Christmas Fun 2017

We had another great Christmas this year, even though for the first time in a couple years we weren't able to spend it with our families.  We got to spend various parts of it with our work/travel family.  We started out the season with a little Christmas party/ gift exchange at our place with a bunch of our crew.  We had a lot to eat and a lot to drink and also a lot of fun!

On December 12, we celebrated our five year anniversary with an outing to National Harbor in DC.  We checked out the tree, had a delicious dinner at Bond 45 and went to "Joy" the music and light show at the Gaylord center.

The day after our anniversary, I flew to Florida for a quick pre Christmas trip to get the house in shape for my parents January visit.  I got my nails done, and went to a Christmas open house at Natural Balance as well.

I also had to go tour one of the best Christmas light displays in the US, just a mile from our house in Indian Trails.

I found this cute little set up at the beach and had to get my picture taken!

I went to our local ice cream place where they make ice cream by blasting the ingredients with liquid Nitrogen... I got chocolate peppermint in the spirit of Christmas.

When I got back to Maryland, I only had a couple days with my favorite baby (and his mama) so we did a little Christmas gift exchange before they left to go home for Christmas.

My new Christmas sweater!

Relaxing with some wine and my favorite Christmas movie.

Christmas day it was just Josh and I so we got up early and tore into our gifts.

I made Wifesaver Breakfast, a tradition in the Christensen household.

I got a nice wooden box for my oils and a new phone case.

Some awesome bath bombs from my lovely sister in law.

A couple new hats and scarves.

Smudge and I in our matching Christmas shirts.

This is a crystal weather predictor.  The crystals are in different formations and positions depending on what the weather is going to be.

Canada 150 Hillberg and Berk from my parents.

This is a bunch of stuff I won in an instagram contest from TMBRs.

Smudge got a new collar.

A diffuser necklace made my one of my favorite potters from my aunt and uncle.

My Christmas cards!  Thank to to everyone who sent this year!

Between Christmas and the new year we finally made it to the Christmas themed bar in DC.

And finally, NYE.  We went over to Wilbur and Sage's for some champagne and then we came home.  Josh had to work so Smudge and I stayed up to celebrate!

*EDIT*
My parents brought me a few things to Florida that were for Christmas too...

This gorgeous quilted table runner that my mom made:

and this also awesome Saskatchewan Bunnyhug (Bunnyhug is what we call a hoodie in Saskatchewan):

Fab Friday Faves 1.5.18

Good morning everyone, and a very happy 2018! Lets hope this year is a little less bad news and a lot more good news! I haven't done a Friday 5 in a very long time, mostly because for a few weeks I literally had nothing to post, and then I got really busy and had a lot to post but just didn't have the time.  So, Some of the things that I was going to post, especially about Christmas, I have decided to do a full blog about my Christmas season.  Here are a few things that are mostly not Christmas related, and I will be back soon with my Christmas blog, as well as a 2017 year in review.  Everyone have a safe and warm weekend, especially those of you in this Bomb Hurricane thing that have gotten feet of snow and hurricane winds along the east Coast!

Josh and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary on December 12 (12-12-12).  Who can believe it has been 5 years?  We went to Bond 45 in National Harbor for a delicious steak dinner (Bond 45 in NYC was where we went for our 1 year dating anniversary) We also went to The Gaylord in National Harbor to see their amazing Christmas performance and light show.

Christmas Eve was on a Sunday this year, so there was still Football going on, like a normal Sunday.  Josh and I decided to go to the Redskins vs. Broncos game, because tickets were insanely cheap and we had nothing else to do.  When we got to the game we got a phone call from a friend of Josh's that they had room in their box (with free booze and food).  So of course we couldn't turn that down and got to watch the game and be warm (it was freezing out) and with some food and drink.  The Broncos lost but it was still fun! 

I haven't been able to wear my wedding set for almost a year now because my fingers have been too fat.  So, for our anniversary I decided I wanted to get them sized and all cleaned up and shiny.  They turned out like new and now I can wear them! 

Last time I was in Florida was Natural Balance's Christmas Open House.  I haven't been able to make it before so I thought this was a great opportunity.  I got some ear acupuncture (which really helped the migraine that I had), some cupping and a chair massage.  I also won one of the door prizes, some Eminence eye cream that is amazing.  I ended up buying a bunch more Eminence products too because I love it!  Also that day I went and got my Christmas nails done!  So cute!

I finally got a chance to try the "Creation Bar", a new ice cream / Froyo place pretty much across the street from the house.  They actually make the ice cream in front of you by blasting the ingredients with Liquid Nitrogen to freeze them.  The ice cream is delicious and really cool to watch them make!


Today I'm linking up with:

/ Smidge of This / Style Elixir / Bright On The Budget / A Little Bit of Everything / Simply Sweet Home /

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*Recipe* Eggnog Shots

More eggnog recipes you say?  Well maybe they will never end!  I have been making these shots for years now but have never shared.  Whenever I do make them, they are a massive hit, and are even requested for get togethers.  If you like eggnog at all, give these a try.  Since they are made with vanilla pudding I find that the eggnog taste is muted a bit, but the booze is not.  Enjoy, and be careful, these will hit you when you least expect it!

Ingredients (makes 12-14 large shots)

• 3/4 cup cold eggnog 
• 1 box vanilla instant pudding
• 1/2 cup cream based liqueur (I used Rum Chata)
• 1/4 cup spiced run
• 1 (8oz tub) Cool Whip, thawed
• sprinkle of nutmeg for each shot

Directions

• Using an electric mixer, combine cold Eggnog with instant pudding mix and slowly add both alcohols until fully mixed with no lumps. (About 2 minutes)

• Fold (do not over mix) Cool Whip in until everything is smooth and mixed together.  

• sprinkle each shot with a pinch of nutmeg. 
• Refrigerate or freeze until ready to serve.  (Freezing will have a soft serve texture, fridge a pudding texture).

*note*  I used solo cup shot glasses but you could make these look really fancy and Christmasy! 

*Recipe* Eggnog Truffles

Is there anything that says Christmas more than Rum and Eggnog?  At least at my Christmas!  I wanted something different to make for our Christmas party this weekend and to send to work with Josh and these sounded perfect.  I'm not going to lie, Ive never made any sort of truffles before, and I didn't know that they are slightly time consuming and annoying to make.  I actually only put the candy coating on about 1/4 of them and you know what?  They are just as good and less rich and I didn't want to throw them through the window anymore! They really are delicious, and a great addition to your dessert platter so give them a try!

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup eggnog
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tsp rum flavoring
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup marshmallow cream
• 3 cups white chocolate chips
• 2 - 16 oz pkgs vanilla candy coating
• 1 Tbsp nutmeg for garnish

Directions

• In a large pot, bring sugar, eggnog and butter to a boil for two minutes (rolling boil). remove from heat and mix in run flavoring and 1 tsp Nutmeg.

• Pour mixture into mixing bowl (or use an immersion blender).  Add in marshmallow cream and white chocolate morsels.  Blend until completely melted and mixed.  Pour into baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill in fridge for 1-2 hours.

• When set, remove by lifting out parchment paper and lay on cutting board.  Cut into bite sized pieces and roll into balls.  when all are rolled, place back in freezer on cookie sheet for about 1 hour.  

• Melt vanilla candy coating according to package directions in  glass bowl.  Using a toothpick, dip each truffle into melted chocolate, tapping off excess.  Set onto parchment lined cookie sheet.

• Immediately sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg.  Allow to set for about half an hour in the fridge and enjoy! 

Fab Friday Faves 11.24.17

Hey everyone!  I hope everyone in the US had a very happy Thanksgiving yesterday, I know that I ate way too much and still feel full.  I did the whole shebang and we had our friend Terry over to enjoy it with us.  In Josh's line of work, everyone that travels are usually hundreds of miles from their family and, save for a few of us couples, most of the guys are alone, so we like to have group holidays as often as possible.  Josh has to work today and tomorrow so I'm headed out for some Black Friday shopping (where we live it is mostly just for the ghetto entertainment value) and Shop Small Saturday tomorrow.  Have an awesome rest of the weekend with your family and friends, and Canada, stay warm!

When I was in Florida last week I went to Dogtoberfest in Dunedin.  This was a huge event with 50 dog rescues and some really cool events for both people and dogs.  One of the premier events was the Running of the Wieners, which is exactly why is sounds like, a whole bunch of wiener dogs racing.  It was pretty much the cutest thing ever, and I met some amazing rescue dogs.  they adopted out over 150 dogs that day too.  Btw, the top left photo is a skunk! 

While I was at the house I of course had to go check out the sunset one evening.  When I got to my favorite sunset spot there was not only a gorgeous rainbow, but a really pretty double rainbow.  

The National Harbor Christmas Tree (in DC) is up and lit, so josh and I went in for a delicious dinner to Rosa Mexicano and checked out the tree.  

Obviously, yesterday was Thanksgiving and I made the whole big meal.  Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green Bean Casserole, peas, cranberry sauce, crescent rolls and pumpkin pie.  It turned out really well and the guys wouldn't stop raving!

 La Croix came out with a Key Lime sparkling water, and we all know I love Key Lime.  It is so good!


Today I'm linking up with:

/ Style Elixir / A Little Bit of Everything / Bright On A Budget / Sincerely, Paula / Simply Sweet Home / 

Fab Friday Faves 11.10.17

Greeting friends and happy Friday from sunny Florida!  I spent a couple days with my friends Lindsey and Dave at their timeshare just outside of Disney World and of course a day at the Magic Kingdom with them and the kids.  It was so much fun!  On the weekend, Josh and I went for a couple drives to check out some of our favorite areas of Maryland and Virginia and now I am at our house in Florida, and headed out to a couple different holiday markets and events today and this weekend.  Everyone have an awesome weekend and come back soon to check out my full Disney blog!




On wednesday, I spent 8am to 10pm at Disney World with my friends Dave and Lindsey and their three kids.  We had such a great day checking out the Magic Kingdom, going on rides, eating food (especially my Dole whip Float) and meeting Disney characters of course.  Stay tuned for a full blog on this awesome day!

On Sunday, Josh and I went for a drive to Fredricksburg, VA, a adorable historic town near Shenandoah.  We walked around and checked out some antique stores had a delicious brunch and just enjoyed the foliage.



On Saturday I was craving good Bar-B-Que so we drove about an hour away in Hollywood, MD and went to one of my favorite places ever, Mission BBQ.  I pretty much ate all the meats and enjoyed every bite.  This place is delicious!

When I got to the house here in Florida, my Plumeria were blooming!  These are my favorite tropical flowers and we have a huge tree in our backyard.  I either missed them last year or they didn't bloom and I was so happy to see them this year.

I got a facial from my girl Francesca at Natural Balance in Palm Harbor.  It was all Eminence products, which I love and my skin looks and feels amazing!

Today I'm linking up with:

/ Style Elixir / A Little Bit of Everything / Sincerely, Paula / Simply Sweet Home / Bright On A Budget / Carolina Charm / 

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Fab Friday Faves 11.3.17

Good morning all!  I hope everyone had a fun Halloween, and just an awesome week in general while enjoying all that halloween candy.   On Saturday, we took a quick drive out to Colonial beach to check out some foliage and have lunch, and explore that area little more.  It has been a very quiet week in general for me, with quite a storm on Sunday into Monday, and really only Halloween to break up the week. Today, Nicole and I are going to Subway for National Sandwich Day, they do buy one get one subs.  It is my yearly trip to Subway haha.  I'm not sure what Josh and I are up to this weekend but hopefully we can find some thing to enjoy the gorgeous weather all weekend!  Everyone else enjoy it to, and see you next week! 

Smudge dressed up as a pirate for Halloween, and Nicole and Jackson came down to get a picture with her and my pumpkins.  We had fun trying to get pictures of both (never work with babies and animals, right?) and had a nice little visit.  I also tried out my Target "Cheers, Witches" wine glass.  

I won two contests this week.  One for some Snackwells cookies, which I got in the mail yesterday, and for some Rescue Sleep Vitamins, which I am super excited to try!

Old Navy's graphic tee game is on point lately!  I got this super cute "Queen of Naps, Weekends, Prosecco & Brunch one, a couple weeks ago, and this cute Halloween "This is my costume" cat one for Halloween.  And with recent sales, I got them for $7 each!

We got this Hamilton Beach Party Popper as our choice from Josh's company, for his 10 year anniversary present.  I love popcorn, and have been complaining for years that my $5 popper we found at a discount store, needed to be upgraded, so I am really happy with this!  It makes an insane amount of popcorn and it is perfectly popped!

I received this Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse in my last FabFitFun box, and I really didn't think much of it at first, but I love it!  It is one step, doesn't wear my hair down and gets it clean and is PH balanced so it won't wreck my blonde.  I will definitely consider being more once this bottle runs out.


Today I'm linking up with:

/ Smidge of This / Simply Sweet Home / Bright On A Budget / Style Elixir / Sincerely, Paula / A Little Bit of Everything / 



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