Holiday Photos

JARROD, DAD, MOM & ME AT WENTE WINERY

JARROD & DAD AT TAMAS WINERY

JEN & ME AT LUCKY 13

JARROD & MOM

EMILY & ME AT LUCKY 13

THE GIRLS AT LUCKY 13

ANDI & ME AT BARIO

The Day After Christmas...

I am such a kid on Christmas.... I keep a gift list all year long and Mom shops from it for the big day. Yes, I do appreciate the time with family, respect it is the day we celebrate Jesus birthday, and do not take for granted all we have in life. I reflect on what I am thankful for and feel lucky for all that I have. Those wrapped gifts beneath the tree are also on that list of what I am thankful for.

This year was great once again... (thanks Mom & Dad)

* 5th in a series of charms for my Tiffany & Company charm bracelet- this year a black stiletto pump shoe charm- so cute!
* Workout clothes from LuLu Lemon
* A new funky suitcase (black and white) for all of my worldly travels (ok, mostly work trips)
* Kiehl's products (LOVE Kiehls- ya know, the plain white packaging with the black print- great stuff- focus on eye creams this year- fighting the early stages of crow's feet!)
* And the fun this 'n' that stuff of books, water bottles, cute cupcake cases, etc. All the stuff you would never buy but love to get!

I simply love getting (and of course giving) Christmas presents. A big highlight of the year. The sad thing is, the day after, my new list has already started. Remember, I have a birthday in 4 months....

Time to go roll Swedish meatballs with Mom. Hope your Christmas was smashing!

Merry Christmas!!!

A very Merry Christmas Eve to all...

I am sitting on the couch, in front of the TV which is playing one of many football games (this one happens to be the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl), relaxing with the folks while we wait for Jarrod to return from work to begin Feast #1 for the holiday weekend- I am foregoing our tradition of Christmas Eve homemade pizzas and I am trying slow-cooked BBQ tri-tip sandwiches with picnic fixins'. Something new for Christmas 2010! Reviews come later.

I am quite relaxed while Mom is curled up on one end of the couch, Dad on the other, and me hogging the love seat with laptop in lap (how ironic), Casey cuddled up next to me, and a nice glass of Pinot Noir glistening against the roaring fire (nope- not a cliche- this is for real). Reminiscing about what I adore about Christmas since I was a kid:

* I fondly remember Swedish meatballs and homemade rolls on Christmas Eve at Grandma & Grandpa's house in Minneapolis
* The famous Candlelight service at church before heading to Grandma's- best church service of the year- so pretty
* Over maximizing the capacity of Grandma's basement with every relative we cram in plus about 10 wrapped gifts per person under the 3 foot fake tree that Grandma shoved in the closet- ornaments, lights, and all- every year
* Those yummy Kemp's ice cream treats shaped like Christmas tress and Snowmen heads that are only available during the month of December- love those!
* Gifts in the stocking from Santa on Christmas morning that still continues these days (yes, it IS from Santa... he does exist and he does know what I want for Christmas)
* Getting Hallmark ornaments and PJs every single year
* Insisting we watch some cheesy holiday movie every year on Christmas Day- don't forget the 24 hour repeat of "A Christmas Story" on TBS every year, but I am partial to "Elf" these days
* Shopping with Mom the morning after Christmas as early as possible (but not as early as Black Friday!) to buy the 50% off crap I really don't need, but MUST have- starting at the Target holiday isles!!! Gift wrap, bows, tape, tinsel... anyone?
* And my favorite Christmas memory for the past several years.. heading to Tiffany & Company the day after to have my new charm added to my charm bracelet... it's not even half full and it's BEAUTIFUL!!!

In California I cannot say "Oh the weather outside is frightful...", but I can say... MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!! HO HO HO!!!

Fa La La La Lifetime

I have another confession to make: I'm cheesy (as if you didn't know that already if you a) have read my blog or b) know me at all). This time it revolves around super cute holiday movies.

B (or C or D) list actors, incredibly sappy plots (well, not sure if they could be defined as "plots", more like "attempted story line") and very unrealistic over-the-top happy endings.

I wonder if anyone has taken a count of how many holiday movies there are each year? Hundreds I am sure. As I mentioned in my previous post- Lifetime, ABC Family, Hallmark Channel, etc. all house these holiday movies. But the focus of this blog is simply Fa La La La Lifetime. I know, I just like to type it. And say it out loud.

Right now I have on the screen of my Geek Squad mounted HD Samsung (thanks Best Buy) the film (again I use the term film loosely) "All I Want for Christmas". This one covers all of the stereotypes:
* Virtually unknown actress (she was a killed off supporting actress on Dawson's Creek years ago)
* Set in some small town that always has an over-the-top Christmas theme
* Some bah-humbug characters
* Some hot guy
* Some funny, heart-loving character you just can't help chuckling at
* And, of course, the angst-ridden story line about "saving Christmas", "finding love", or something similar

Ah, the joys of these fun flicks. Yes, they are crazy cheesy, sappy, goofy, and could be described as "tear jerkers" by some, but I love 'em each year. They are all the same and some I watch year after year- think updated versions of "A Christmas Carol"- one from a few years ago with "Facts of Life" (tomboy Jo) fame Nancy McKeon- "Comfort and Joy" and a new one tonight with Christina Millian- "Christmas Cupid"- even the titles make me chuckle.

Time to sit back, relax with some fresh pressed coffee, and enjoy a little holiday cheer before I hit the gym. As a matter of fact, this holiday cheer just may make the treadmill run go by just a little faster with headphones and the treadmill TVs... Fa La La La Lifetime my friends. 'Tis the season!

ICE CREAM!!!

Yep, this is going to be a short post all about ice cream. Just ice cream.

Got me started due to the fact that I purchased the annual Peppermint Stick/Candy Cane ice cream today that, of course, only comes out during the holiday season. That got me thinking of my love of ice cream and my faves. Oh, how I adore ice cream (almost as much as cupcakes).

Phish Food. Ben & Jerry's.
Peanut Butter Chocolate. Haagen Daz.
Vanilla Cherry. Haagen Daz.
Daiquiri Ice. Baskin Robins.

Now.... very sad... but years ago, around Valentine's Day, Baskin Robbins had this absolutely amazing Hunk O'Cherry Burning Love. Had it once. Or twice. And have never seen it again. Boo hoo. Oh how I have missed that hunk.

Bad news? Most of this ice cream is loaded with fat and calories.
Good news? Peppermint/Candy Cane only has 120 calories. Yippee.

There ya go. Left smarter (about ice cream) than you came.

Tasty Treats

Yvette, Colleen, Jen, Dave and me at Triptych



This one is for Kristy Knapp... :)




I had one of the BEST dining experiences last night in San Francisco. I took some of my work team out for dinner in the city- Triptych.




One word sums it up. WOW. Just simply wow.




Let's start at the very beginning. A very good place to start. I did some research, like usual, on places to go with reasonable prices, a variety of options on their dinner menu, and most of all exceptional desserts. Yum.




Triptych is located on the border of a not-so-great neighborhood off of Harrison downtown, but it's fine once you get there and street parking is all around. Right across from a laundromat/bar/comedy club (yes, seriously- how fun is THAT!?) The place itself is fairly small, but had art-theme decor with local artists on the walls. The staff was extremely friendly- 1 guy liked just like Actor Jason Ritter (John Ritter's son) and he agreed with me when he looked on the internet to find out who Jason Ritter is... He was flattered.





A group of 5, we decided to order 1 of every appetizer to share:


Sweet Potato Fries


Bacon-wrapped shrimp in white beans


Artichoke and mushroom ravioli


Ahi tuna with crisps


Chicken drummies





These, along with a darn tasty white wine I had never heard of, an even better sangiovese for the red girl and another magnificent malbec. Cheers!




Entrees included the pork tenderloin special with green beans, carrots, and mashed potatoes (me), the salmon special (2), and their pride osso bucco (2). There were sighs and groans made by all as we consumed with delight.




We ended the meal just as we did with appetizers: 1 of each!!!


Molten chocolate cake


Pear tart


Gelato ice cream sandwich (my very favorite choice!)


Triple layer chocolate mousse





The scary part is the serving sizes weren't so ridiculously huge that I was not stuffed to the gills when we left; just simply sufficiently full and very satisfied (not sure if that sounds like a restaurant review or a sex ad???)




One of the surprise add-on's to the evening was the restroom. Decorated over the top with 70's paraphernalia- the best being the Charlie's Angels posters, pics, etc. but I would be remiss if I did not mention the photos of Saturday Night Fever and Kristy/Jimmy McNichol. Ha! Hilarious and so fun to observe while you "take care of business".




Overall, nothing bad to say about Triptych. The atmosphere, staff, food, and yes, bathroom, were all amazing and we will definitely be back. For sure. Bring on the apps, dessert, and kitschy bathroom of Triptych!





http://www.triptychsf.com/

December Delights

Saturday night. Fire glowing in the fireplace. Just had a little vanilla bean ice cream with red & green sprinkles in spirit of the season. Casey cuddling next to me. Cheesy Hallmark channel Christmas movie on TV. These are the things the holiday season are made of.

Got me thinking of what December is made of for ME. Lots of things, actually. Just a few to share...

Above mentioned- Christmas movies on TV...Lifetime, ABC Family, Hallmark...yes, sappy- but so required this time of year. Right now it's "Farewell Mr Kringle" and next up is "Christmas Cupid". I know... eyes are rolling.

Can't get enough gingerbread cake from Starbucks. Yum! Fat free and low calorie, right!? You bet. I have not yet forgone my "tall coffee, black" in exchange for the gingerbread latte or some other calorie laden festive froth, but I just may one of these days...

Comfy, warm clothes. Specifically flannel shirts. Have you checked out US Weekly, In Style, or other rags lately? All the celebs are wearing them- often with scarves and skinny jeans, of course. I must say- the J. Crew version are my fave this season. Comfy, cute and trendy without being "over trendy".

Christmas music 24/7 on the "light" radio stations. Love that! Or, my many, many Christmas CDs. While I am very partial to all 6 or more Amy Grant Christmas CDs I own, I also believe The Blenders, Jewel, and Taylor Swift are pretty good. 30-plus days of holiday lyrics are enough to keep the spirits high until the next year.

Ugg boots. Again, eye rolls here. But I love the comfy boots- especially in December- when the ground is cool and, in some cases, covered in the white stuff (think Utah and Minnesota for this California girl). Black, brown, suede, or leather. I love 'em. So cute with jeans. Hmmm.. maybe matched with that J. Crew flannel....

Those are a few of my favorite December things. Oprah nor Julie Andrews I may not be, but hey.... a fun blogger am I!

Until next time, ho ho ho...