Hello, Monday. Happy New Year, friends! I guess the holiday season is over, which means that we’re heading back into our first full week of real work in, well, ages it seems. The decorations are down, the cookies are almost gone and resolutions of some…
Fruity and refreshing cranberry ginger cocktail with tequila, lime, cranberry and ginger beer. The perfect holiday cocktail!
Hello, Sunday.
It’s the last weekend of 2019. It’s okay. We’re okay. We’ve got this, 2020. Dear God let’s hope it’s better than 2019 was, k? We collectively can make it better!
I spent this weekend doing little things and big things. Little things like trying the new taco place, getting myself and Crawley acquainted with our new pet Roomba named Wesley, finally unpacking my suitcase from Chicago (that was…two weekends ago? Last week? Time, time, time.), and watching Shakespeare in Love for the first time in years (I can still quote most of it word for word). Big things like making my vision board for 2020.
Do you make vision boards? More on mine next weekend, but Ham and I plan on spending a good 8 or so hours on each of ours today. We do it over music and wine, and this year some tapas to put it out into the 2020 planners above us that we would like to do a quick WEJ* to Spain in the new year.
*WEJ being Weekend European Jaunt. See, London 2019.
Otherwise, it’ll be another short week at work and I’m very thankful for that, for sure!
I stayed off the tube and the net for most of the week because I wanted to keep good vibes going for Christmas, but this is what I found that struck my fancy:
German Shephard dancing is the everything.
Dogs, they know what they want!
Last dog story, I promise! Silly puppy.
John Lewis does it again with this Christmas ad.
This mom keeps it real by yelling at her sons live on C-span.
The decline of the Chinese restaurant, and why that’s a good thing.
Well deserved, Simone Biles.
This is absolutely heartbreaking, and easy to do something about. Sometimes it really is the little things.
Take note: best indoor plants for filtering air.
Anyone need a grandma for next Christmas?
That’s it! Have a great week and a happy new year!
This coffee chocolate tart is a truly decadent dessert, with a crunch cookie crust and smooth ganache filling. Topped with whipped cream and a hint of Kahlua.
Hello, Sunday. Keeping it short and sweet today. I’m in Chicago with my family for a quick weekend where we’re officially celebrating Christmas together since both my brother and I have to work. Such is adulthood. We’re eating all the things, chilling, and I’m squeezing…
Me, my family. We are Disney people. But you knew that already.
One of my family’s holiday traditions is to kick off the season at Disney World. It was easy when we were living down in Florida, and my first trip to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party was in 1987. I have the big button to prove it (they were free back then!) and a very 1987 photo.
The tradition continues today, and each weekend after Thanksgiving weekend for five days, my family and I (sometimes joined by a friend or two) head down to get ourselves in the spirit.
Easy when you walk into your hotel to be greeted by this.
The Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian. Smells and all.
Every hall of the Disney complex is decked, with flowers, ornaments and special touches that never fail to get us all in the mood.
And sometimes, depending on what life looks like in the real world, take a little extra work.
One of our favorite things to when we first get there do is resort hop to take a peek at all the different decorations.
Each as unique and themed and awe-inspiring as the next.
As magical as the Magic Kingdom is on the regular, there’s something about seeing it all in its Christmas glory that is extra special.
And as usual, Disney never fails to put on a show and sprinkle its pixie dust.
And bring out some extra special treats just for the occasion.
I mean, why would I want to watch fireworks anywhere else??
Disney’s fireworks are always the best, choreographed to music and my favorite movies. I’m always awed that, with the exception of the beginning and the end of the show, very few people have their phones out. For ten minutes, we all stare at the sky, adult and children alike, captivated and appreciative, letting ourselves enjoy a few minutes of suspended reality.
After five days, I’m never quite ready to come home. But I’m always sure to bring home a souvenir to keep the Disney high going just a little longer.
A sugar high in this case. Their rice krispie treats are my favorite!
And keep me craving more until we had back down in February for more Disney magic.
Some photos were taken by the amazing Tomato. Thanks to her for letting me share them.
Easy chicken satay with peanut sauce combines spicy marinated chicken and a smooth, creamy sauce for a fan favorite appetizer.
Hello, Sunday. It’s my first weekend home in two weeks and boy and I enjoying the heck out of it, with my decorations, a few lazy recipes in the kitchen, Christmas music and a few of those loved-but-eye-roll-inducing Netflix holiday movies. Disney was wonderful but…
Hello, Sunday.
Hello from Disney!
It’s our first trip of the season and I’m MIA. Eat sugar and spice. Dancing to parades. Acting the fool. Enjoying every second.
Keeping it short and sweet today. Some of these are last week’s but still worth the share. Tootles!
Talk about nostalgia! #80skid
I fell in love with Jenni Sparks years ago and her map of London that I came across in a shop tucked into an alley just off Oxford Street. I love her even more for this.
Cold doggie. That’s a lot of dog years.
Where I’m going in 2020. Southwest Michigan, apparently.
Probably making these this weekend…
Hey, pancake Sunday!
What does success mean anyway?
Ok, back to vacation. Have a great week!
Sweet and spicy pineapple meatballs are the best party appetizers, with pineapple jelly to give it sweet, and sambal oelek to give it kick!
