15 DAYS AND COUNTING

In 15 short days I set sail on my first cruise ever. 

The Rock Boat XI

SURPRISE!

How have I not mentioned this to you before?? Oh, I know, because I keep forgetting! We had to book it so long ago, it was always just this thing that wasn't happening until 2011, but now that thing is two weeks away and...AHHHHH! Aside from being excited because our group of seven is going to have so much fun, I'm not going to lie, I'm super nervous. Maybe it snuck up on me because I don't want to face the fact that I'm completely afraid to get on this boat! Who's afraid to go on a cruise?!?


Jump out of a plane I think I can do, but sail on a ship for four days, not so sure about that.


All fears aside, however, I am so excited to hang out with old Philly friends over live music and warm sun (and a cold beer(s)). As nervous as I am, I'm sure my first post when I get back will be "Get me back on that boat!"


But first? Christmas with the fam. I don't have to face my fears until after Christmas with the fam :)

EMBRACING THE INTERNETS

I have successfully done all of my Christmas shopping online. With the exception of a few little things, the bulk of my presents were purchased online from the comfort and coziness of my very own home. This makes me oh so happy.


There was a time in my younger years when I loved the mall, the crowds, the sales (which weren't actually sales, just too-expensive prices marked down to normal price with the illusion of a sale). But my old age and often-advertised free shipping online has gotten the best of me. I used to be against internet shopping; after-all, it does seem a bit lonely to sit and shop by yourself, but when most online stores began offering free shipping on top of a percent off your total purchase during the holidays, I caved. 


I'm a sucker for a good deal, saving gas and avoiding the cold.


I have fully-embraced online shopping and there's no going back. Aside from the grocery store and target (because let's face it, who doesn't love mindlessly walking around target), you won't be seeing this girl in the stores this holiday season. My Christmas shopping is not only done, but thrifty, stress-free and on time! That's a success if you ask me.

Some of my favorite money-saving sites?

Amazon.com (free super-saver shipping is the bomb.)

Mama Cheaps (recently introduced to by my sister-in-law and love her daily deal-mails.)

Groupon (I just like saying, "I got my Groupon!")

Living Social

Any more suggestions? I know there's more out there!

TODAY I'M THANKFUL FOR:

1.) My down jacket

The Veggie is thankful for her DOWN jacket?! YES, at 17 degrees, can you blame me??

2.) A pup that snores louder than most humans

It sounds so sweet and cozy and he's giving me some good practice for that future husband :)

COOKIES WITH THE MOM

It's that time again! Annual Christmas cookie baking with The Mom! I like how it's become our little tradition :) I don't know how long we'll live 20 minutes away from each other, so we take advantage of it while we can.


You might remember last year it was blizzarding and cozy while we baked; well this year, no blizzard but still super cozy with the chilly temperatures, candles blazing, oven warm and Christmas carols on. 


We spent the day this past Saturday each with our own bowls, beaters, measuring cups, measuring spoons, cookie trays, wooden spoons, ovens and cookie tins (yes, The Mom's kitchen is quite large; a baker's paradise) and cranked out 8 batches of cookies! Quite impressive if I must say so myself, and I even taste-tested most of them (of course) - they were all delish. 

The Mom in action

My snickerdoodles

Chubby's a big help in the kitchen, clearly.

MY GROWN UP CHRISTMAS LIST

Okay, I realize some of these are a bit lofty (and materialistic), but a girl can wish, right? :)

Don't worry, I don't actually ask for any of these thing, but isn't it funny how our Christmas lists change as we get older? From games as a kid, to nothing but name-brand clothes as a teenager, work clothes and household items as a graduating college student to this list here; and I'm sure once I have kids of my own, my list will disappear because it'll be all about them.

WC CHRISTMAS PARADE

As I've mentioned before I love West Chester. Even more, I am loving West Chester during the holidays. Reason #4837196? The Annual Old Fashioned Christmas Parade & Jingle Elf Run.

The night started off with appetizers and drinks at my house to warm up before braving the freezing cold, so we missed the Jingle Elf Run, but we bundled up and made it in perfect timing for the Parade. It was filled with Old Fashioned Cars, Fire Trucks, Marching Bands, and performers from all over; very West Chester-esque. AND I heard that Jason Castro was there for all you American Idol fans, but we missed him...I've never heard of him so I'm ok with that, except for the fact that he sang one of my favorite songs...you can catch it here.

Apparently my parents used to bring us to this same parade when we were little (I think I may have still been in the tummy!), so it was neat to re-visit it and be able to bring the next generation: Mackenzie :)

Burrrrrrr!

SANTA?!?

Nooooo, just Santa's cute little helper :)

Ghiradelli Peppermint Brownies...Recipe DEFINITELY to follow...SO GOOD.

"Mackenzie would like like a bite of GramE's brownie??"

Hahaha, she couldn't fit enough of it in her mouth!

GramE's face is priceless as she loses the better part of her brownie.

It doesn't look like it, but Chubbs loves dinner parties. I think it has something to do with all the attention he gets.

Kisses for the monkey.

Are we in Texas?!

Trying to stay toasty!

And my last picture of the night...a Rock n' Roll Christmas Pig?? Hah!

Happy Weekend!

GHIRADELLI PEPPERMINT BROWNIES

These deserve their own post. They are A-MAZING! 


Warning: This recipe is neither vegan nor healthy, but it is delicious and it is the holidays, so who cares, right? Everything in moderation: serve them in tiny bite-size squares and enjoy!

Ghiradelli Peppermint Brownies

Ingredients

4 ounces Ghirardelli 100% Cacao Unsweetened Chocolate baking bar, broken or chopped into 1 inch pieces

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups granulated white sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 (5.32 ounce) bag Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate with White Mint Filling Squares™, unwrapped
• 4 small candy canes, crushed

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray and dust with flour, tapping out any excess.
2. In the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl over barely simmering water, melt the unsweetened chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
3. In a large bowl with an electric mixer or whisk, beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla, peppermint extract, and salt until combined. Beat in the chocolate mixture. Gently stir in the flour. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
4. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the brownies comes out clean. Arrange the mint squares on top in one layer and return the brownies to the oven until they are just melted, about 1 minute. Evenly spread the chocolate with a spatula and sprinkle with the crushed candy canes. Cool completely before cutting into 2-inch squares.

COFFEE

Always tastes better in a cute mug.