Holidaze take 2 - New Years Menu and all that jazz

Turns out I'm a horrible blogger during holidays, birthdays and vacations. I should have known this. I have always retreated into our family during the holidays. My homebody tendencies kick into high gear and my time sitting in front of the computer shortens to quick spurts of time between meals and outings. The thing is, I could really use the quiet calm of writing during the madness. I need to remember this. New Year's resolution #1: Take time out for myself to write a little bit everyday, even if I don't post it. #2: Edit photos a little bit everyday. Because, I love it. #3: Cook something delicious every week. GIVEN. Sorry, that was a silly one. #4: Breathe.

It's nearing the end of our lovely stay at home vacation. BOO!! We've had such a sweet time. Going out to lunch and playing with all our new toys. We bought a new Smart TV. It's nuts! It's a little overwhelming and a whole lot of fun. Once again I feel like Jane Jetson without the robot maid and awesome flippy hairdo. And for the first time in history, we now have a TV in our bedroom. AHH!!! I'm not 100% sold on this. But we'll give it a go. I honestly might have to put a sheet over it before bed. That's a big screen staring at me. I don't want to get sucked in. I have books to read, people!

Even though I'm bummed that our vacation is almost over, we're ending it with some fabulous friends and ringing in the new year in our very favorite way. Staying in with loads of yummy food and drinks. Here's what we'll be eating. And next week, salads and water. And running, and yoga and a juice cleanse. Maybe.

New Years Eve Menu:


Spicy Whiskey BBQ Sliders

Crazy Feta

Caramelized Onion Dip

Blue Cheese and Olive Bread

Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Figs Stuffed w/ Goat Cheese

Drinks:

Classic Champagne Cocktail

Soixante Seize (76)

I hope your holidays have been merry and bright. Here's to a fabulous 2012. Cheers, loves!

xoxo
Erin

Monday Meal Planning - holidaze

Morning! It's the 19th. I have about a million things to do and not nearly enough time to do them all. And our freezer is broken...and I think the fridge is dying. Oh well. It'll all get done, or it won't, but at least we'll eat some yummy food. That is, if everything gets fixed in time! Yikes. Breathe.
Instead of my regular meal planning post, I'm posting a ton of different recipes to help get you through the week and into the weekend. Some are tried and true and some are new and different. I hope they make these next few days a little less stressful and a lot more tasty. 


Cocktails:
My Mom's Eggnog

A Dozen Eggs (I use egg beaters, though we always grew up using real eggs)

1 cup of sugar

1 carton of vanilla ice cream

1 gallon of whole milk (or less, depending on how thick or thin you like your eggnog)

3 tablespoons vanilla (or more)

fresh grated nutmeg, to taste (lots!)

Add Spiced Rum or Amaretto for a boozy treat. 

Peppermint White Russians

Appetizers:

Onion Jam - make this onion jam!!! And then use it to make a baked brie. 

Baked Brie - put the onion jam on the brie instead of sweet jam. Brush the dough w/ an egg wash and bake according to the recipe. 

Olive Cheese Bread

Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Wings

Quick and Easy Dinners:

Thai Chicken Pizza - use store-bought dough and a rotisserie chicken!

Crockpot Korean Beef Tacos

Sherried Tomato Soup

Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Holiday Meals:

Spinach Gratin

Burgundy Mushrooms

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes with Brown Butter, Goat Cheese and Sage

Sagaponack Corn Pudding

Roasted Beef Tenderloin

Beef Roast Braised in Zinfandel


Happy Monday! And we're off!
xoxo
Erin 

An Essay in Pictures

There has been a whole lot of stuff going on around here...and not a whole lot of writing. Here's what we've been up to! 

Phew....back to our regular scheduled programming. Sort of. 

Happy Thursday! It is Thursday, right?

xoxo

Erin 

Tuesday Meal Planning

Hey, peeps! My sister arrives tomorrow night for our annual Pre-Christmas shenanigans. HURRAY! I can't wait. Here's what we'll be eating this week.


Tuesday: Honey Mustard Chicken and Rice Pilaf


Wednesday: Corn and Cheese Chowder


Thursday: Chinese Broccoli Beef Noodle Stir Fry


Friday: Spicy Honey Chicken Salad


Saturday: Italian Meatball Soup


Sunday: Pork Chops with Rigatoni and Onions

Happy Tuesday!
xoxo
Erin

Five years ago today...a little girl was born.

Today is your 5th birthday! I can barely believe it. And yet, I look at you and can't believe you've only been mine for the last 5 years, I feel like I've known you forever.

You're the oldest little soul I know. Born of two artists who met their 3rd day in art school. Loved from the moment we knew you existed. You surprised us one day in early December, 3 weeks early!

I called your daddy from my office to tell him that I just didn't feel great. All my friends surrounded me that day, I don't think a drop of work got done. Your daddy came to pick me up. We hopped in a cab and zipped up town!

We had nothing w/ us! Just a camera. Daddy was even wearing a suit. He didn't even get to go home and change or bring me my bag before you arrived!

Your cheeks! They were the first thing I noticed. And your sweet little curly ear. You still have that little ear but the cheeks are disappearing more and more each day.

You looked so much like your daddy when you were born but now are changing into a little mini version of me. Drama and all. :)

Your big gray eyes and your little impish grin bring smiles to everyone who meets you. You amaze me, sweet girl.

Who thinks the things you do? Who says the things you do? No other 5 year old I know.

You are uniquely you, and you are perfect.

I love you with all my heart, even more.

More than all the stars in the sky and all the leaves on the trees..

Happy Birthday, baby!!!

xoxo
Mama