Holiday Blogging: Ain't Nobody Got Time for That

If you're anything like me, you're being worn to a pulp by the holiday season. From the late nights at the office, to Christmas shopping, to hosting/attending holiday gatherings, to trying harder than ever to act like a normal human being, it's just a crazy busy time.

Since I've been majorly lagging in the blog department for oh, I don't know, the past 12 months, I figured now would be a good time to get a post out.

Here's what our holidays look like so far...

"Holiday antlers"

The first flocked Christmas tree for both Eric and myself. It's crazy and we love it. When I was a kid, I thought these were so fancy and "real" looking because they had snow. My mom never got one though, probably because they look like a Christmas tree covered in snow worms.  

I was in a pinch for a cookie exchange at work and decided to make these Betty Crocker Hot Cocoa brownies. Which turned out to be a big freaking mistake because they were all mushy and sticky and ended up looking like an archeological dig site when I tried cutting them into servings. Really, they would have been impossible to serve. I even tried making one into a cake pop type of deal, by forming into a ball and rolling in sprinkles. The result was something akin to a litter-box-treat and I immediately raged out. I ended up throwing the whole thing in the trash. 

On the much more impressive side, I learned how to make these perfectly buttery and flakey Danish cookies called Kringlers. 

FROM SCRATCH. So goooood.

Pearl's new nutcracker 

The mantle decorations. Hard to see, but the Jesus and Mary hologram image is in full effect in this one.

I probably won't be blogging again until after the new year, unless a Bethlehem miracle takes place. Until then- pour yourself a glass of something good and say hello to Clark W. Griswold for me. 

Happy holidays!

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Christmas Was Already a Week Ago?

This holiday season seemed to zoom by quicker than any of the previous years. Before I knew it, the big day was here and gone. The family get-togethers were over. The gifts were opened and strewn about. And my jeans are now two sizes too small.


Here are some highlights from Christmas 2012.

My friend Kim and I spent a full day baking the hell out of all of the desserts below (and more).

Christmas 'Funfetti' Cupcakes

Eggnog Cookies

Oreo Balls

Candy Cane Pretzel Bark

Peanut Butter - Chocolate Fudge

Eric's family has a tradition in which everyone has to have at least a bite of fried oysters on Christmas Eve. The first year I tried a bite, but the consistency was too chewy and I politely dropped it in the trash can. The second year, I didn't even attempt it. This year, however, I not only had my bite, but I had four whole pieces. It was good! The key is in the coating. Make anything taste like fried chicken and it's hard to lose.

Fried oysters

Fresh loaf of herbed bread my sister made.

Italian platter appetizer

Christmas dinner

And some shots of things other than food.

My nephew, L.

Sister's dog, Charley

The star of the show, Mom

Me and my asparagus

My sister and brother-in-law. I'd like to add that we were going for cheezy with this photo. I think we succeeded.

The best Christmas ornament I've ever seen.

Mom trying out her new heating pad eye-mask.

Holiday paper

My brother-in-law

Our Christmas tree. And the 4 ft. vintage, inflatable reindeer behind it.

I talked Eric into letting me put silver tinsel on the tree this year. He wasn't a big fan and said it looked like the tree had hair. I can't really argue with him on that one. As a child, our trees always had tinsel on them, so it's kind of nostalgic for me. Do you put tinsel on your trees, or am I the only one?? 

Our tree topper

The holiday cards we received this year

My nephews playing with the new bow & arrow set. I look like I'm wearing a diaper.

Biscuit and her Christmas loot

Me and Eric

How did my holiday compare to yours? 

Hopefully, 2013 will bring more great food and family stuff. Oh. And I guess a job, too, although it will totally cut into my Judge Judy time.

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Christmas with TILTE 2011.

Despite knowing that every other blogger is posting millions of holiday pictures and really, nobody cares about holiday pictures unless they're featured in them, I'm still going to post a shitload of my own Christmas pix.

I can't promise they're going to be entertaining. But since this is my blog and I call the shots around here, I'm just going to do it anyway.

Christmas 2011, Featuring TILTE and Family.

Decor...

My favorite wrapping paper this year: Purchased at the $.99 Store

Holiday cards on display

Our tree

Wintery decorations at Boyfriend's relative's house

Nativity at Boyfriend's parents' house

Biscuit being a regal beagle


My Christmas cookies in the making


White Russian. AKA dealing with baked goods that take fucking forever to make


A cooking staple at my Grandma's house

Family Time...

Pearl and her cousin playing in the yard

Mom showing off the new scarf I got her

The kids were mesmerized by A Christmas Story

"Come play with us Danny..."

Grandma talking to relatives in far away places

Me and Boyfriend

Pearl and her Grandpa

Gifts and Miscellaneous...

Red Robin gift card - Holla!

Biscuit's wearing her Chippendale's bowtie

Pearl and a LaLaLoopsie (I hate those scary ass dolls)

One of our top favorite gifts: New plateware!!!

Boyfriend's super shocked face over THE BEST GIFT EVER (that I happened to get him)...

...CUSTOMIZED GUITAR PICKS.

Special Moments Caught on Film...





Worth noting:

-I've turned into a hermit and can't bear the thought of going into work tomorrow. Even though I love my job, I'm hurling at the thought of having to wake up early and sit in traffic.

-My breakfasts for the past four days have consisted of cookies and Earl Grey.

-In related news, I've outgrown every item of clothing I own. Even my scarves.

-My actual Christmas night dinner consisted of a tuna sandwich and Lay's potato chips. Since our official celebration meals took place on Friday and Saturday, neither Boyfriend nor I had any desire to cook/ clean/ go out for food. It was fucking delicious.

Was my Christmas everything you imagined it would be???

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