Food Recipe: Crab Dip

In honor of New Years Eve and the celebrations for the new year, I wanted to share an appetizer recipe that I love (and I am not even a big seafood fan!). I had a picture to add, but the photo totally doesn't do the dish justice. Just trust me, its really tasty!

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons chopped onion (the spice, not actual chopped onions)
• 6 1/2 ounces crab meat
• cocktail sauce

DIRECTIONS:

Chop the crab meat into small bits. Mix the cream cheese, mayo, onion, and crab meat. Spread the mixture onto a large plate. Spread a thin layer of cocktail sauce over the mixture. Serve with crackers or bread. Super easy!

When is it Time to Take Down Decorations?

Christmas is through for another year. But with New Years Eve and New Years Day approaching, its still the holiday season. Which leads to the important question- how long do you leave your Christmas decorations up?

I know several people who take advantage of time off work and school to remove their tree and decorations before the New Years. Others mark the passing of New Years as a sign the holiday season is over, thus leading the way for decorations to come down.

Meanwhile, as I learned in Puerto Rico, others celebrate Christmas as much after the holiday as before. They celebrate Epiphany, or the date when the three wise men visited baby Jesus, as part of the larger Christmas season and keep decorations up through that date (January 6th in 2010).

As for me, I like to keep my decorations up through the New Year. But then, I play it by ear to decide when I have the time and desire to take down the tree. The most likely time? The weekend of January 9-10. If I don't un-decorate then, who knows how long it will stay up!?!?

When do you plan to take down your tree and other Christmas decorations? Or have you already?!

Review: White Christmas at the Fox Theater

I visited the Fox Theater in St. Louis, MO on Christmas Eve to watch the musical adaptation of "White Christmas." The movie is one of my favorites, so I was looking forward to seeing the play. And what better way to spend a rainy Christmas Eve?

• The play was pretty true to the movie. In the show, the General's daughter and the innkeeper's secretary/concierge had much larger roles in the musical than the movie. And, this go around, Betty was a redhead!
• With all of its singing and dancing, the movie adapts really well into a musical. The cast sang the main favorites: Count your Blessings Instead of Sheep, Sisters, and, of course, White Christmas. But there were also a few numbers not found in the movie.
• Lots of tap dancing, which was fantastic!
• The timing of the musical seemed a bit off. The first act started to feel a little long- over an hour and a half. Meanwhile, Act Two was less than an hour.
• The last scene is always my favorite, and the climactic one of the movie, but I thought the play really minimized it. It felt like the scene had just begun and then it was over.
• My tickets were to the matinee on Christmas Eve, and I was surprised by how many empty seats there were. But it was a holiday, and tickets were a bit pricey!

Overall, its hard to live up to such a classic movie, played by well-known actors and actresses with famous voices. But I enjoyed the show, and the fact that it was Christmas Eve really added to the festivity.

Food Recipe: "Easy" Candied Nuts

I saw this recipe in Real Simple magazine and though it looked delicious. So I tried my hand at making the nuts- and while the end result tasted good, I did not find the recipe easy whatsoever! I admit, I am not the world's best baker, but I had a lot of problems. Hopefully, my experience will be a lesson for you!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups unsalted mixed nuts (This should have been my first clue- I had a horrible time finding unsalted nuts!)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and toast, tossing once, for 6-8 minutes; transfer to a bowl. Next lesson- once the nuts are done toasting, TAKE THEM OFF THE BAKING SHEET! Otherwise, they will continue to toast and end up burnt.
• In a large skillet, combine the sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons of water. Simmer; swirling the pan occasionally until the liquid is amber colored (about 12-15 minutes)- do not stir as it will crystallize the caramel. Yup, I stirred- so I had to start this step all over again with new ingredients. But I never could get my mixture amber colored. And my second batch started to crystallize again. So I figured it was done...
• Stir in the nuts, then spread the mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, separating the nuts as much as possible. Let cool. As you can see from my picture, my nuts were nowhere near as pretty as the magazine's. But, I guess the most important thing- they were very tasty!

Christmas Over for Another Year

Well, Christmas Day is over for another year; but we still have a few days left in the Christmas season to enjoy! A quick rundown of my holiday:

• Family holiday parties: 5
• Times watched "A Christmas Story": 3
• Times watched "White Christmas": 2 (one of the movie, one of the play)
• Apps bought for my new iPod touch: 8
• Number of times I caught a pet sleeping on my new Lambie blanket: 4
• Times sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus: 1 (during church, no less!)
• Inches of snow: maybe 1 (but enough to turn the ground white!)
• Calories consumed: way too many!

How was your Christmas? Did Santa bring you everything you wanted?

Drink Recipe: Homemade Bloody Mary Mix

I admit, I am not a fan of Bloody Marys. I just don't care for tomato juice. But my father loves a good Bloody Mary, and at the cocktail class at Sur la Table, we learned how to make a homemade, spicy tomato juice, which can serve as a mixer for Bloody Marys. I made the juice, canned it in a pretty jar, and had a nice, homemade present for my dad!

INGREDIENTS:

• 5 pounds tomatoes, cored and chopped, or canned tomatoes (I definitely took the easy way out and used canned)
• 1 small, chopped onion
• 3 crushed garlic cloves
• 2 jalapeno peppers, halved and seeded
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• dash Worcestershire sauce
• horseradish to taste

DIRECTIONS:

• In a large pot, simmer the tomatoes, onion, garlic, and peppers until they are soft (about 15 minutes).
• Puree the tomatoes in a food mill (I dont have the fancy Sur la Table contraptions, so I left this step out. As a result, my mix didn't make as much juice). Strain the tomatoes through a fine sieve. This is very important! Otherwise, you will have tomato pulp (even if its very fine) and seeds in your mix.
• Add the lemon juice.
• You can freeze, can, or serve the juice. I attempted to can mine, so that it would last. I hope I was successful...
• When ready to serve, mix the juice with the Worcestershire sauce and horseradish. Add vodka and ice.

Merry Christmas!

It's finally here!!!! Merry Christmas everyone! Have a wonderful holiday!!!!!

Merry Christmas Eve!

To me, Christmas Eve is just as much a holiday as Christmas- so I'll keep this short and sweet!

• I was in DC this past weekend, just in time for their monster snowstorm. I included a few pictures below- I've never seen so much snow in such a short period of time!
• I am glad I finished my Christmas shopping early- it seems like the malls and stores are swamped more than usual!
• I want to thank American Airlines for not charging me to check a bag this week.
• I'm off to see White Christmas at the Fox Theater in St. Louis, MO today. Look for a review after Christmas!

Taste Test: Pomegranate and Mint Infused Vodkas

Its been a week since I attempted to infused vodka with pomegranate and mint (separately, not together!). So its time to taste test! My thoughts:

Pomegranate Infused Vodka: I think this one needs to sit a bit longer. The pomegranate flavor isn't very strong, and the seeds are just starting to lose their color. The color of the vodka is a very pale pink. I'll check back in another week.

Mint Infused Vodka: In this case, the mint has definitely infused! Maybe a bit too much- next time I wouldn't leave the mint in for a week. At the moment, the taste of the vodka has a strong resemblance to toothpaste. In addition, the mint leaves are looking pretty tired. But once I strained the mint leaves out and added the vodka to hot chocolate, in lieu of peppermint schnapps, it tasted pretty good!

The Christmas Store, Bellevue, WA

I had wanted to visit The Christmas Store on a trip to Bellevue earlier this year, but since it was June, the store was only open approximately 3 hours each week. But on my most recent trip in December, I was able to check it out!

LOCATION: Bellevue is a nice, suburban shopping area. Lots of

malls, shops, and restaurants- a good place to shop the day away. The Christmas Store is a bit off the beaten path, though- closer to the freeway than the main shopping area. But there is plenty of parking and its easy to find.

MERCHANDISE: The store itself isn't very big, although rooms have a way of leading to additional rooms, so its larger than what you anticipate when you walk through the doors. When compared to other stores, the shop does not have a large selection- in fact, the rooms can feel a bit sparse (but unlike other Christmas shops, you are able to maneuver around the store in a winter coat without worrying about knocking items off shelves and trees!). But just because there is not a large inventory doesn't mean the shop doesn't have fun and unique items. Plenty of items caught my eye. In the very back room, the store also has a sale section, which is worth a look.

ODDS AND ENDS: The store actually provides coupons in the local paper- thats a great deal! While the store carries some pricey items, nine times out of ten, the price of an ornament will be $7.95. As I mentioned in the intro, the store is open pretty regularly during Christmas, but cuts its hours big time once the holiday is over, so definitely check before visiting.

PURCHASED: Actually, I didn't buy anything- but its not because I didn't want to! As I mentioned in my review of Molbak's, I only had a (stuffed) carry-on suitcase, and the two ornaments I loved would have never fit: a red ball ornament, covered in glitter and jewels, and a glass snowman filled with sparkly, fluffy "snow".

OVERALL: If you're in the area, its worth a quick stop (especially if you have a coupon!). But I wouldn't make a specific out-of-the-way detour just for the shop.

Drink Recipe: Homemade Mulled Wine

I love mulled wine, especially when the weather gets cold. But I have never attempted to make my own; I always use a pre-bought mix. But while being stuck in the huge snowstorm that hit Washington, DC this week, I thought it would be the perfect time to try and make my own!

Just a word of warning- a plethora of mulled wine recipes exist on the internet. I tried to wade through as many as I could, looking for the ingredients that I thought I would like best (lots of cinnamon, not a lot of fruit or sugar). I used this recipe from BellaOnline as my starting point. Final verdict- totally delicious!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 750 mL bottle of red wine
• 6-8 cinnamon sticks (the recipe calls for 6; I had 8 left, so I just dumped them all in!)
• 12 whole cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• The recipe also calls for 1/8 teaspoon of ginger, but I was all out, so I left it out of my concoction. Further, it asks for a lemon or orange, but I left that out, since I am not a big fan of citrus.

DIRECTIONS:

• Combine the wine, spices, and sugar in a large pot. Heat through, but don't boil (you'll burn off all the alcohol!). I find that heating the wine for a long time on a low setting provides the best taste.
• Make sure to strain the wine before you drink it- otherwise, you'll have bits of cinnamon and cloves in your glass.
• Another tip: I only pour little glasses, so it stays hot while I am sipping!

Decorations in Bellevue, WA

From my Christmas store review previously of Molbak's (andanother store review is forthcoming!), you can see I spent some time in the Pacific Northwest last week. While I never ventured into downtown Seattle, I spent some quality time in the suburb of Bellevue, which, among other things, is home to a fantastic mall. And Christmas decorations! The whole main street across from the mall was lit with snowflakes and lights and decorated with toy soldiers. Christmas music was piped through speakers onto the street, which definitely added to the festive spirit.

I've also included a picture of a giant gingerbread "town"

that was displayed in the lobby of my hotel. Amazing!

But my favorite Christmas encounter occurred at the Seattle-Tacoma airport. Riding through the airport on a golf cart was Santa and an elf. The two rode through the terminals and gates, wishing all the travelers a Merry Christmas (and this was at 6 am in the morning!). It definitely put a smile on everyone's face!

Christmas Store Review - Molbak's, Woodinville, WA

While Molbak's isn't really a Christmas store, per say, it has so many Christmas decorations and holiday items that it deserves its own review!

LOCATION: I am not too familiar with the area, so take my thoughts on the area with a grain of salt! First, Woodinville seems like a super cute town. The town and the area around Molbak's reminds me of a picturesque Northwest town- very outdoorsy feeling. And bonus points- they have wineries! But, I will say, the traffic in Seattle and its suburbs can be horrendous. And I even live in a place that has pretty bad traffic.

MERCHANDISE: Wow, this store is amazing. And HUGE. The first thing I noticed after parking the car was the amazing smell of pine surrounding the entire store from the lot of Christmas trees outside, as Molbak's is primarily a nursery and gardening store. In addition to the trees, the shop sells 42 varieties of poinsettias. Who knew that many varieties even existed? But the store also has a large Christmas section, with decorations, lights, and ornaments. It seems like so many stores are limited to only ornaments- not here. They stock all types and kinds of holiday decorations. One of my favorite displays was a twist on the themed Christmas trees. Instead of a tree, the store hung up pine branches- it almost looked like an upside down Christmas tree. Then, they decorated the branches with fish and undersea ornaments. The end result looked like a coral reef! The one downside of the store- its not cheap.

ODDS AND ENDS: One of the best things about this store is its Garden Cafe. You can order lunch (and wine!) and sit among plants and flowers in the store's indoor garden. But beware, the line to eat gets long and it takes awhile for the cooks to prepare your food. But its a nice way to cap off a shopping trip (or gain sustenance for further browsing!). The store also allows you to bring your pets with you.

PURCHASED: I was pretty limited in my purchasing ability, since I only had a carry-on suitcase with me for the trip. But I did pick up two Christmas dog cookies as a holiday treat (no, not for me- for pets)!

OVERALL: To be honest, this store is completely overwhelming. But in a GOOD way! Plan to spend a lot of time in the store (and spend a lot of money)- and eat at the cafe!

Christmas in Iraq

Its easy to get wrapped up in the Christmas holidays and forget that many brave men and women are spending the holidays overseas, away from friends and family. So while we keep them in our thoughts and prayers, I asked a soldier deployed to Iraq to give us some insight into how Christmas is spent overseas. His take:

"How you celebrate Christmas depends on where you are in Iraq. Some soldiers on isolated outposts live in more sparse conditions, so they don't have many options when it comes to celebrating. Those soldiers at larger bases usually have access to shops and stores at which they can buy decorations. Mostly, we rely on what family and friends mail us. We usually have small Christmas trees because the rooms or tents we're in generally don't have room for a larger tree. To make up for the smaller tree, we have a larger community tree somewhere near where most of us work. We'll also put up decorations whereever we can; the most popular options are usually lights strung along the outside your work area. Of course, fire hazards are always a concern, so tents and other places don't often get lighting. The chow halls are open longer for lunch and dinner on holidays since they usually get crowded. We'll usually get half a day off of work for Christmas and - if lucky enough to swing it - manage to get the whole day off (as long as someone else covers your duties)."

Drink Recipe: Mint-Infused Vodka

So while I was making my pomegranate-infused vodka, I thought I would try my hand at mint-infused vodka too. Despite the freezing temperatures, my balcony mint plant is growing like crazy. I wish it had grown like this all year! I simply followed the same process as the pomegranate vodka, only substituting mint. Maybe it will serve as a good substitute for peppermint schnapps in hot chocolate?

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• A handful of fresh mint
• 1 liter vodka

DIRECTIONS:

• Boil the sugar and water in a saucepan until sugar dissolves (you're making simple syrup at this point).
• Roll the mint around in your hand a bit to bruise it.
• Pour vodka, mint, and sugar mixture into a glass container. I am no cook, but I don't believe the mint will need to sit as long as the pomegranate (or my earlier attempts at infusing pumpkin cinnamon vodka).

Gift Card or No Gift Card?

Every year around Christmastime, people debate the use of gift cards and whether the cards make a thoughtful present. To sum up the two sides of the argument:

No to gift cards. I know a lot of individuals feel that gift cards are not a good present to give or receive. First, they feel that giving a gift card does not show thought or effort. The giver didn't bother to consider what gifts the recipient may want to receive, and instead takes the 'easy way out.' In addition, gift cards are not fun to receive. Instead of surprise and joy at opening a present, the recipient instead gets a small card and then has to fight the crowds and malls to redeem. Also, gift cards can expire or get lost. The recipient also knows how much to spent on them. Lastly, the recipient almost always has to use some of their own money in order to use the full amount of the card.

Yes to gift cards. Meanwhile, many people are fully in support of the use of gift cards. Its so hard to figure out what recipients may want or enjoy (or what size they wear!). By giving a card, the recipient is able to buy something he or she really wants, rather than receiving a present they don't want, will never use, or need to return. Giving a gift card also lets the recipient take advantage of after Christmas sales and possibly get more bang for the buck than if a present was bought before the holidays. As for the opinion that gift cards are impersonal, the giver is still giving a gift and sending well-wishes. Its not the gift itself, but the thought behind it.

Final decision. I admit, I buy gift cards. I have family that lives across the U.S. that I rarely see, but still want to give a present to let them know I am thinking of them. Yet, I have NO CLUE what to buy them. Other family members have specifically asked for gift cards for Christmas. But for family and friends who I do see or talk to regularly, I try to buy gifts that I think they would enjoy (and make sure to include a gift receipt!).

As a nice compromise between the two gift card extremes, I want to share a story. When I was a kid, I received a gift card from my aunt and uncle to a toy store. Then, to cap off the gift, they took me to the store, helped me shop, and then took me out to lunch. I was thrilled to have my own 'money' and the ability to pick out anything I wanted (within the card limits!). And my aunt and uncle made it into an experience that I still remember today. What a great present!

Food Recipe: Sugar Cookies

Its not the holidays without Christmas cookies, and one of my favorites is sugar cookies. Unfortunately, I am not a great baker, especially with cookies (I always tend to overbake them!). However, I still decided to try my hand at All Recipe's version of Easy Sugar Cookies.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in dry ingredients. Roll into rounded teaspoonfuls of dough and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. Or, if you're really talented, this is where you can roll the dough and cut into fun shapes (maybe next year for me...)
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes (it took my oven 12 minutes).

Just some extra notes:

• A teaspoonful is pretty small, so keep that in mind- your cookies will be small as well.
• My dough was a little dry, but the cookies came out pretty tasty.
• I made a special effort not to overbake these cookies. But in case you do, the best tip I have ever heard (and I can vouch for its success as well) is to place your cookies in a bag and add a slice of bread wrapped in a paper towel. Let the bag sit overnight. The next morning, the slice of bread will be rock hard, but your cookies will be more moist!

Drink Recipe: Blackberry Syrup and Kir Royales

I wrote earlier this week about the Pomegranate-Infused Vodka I made using the recipe I learnd at the cocktail class at Sur la Table. The second recipe I wanted to make was the Blackberry Syrup. I really like Kir Royales, but the creme de cassis you buy at the store is so sugary and artificial tasting. While this recipe also calls for sugar, its much tastier and fresher than what you buy! It would make a fun drink for New Years Eve!

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups blackberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 ounces Grand Marnier (although I used Cointreau. You could also sub OJ, if you wanted to make the syrup non-alcoholic)

DIRECTIONS:

• Combine the blackberries and sugar in a pot. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, and boil until the mixture thickens (it took mine about 15 minutes). I also found it strange to cook the blackberries and sugar without adding sugar, but don't worry- everything turns out fine!
• Remove from heat and strain to remove berry seeds. Add lemon juice and Grand Marnier. I would use slightly less of the Grand Marnier and lemon juice next time, because I am not a big citrus fan, and it does add a little flavor to the drink.
• To make a Kir Royale, add a spoonful of the syrup to a champagne glass and add champagne. For a Kir, substitute the champagne for white wine. You can also make a nice non-alcoholic drink using sparkling water. The syrup makes the drink look really festive- a pretty reddish-pink, rather than the more purple (and watered-down look) you get from creme de cassis.

Review: A Jazz Piano Christmas at the Kennedy Center

I visited the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC on Friday to listen to the "Jazz Piano Christmas" concert. I had really looked forward to the show- I'm still trying to learn more about jazz, and, of course, you know my love of Christmas. Overall, I had a great time!

• I love listening to piano music and the pianists were fantastic. I am amazed at how quickly they can move their hands across the keys- and memorize all those notes! I wish I had more music knowledge to better describe the concert!
• I would have liked to hear more Christmas music- the performers played The Christmas Song, Little Drummer Boy, and O Little Town of Bethlehem, but the other arrangements weren't recognizable songs and didn't have much relation to the holidays.
• The show was interesting as it was also being recorded to be played on NPR in the future. So the host spoke as if he were on the radio, and those of us in the audience had cues of when to applaud as well.
• The show lasted 90 minutes without an intermission, which seemed like a good length.
• The Kennedy Center itself was decorated for the holidays- I've included a few of my pictures below.

News and Notes: 12/13/09

• Wreath-layers carry out Arlington tradition, Washington Post. Volunteers place more than 16,000 holiday wreaths at the graves in Arlington National Cemetery.
• Tips on holiday tipping, Kiplinger.com. The article helps you navigate some of the tip etiquette questions that arise during this time of year.
• The Washington Post also has a 2009 Holiday Guide, which discusses all things Christmas.
• Holiday gifts for the traveler, Tribune Media Services. The article provides some suggestions for frequent travelers on your gift list.
• Stephen King pays for troops holiday trip home, Associated Press. The author donates $13,000 so soldiers in Indiana can return home to Maine for the holidays.
• 14 ways to survive a holiday flight, Budget Travel. Some basic tips, but always good to review!
• Peppermint, everything - yuck!, Newsweek. The author rails against all the peppermint available this time of year.

Drink Recipe: Pomegranate-Infused Vodka

When I wrote about the cocktail class I took at Sur la Table, I promised to make some of the recipes on my own and share them. The first recipe I wanted to make is pomegranate-infused vodka. While my vodka still needs a week or two to infuse, I saw the finished product at the class- its so pretty and pink! It would make a great gift or base for a holiday drink.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 pomegranate (and another when your vodka is ready to be served)
• 1 liter vodka

DIRECTIONS:

• Boil the sugar and water in a saucepan until sugar dissolves (you're making simple syrup at this point).
• Roll the pomegranate back and forth on a hard surface to loosen seeds. Cut the pomegranate in half and tap to release seeds. You may need to roll the halves more to release seeds. I will admit, this is my first time working with pomegranates, and I was surprised at how easy it was (and how tasty the seeds are!)
• Pour vodka, seeds, and sugar mixture into a glass container. Cover and let stand 1 to 2 weeks. You know what that means! Taste test forthcoming in a week!!!

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

• Our chef in the class told us when looking for a ripe pomegranate, you want one that feels heavier than it looks.
• The simple sugar is added to take away some of the sour taste of the pomegranate and vodka.
• The vodka will leach the color from the seeds, so when you serve, have an extra pomegranate on hand, so you can add the fresh, red seeds to your drink or gift.

Ask Sassy Snowflake: What to Wear

Dear Sassy Snowflake,

I have a ton of holiday events coming up (including the big day itself!) and I never know what to wear! Can you help?

Thanks,

Needing Clothes Advice

Dear Needing Clothes Advice

You didn't mention what types of events you're attending or if attire was listed in the invitation (although, sometimes that just makes your choices more confusing!), but hopefully these tips may help you!

• I don't believe that its better to either overdress or underdress for an event. Both make me feel equally uncomfortable! But I do think its easier to dress down nicer clothes than it is to dress up casual clothes. Black pants can work almost anywhere and are my go-to during the season.
• Layering is your best bet. You can wear a sparkly top, covered up by a sweater or a jacket. If an event is more conservative, stay buttoned up; if its more festive and dressy, wear the top alone. Scarves also come in handy for this purpose too.
• Do you feel comfortable calling your host and asking what you should wear? Or talk to other guests to see what they are wearing? There is safety in numbers- and they are probably just as confused as you!
• You can alway stick with a conservative outfit (think black pants and sweater or simple dress with tights) and then dress it up with jewelry. Dangly earrings or a big necklace will dress up an outfit (and if you feel out of place wearing them, you can always slip them into your purse!).
• Keep in mind that a lot of holiday events require you to stand- so choose your footwear with care!
• For Christmas itself, I always think it pays to be comfortable. You will be sitting, standing, eating, drinking, etc. But you want to look nice too in order to celebrate the day (and look good in pictures!). I have black pants (again!) that have some stretch to them that I love. I know everyone suggests sweaters, but they do so for a reason! They look nice and keep you warm!

I hope this helps! If others have any additional suggestions, please share!

Sassy

Shopping Update: 12/10/09

I had a day off work today and decided to venture out to the shops and malls, in the hopes of running a few errands and picking up my last Christmas presents. My observations:

• Stand-alone, smaller stores were much less crowded than big box stores and stores in the mall. Old Navy, New York & Company, Ann Taylor Loft, and Sports Authority were largely empty and didn't have lines at the check-out.
• Target was crazy. Lots of cars in the parking lot and huge lines to check out. It didn't feel like the middle of the day on a weekday! This experience was mirrored in the two grocery stores I visited too- very busy, aisles crowded, and lots of spills on the floor!
• The mall wasn't too bad. The walkways and food court were crowded, but the stores themselves weren't too busy.

A lot of stores are having sales now. Just a few that I saw:

• 30% off all regular priced items at Ann Taylor
• $15 boots at Old Navy
• Buy one sweater, get one free at Ann Taylor Loft
• Buy almost anything in NY & Company and get another item at 75% off
• 50% off sweaters at the Gap

And, if you buy something, most stores are giving away coupons for money off your next purchase in an attempt to entice you to buy more later.

Maybe waiting to buy Christmas presents until later in the season is smart this year. What do you think? How are your shopping excursions?

Puerto Rico Christmas Decorations

I was in Puerto Rico last week and had the chance to take pictures of a few Christmas decorations, as well as talk to a few residents about their holiday celebrations. The common theme I heard- Christmas is a VERY BIG DEAL in PR! A lot of eating and drinking and parties (and then more eating and drinking and parties). I just missed the annual Christmas parade in San Juan, but here are a few of my pictures from the trip!

Holiday Cooking Class at Sur la Table

I had mentioned previously that I was intrigued by the list of holiday cooking classes offered by Sur la Table. Since no one I knew had attended one before, I got a group of friends together and we sat in on a class last night. The class? Cocktail Party in a Box!

There were 16 students in my class. When we arrived, we each received a handout that contained all the recipes for the evening. After the chef introduced herself, everyone split up to various station and had their hand at making the various recipes. The first half of the class (working on the recipes) lasted approximately 1 1/2 hours. Then, we were sent on a 20-minute break to shop in the store while the workers cleaned up, followed by about 40 minutes of tasting our creations.

The Good:

• You (and the class) work on a bunch of recipes. For my class, we made 3 appetizers, four syrups for drinks and flavored vodka. The syrups and vodka were then used to make five different alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Our chef was really knowledgeable and down-to-earth. She made the class really fun.
• The class was a good size- small enough that everyone could try their hand at the recipes.
• The recipes were delicious (I'll make them again for future posts, so stay tuned!)! While most were pretty easy, I definitely benefitted to watching and testing how to make them.

The Bad:

• The 20 minute break was a little long.
• You only get to taste-test your food and drinks. So don't expect to fill up on your creations!
• The stations were a great idea because you could try different recipes. However, since some recipes had to happen concurrently (the syrups, for example), you sometimes had to pick and choose what you wanted to watch/try.
• The class was on the expensive side: $79 for 2 hours and 10 minutes of classroom time (excluding the break).

Overall, though, my friends and I had a great time and several are planning to attend classes in the future. If you have a friend or family member who likes to cook, a class would make a great gift!

Christmas Music Recommendation

I just returned from Puerto Rico (holiday pictures coming soon!) and had to pass along a Christmas music recommendation. Apparently, the CD has been out awhile, but this was the first I had heard it: the artist is Ottmar Liebert and his CD is called "Angels and Poets."

I have an island Christmas CD that I had picked up on a previous trip to the Caribbean, but this music is so much better. Its not loud or involve the use of many instruments- its usually him on his guitar with a quiet island beat in the background. Very mellow, but still festive. Or, as my Puerto Rican friend called it a "Great CD to listen to on a lazy Sunday drinking a bottle of wine."

Definitely check out the CD- I've already downloaded it from iTunes!

Decorated Car

I just found this decoration for your car at the local dollar store for $3 (can it really be called a dollar store if it sells items for more than $1?). I couldn't pass it up and I had to share.

The two reindeer antlers clip over your car windows, much like the sports flags you see everywhere. Meanwhile, the Rudolph nose is attached to wire that you secure to the front of your vehicle. I've seen a few vehicles decorated with wreathes or bows attached to the front; the Rudolph kit is a fun, unique twist.

I'll add another picture once I add the decorations to my car! Do you decorate your car for Christmas?

Ask Sassy Snowflake: Office Party Etiquette

Dear Sassy Snowflake,

My office is having its annual holiday party next week. I really don't want to attend- I am not good friends with my co-workers, my holiday schedule is already jam-packed, and I never know what I should and should not do at this party (other than not drinking too much!). Can you help me make this party bearable?

Thanks,
Dreading the Forced Holiday Cheer


Dear Dreading,
I totally feel your pain. I am firmly of the belief that work and home life should not need to mix. But unfortunately, sometimes it has to. So, yes, I am saying you need to attend your office party. Your workplace will probably notice your absence, and best case, they are sad you didn't attend. Worst case, it hurts your career. But here are some tips to help make it tolerable!

• You are right on target with the decision not to drink in excess (even though it would sure make for a more interesting party!). You don't want to do anything you would regret. Make sure your guest follows the same rule. A friend of mine still talks about a holiday party where co-workers danced on the conference room table. Those co-workers were not as happy the following Monday when the CEO sent an email regarding the heel marks dented into the table...
• Do you have a close (or even semi-close) friend at work? I dislike networking, but one tip that helps me is to pair up with one of my close co-workers. She introduces me to one person I don't know, and I do the same for her. This way, you meet new people, but also have someone there who knows both parties to help with the conversation.
• Make fun plans for after the party. It gives you something to look forward to!
• I believe social situations make people more likely to say things they shouldn't. Even though everyone else probably wishes they were somewhere else, its not good form to complain about the party, your work, or your boss. You never know who may overhear, who you are speaking to, or who may repeat what you said. My strategy is to ask questions- let others do the talking. This particularly helps if you are nervous or shy.
• Finally, having been the "plus one" to holiday parties, don't forget your guest. It is likely they don't know many people (if any) at the party and have just been told they have to limit their alcohol (by you!). Make sure they are included in your conversations and don't leave them alone for long periods of time.

I hope this helps! If you have any more questions regarding your office party, let me know!

Yours,
Sassy

Food Recipe: Easy Vegetable Salad

Okay, I know as much as anyone that the holidays are the perfect excuse to eat and drink to your heart's content. But sometimes, you just need something green and healthy to help balance out the chocolate, cheese, and wine. This salad is super-easy and a favorite go-to from our family and is taken from the book, "365 Easy One-Dish Recipes."

INGREDIENTS - SALAD:

• 1 head cauliflower
• 1 head broccoli
• 1 oz package of frozen peas
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 bunch green onions, sliced
• NOTE: The recipe also calls for ham, but I leave that out. Instead, I add some of my other favorite veggies, such as carrots, or beans.

INGREDIENTS - DRESSING:

• 2 cups mayo (you can always use a low fat kind!)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (although I use whatever cheese I have available, often cheddar)

DIRECTIONS: Clean and chop the veggies. Toss them together. For the dressing, mix the ingredients in a bowl, toss with the veggies, then refrigerate for several hours. However, I usually refrigerate the two separately and only combine when I am ready to serve. It keeps the salad much more fresh and tasty!

Chicago Christmas Decorations

One last dispatch from Chicago: I already mentioned how Chicago decorates early for the holidays and detailed the city's holiday lights parade. So to wrap things up, I thought I would post some pictures of the many decorations I saw.

Chicago does a great job of decorating. Nearly every tree downtown is covered in lights, including those on Michigan Avenue. The city is also covered in wreathes and bows- on buildings, bridges, and streets.

Inside buildings and malls are elaborate trees and decorations. The Macys (formerly the Marshall Fields) has intricate window displays.

I visited too early, but closer to Christmas, the city also hosts a Christmas market on Daley Plaza. The Plaza also has a Christmas tree, but I was told by city natives that this tree is much smaller and less decorated than trees in years past.

So overall, Chicago is a great place to get in the Christmas season. Just make sure to bundle up- it gets COLD!

Food Recipe: Baklava

Inspired by my trip to Greece earlier this year, I decided to try my hand at making baklava. I thought the combo of nuts, honey, sugar, and dough would make a perfect holiday dessert recipe. But I was a little intimidated- I had never worked with phyllo dough before. Luckily, everything ended up delicious- and it wasn't difficult either! I got my recipe from About.com.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound frozen phyllo sheets
• 1 cup melted butter
• 2 cups of chopped walnuts and almonds
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 3/4 cup of sugar
• 3/4 cup of honey
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

DIRECTIONS: Thaw phyllo sheets according to box directions. The recipe says to keep the sheets covered with a damp cloth until used- I choose instead to just work really fast. Make sure to have all of your other ingredients ready before you unpack the phyllo.

Place half of the pastry sheets in a greased baking pan, one by one, brushing each sheet all over with melted butter. Combine the nuts, 1/2 cup of sugar, and cinnamon; sprinkle over buttered pastry. Place the remaining phyllo sheets on top, again brushing each with melted butter. Cut the baklava into pieces. Bake at 400 degrees about 30 minutes until brown and crisp.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine 3/4 cup of sugar, honey, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then boil for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until syrupy. I am not sure if I cooked mine long enough, because it didn't get very syrupy, but it still worked fine. Then pour over the baked baklava.

OVERALL: Very tasty! Such a good dessert! And, other than the hassle of buttering each individual phyllo sheet, it was super easy. Even better, I think the baklava tastes better the next day- once the syrup has had a chance to soak and caramelize the dough.

Chicago Holiday Lights Parade

I mentioned previously that I visited Chicago prior to Thanksgiving. While there, I was able to watch the Magnificent Mile's Festival of Lights parade.

Definitely the highlight of the parade was the very first float carrying Mickey Mouse. As Mickey travels down Michigan Avenue, he uses his magic wand to light the Christmas lights along the street, block by block.

Some other highlights of the hour-long parade- large balloons in the shape of ornaments and presents, as well as a giant Frosty the Snowman; various Disney characters, including Donald and Daisy Duck and Pluto, on various floats and buses; and, of course, Santa Claus.

I'll add some pictures soon- look for more on Facebook. Some tips for those who may attend next year- get to the parade route early (about an hour before the parade begins) in order to have a front row view (the crowds were at least 5 people deep by the time the parade started; the north end of the parade route is much less crowded than the south end; and, finally, make sure to bundle up!