holidays Archives - Page 2 of 3

19Dec 2013

5 Gift Ideas Under $50

I’m a little bit behind in posting gift ideas given there are only 7 days until Christmas and let’s face it Hanukkah was almost a month ago!! However it might come in handy for any of you last minute gift buyers out there (like my hubby)!! Heck this year I have to put myself in the last minute present buyer category. If you are already done with holiday shopping these items would make for pretty good Valentine’s Day gifts as well. Best part is these gift ideas won’t break the bank! With a baby on the way, we decided to keep the gift giving/spending to a minimum this year. Being on (more) of a budget this year has enabled me to find ideas I might have overlooked in the past. I would certainly be excited to receive any of these items …

For the Wine Lover – wine cork collecting kit
For the Lady Friend – Lenox Adorn Ring Holder
For the Home – Monogram Drinking Jars – Set of 4
For the Photographer – Fingerless Shooting Gloves
For the Cook – Nordic Ware Reversible Griddle

What gift would you love to receive that’s under $50?

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21Nov 2013

Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving

by Nicole ⋅ Leave a Comment

A couple of blogs I follow do weekly or monthly Thankful Thursday posts, but when November hit the number of bloggers giving thanks increased significantly. With Thanksgiving only a week away I decided it was time to jump on the thankful train as there is a lot I have to be thankful for this year. So here goes nothing …

I am thankful for (in no particular order):

(5) my family and friends. This is pretty much a given, right? I would crazy not to be thankful for the amazing people in my life. They truly make the good times better and the bad times bearable. Love you guys/gals!! xoxoxo

(4) my job. During and after the furlough I quickly came to the realization the impact not having a job would have on me, as well as my family. There is of course the financial side, but having a job gives me purpose and something to “do” each day. I didn’t think I was the type of person who needed something to “do”, but apparently I DO!

(3) the patience and support of my husband. The hubby honestly deserves a metal for the level of patience and support he brings to the table. While he has always been that way I think he put his game face on when we got pregnant. Though it is obviously very exciting it can also be stressful and scary; yet he seems to take it (and all my fun emotions that go along with pregnancy) all in stride. I’m very lucky to have a husband who is so incredibly patient and supportive!

(2) my parents and sister coming to DC for Thanksgiving since I can’t travel to MA. Thanksgiving is by far my most favorite holiday and this year will be the first time I’m not in Massachusetts celebrating. We ALWAYS do Thanksgiving at my parents house and then Thanksgiving “round 2” on Friday or Saturday with my great aunt and a whole bunch of the cousins. The weekend is kind of like an eating marathon! They are all changing their schedules/traditions to be with the hubby and I this holiday. While this year won’t be exactly what any of us are use to the most important thing is we are together and I am thankful they are willing to make the trip!

(1) being pregnant. It is such a blessing to be able to be pregnant. I complain too often about pregnancy symptoms like aches, pains, being tired and gaining weight. It’s easy to sometimes take for granted what an amazing miracle it is to carry my little one!! Have you seen the maternity shirts that say “I’m growing a human. What’s your super power?” … love it!

While there are way more things I am thankful for these couple items do top the chart for this year. Only one more week until my favorite holiday of the year … bring it on Thanksgiving!!!

What are you thankful for (this week, year or even just today!)?

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10Oct 2013

Apple Picking – Throwback Thursday

by Nicole ⋅ Leave a Comment

It’s Throw Back Thursday!! Fall is officially here, which brings back tons of apple picking memories. I don’t think you can grow up on the east coast, Massachusetts specifically, and not have gone apple picking as a child. I’ve been dying to go apple picking someplace in Virginia, but we have been just too busy the last few weekends. I’m hoping we can squeeze in a trip in the next couple of weekend … but it is certainly not guaranteed.

In the mean time these photos from apple picking with the husband, sister-in-law and brother-in-law will have to surface. The husband and I were in town visiting when we all decided a field trip was in order. Into the car we went and drove out to Applewood Orchards to do some apple picking. Such a fun day!

Husband, what is up with that face?? He is such a goober … makes going through old photos even that much more fun!

And now for my favorite shot of the day. I loved the look of this old tree and the clouds passing by.

And because I had to have a funny face picture of my own …

OK … now I really want to go apple picking. It is fall must do!

A few recipes I want to try out once I actually GO apple picking this year include:

Apple Fritters, The Small Things Blog
Apple Cider Donuts, Food 52

Those recipes look YUMMY!!

Blogs, stores and commercials are all gearing up for the holiday season (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas). While I’m not really ready to start thinking about Hanukkah and Christmas, I’m definitely getting excited for Halloween and Thanksgiving!

What’s your fall throw back Thursday memory?

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17Apr 2013

{Recipe} Raspberry-Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles

by Nicole ⋅ 2 Comments

I’ve recently become somewhat obsessed with making truffles. Right before Easter my friend came over to hang out and was interested in learning how to make truffles. I had been dying to try out this new truffle recipe and decided it was the perfect time. I told her we had to document the process as this was a recipe I had been planning to blog about. So …. we collected all the ingredients, got the camera ready and the truffle making began!

Although I do really enjoy cooking by myself, having someone to chit chat with and lend that extra hand makes the process that much more fun! I’ve been trying to think of a clever/fun name for these truffles, but haven’t come up with anything good yet. I was considering PB&R, but that reminded me too much of the beer PBR … pout. Any good name suggestions out there?

If you decide to go for the larger portion of peanut butter these truffles kind of become a fancier and more decedent version of Reese’s Peanut Butter cups with a hint of Raspberry. Either way the feedback on this little dessert was very positive so it will definitely be staying in the make again (and again hahaha) pile of recipes.

Here we go … it’s truffle yummilious time!!

Ingredients
10 oz semisweet chocolate
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon raspberry extract
1/4 cup peanut butter (if you are peanut butter LOVER do 1/2 a cup)
10 oz of chocolate for coating like melting chocolate

Directions
Chop the chocolate and put in a heatproof bowl.

Bring the heavy cream and butter to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat.

Pour cream/butter mixture over the chocolate and let sit until melted, about 10 minutes. Stir with a rubber spatula or whisk until smooth. (If necessary, microwave in 20-second intervals until the chocolate melts.)

Stir in the vanilla and raspberry extracts.

Then stir in the peanut butter. Stir until the ganache is smooth and shiny.

Pour into a shallow baking dish (or leave in the glass bowl as I did) and refrigerate until firm, 1-2 hours or overnight.

Roll tablespoonfuls of the ganache into 24 balls, then return to the refrigerator for at least an hour. Heat your melting chocolate in a double broiler or in a chocolate melting pot. Drop each truffle into the melted chocolate and cover completely. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place in the refrigerate until firm. Store is airtight container until ready to serve. I like to let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving to ensure the center is nice and gooey!!

I hope you like this new tidbit!!! I’ve created an easy print recipe card for this recipe.

Click here for a 3×5 index card recipe card.

Recipe adapted from Food Network Magazine.

Happy Cooking!

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30Dec 2012

2012 Highlights

by Nicole ⋅ 1 Comment

Like any year 2012 had its ups as well as its downs, but all in all when the tidbits are added up it was a great year. As the year draws to a close I started thinking of how fast this year has gone by. I’m not sure if I am just getting older or if life has just been so busy, but in a blink of an eye we went from January to December.

In no particular order tidbits that stand out are as follows:

Trip to Mexico to celebrate our 30th birthdays. Being only 11 days apart and having Valentine’s Day smack in the middle makes for a very busy February. Sipping piña coladas on the beach, reading and relaxing was the perfect way to begin our thirties.

Buying a condo was a HUGE highlight. I cannot believe we are home owners!

My first rodeo! And I think the highlight of the rodeo was the mutton busting.

Passing the PMP exam. This test had been on the to-do list for years. It was nice to not only check it off the list, but to have passed the first time taking the exam … Plus my dad will finally stop bugging me about when I am going to take the test!! :)

Thanksgiving – As my favorite holiday it is no surprise that Thanksgiving is one of the highlights from this year. Like every year the week/end was jam packed with food, wine, family, friends and laughter.

First Christmas Eve alone with my husband in our new place. I’ve always spent Xmas Eve with my friends/family or with the in-laws. This year we flew out to Kansas City on Christmas Day. We went back and forth about sending the evening with friends, but in the end decided to keep it low key. I loved staying home and celebrating just the three of us (the husband, me and of course Sophi).

2012 was a very fun year! But now there is much to look forward to in 2013 and it isn’t even here yet!

So far there are a few fun things on the docket for 2013 …

My sister is coming to visit for a few days. I am even taking a day off so we can have a sister day! It isn’t often we get time just the two of us anymore so I’m super excited for her visit.
Throwing a baby shower for my girlfriend and then arrival of her son!
A trip to Seattle to see my friend (HOPEFULLY)

And then of course there is … Surprises! No matter how much of a planner I am life always throws in big and little surprises.

What were your favorite parts of 2012? Any exciting plans for 2013?

Happy New Year!!