Christmastime at Home

I was lucky enough to take a really long break at home in Maryland this year for Christmas. I got to see almost everyone I had been missing, albeit for not nearly long enough. Thanks to everyone for making time to see me!

 

First up was a Christmas Eve rondevous with the Devines to meet Kelli's baby, Gregory. I, of course, did not remember to get a pic of him before he went to sleep, but here is his mama and I:

Christmas day with all the Bourne cousins:

Christmas day with the fam:

Christmas day with Grandpa and Grandma:

Then, I was able to drive up to NJ to see Christine, Ben, Abby, the Noodle, and all the Furgiones! Here is Abby, Teeners and I having fun with my new iPhone camera:

 Favorite niece!

 

 My Noodle!

Extra bonus: Kait was in AC with her fam so we went over to have some lunch with her, Chris, and Camden (due March, yay!):

All of us ladies in Atlantic City after lunch:

After NJ, I was able to make a trip into the city to see my fave lifeguards, but I haven't seen any pics from Miss Grace, so I'll have to add to this post soon! So happy to see everyone for the holidays, miss you all already!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party 2012

After a 3 year hiatus, I went to Duck’s Ugly Christmas sweater party again this year. As always it was a great time with Apogee home brew, white elephant gift exchange, and of course ugly Christmas sweaters. I had planned on wearing one of my Mom’s exquisite Christmas sweaters that I borrowed (permanently) a few years back, but it ended up being about 75F that night so I opted for my Christmas tee. If you don’t get the reference you need to check yourself.

Me with the lovely couple that took the One Direction Biography book that I had won in the White Elephant gift exchange off my hands (she has a young daughter, not terrible taste in music):

Me with the hosts!

Merry Christmas!!

Home for the Holidays

This year I had an amazing break at home with fam and friends. It was my longest vacation to date and I loved every minute of it! I spent a lot of time with the fam at the Blue Wind, easily their favorite restaurant/ wine bar in The County. You should definitely make it a part of your to-do list if you ever find yourself visiting St. Mary's County, MD. On one of our many visits we ran into the Devines (also frequent guests of the Blue Wind), including my friend, Kelli, from high school. She got married awhile back and I haven't seen her recently, but she's pregnant! So adorable!

I love being at my parents' house for Christmas because my Mom somewhat loses her mind decorating for this holiday. The house is primarily painted in red, green, and navy anyways so it really lends itself to Christmas decorating. Here are a few snapshots of the trees my Mom had scattered throughout the house:

Another welcome attraction at my parents' house is their dog, Gracie. She loves me. I may buy her affection with scraps and continuous petting, but whatever. This is her 'wtf woman, why aren't you petting me' face:

 Gracie's Christmas present from Baloo and I:

It was a santa rope toy with squeakers, win:

 This is her favorite sleeping/ being pet position:

Love her. And of course, I get to see alllll the fam. Here is a pic of me with the grandparents on Christmas Day:

As always we went on our yearly trip into DC to visit the museums with my Grandma. This year we went to the Freer Gallery and made a quick dash into the insanely packed Natural History Museum to see a new mummy exhibit. Here are my favorite pieces from the exhibits:

From the Freer Gallery, I found shrek! aka a Ritual Ewer from 1200-1100BEC China:

Fittings in the form of tigers, Shaanix province 900BCE:

From the Natural History Museum: A mummy of an Egyptian Divine Bull:

Inner coffin of Tentkhonsu:



My sister, Jesse, goes to trivia at a nearby bar on occasion with her friends and their parents. We had a kids vs parents duel and we may have lost, but it was tons of fun all the same. The parents got first place in the whole place (my Dad is a wealth of minute detailed information) and won $50!

And towards the end of my vacation I was able to visit my childhood friend, Alison, and her new baby, Reagan! A real cutie! So glad I could meet her.

I had the best time at home and I miss everyone already. Can't wait for my next trip back East!

Steph's Christmas Party

Before the holidays rolled around, Steph had her Christmas party at her house. I particularly had a great time because it's one of the only times when most of my friends are in one place. They tend to resist the co-mingling until ample beverage consumption has occurred, but it's great fun all the same. Here are some shots from the evening:

Posing by one of many Christmas trees:

 Steph and I with Ryan, all matching in green:

 Cake vodka shots topped with alcoholic whipped cream, try it!:

 Steph with er brother by another Christmas tree:

 Me with the hostess:

 Dave's sister visiting for the weekend:

 Some of the ladies:

 And some dudes:

Merry Christmas!

St. Arnold's Christmas Pub Crawl in Rice

Phew, I've got quite the jam of posts here to get published. Last month I went on yet another awesome St. Arnold's pub crawl through Rice Village. It hit all the usual spots: BW3s (which I missed), Gingerman, Brian O'Neill's, and Baker St. Great times were had by all (even those drinking marshmallow vodka and not beer) and we capped the day with Lights in the Heights. Which, is basically when a street in the Heights decorates the crap outta their houses for the holidays and then a bunch of people walk the street and most likely drink their way through the Heights. Yum, spiked hot cocoa.

Gingerbread Cheesecake

Yum. I recently made the most amazing dessert. It was my first full cheesecake ever and it was delicious. Gingerbread cheesecake, my friends. Try it now. Here are some pictures to tempt you:

 Oh, did I mention the gingersnap crust?!:

Recipe:

Gingerbread Cheesecake (from Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice)

Crust:

2c finely ground ginger snap crumbs

4T butter, melted

1/4c sugar

Cheesecake:

4, 8oz pkgs cream cheese

1 1/2c sugar

1t vanilla

4 eggs, room temp

1/4c molasses

1/4t salt

1 1/2t ginger

1t cinnamon

1t freshly grated nutmeg

1/4t cloves

1/2t fresh lemon zest

Preheat to 350F. Wrap a 9" springform pan in 2 layers of aluminum foil. In a large bowl, combine gingersnap crumbs, butter, and sugar. Press crumbs firmly and evenly into the bottom of the springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes and cool completely.

Reduce to 325F. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 3 min. Beat in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing in between additions. Beat in molasses, salt, spices, and lemon zest. Pour over cooled crust. Place cheesecake in a large, shallow roasting pan. Transfer to oven and add enough water to the roasting pan to come about halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake for 60-65 minutes or until the cheesecake is set but still wobbly in the center. Cool for 30 minutes, then move pat to springform rack and cool completely. Refrigerate, uncovered, 8 hours or overnight.

Enjoy!

OMG Amazing Cupcakes!

This is the Christmas edition of amazing cupcakes! I hope you've enjoyed my 12 Days of Cupcakes, now time for some I DIDN'T toil over! Merry Christmas Eve and enjoy:

The most intricate and clever Grinch Cupcakes by Sugar Swings:


And the inside even has his heart when it grows!!:


This hilarious Santa going down the chimney cupcake by Sugar Daze:


Wow, check out the detail on this one, Nutcracker Cupcake by Jeanne Benedict:


A funny melted snowman from Cherrapeno:


Very impressive Christmas tree hi-hat cupcake by Bubble and Sweet:


Merry Christmas and thanks for reading!