Let. It. Snow!

Last week I planned a party for my boss. It was a lot of work, but the event was lovely and everyone left happy. Fast-forward to yesterday at 4pm, when I come back from a meeting to find the following message from my big boss in my inbox:

Dear Three,
As you know, we are having our holiday office party tomorrow. Bob* planned it last year, and no offense to Bob, but he's not very good at this stuff. So I have decided that you are now in charge.
*some names have been changed

I stayed up until 2 making food and decorations. It's 10 now. The party begins at 3, and I had nightmares about expensive paper plates last night.


So in honor of my party planning woes, here's a little ditty I whipped up in my free time.

Oh the weather outside is frightful
and I feel a little spiteful
But since I just can't say "no"
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

The bus driver didn't feel like stopping
even though seven bags I was dropping
I admit I cried as I watched him go
But let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

When we've reached the end of the night
and my colleagues are heading home
I hope everything turns out right
If it don't, I'm gonna moan!!!

I hate to be a downer
and I'm really not a frowner
So on with the freaking show!
Let it snow, let it snow, Let. It. Snowowowowowow!!!!!!

10 points to the person who can spot my Dia De Los Muertos snowflake

PS! I can't wait to reveal my contribution to our Give Away in my post next week!!

Five Giveaway! (be all excited...)

'Tis the season for giving, and this holiday simply would not be complete without a shout out to our dear friends and loyal readers. Thank you for making our inaugural foray into the blogosphere so fun and rewarding. Thank you for visiting our little blog and making us feel so loved! We wish we could give something magical, or beautiful, or at the very least delicious to each of you. But we're not quite as insane as we sometimes appear to be, so we're going to simplify, just a little. That's right, friends -- it's the first ever FIVE GIVEAWAY!!!!

To enter, simply click the icon on the right of this page that says "FOLLOW" and leave a comment at the bottom of this post any time before midnight on December 24. Then, we will ask Santa, or a computerized random number generator -- you know, whichever is easier to find -- to select one lucky winner. Said winner will receive a MIND-BLOWING collection of our Top 5 Treats for the New Year, each of which will be revealed in the coming days. So comment! Comment NAUGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


***The giveaway is open to EVERYONE who comments on this post and follows the blog. No other qualifications are necessary. Honestly, we are excited to send you free stuff, whoever you may be.***

Your Weekly Yumple

The darndest things happen in New York City.  Y man and I were in Eataly when I ran into -- ok, ok, I chased down, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, aka the naked chef.  He wasn't naked, but he was very nice and we chatted about food, TED, and a number of other things for 10 or 15 minutes.  I was quite upset with Y man because after egging me on, HE DIDN"T TAKE A PICTURE!!!  Oh well...  He does many other wonderful things, so I will only hold the tiniest little grudge.  He he he.  


In the spirit of Mr. Oliver, here is a very simple recipe that is a perfect yumple for the holiday season -- it's fresh enough that it doesn't weigh you down but substantive enough to make a filling meal.  I like it better if you roast the cauliflower before with olive oil, thyme and a little sugar or honey.

1 cauliflower, roasted
2 balls fresh mozzarella
1 small whole wheat boule
Olive oil
Salt, pepper and grushed garlic (optional)

Preheat a sandwich press.  Cut bread to about 8 1/2 inch thick slices.  Press garlic and add to olive oil with a pinch of salt and pepper.  Brush one side with olive oil mixture.  Cover four pieces with mustard.  Place slices of fresh mozzarella on the other 4 pieces.  Place cauliflower florets on top of cheese.  Put in sandwich press or paninni press until cheese melts.  Serve hot with butternut squash soup or something else yummy.

My consolation photo outside of Eataly  

Savoring life's little ironies....

I usually have at least a couple ongoing Quests -- things I need to accomplish that are a) really important, b) inexplicably, soul-crushingly, challenging. These days, two of my Biggies include losing baby weight and getting a relaxing shower. (For the record, I do shower regularly, but the relaxing part is the stinker. Because, let's face it, if it's soul-crushingly challenging to have a relaxing shower, it's probably not going to be that relaxing. Right?)

So when Mimo offered decadent-looking baked goods, a little light went on and I realized I could use them to further not one but TWO of my eternally-pending goals. I promptly handed the buttery roll to my toddler and cued up a Netflix, thus avoiding said decadence while simultaneously gaining enough time to deep condition AND exfoliate before complete bedlam descended on home and family. *Heaven.*

It worked like a charm. And it was only after I emerged -- clean and remarkably relaxed! -- that I saw Mimo's takeout bag and took a closer look at the Christmas cartoon I'd unwittingly selected. The sweet Princess was watching this and eating this. Yes, friends, nothing says Happy Holidays like barefooted orphans and truffle buns. Oy.

By Popular Demand

Here it is. Brother C as a chick.

An Exciting New Discovery

A few weeks ago, I made an exciting new discovery: An online makeover machine. . . that doesn't suck. This may shock you; you may be thinking to yourself -- wait, how is that even possible? Whenever I try one of those things it looks like my face was a kindergarten art project! But I am here today to tell you that it exists, and that it is good.

The programmers over at Taaz must know their stuff pretty darn well, because this thing is sweet. From trying on different dos to testing out a new look for a holiday party to seeing what that one baby would look like with hair, its uses are manifold.

Did I mention seeing what your brothers would look like as chicks? Because that's an awesome use too.

 As a reward for its multi-functionality and wicked coolness, I am bestowing Taaz with these four gold star stickers (see below)

Maybe it can put them on its binder or something.

CHRISTMAS BAKING

I love the holidays! Not only because they provide a great excuse for listening to awesome music all the time (here are two of my all-time favorites), but also because they provide an equally good excuse for eating wonderful food all the time. 

Last Saturday, Five and I were invited to a cookie exchange. 

It was amazing.

 Here's the drill: every guest brings 2 dozen of their favorite cookies. Then, after everyone admires the copious quantities of baked goodness, guests get to go cookie shopping! I mean, seriously, what more could one ask for? 

Whoever invented this special kind of soirée deserves at least 5 dozen assorted cookies.     

 

Five made her famous Chocolate Crinkles--which are both beautiful and delicious--and I decided to make Giant Ginger Cookies--which I have always loved and don't look too ugly when you tie cute little bows around them. Some of our other favorite cookies were made by our friend K--who continually surprises and delights us with her unparalleled baking skills.

K's first masterpiece was a double chocolate cookie with fudge icing and candy cane sprinkles; the other (next to it), an exquisitely nutty ultra thin sandwich cookie filled with buttery lemon cream. Yeah, it was kind of ridiculous.

 Honorable mention goes to the chocolate peanut butter shortbread and ginormous chocolate chip cookies with baby brownies living inside. So. Darn. Good.

We found that the best way to enjoy the party was to take one bite out of every cookie (except the ones which you absolutely had to finish).  

For anyone planning a similar event, first, let me commend your inspired decision! 

Second, I would suggest having the following libations on hand: 

hot cocoa, peppermint herb tea, honey vanilla chamomile herb tea, egg nog, and milk. 

They really make the experience. 

For anyone not planning a similar event, either, (a) snag an invitation to someone else's function, or (b) plan your own---stat!