! (see above) I was so nervous and my stomach was in knots. So far I really like them but it's definitely going to take some getting used to! I wanted to do this in the winter time because I doubt I can rock them in the summer. It's so hot here and sweaty bangs stuck to your forehead is NOT a hot look.

I hope you all have a Happy New Year! I will be doing a 2011 wrap up post soon.

 

My Half Marathon Recap...finally!

I finally recapped my half marathon only a month and a half later! If any of you are interested, you can read it here: http://chasing13point1.tumblr.com/. 

Merry Christmas from my house to yours!

Merry Christmas! Have you finished your shopping? This year I was determined to start early and so I bought 2 items a few months ago. Then I fell off the wagon and never got back on. I did a marathon shopping trip this past weekend and got most of it done. Now the wrapping begins! I got most of my decorating done about a week ago, but my poor tree just got put up this past weekend. Better late than never, right?

Here are just a few photos for y'all:


The wreath in my entrance foyer. My coworker helped me with this and she did a great job.

My "mini tree" and the lights on my outdoor patio.

My white Christmas tree (that sadly needs a bow topper.)Anyone want to make a gorgeous pink bow for me?? I bought some ribbon at Target today and have been watching You Tube videos on how to make one. We'll see.

And last but not least, my little reindeer fur child. Who is not happy in this picture. At. All.



















Merry Christmas, y'all!

Final trip of the year - and it was a BIG one!

My last and final trip of the year was this past weekend....in New Yawk City! We had SO much fun. I honestly can't wait to go back. This was my third trip, but my first time back in 8 years. So needless to say, the city and I had a lot of catching up to do. We mainly did the tourist thing this time as this was my friend and her sister's first time visiting.

I wanted to list every place we visited so I won't forget!

Le Pain Quotidien Restaurant & Bakery
9/11 Memorial
Fanelli's Cafe in SoHo
Times Square
Rockefeller Plaza
Radio City Music Hall
NBC Studies
Staten Island Ferry to see Lady Liberty
Empire State Building
Central Park
St. Patricks Cathedral
Sophia's in Little Italy
La Bella Ferrara Bakery for the most amazing cannolis
Carnegie Deli
Macy's on Fifth Avenue
Eileen's Cheesecake
Cafe Bari in SoHo

I think we were most proud of conquering our fear of riding the subway. Once we did it a few times, we felt like pros. This is definitely the way to get around the city without spending too much money.

Have you visited NY? We are planning another trip very soon. Let me know if any of you have suggestions for where to go on our next visit! We tried to visit Serendipity but there was a 3 hour wait to get in! So we will be making reservations for next time! I've also never been to a Broadway show, so that is on my list to do someday.

Until we meet again NY...I'll miss ya!

My night out with a Real Housewife who likes to flip tables

Thank you for all the comments about my "problem" and for making me feel better about said problem! ha! I did want to mention that I know some people say these types of comments and they do mean well. And I realize that. I've just never heard someone refer to it in that manner before. Like there was something wrong with me. But oh well. Movin' right along as the muppets like to say...

About a week or so ago, a friend of mine and I got to meet a Bravo Real Housewives star! None other than Ms Table Flipper herself! We both just have been big fans of hers, even though this last season she made me want to strangle her a few times. However, I still am a big fan of hers, ingredientses and all.  She spoke for about an hour and answered questions from the audience. For those of you that care, she said that she and Melissa are definitely not speaking right now. And Season 4 just wrapped. From some comments she made, there is obviously a lot of tension still between her and Caroline and Jacquelyn too. But who knows...

Let me tell ya, she is SO nice in person and signed copies of her cookbooks for well over 2 hours. (and yes we waited that long-whew!) I took a picture with her, but I look horrid in it so sorry kids. Not posting it! ha!



















She talked to all her fans in line, took as many photos as you wanted and never made anyone feel rushed. 

I was in the mood for spaghetti last night so I decided to try her "Quickie" Basic Tomato Sauce from her Skinny Italian cookbook last night and it was delicious. I really will never go back to the store bought canned sauce again. This was too easy and too delicious.

Basic Tomato Sauce AKA “The Quickie”
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
One 28-ounce can imported Italian plum tomatoes, broken up, with their juices
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the tomatoes and their juices and the tomato paste. Bring just to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the basil. Simmer to blend the flavors, about 10 minutes. The end.



















Then I grated some fresh parmesan. I have these girls to thank for my now need to grate my own cheese all the time. And while you are visiting them, go ahead and bookmark or subscribe to their site. You'll thank me later.

Then I ate. Delizioso!

 

Apparently I have a "problem"

So the other day one of my coworkers sat down next to me at a company party and struck up a conversation with me. It went something like this... (OCW shall represent obnoxious coworker)

OCW: So, how's it going lately?
Me: Pretty good, you?
OCW: Not bad!
Me: That's great.
OCW: So are you dating anyone?

(usually when someone asks this, they have someone in mind they want to set me up with.)

Me: No, not at the moment.
OCW: Well, why not?
Me: Uh...I don't know. Just haven't met the right guy at the moment I guess. Also been busy lately.
OCW: Well...(wait for it....) ....what are we doing about this little problem?
Me: Excuse me?
OCW: What are you doing to meet people? Don't you WANT to meet someone??
Me: Uh....(still trying to decide if she really said "problem")
OCW: Don't you have hobbies? What are your hobbies? Do you go to church? (always my favorite because that is EXACTLY why we go to church, right?) Make you should take up a class? Maybe...

And CUT. That's when I cut her off and said I was pretty content with my life right now but thanks anyway! And I made a beeline for the spiced punch. 

Seriously. What am I doing about this problem? Are you kidding me? Folks, don't ask single people this. Really. Don't.  I love how people say "problem" like it's something we can fix if only we would just work a little harder. My life is pretty effing fabulous, thank you very much. And I don't need a man to make it fabulous. Would I like to find someone to spend my life with? Sure. But I'm not sitting around crying in my ice cream about it. I'm out living my life. Traveling. Spending time with friends and family. Running half-marathons. I'm a pretty happy girl.

Seriously #2. I don't mind someone occasionally wanting to set me up if you legitimately have someone in mind. I think that's great. But don't make it your job to find me a mate. Really. It's uncomfortable. And most likely I won't hang around you much longer if you do.

Seriously #3. Happy Holidays y'all. My little rant is over. Eat, drink, be merry. Enjoy the holiday madness. Kiss under the mistletoe. Just don't try to get me to kiss your single third cousin from another marriage. Just because he's single (unless he looks like Clooney, then I'm down.)