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15 Reasons My Christmas Break Was Awesome

January 5, 2013

It’s been over 2 weeks since I actually sat down to write something for the blog, and this just is unacceptable. To make up for my utter lack of motivation and drive to do anything over the holidays except eat, drink, and sleep, I present…

Highlights Of My Christmas Season

1. Rocked An Awesomely Ugly Sweater

Blue Ion Christmas Party was “Cheesy Sweater Themed.” Nailed it.

I feel no shame in admitting that I'd gladly and unabashedly wear that sweater year round.

I feel no shame in admitting that I’d gladly and unabashedly wear that sweater year round.

2. Baked Up Storm With My Mother

What would Christmas be without Christmas cookies? Not nearly as exciting, that’s for sure. And my mother and I definitely did our part to make sure Christmas was chock full of sweet, sugary, chocolatey goodness. Snowballs, chocolate chip biscotti, Reese’s peanut butter cup cookies and a giant apple pie (not a cookie, I’m just saying, we went a little crazy).

Peanut buttery delight

Peanut buttery delight

3. Decided that I eventually want to move to Atlanta.

“Why?” you might ask. Well, Atlanta’s got everything: great ethnic food, awesome shopping, ridiculous traffic, and Sean and Christine, so really the better question is “why am I not already there?”

4. Received the COOLEST APRONS EVER

My mom hand-sewed these 4 awesome Harry Potter-themed aprons (one representing each house). Apparently they took her forever to make. When I suggested she make more and sell them online, she started laughing maniacally and rocking back and forth in the fetal position.

Reppin' Ravenclaw, as per usual

Reppin’ Ravenclaw, as per usual

5. Got Some Homemade Queen Of The Food Age Swag!

Ben commissioned his Mom to hand paint this awesome Pilsner glass for/from my blog, and totally blew me away.

Queendom becomes me.

Queendom becomes me.

6. Cried Like A Baby During The “Leverage” Finale

I know they’re not real people, and I know it’s super cheesy, but I still cried. It wasn’t pretty.

I'm really going to miss you guys

I’m really going to miss you guys. Especially you, Hardison.

7. Made My Mom Cry With My Awesome Gift Giving Skills

My brother and I collaborated to make these three pretty hilarious recreations of photos from our childhood.

Basically, I'm the best daughter ever.

Basically, I’m the best daughter ever.

8. Proved That Girls CAN Be Handy!

I made these two really awesome gifts for Christine (book worm book case) and my brother (beer pong/portable ping pong table). I’M AMAZING.

Can She Build It, YES SHE CAN!

Can She Build It, YES SHE CAN!

9. Spun Around Under The Tree At Marion Square

Lauren came to visit, and we did our annual Christmas Extravaganza–presents, and drinking, and Christmas lights–and spun around under the big tree in Marion Square… I love Christmas!

This picture makes me dizzy.

This picture makes me dizzy.

10. Dipped A Bunch Of Stuff In Chocolate

When I went to visit Ben’s family after New Year’s Day, his mom had us do this really fun food craft project, which involved dipping pretzels sticks in chocolates while Ben’s brother serenaded us. Then we ran out of pretzels and went a little crazy, dipping potato chips and orange slices in chocolate, too.

Food crafts are my favorite kind of crafts.

Food crafts are my favorite kind of crafts.

11. Took My Nerdiness To A Whole New Level

Lauren bought me Star Trek Settler Of Catan for Christmas. Yes, you read that right. STAR TREK. I don’t even care that it’s the nerdiest thing ever, it’s freaking awesome. I played it probably ten times over break. We even got Christine to play (after we plied her with some delicious wine), and even she had to admit it was fun.

Even *they* think it's a little much.

But, hey, at least it’s not Magic: The Gathering, right?

12. Became a Home Depot Expert

Helped my mom redesign our house after it flooded. Pretty sure I’ve looked at more paint samples in the past 2 weeks than most people see in their entire lives.

Turns out, there are WAY MORE than 50 shades of gray.

Turns out, there are WAY MORE than 50 shades of gray.

13. Refused To Kiss Jason Sudeikis

Ok, so this one TECHNICALLY only occurred in my imagination. I had a dream that Jason Sudeikis of SNL fame was super into me and was making some moves. Dream Me was super loyal to Ben, though, and refused to cave into Mr-Sudeikis-Of-My-Dreams’ advances. Dream Me is kind of dumb, because real life me would have totally gone for it.

Don't worry, Ben would totally make out with JS too, so it's all good.

Don’t worry, Ben would totally make out with JS too, so it’s all good.

14. Watched Way Too Many Movies

The Hobbit (twice), 5 Year Engagement, Star Trek, Pitch Perfect (three times), Love Actually, Ted, Looper, Men in Black 3, and The Muppet Movie. Not to mention 4 episodes of Dexter, and about 8 episodes of Duck Dynasty (aka my new favorite show). If you haven’t seen Pitch Perfect yet, go see it. It’s hilarious.

15. Kept That Drunken Promise I Made 2 Years Ago.

Two year’s ago at New Year’s Eve, I promised 2 of my best friends that we’d always spend New Year’s Eve together (followed by Sean’s delicious Hoppin’ John and Collards on New Year’s Day). We’ve successfully carried on that tradition for one year so far, so we’re pretty much set for life.

Chilled glass of champagne, baked brie, good friends, what more could you ask for?

Chilled glass of champagne, baked brie, good friends…what a way to start 2013!

Quote of the Week

Quote of the Week 12/24/12

December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas Eve! I’m so excited for tomorrow! I hope everyone gets everything on their Christmas lists! I, personally, am more excited to see peoples’ reactions to the gifts that I got them. I’m so excited I can hardly contain it!

This week’s quote comes from the Christmas episode of the kooky British sitcom Blackadder, and I think describes Christmas pretty accurately.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

“I trust Christmas brings to you its traditional mix of good food and violent stomach cramps.”

— Ebenezer Blackadder (played by Rowan Atkinson)

You kind of have to watch it for it to make sense... and even then it doesn't really make much sense

You kind of have to watch it for it to make sense… and even then it doesn’t really make much sense

Recipes

Mexican Chocolate Cookies

December 24, 2011

So, for Santa this year, I decided to branch out from my usual Place-and-Bake-Sugar-Cookies-With-Holiday-Shapes for Santa and make something different. I figured Santa would probably appreciate a little variation.

Not this year, Dough Boy.

Not this year, Dough Boy.

After some searching online, I found a nifty looking recipe for a spicy chocolate cookie, which I used as a starting place to creating my own recipe. Since my mother has a self-diagnosed gluten allergy, I tried to keep the cookies gluten-free, but also still delicious. I think I succeeded, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see how much Santa enjoyed them before I make a final judgement.

Santa’s feeling a little spicy this year

Ingredients:

  • 1 heaping 2/3 cup chocolate, coarsely chopped (I recommend dark chocolate, but if you only have milk chocolate on hand, that will work, too, just cut the sugar down by 1/4).
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • non-stick aluminum foil

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl; microwave at HIGH 1 minute or until almost melted, stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
  3. Combine almond and coconut flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, black pepper and red pepper in a small bowl and whisk together.
  4. Combine sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 3 minutes).
  5. Add egg to the sugar mixture and beat well.
  6. Add cooled chocolate and vanilla; beat just until blended.
  7. Add flour mixture; beat just until blended.
  8. Drop dough by level tablespoons 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with non-stick foil (if you don’t like non-stick foil, you can just spray the bottom of the pan with a non-stick spray).
  9. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until almost set. Remove from oven. Cool on pans 2 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooking.
  10. Sprinkle the cookies with cinnamon sugar. I dusted them with a bit of red pepper, just to accentuate the spiciness.
Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice (And by "everything nice" I obviously mean "CHOCOLATE")

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice (And by “everything nice” I obviously mean “CHOCOLATE”)

Hoping everyone has a safe and satisfactory Christmas tomorrow! And to my non-Christmas-celebrating-friends, enjoy your regular, non-special Sunday!