I have been ahead of the game getting everything done. I thought I'd take longer to get my shopping done since I didn't have to ship our presents......got it all done in one day. Figured I'd take FOREVER dragging out getting our cards addressed and sent, got it all done in one-two days (one night to address, 2nd day to stamp, stuff, and send!). I did drag out the wrapping just a little bit, since some of our gifts were ordered online, it took a while before I could officially say I was done wrapping, but I got that done about a week ago!
Here is a close up of that little tray above our sink. Mike's uncle J gave it to me for Christmas a couple of years ago, and I kind of forgot about it, but found myself in love with it this year!
And here is our fireplace again just for reinforcement, because I still love it so much, although must remember next year to learn how the hell to take care of poinsettias....ours are now looking pretty sad looking.
In recent news, my blonde hair has now been replaced with a beautiful brunette! I was feeling so bored with the blonde, it always looked the same, then I'd have to deal with the shit-stain looking roots for a month until it was time to go back again. It was so difficult to keep my hair moisturized, and I needed a change! I didn't tell Mike, because I wanted to surprise him. I had to ignore some of his texts asking for pictures throughout the day because I wanted to see the look on his face! And I wasn't disappointed. :) He loved it, and stopped mid-sentence once he saw it. Most people either had that reaction, or it didn't register at all until I started staring at them weirdly for a long time, lol. But I'm very pleased with it. :)
We also had a really fun time last Sunday. We had a Christmas brunch with a bunch of friends, and it was super-amazing-delicious. I got cinnamon roll french toast, and hot damn was it good!!
Then we headed downtown to make our 3:00 reservations at the The Palm Court inside the Drake Hotel for afternoon tea. It always stunning inside that place, and even more so because it was Christmas time. The tea and mini sandwiches were amazing, as expected. I really never thought I would find myself to be the "tea time" kind of gal, but now I drink hot tea every single day. I have my mom-in-law to thank for that. I started drinking hot tea after I was finally able to make it to the ladies' tea she organizes at her church. Chamomile tea is my favorite, but I hope to branch out and try some new ones, like this Rose Champagne tea I saw at Teavana!
I really hope we go back to have afternoon tea again around my birthday! Cuz then they could play Happy Birthday on the harp for me! :) I'm a child, I know.
I was super pleased with how my cookie exchange and potluck went at work! Some people took a little bit of work to get them to sign up, but we had about 8 people total sign up, and it was just so fun. I tried a new recipe I found on Pinterest for Peppermint White Chocolate M&M cookies, and they were amazing! You can find the recipe here: http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/white-chocolate-peppermint-mm-cookies/
This is how mine turned out, not as pretty, but I'm sure just as delicious!
And everyone loved them! I texted my boss to let her know how much I loved the cookies she made, which were amazing!! And she told me that she and her husband ate them all! :) I was really happy with them. I am going to make some more either today or tomorrow to take to our families, because I am sure they will love them! The only problem is M&M better make these every year if they are to become a Christmas tradition! :)
And here is Dr. G.'s contribution to our cookie exchange, maybe I won't bug him to sign up for the cookie exchange again next year. lol
Although those poison cookies were amazing, I need to know what bakery he went to! And that tray is fluffing adorable! I was hoping he would let one of us have it, but no such luck. lol
And everyone brought something for the potluck, and my boss ordered pizzas. And it just made me extremely happy to see everyone participate even though people were grumbling that no one was going to do it. It just made me really happy to have pulled it off, and got some of the Christmas grinches to turn a new cheek. :) And we all ate WAY WAY WAY too much. I made a cheeseball for the potluck, and I thought it was awful when I taste-tested it. It was way too salty, but I figured maybe someone would like a lot of salt and brought it anyway. The whole thing was devoured. I was truly surprised everyone loved it as much as they did. It made me want to try some different kinds of cheeseballs, because it was really easy to make!
Today is day 1 of 9 days off. I am so excited to have some time off. I am also really excited for our road trip to go see my family!! We are leaving at 5 in the morning Christmas day, and come back the 29th late. It is going to be so nice to have all of this time with them, and get to enjoy my mom's cooking! And Waffle House of course, big priority is to eat as much WH as I can! Before we go though, I have a LOT of baking to do:
Gotta make more of the M&M cookies, my Santa cookies, and of course....Puppy Chow (Or muddy buddies,whatever you want to call it). I also want to squeeze in some pampering time before we pack, and pick up our rental, etc. Luckily, I was on the ball with all of my other Christmas tasks, so I have plenty of time to just relax, too!
Gotta get another cup of coffee and get moving. Next blog won't be until the New Year probably. So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Next post will be NY resolutions and goals!
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