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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 4/30/12

April 30, 2012

Today is a very special day. It is the day that my wonderful, amazing, caring, loving, awesome, hardworking, thoughtful, manly, handsome, smart, rugged, [insert other synonyms for “amazing” here] boyfriend turns another year older. Happy Birthday, Ben!

To celebrate his birthday, we had a culinary feast of a weekend. On Saturday, we journeyed downtown to the Farmer’s Market at Marion Square, and had chicken, bacon, and honey mustard crepes, as well as 5 spiced pork and ginger lemongrass chicken vietnamese street tacos, which we washed down with freshly squeezed lemonade. It was an amazing brunch, and a gorgeous day. It was really fun watching Ben be so excited by his first trip to the Farmer’s Market. And, as a totally unexepected plus, we both found birthday and mother’s day gifts for our respective parents. It was a fun and productive morning.

Saturday night, I treated Ben to dinner at 39 Rue de Jean (review to come), which I had never been to before. It was delicious, and our waiter was really great, serenading us with a verse from 50 Cent’s “In Da Club” as he brought us our desserts. Ben opened his presents from me at the table while we were waiting for our appetizers. I got him 20-sided fuzzy dice for his car (because he’s a nerd), Auburn University-branded golf balls, a mix CD that I made for him by channeling my inner DJ, and, the pièce de résistance, Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel 1 which he was unbelievably excited about. I’m a really great gift giver (and totally humble, too).

On Sunday, Ben made me french toast for breakfast, which was a surprising treat. I can’t even remember the last time I had french toast. He then took me to dinner at Hall’s Chophouse, which is probably my favorite restaurant in Charleston. It was sinful and delicious, and it makes all other food taste like cardboard. After dinner, we took a romantic stroll through the streets of Charleston, and along the battery, which was adorable and wonderful. We finished up the night by watching the latest episode of Game of Thrones… it was pretty much the perfect way to end a perfect weekend.

Today’s food quote is in honor of Ben’s birthday, and I think it pretty much sums up how a good birthday should be.

“Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words.”
–Plautus

Is it just me, or does dudeman look exactly like Cary Grant?