The Most Perfect Day!

This weekend has been such a blur. I once again tried to cram way to much in but I wouldn't change anything. 

First, J and I went to see New York City Ballet's "The Nutcracker." It's funny because my experience or the Nutcracker was always Pacific Northwest Ballet's and I assumed it would almost all be the same but as it turns out, the NYCB choreography is much truer to the original choreography. The dancing was just on another level. Even J murmured "how is that possible" at one point during the sugar plum fairy's dance with her cavalier. 

The only draw back was all of the kid noise. Haha. It sounds like such a snobby thing, and I really love kids. Plus, I know when I have kids I'll bring thing to theater and ballet, but it's just a strange thing when you pay a lot for a ticket to go to the ballet and hear kids rustling candy wrappers the whole time. Actually my biggest problem wasn't the kids, it was the adults who somehow thought that since it was a kid friendly performance it meant they could behave as kids. The woman beside me literally stood for the beginning of the second act, and we had good seats. It's not that she couldn't see. (End rant. It was an amazing experience and I can't wait to bring my kids and be the mean mom that won't let them rustle candy wrappers). 

After the ballet we headed to Brooklyn to this neighborhood called Dyker Heights. It was featured on one of those, "Extreme Christmas Lights" specials, and for a good reason. More lights than you can imagine. J was such a good sport and I laughed good-naturedly about my pure joy and enthusiasm despite the freezing weather. 

(More lights below)

On the way home he surprised me by stopping at my favorite restaurant in my old neighborhood, Lot 2. He won serious points with that move and then was rewarded by them having his favorite cocktail featured as the drink of the night (Veiux Carre...recipe at very bottom. It's the perfect winter warm you up cocktail. It was a shame I don't live a few blocks away and we couldn't stumble home because we both would have gladly imbibed more.)

Then we were going to have "Christmas" because I'm heading to the west coast for Christmas with my fam tomorrow but we decided to watch an episode of Breaking Bad instead...priorities. Christmas tonight though!

A Christmas Story of Mistaken Dates

You know that scene in "A Christmas Story" when all of the kids are ogling Higgbee's corner window display? It was recreated last night as J and his friend passed this liquor store in the West Village. Stopped them in their tracks and I watched as they nearly smashed their noses to the window. 

We were on our way to see Jimmy Stewart in all his glory in "It's a Wonderful Life" at the IFC center...that was until we got to the theater and picked up our tickets and they were for Thursday the 18th. I even remember double checking dates when I bought them but apparently I was having a lapse in mental clarity then because they don't even start showing it until Friday. 

Thankfully we had also had an amazing Italian dinner with a friend (fresh pasta, bread, wine, dessert...so much gluten...so much goodness) so the evening wasn't a wash. We even had tiramisu! I wish I had pics for you, but we devoured it too quickly. 

So I tried to be a grown up about it and not cry in disappointment, and J and I went to one of our favorite book shops, bookbook before heading home. Tiramisu and books, not exactly the night I had planned but not too shabby when I think about it. 

Pancake Problem

The great pancake problem...how to keep the first ones warm while the last ones cook?

J and I both had the morning free at home so I made snowman pancakes (of course), and it made me think of my poor mom eating last by herself because we were all finished or worse eating that cold first pancake no one wants. Not fair!

Anyone have any tips/tricks?

While we ponder one of life's greatest problems, here's my favorite basic pancake recipe!

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 Tbs white sugar
• 1 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbs melted butter

Directions:

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients together
2. Add milk, egg, then butter* and mix until smooth (some lumps ok)
3.  Cook then eat! 

*I add the butter slowly so that it doesn't cook the egg.  No one wants scrambled egg clumps inside their pancake.

Dreaming of a White Wednesday

Snowy day spent in Chelsea today. I half loved it and half hated it. Something about being out rushing about in that cold wet stuff wipes you out (and may or may not explain my extremely unhealthy dinner.

My poor suede booties took a swim in Saturday's torrential rain, and now are getting a good dose of snow, but I love them so much I can't help but wear them most days. 

I stopped in at Chelsea Market for a quick gift and can never help but stop and gawk at these lighted arches. They're seriously the stuff of my dreams. Lol 

I was also joined by what appeared to be a preschool caroling field trip. It was so cute they'd walk a few yards then burst into song again. Mostly their teacher (striped hat) would sing and they'd mumble along until they got to jingle bells which appeared to be their favorite. Ah, the city steals my heart again...

And then, on an unrelated note, as I was weaving my way underground at Time Square I saw this...it's not so much the woman holding the sign that caught my attention but the complete indifference of the other New Yorkers...it made me chuckle 

A Delicate Balance

Last night J and I had a theater night! We went to see an amazing cast (Glenn Close, John Lithgow, the list continues but I'm drawing a blank at the moment) in Edward Albee's "A Delicate Balance" on broadway. They did not disappoint. It was fantastic!

Usually I like to dress up for the theater but last night I decided to go in jeans and a sweater, and boy am I glad I did. 

First of all it was pouring rain (above, at least I wasn't dressed like this guy)  then we left the house with only 6 mins to make it down to the train (if you run you can make it in 2.4 mins...I've learned) and after speed walking for a minute J remembers he never printed the tix. So we go back home to print the tickets (there goes time for dinner) and we realized we'd selected the "hold at box office" option...lol, a comedy of errors. So we sit around for a few minutes then back down to the train. We scarfed a slice of pizza at grand central (which is really a shame because it was too delicious to eat so quickly), and made our way to the theater district. The whole evening was hilarious scene reminiscent of the Home Alone air port scenes.

Btw, I'm rocking job interview nail polish (below)...I hate it. 

Alas, we made it! Climbed to the top of the theater, sat ourselves in the very last row, then used the extra time we saved by running needlessly to pre-order our drinks for intermission. Win!

Here I am ready to save Glenn Close's life if fire should break out (below)

Christmas Cheer Galore!

I was so excited when Kaitlin told me about the Christmas Cheer Exchange, of course I was on board! Did you even have to ask?  It was so fun picking out a few little things for my secret recipient, and then when I got the box in the mail, it was like Christmas morning.  I was explaining to J about it, and he said, "Oh, so it's something Christmas fanatics do?"

My lovely little gifts came from Sarita at "It's my Girls' World"

Thank you SO much! The package was so cute, and the candy was delicious (I may have eaten a turtle almost immediately)!

Also, she included some yummy smelling homemade soap and lip balm.  I almost don't want to use them because they smells so great. 

Our tree doesn't have many ornaments so the ornament was immediately added to the collection. 

And these pencils are so so cute!

Case of the Mondays?

I don't mean to gloat but I don't have a job right now, guys...and this is the second full week.  Last week felt strange and stressful.  Today felt magical. 

It felt like this...

(More of "If Charlie Kelly Quotes From "It's Always Sunny" Were Motivational Posters" here.)

Here are a few more things that have made me laugh recently.  I hope they help you get through your Mondays

1.  Key and Peele - Boxing Press Conference...I watched this on Thanksgiving and was laughing until I cried and my sides hurt.


2.  "I just like to smile.  Smiling's my favorite" I really don't know how often I say this, but probably way too much to be appropriate for a 32-year-old.  More Elf quotes that never get old here.


3.  14 Online Reviews That Got Incredibly Sassy (here)

4.  Christmas lights, and Seahawks! (here)

In case you think it's all fun and games being unemployed, since when did job applications become so labor intensive.  I want to go back to the days when you just walk into a place and hand in your resume, or better yet, you call a friend and they have a friend, and you're hired.  Also, I have this to look forward to...yay winter!

I <3 NY (Weekend Edition)

I love NY, but some days I REALLY <3 NY! Saturday I spent an incredibly rainy day trying to accomplish some Christmas shopping with a friend. Of course we started with brunch...as is customary for all New Yorkers. We were talking about how brunch exists in other parts of the country but in New York it's an institution.

I tried to remember to snap some pics in between the rain drops...

One of my favorite things about New York is the art that you encounter when you take a minute and look. The entire city is like a gigantic canvas. This was from the sidewalk in front of Clinton Street Baking Co. I was craving their pancakes like crazy (maybe the best, ever) but they had a 2hr wait so we were standing in the rain googling brunch locations. Luckily in New York you're rarely more than a couple blocks max from a great brunch. 

I had this amazing Texas Toast French toast in orange blossom honey, covered in fresh fruit and whipped cream. I of course, also added a little pure maple syrup...when in Rome...

(Above) Outside the Duane Reade where I broke down and bought a new umbrella because I felt like a drowned rat. 

Finally we hit our breaking point and went to a movie, which conveniently was next to a Mexican restaurant where we indulged in Margaritas and a zillion calories. They look Christmassy though!

Then I headed over to Grand Central where a protest was taking place. Even with the mob of people, the police all hanging out, the holiday spirit was still in full force (below). 

I hit the magazine stand for some train reading

And then when I got home I took Humphrey for a walk, turned my new umbrella inside out, got soaking wet (again), then unsuccessfully tried to stay awake until J got home. 

Even though I spent most of the day in between drenched and just pruned, it was definitely an "I <3 NY" kind of day.

Sunday I headed out to brave the city shoppers, busy shoppers, dressed in holiday style...in the air there's a feeling of Christmas...but really there was, everyone was in a great mood. The only problem was there were lines everywhere. I think we were all just glad it stopped raining! It was gorgeous but oh so cold. 

After shopping I grabbed a quick bite in Chelsea then headed over to hang out with the Chelsea boys. 

We played on the roof for a while until one of the littles accidentally kicked a pipe and caused water to spurt out everywhere.  Once the panicked crying stopped (surprisingly not from me) we went in side to warm up and make gingerbread houses. I was really impressed by how long and hard they worked on them. They aren't known to have the longest attention spans in the world. 

After gingerbread mania, J picked me up from the train and I did a quick change in the car while he drove to some friends house so that I wouldn't be covered in icing when we got there.
("Don't get pulled over, I don't have pants on.") We had a nice quiet evening with some pizza, a Seahawks win, and I got to snuggle with their adorable little baby.  I may not have wanted to give him back when it was time to leave.

All and all a pretty great weekend. 

I'm linking up here, here for some more weekending!

Before & After (kitchen edition)

It's been about a week of being unemployed and I already feel a little stir crazy. Luckily I have things like an extremely disorganized kitchen to contend with

Before...

After

Ahhh that's better. Isn't it funny how much better an organized kitchen can make you feel? Or maybe it's just the organized liquor cabinet. Lol. 

Next step, get a step stool so that I can actually use the top shelves