Stop by the link above for this and way more awesome recipes!
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Kahlua Cake
This delicious recipe has moved to: http://www.organicallymo.com/2011/12/30/kahlua-cake/
Stop by the link above for this and way more awesome recipes!
Stop by the link above for this and way more awesome recipes!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Christmas Craziness
It's 2 days after Christmas and in the past 72 hours I have hosted 3 gatherings at my place. One of them included my extremely cute, but extremely active {almost} 3 year old Godson. I...AM...EXHAUSTED!!
Here's a glimpse into what my life has been like since December 24th.
My mom hosted Christmas Eve dinner and our annual watching of "It's a Wonderful Life."
Gary & I left for home at about 10pm, only to be back at her house {we live about 10 minutes away} by 8:30 the next morning for breakfast and PRESENTS!!
This year, we had to cut our Christmas spending budget {BOO!}, but we all still outdid ourselves {YAY!}.
Then it was back to our place around 1, so we could get ourselves ready and prepare dinner. Since my mom hosts so many events, I like to help her out by hosting Christmas dinner.
The next day, we had what we refer to as the Annual Hoex-Reeves-McCann-Laino Christmas Dinner. At some point between Christmas and NYE, we get together with my best friend and her family. Before we were married {oh, the good old days}it was just the Hoex-Reeves Christmas Dinner. It IS much more fun with our hubbies {and, more recently, our Godson}!
Today we had some more of my family over to show them our place....it also helped us get rid of the Kahlua cake! :)
Like I said before, I am exhausted! All I want to do is spend a day in my PJ's, relaxing on the couch with a good book or some movies.
I am hoping that by the weekend all of our Christmas stuff is put away, so I can focus on the new year.
Hoping you all had a Very Merry Christmas!!
***Who normally hosts all the gatherings in your family?***
Here's a glimpse into what my life has been like since December 24th.
My mom hosted Christmas Eve dinner and our annual watching of "It's a Wonderful Life."
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| Yummy Drinks |
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| Yummy food! |
This year, we had to cut our Christmas spending budget {BOO!}, but we all still outdid ourselves {YAY!}.
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| I love all the different wrapping paper! |
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| Mr. & Mrs. Sharkie Claus |
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| My new bag for the gym |
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| A popcorn maker! |
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| He's a dork, but I love him! |
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| Best movie of the year from the best brother ever |
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| For my office at work! |
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| Can someone explain to him how to wear this hat?? |
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| We love the Sharks! |
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| Already read a little bit, and I am dying of laughter! |
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| 1st box |
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| 2nd box |
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| 3rd box!! |
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| Awwww |
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| A locket! |
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| Can't forget the stockings! |
The next day, we had what we refer to as the Annual Hoex-Reeves-McCann-Laino Christmas Dinner. At some point between Christmas and NYE, we get together with my best friend and her family. Before we were married {oh, the good old days}it was just the Hoex-Reeves Christmas Dinner. It IS much more fun with our hubbies {and, more recently, our Godson}!
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| This was dessert...I will blog the recipe later this week! |
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| Looking for Nemo in the pond |
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| Friends for over 20 years! |
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| The guys |
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| "No touch!" |
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| Our lovely moms! |
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| Gary with B |
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| Our dads |
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| B is reading to Gary |
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| Dinner was so good, there was nothing left on our plates |
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| Dee & Papa |
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| The Laino's |
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| Clothes? Next, please! |
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| Opening our gift...a Cars throw blanket |
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| Trying it out!! |
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| The McCann's & The Laino's |
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| Our 2nd gift to B....we might just love him BIGGER than the world! |
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| Santa B...HO HO HO |
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| The Hoex's and the Reeves! |
Today we had some more of my family over to show them our place....it also helped us get rid of the Kahlua cake! :)
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| Uncle Ron, Aunt Carol, Aunt Jo, Gary & me! |
Like I said before, I am exhausted! All I want to do is spend a day in my PJ's, relaxing on the couch with a good book or some movies.
I am hoping that by the weekend all of our Christmas stuff is put away, so I can focus on the new year.
Hoping you all had a Very Merry Christmas!!
***Who normally hosts all the gatherings in your family?***
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Almost There!!
I am 2 work days away from 3 blissful weeks off of work! One of the perks of working for a school district.
But first, I will spend a weekend with 30 teenagers on a Leadership Retreat...wish me luck. I will need that and LOTS of coffee!
But first, I will spend a weekend with 30 teenagers on a Leadership Retreat...wish me luck. I will need that and LOTS of coffee!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Christmas In The City
Three years ago, my mom and I decided to start a tradition of going to San Francisco during the holidays for some Christmas shopping. A local elementary school charters a bus and for only $25 a person, we get transportation to SF, a light breakfast and a light meal on the way home. This is a GREAT deal, just for the fact that we do not have to use our own gas or navigate through the busy streets.
If you've ever been to San Francisco, you know that it is a magical city any time of year, but during Christmas, it is definitely spectacular.
This past Saturday was our shopping day!! We got dropped off at the Hotel St. Francis by Union Square, took some pictures by their huge, beautiful Christmas tree and headed off to Williams-Sonoma for some window shopping. This year we spent a good hour in there. I always feel so inspired while walking through W-S.
Our next stop was Crate & Barrel, our FAVORITE stop of the trip. The first year we went, we bought everything we wanted in the morning, then had to carry huge bags all over. Last year we got smart and started going in the morning to scope out what they had, then head back later before the bus came to pick us up, to do our actual buying.
We then made our way to Mo'z Cafe for some lunch. I had looked up some places on Yelp, and once I saw the name "Mo" I knew we had to try it out. Both my mom & I got the French Dip with a salad. It was delicious! We agreed that it was just enough food to fill us up, but not make us feel overstuffed.
The Westfield Mall was next, and we wandered around for about 2 hours, making only one big purchase at The Body Shop. It's nice to just walk the mall and see all the festive decorations.
We were beginning to slow down a bit, but headed back up to Union Square to hit Macy's. I think there's 7 or 8 stories in this Macy's...heaven! We started on the basement level by grabbing a drink at Jamba Juice and taking a few minutes to relax off of our feet. I got my energy back when I saw all the fun kitchen stuff! I even bought an Herb Mill with part of a Macy's gift card I had been saving for a year or 2. I saw the same Herb Mill at Williams-Sonoma {and got to try it there, too!} and knew I had to have it. I can take all my fresh herbs and grind them over soups, salads, sauces, etc. Best $20 I have spent this month!
After Macy's we headed across the street to take pictures as the sun was setting.
We noticed a gathering of people, and as we approached, we saw people holding all sorts of signs supporting whatever their cause was. There was a lady on a makeshift stage talking about staying out of Africa, while we saw some "Occupy" signs, some for Haiti support, and this sign was our favorite {and most amusing}.
After that excitement, we headed to Victoria's Secret, where I used a gift card I've had for 5 years. Can you tell I have issues with using gift cards?
It was almost time to be picked up, so we went back to the hotel. My mom wanted to take a picture with all of our goods. ***Please note - not ALL of these bags are mine....this warning is mostly for my husband, since I know he reads my blog.***
Every year, once the bus is loaded, we got to Treasure Island to get pictures of the City in all its lit up glory. With having a new camera, I am still trying to get used to the settings, so I didn't get any great night time photos, but trust me, SF at night is a sight to be seen.
On the way home, we enjoyed a filling dinner and the Jim Carrey movie "Mr. Popper's Penguins." Very cute if you have small children in your life.
And, just like THAT, our Christmas trip to San Francisco was over with. We'd been looking forward to it since September, and I am sad that it went by so quickly. Out of the 3 times we have done this trip, this time was the best by far and I loved getting to spend some quality time with my mom.
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| Ready to head out to San Francisco! |
If you've ever been to San Francisco, you know that it is a magical city any time of year, but during Christmas, it is definitely spectacular.
This past Saturday was our shopping day!! We got dropped off at the Hotel St. Francis by Union Square, took some pictures by their huge, beautiful Christmas tree and headed off to Williams-Sonoma for some window shopping. This year we spent a good hour in there. I always feel so inspired while walking through W-S.
 |
| Loved this theme tree! |
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| My favorite from W-S. |
 |
| My mom wanted to take all this home...too bad it wouldn't fit on the bus! |
Our next stop was Crate & Barrel, our FAVORITE stop of the trip. The first year we went, we bought everything we wanted in the morning, then had to carry huge bags all over. Last year we got smart and started going in the morning to scope out what they had, then head back later before the bus came to pick us up, to do our actual buying.
 |
| Is this the elf elevator?? |
 |
| Loved this dining set |
We then made our way to Mo'z Cafe for some lunch. I had looked up some places on Yelp, and once I saw the name "Mo" I knew we had to try it out. Both my mom & I got the French Dip with a salad. It was delicious! We agreed that it was just enough food to fill us up, but not make us feel overstuffed.
The Westfield Mall was next, and we wandered around for about 2 hours, making only one big purchase at The Body Shop. It's nice to just walk the mall and see all the festive decorations.
We were beginning to slow down a bit, but headed back up to Union Square to hit Macy's. I think there's 7 or 8 stories in this Macy's...heaven! We started on the basement level by grabbing a drink at Jamba Juice and taking a few minutes to relax off of our feet. I got my energy back when I saw all the fun kitchen stuff! I even bought an Herb Mill with part of a Macy's gift card I had been saving for a year or 2. I saw the same Herb Mill at Williams-Sonoma {and got to try it there, too!} and knew I had to have it. I can take all my fresh herbs and grind them over soups, salads, sauces, etc. Best $20 I have spent this month!
After Macy's we headed across the street to take pictures as the sun was setting.
We noticed a gathering of people, and as we approached, we saw people holding all sorts of signs supporting whatever their cause was. There was a lady on a makeshift stage talking about staying out of Africa, while we saw some "Occupy" signs, some for Haiti support, and this sign was our favorite {and most amusing}.
 |
| Interesting.... |
After that excitement, we headed to Victoria's Secret, where I used a gift card I've had for 5 years. Can you tell I have issues with using gift cards?
It was almost time to be picked up, so we went back to the hotel. My mom wanted to take a picture with all of our goods. ***Please note - not ALL of these bags are mine....this warning is mostly for my husband, since I know he reads my blog.***
Every year, once the bus is loaded, we got to Treasure Island to get pictures of the City in all its lit up glory. With having a new camera, I am still trying to get used to the settings, so I didn't get any great night time photos, but trust me, SF at night is a sight to be seen.
 |
| I was COLD!! |
On the way home, we enjoyed a filling dinner and the Jim Carrey movie "Mr. Popper's Penguins." Very cute if you have small children in your life.
And, just like THAT, our Christmas trip to San Francisco was over with. We'd been looking forward to it since September, and I am sad that it went by so quickly. Out of the 3 times we have done this trip, this time was the best by far and I loved getting to spend some quality time with my mom.
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