Home for the Holidays....and then some.

Flying home to spend Christmas in New England was great!  Seeing all my friends and family really puts a smile on my face and lightens any mood!  A couple great moments included:

 Little cousin Emma and her periodicals

 Christmas Eve 

 Cousins <3

 Dad and Beavy

 Diva

Logan and his Iron Man glove

 Everyone's favorite hostess!

 Addy

 My little Ginger Godson

 And his brother Davis

 Mom and I

 Papa bear and I

 My brother gaming away

 My breakfast cooks :)

 Family picture

 My blanche

 Sylvesters and I

 My Joe Joe Bear

Me and my handsome brothers

Even though it didn't snow (accumulating snow), I still enjoyed the frigid temps because I got to wear these:

And got to cuddle by the fire with him:

I went to fly back to the sunshine state last night.  I sat at the airport/on the plane for a combination of 5 hours.  The flight ended up being canceled.  I am now in New England for New Years and it is sure to be just as lovely as my holidays were!  

Stay safe and healthy!

xoxo

Please have snow.....

A week from today I will be back in the 978 for Christmas!  I'm so excited.  It has been very different down here.  There have been times when I didn't even know how close the holiday is.  For 28 years, I have grown accustomed to frigid temperatures, fire places, and snow.  All those were reminders of the holiday season.  Not in Florida!  There are wonderful light displays down here and they do play carols on the radio.  But I am looking forward to some cold weather, warm gatherings, and the smell of winter.

For those of you whom are lucky enough to be blessed with my presence, I am looking forward to spending as much time as I can with you!  For those of you who I will not be able to see, I will be coming back for summer for a bit.  Here is the schedule for Christmas:

Thursday 12/22/2011:

• Arrive at MHT to be greeted by Beck @ 1130
• Lunch with Beck
• Dentist appointment @345
• Hair appointment @ 415 (I can't believe I have not had anything done since August!)
• Beer work with Mitchy and Wall @ 700

Friday 12/23/2011:

• Bring papa bear to work so I have vehicle usage 
• Visitations/food shopping
• Christmas shopping with papa bear when he is done education the youth of America
• Holiday party @ Biedron's @ 630...can't wait to see you all!!  

Saturday 12/24/2011:

• cooking/baking
• seeing the little Ferreira's for Christmas
• 400 Mass with Erin and possibly Addy!
• Annual Greenwood Christmas Eve Party @ 630
• Visit Wheeler

Sunday 12/25/2011:

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

• Christmas with mom and dad
• Christmas with my favorite Greeks
• Christmas with the Mannings

Monday 12/26/2011:

• Day with the Mannings
• Packing for departure tomorrow

Tuesday 12/27/2011:

• Breakfast with mom and dad
• Lunch with Meghan
• Leave MHT @ 430
• Arrive MCO @ 950

I am so excited to see everyone and to celebrate the love and holiday cheer with my family and friends.

XOXO

Baking Machine

Holidays are here and baking is underway.  I am not a fan of baking, however, I become some kind of crazy baker around Christmas.  I spent a few hours today making some delicious treats.

Number 1: We have Chocolate  Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

I'm no baking genius....just boxed brownie mix...add some peanut butter chips and cut up some mini peanut butter cups to plop on top.  Quick, easy, and so good!!

Number 2: Chocolate Peppermint Grahams

Chocolate graham crackers dipped in melted dark chocolate topped with crushed candy canes.  If you are like me and enjoy peppermint flavor, ass half a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the chocolate.  Refrigerate!

Number 3: Oreo Balls

Thank you Sue Manning for introducing me to these a few years ago.  Crushed up mint Oreo cookies mixed with cream cheese rolled around in dark chocolate.  Refrigeration is important...make sure the cookie mixture if firm before you dip them in chocolate.   Also remember to refrigerate them after you make them.

And finally, Number 4:  Butterscotch Treats

Bottom layer consists of powdered sugar, butter, peanut butter and chocolate wafers....butterscotch mixture is then drizzled over that (just butterscotch chips and whipping cream melted together then spooned over mixture)....top with nuts of choice and refrigerate.  These were picked my my roommate who is going to a little party tomorrow.  They are VERY tasty.

I hope you are all enjoying your holiday season so far!!  More to come!

xoxo

"Food is our common ground, a universal experience."

James Beard