Christmas Tree Down

All down my block lay Christmas Trees kicked to the curb.  It's actually a sad sight, all the poor trees that lit up our living rooms and hosted our gifts for a mere month before being tossed back into the cold.  But I am happy to say I honored my tree and the holiday all December long by celebrating as much as possible.
 This year my mom and I attended a town holiday house tour in Haddonfield, NJ.  Some of the houses in Haddonfield are worth a tour without all the lights and wreaths, but the season really set it off.  It was early in Dec and it was a great jump start to get into the holiday spirit.  (Just ask the group of ladies in front of us that were clearly fresh from happy hour, fa la lala la la la la)

Then the girls and I went to NYC to bundle up and see the tree and visit Bryant Park.  We had lunch overlooking the ice skating rink while sipping candy cane cocktails.  Of course I baked...

..And Hosted..

We caught the town Christmas Parade

Enjoyed dinner and games at the office holiday party at Cafe Aldo Lamberti

Had a great Pollyanna Dinner with my girlfriends at Giumarello's and ate amazing salmon,  had lots of champagne cocktails, and received super soft VS PJs which I wore....

 In Atlantic City.  Probably one of my favorite things I did this holiday was disappear into AC for the weekend.  I showed up in a scarf and heavy jacket and got to strip down to a bathing suit and sandals.  It was such a nice change.  We rented a daybed and got waited on all day while we relaxed and took a breather from the hustle and bustle of buying, wrapping and entertaining.  It was a quick dip out of reality and right into a pool.  And I loved every minute.

We arrived early

And stayed late

We stayed at Chelsea and got dressed up to check out the decor and grab dinner at the Trop

We soaked up the hot tubs at the spa and heated salt water outdoor pool.  Yes, outdoor- I lasted a whole 5 minute and was proud of that.

Shopping at the outlets

This year we also hit the mother ship of Christmas lights.  Every year a few days before Christmas I grab a hot chocolate and go looking for amazing Christmas lights.  This year we found a block that I think was in competition with one another, which was great for us.  And because of this odd warm weather we got out and walked around for awhile taking all their effort in, and we were just part of the crowd.

I hosted a Christmas "Eve Eve" Party, attended two great actual Christmas Eve Parties and spent the actual holiday with people I love.  

"Winners" at the Christmas "Eve/Eve" Party

Yep, this is how we showed up Christmas Morning

Whew, I threw a lot into the month but I am happy to say I did not let December fly by without enjoying all it had to offer.   In past years I had felt like the holiday would be over and I was too busy to enjoy it.  This year I made sure not to let that happen, and I think that starts a new tradition.

Take a cookie before you leave, and have a Happy Holiday

Freeze grapes and raspberries overnight with "sugar" to keep champagne and wine cold for your guests

Time to Give Thanks

Every day I feel blessed.  This isn't to say I walk around in bliss all day, I am human.  But there are always a few times in every day that I stop and realize how lucky I am, or how happy I am to be alive.  Last week driving down Kings Highway I noticed how beautiful all the trees that lined the street looked.  The fall had changed the colors to reds and oranges and they seemed to cross the street and meet one another in the middle above all the cars creating this perfect tunnel to drive through.  It was 8am on a Monday, and it made me happy.
 Today, on Thanksgiving, I woke up and came downstairs to a living room that smelled like cinnamon and Christmas trees (thanks to candles from the night before). And a couch covered in the most comfortable and inviting blankets that still smelled like detergent warm from the dryer.  The paper boy already delivered the Black Friday ads to my door step, and the Macy's Day Parade was on TV.  What basic small things to notice and love, and to be thankful for.  Today and tonight will be filled with family and laughing and arguing, but mostly it will be warm.  My moms house will be filled with love and comfort and more food then we can eat.  Now how much luckier can you get.  Everyone is healthy and able to celebrate together.  Everyone can get excited for the holidays and the New Year that will bring opportunities for a fresh start and new goals.
 If you aren't someone who finds themselves thankful everyday (this can be a hectic life) today is the perfect time to reflect on just how much joy we have in our lives.  Today is a great time to tell people you love them, to give more then you receive, and to just be thankful.  I saw this on face book this morning... (thanks Val)

Tortilla Press Cantina, SABROSO!

Mom and I just attended a Gluten Free Cooking class hosted by one of my fav restaurants, Tortilla Press.  Tortilla Press has two delish locations- one location is the Collingswood BYOB (they will bring you pitchers of margaritas, you bring the tequila) The other is Pennsaukens Cantina, drinks provided.
 A few weeks ago I attended a brunch in Collingswood that I am still dreaming about....And dinner last night was no disappointment!  They started our class with red sangria with a sunken cherry and a skinny orange slice.  The table had three options to dip your chips; a black bean, a salsa, and avocado mix.  Chef Mark is so sweet.  He is the also the owner of the Press and you can tell he has a real love and passion for what he does.  While he was cooking up a storm for us he would give us tips and let us in on where he shops for some of his products.  He started us with a taste or three apps, followed by a yummy red chile chicken soup and then prepared a perfect chipotle shrimp dish with quinoa.  All of this was so good at every bite, but then the dessert came out and stole the show.  If you have ever tried to eat GFree, you know that fighting the sometimes bland taste is your biggest battle.  Welcome, Boston Creme Yummy.  This is not sugar free, but it is dairy and gluten free.  Before I put fork to mouth I boldly said," I am definitely trying this." What would have been more accurate is, "I am killing this plate and licking my fork." It was AH MAZE ING.  Besides my mothers chocolate chip banana bread, it was the best Gfree dessert I have ever had.  And because life is good, the bakery in Collingswood that Chef Marks pulls his Gfree desserts from has more then one option.  Insert plug for the fabulous DiBartolos Bakery, Haddon Ave, Collingswood NJ.  I am now one of their biggest fans.

Best Brunch

 Next week we are celebrating my grandparents !60th! wedding anniversary.  I will most certainly be making a pit stop at DiBartolos before the party. I can't wait until Chef Mark hosts another event, but in the meantime I can grab his lunch, dinner or brunch to hold me over.

Avocado Crab Tostada

I think I will always add cabbage instead of crackers in my soup from now on

Perfectly cooked shrimp

Kind Chef Mark

I wish I had this again right now

As you can see, we didn't like our dessert at all

Apple Crisp Recipe

This has my kitchen smelling so good right now I have to share.........  

Courtesy of Springdale Farms

 I have a few friends coming over tomorrow night to sit around the fire. The plan is to sip some wine before we walk over to a local haunted house.  I wanted to put out a few desserts and when I found this Apple Crisp Mix at Springdale Farm this past weekend, I couldn't resist. (www.mccutcheons.com) Of course they also had baskets of freshly picked apples sitting right next to the mix. Don't short yourself this time of year, go to your local farm and get them fresh.  I stole a taste while I was cutting them up, and it was so worth it.

9" crisp

Preheat oven to 375. Peel and slice 5 medium apples.  Blend together 1-1/4 cup of mix and 4 tablespoons of melted butter.  Spread apple slices in a buttered 9" pie dish and sprinkle with crumbly mixture.  Bake for 30 minutes.  THAT EASY

*For anyone who is gluten free, I also have a healthier option I will offer.  Slice a few pealed apples, sprinkle with cinnamon and bake for 20 minutes.  You can serve them on a plate with almond or peanut butter.

What can smell better in your kitchen in the fall? .... Oh, a handsome man who wants to do your dishes you say? I agree, but no one showed up tonight so I will stick with the crisp.

I will also mention that I did my slicing while burning a warm autumn wax cube over a tea light and that smell had me in the mood to bake. I also stuck to the Sinatra station on Pandora which  offers up greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin and Louie Armstrong.  It is all about setting a mood baby, never know when the cologne guy will walk in to do the dishes!

Throwing a Halloween Bash

Hello Shocktober! I have never been into decorating my house with all things horror.  Come fall I stick to pumpkins, leaves and cinnamon sticks.  But this year when we decided to throw a Halloween bash, I went all in.
 Those who know me know I love playing the hostess for any event, and I don't like ordinary. So when a friend wanted to throw a Halloween party together, I started making lists. Because of all the hype around HBO's True Blood and Twilight's Breaking Dawn, we went full Vampire.  We loving named it the "Fangtastic" Party, and played with our theme.

 Having a picture opportunity to capture your guests is a great idea. When you first stepped in the breezeway you were greeted by sounds of horror, black lights, a strobe light....and the perfect picture taking opportunity.  We built a life size coffin, threw up a sheet and put cobwebs anywhere possible.  It made the perfect entrance for our soiree. Inside you could find drink options like peach champagne and jolly rancher soaked vodka with enough snacks for the block.  I turned my office into a murder scene with an outline of a dead body, ghost standing behind.  We kept a strobe light in that room as well and played it up further by making the bathroom right across the hall the scene in which the murder took place.  A bloody shower curtain, body parts, and dripping blood brought it all together.
 A fabulous idea to save any hostess time is to promote a dessert contest.  We bought a gift of wine and candy for the winner and our guests went above and beyond to supply creative and creepy desserts.  We had fingers, spider cupcakes, a grave yard, and delicious brownies and cupcakes.
 We also offer prizes for a beer pong tournament and drew up a bracket to make things more interesting outside.  Hanging some Halloween lights, having the tiki torches going and fire pit blazing, added to our outside ambiance.  A closer look would show you ghosts in the tree, a welcome sign from the Cullen's, and pumpkins with tea lights chasing them.
 It was a blast to decorate and watch everyone enjoy our own little haunted house.  Next year I am thinking old Hollywood theme, with the red carpet.....

Best Dessert Winner

I had blood red contacts to Vamp it up

Delish Oreo Balls

Ahh the wind down, huge success, in bed by dawn...when a Vampire should be

~*Welcoming Fall*~

So long Summer, Hello Fall

Summer was a beautiful success. Just as I was starting to feel the woes of worry for something so wonderful coming to an end, a fall breeze swept through town and the excitement of something new filled me up.  What a great reminder that the end of one thing is always the beginning of another.
 Sure, packing away the beach chairs and watching the pool come down was a tug at the heart strings.  But it opened up possibility for jeans and hoodies, fires and football.
 And luckily, I was able to squeeze one last warm night in the city to kiss the summer goodbye, and  for a fabulous reason- a good friends birthday! So I took advantage of shorts and heels and crossed the bridge to Philadelphia to celebrate good girlfriends and transitions.  The great thing about living 5 minutes from a city like Philadelphia is there is an abundance of art, history and trendy bars and food spots to last a lifetime.  We started our night at Tria, an adorable wine bar with small plate offerings of meats, cheeses and flat breads.  Although Tria isn't grand on size, they make up for that in quaintness, service and the open wall windows that leave you feeling as if you are sitting right on the street.  Tria offers two of my favorite things; yummy snacks and great people watching.  I had the sweet Riesling as well as a Rose Champagne.   A few hours later with the warm breeze calling, we hit the streets to see what else the night would find.  A quick duck into an Irish bar somewhere (I have no idea), and  eventually we ended up at Public House. We found the DJ here more our style and danced the rest of the night and summer away.  It was a great nod goodbye to summer.

plate at Tria, not my thing but points for presentation

With the birthday girl <3

enjoying the weather with the girls

outsideTria

making our own dance floor

 I am writing this with the windows open, under a blanket.  My burning candle that was summer sand is now replaced with Autumn Spice. I traded my tank top in for this Eagles sweatshirt and the Monday night game is on the TV.   I am not missing summer right now; I am looking forward to all that fall has to offer.  I am a planner so I have to be careful not to rush Christmas and the New Year and stay present here in the moment and enjoy this time. Pine cones, apple pie, tailgates, comfy sweats, long walks, changing leavings, open windows, fires, cinnamon, fall festivals, halloween- what are you soaking up right now?