Snowed in + Popcorn Machine

Like most of the Eastern seaboard, Shaun and I were snowed in yesterday.

We filled the time with lots of football, pizza (since I haven't done a non-baking food shopping in longer than I care to admit...) and playing with our shiny new Christmas presents.

 

 

Santa was very, very good to us this year! Especially to me, the new owner of a Nikon DSLR camera! When Shaun presented me with my new gift, I was over the moon with excitement and couldn't wait to dig into the goods. Though I took all of the photos that you see here now on the new beauty, I realized that I have a lot to learn about it so stay tuned as {hopefully} my photography skills get better and better!

Meanwhile, I also realized that a certain someone gets a little antsy when being stuck in the house for too long...

Luckily, we received this fun toy to keep us busy.

 

It's a popcorn machine! This awesome appliance was gifted to Shaun and me on Christmas Eve from my Aunt Diane. Cool, right?

 

Shaun got to work setting it up and within minutes we had fresh, salty popcorn worthy of movie theater status.

Mixed up with salt in a giant red mixing bowl, this popcorn was ready for eating! With popcorn and soda, a snowy window, a lit Christmas tree and a couple of throw blankets, we settled in to catch up on Top Chef. I'd say it was a pretty fabulous evening.

So what do you think? Have you ever made your own popcorn? I bet there are lots of ways to change this up; from my favorite butter and salt to parmesean cheese or cinnamon sugar!

A Tale of Christmas

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! And for those of you who don't celebrate, I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend! Shaun and I have had a very busy few days - spending time with family, eating and having a fun date night to kick it all off.

Shaun and me on Christmas Day

It all started Thursday night for our fancy schmancy holiday date night. Shaun picked the place - Edward's Steakhouse in Jersey City. Charming, right?

 

We started with the seafood appetizer special. Oysters, clams, tuna and shrimp oh my! Oh and let's not forget a few slices of thick cut bacon (which I had all to myself since a certain someone just isn't into pork).

 

Next we shared a Porterhouse Steak for Two with a side of creamed spinach. I don't really have words for this one. Ohmigod might say it all.

We topped off dinner with an apple crunch tart and vanilla bean ice cream. Wowza.

Our date night was topped off with hanging out at home. And by hanging out at home, I mean trapping Shaun in the bedroom while I wrapped his and other gifts out in the living room. Luckily I had The Grinch to keep me company. The next morning, it was off to the fam for Christmas Eve breakfast and getting ready for the evening festivities. We changed up dinner this year with a round of cold appetizers and then a round of hot appetizers for dinner. I think it was our best Christmas Eve yet!

 

For the hot appetizers, we dined on filet mignon crostini, stuffed cabbage, twice baked potatoes, chicken tenders, vegetable tart, stuffed mushrooms and rice balls (Grandma Mary's recipe).

 

And of course there were desserts. Mom made a profesh looking Grandma Mary pie...

While my cousin Alyson baked up a dish of red velvet whoopie pies...(spoiler alert: they were amazing!)

My mother in law made her very famous Italian Ricotta Cookies. I'm enjoying one as we speak.

Nothing like fun, food and fam for Christmas!

Hope you all had a very Merry! What did you do this Christmas?

How To Make Your Holiday Cookies Look Even Better

Shaun and I have off from work today so after a quick trip to the gym, we're heading out to finish off our Christmas shopping and pick up some supplies for food that I signed up for to bring to my parents house tomorrow and his parents on Saturday. On the list? A vegetable tart (which I also made for dinner one night and cannot wait to share with you guys)

my sundried tomato + olive tapenade...

and perhaps a seasonal cupcake (contemplating one of the eggnog variety...thoughts?). Topping off the day will be present wrapping, a viewing of Scrooged (one of my favorite holiday movies) and a fancy dinner at Edward's here in Jersey City. Let's get this party started!

Meanwhile, I wanted to do a quick post for you guys and share a super simple tip to make all of those holiday cookies look extra awesome come Christmas. The key? Powdered sugar! There's nothing like a snowy white dusting of powdered sugar over holiday cookies to make them look extra special...and extra delicious to boot.

 

To get the look, I picked up a small sieve at Walmart for about $2. I scooped in a tablespoon of confectioners' sugar and sifted it right over the top of the cookie platter.

and in for the close up...

So there you have it. A super simple way to turn those cookies up a notch. Oh and this is a great way to jazz up any cookie, be it store bought or homemade. Easy peasy. So what do you think? I do have one more cookie recipe to share with you, which I will try to post this evening for any of your stragglers still looking for the perfect dessert or have ample time tomorrow morning to bake. And just a hint...there's Nutella involved.

How are you kicking off the holiday?