Wednesday, November 30, 2011

A Few of My Favorite Things (2nd Year)- #4

Boston Overnight with Mum!

We have not been able to make this special trip every year, however, when we do, we truly live it up!  It has become one of our favorite traditions at Christmas time.


This picture was from our trip in 2009.  We did not go last year because Rob had lost his job.  Our trip got cancelled back in 2007 because of a snowstorm.  So prior to this trip, we had gone in 2006.

The picture above was from breakfast at Pairings which was right inside our hotel- The Boston Park Plaza Hotel.  The night before, we enjoyed some serious bar hopping where we partook in cocktails and apps.  Our destinations included The TAJ Hotel bar, The M Bar at the Mandarin Oriental and Bar 10 at the Copley.  We do know how to live it up.

Further back, in 2006, we stayed at what was The Meridian and is now The Langham.  We crashed some corporate holiday party which was fun.  Earlier in the night, we had dinner and drinks around the city as well.

Some of the other wonderful places we have stayed included the Marriott Long Wharf, Copley Place Marriott, and The Fairmont at Copley Plaza.

Some of the fantastic dining destinations we have encountered have included Davio's, Maggiano's, Mistral and Limoncello's

We are returning to the big city this year again and I cannot wait to see what is in store for us!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A Few of My Favorite Things (2nd Year)- #3

My Mom's Christmas Stolen


 

Our traditional Christmas breakfast consists of this doughy...fruity bread on which we spread jam or butter.  My mom works so hard to make this delicacy every year...I remember eating it for as long as I can remember!  Enjoy my friends :)

 

 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 5 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ounce active dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup candied citrus peel
  • 1/2 cup candied cherries

Directions

  1. Scald milk. Add sugar, butter, and salt, and cool to lukewarm. Add 2 whole eggs, and 2 yolks. Mix.
  2. Add to 3 cups flour and yeast in food processor. Process and let rise until double.
  3. Add cardamom, raisins, citron, and cherries, and rest of flour. Process and put on floured board and knead. Let rise in greased bowl.
  4. When risen, cut into 3-4 pieces. Roll each into an oval, butter, and fold in half lengthwise. Put on greased baking sheet, cover, and let rise until double.
  5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 25 minutes.
  6. Remove to rack. When cool, frost with white butter frosting and decorate with candied cherry halves and sprinkle with colored sugar.

Monday, November 28, 2011

A Few of My Favorite Things (2nd Year)- #2

OPI's New Glittery Nail Polish Line Inspired By The Muppets!



In honor of the new Muppets movie, OPIS has released 12 limited-edition nail colors inspired by your favorite furry friends!

The collection includes classic and deep reds, two metallic shades and a slew of glittery polishes, including rainbow, red, purple, pink, blue and a "kermy-like" green!

In classic OPI form, the names are just as bedazzling as the colors themselves!  For instance: “Excuse Moi! Ahem! This pink glitter has something to say!” and “Gettin’ Miss Piggy With It! Red glittery fun for everyone!"


Here is what they look like!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

A Few of My Favorite Things (2nd Year)- #1

The Crazy Target Lady



Don't you love her?  She really kills me!
My favorite commercials were the ones that Target just ran before their 2 day sale- here is the link for my favorite one which I already posted - she was getting in shopping shape- Crazy Target Lady


and here is the latest commercial.....




 


Saturday, November 26, 2011

It Has Been 20 Years...and Sometimes It Feels Like Yesterday

Last night was my 20 year high school reunion...it wasn't something I was super excited about.  As I told Rob, if it were my college reunion, I would have run there and a week early!

Anyway, It was a fun night and I got to hang with my cheerleader girls again and some other friends and had a good time. My hubby is the best sport and actually enjoyed himself as well.

Here are a few pics

















 

Friday, November 25, 2011

Weekly Gratitude





I am thankful for the "Diehards"

I am thankful for Ramona Quimby

I am thankful for a great team

I am thankful for a supportive family

I am thankful for a wonderful Thanksgiving Eve with a full house of kiddos...the success of new recipes and DVR!

I am thankful for quality time with the kiddos and an awesome Turkey Trot!

I am thankful for family love and an epic Thanksgiving
I am thankful for online only Black Friday Deals- score!

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things (2nd Year)



Last year, I shared with you my favorite things surrounding Christmastime.  It was such a fun project for me as it made me stop and truly think about my family traditions that I grew up with as well as the new traditions I have started with my family...and all of the things I have passion for especially this time of year.
I am sharing the condensed list with you here...each item/memory/act has a built in link in case you want to look back at last year's post....

Enjoy!



These Are A Few of My Favorite Things



































My Most Favorite Thing Kindness



and stay tuned for my new 2011 Project List...Can't Wait To Do This Again!

Tis the Season- I LOVE the Target Woman!! (hysterical)

Pause the Music Player on the Right Before Playing This Awesome Video

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

It was a wonderful celebration and day of thanks.  We started celebrating last night when all the kiddos were at home...Ally home from college....Kayla staying over...Zack had Bernadette come over and I cooked for the troops...we had some laughs sharing Zack's baby stories and enjoyed Modern Family and Parenthood (on DVR of course)...I thought to myself...I am so in my happy place...everyone home...I am feeding them and we are laughing...laughing...laughing

This morning we started our day with the Windham Turkey Trot...awesome way to start the holiday...quality fam time...fresh air...great exercise...with our Windham peeps.  The DiPrimas as always were awesome, letting us park at their house...and it was so nice to see them on this holiday and have some laughs...again so grateful we met them!

Here is our fam picture that Alice took for us!

and this is a pic I took of them and their friends...missing from photo is their son CJ who was waiting for his buddy...we did get to see him to say hello before we took off though!


and here is Chuck modeling his 2011 Turkey Trot Tee...he absolutely kills me!


After the trot, we reluctantly bid the kiddos farewell so they could go join their mom and her boyfriend and families for dinner up in Sunapee.  We got ready and headed to Mimi and Papa's in Stoneham for an Epic Thanksgiving.  I don't know if we have ever eaten more and everything was simply delicious!

We started with appetizers with some wine: My warm blue cheese and bacon dip, Mimi's warmed brie with cranberry chutney and Mimi's famous stuffed mushrooms

Then our first course was: Mimi's homemade pumpkin soup and wild green salad with cranberries and goat cheese

The big kahuna (Thanksgiving Dinner) included all of these wonderful components:
Roasted Turkey, Traditional Bread Stuffing, Brioche Stuffin Muffin Cups, French Pork Stuffing, Green Beans, Squash, Sweet Potato and Pecan Bake, Butternut Squash Souffle, Candied Corn, Peas and Mushrooms, Mimi's Onions and Cream Sauce, Auntie's Vegetarian Stuffing, Uncle's Cheese and Nut Loaf, Rolls, Croissants and Mimi's Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Wait...that wasn't it!

What was for dessert you ask?

Mimi's Lemon Meringue Pie, Mimi's Cheddar Maple Apple Pie, Colossal Cookies, Molasses Cookies, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Balls

Yep...Food Coma....and the cleanses shall begin!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!