Friday Five: Chrismukkah Party!

Tonight's the night - the Chrismukkah party!


When SK and I started dating, we started a tradition of eating latkes the same night as we decorated his tree (I like to say it's to appease my grandmother,who is rolling over in her grave at the idea of me decorating a Christmas tree.)

Last year, we invited a couple of Jewish friends of ours to celebrate with us, and they were so delighted with the idea of trimming a tree that we invited them back this year. Soon word had spread to some more of my fellow MOTs (that's Members of the Tribe) and they wanted to partake in all the forbidden Christmas pleasures as well. And thus, the Chrismukkah party was born!

I'll be back with a full recap on Monday, but for now here's the menu, Fridy Five-Style!

1. Mulled Cider with rum. A holiday party necessity!

2. Mulled wine. Too much mulling? No such thing, I say.

3. Latkes. Of course. Normally I like to make them from scratch, but to feed a crowd tonight I'm going to cheat and use boxed mix. Sorry, Mom. *source*

4. Candy Cane Joe-Joes from Trader Joes. The pinnacle of all holiday treats!

5. The Tree. Okay, it's not a menu item, but it's an integral part of the festivities!  (This is last year's tree. We've decided to name this year's tree Piney the Elder. #HistoryNerdPuns)

Merry Chrismukkah, Everyone!

Friday Five: Lady Weekend

I'm a single lady this weekend since SK is going out of town, so I've planned a relaxing ladies weekend for myself. It will include:

Sauv Blanc

Delicious melty brie

Take-out Sushi

Extra spin classes at my beloved Bikerbarre

Laying on my couch like this seal while watching Homeland and Nashville.

I don't know about you, but this seems like a glorious weekend to me.

What are your weekend plans?

xoxo,

b

Pseudo-Foodie Shame, or Menu Tuesday

So Steve is out of town this week on a business trip. Which means I am cooking for one -- one of my least favorite things to do.

I don't consider myself to be a gourmet by any means. I like to cook, and I love to eat. But while I've gotten a pretty decent system in place cooking for two (that usually grants me leftovers for lunch the next day), I still haven't gotten the hang of cooking for just myself.

Last time Steve went away, I talked a big game. I was going to cook every night for myself. I would make meals that he wouldn't touch, vegetarian meals, "lady food", you get the idea. I was pretty smug.

Do you know what I ate every. single. night. that Steve was gone?

QUESADILLAS.
(Albeit extremely delicious cheesy ones.)

This was the night I put extra effort in and actually cut up the avocado.

 
Granted, I love quesadillas. And technically the meal was vegetarian, so Steve would have protested. But the points that I gained in taste I certainly lost in plating, technical difficulty, and originality.

Some nights when I'm alone I get a little classier (read: even lazier.)

Peach, brie, wine, bread. Turns out woman can live on wine and cheese alone.

This week I am determined to do better. I've been to the grocery store (including a trip to suburban Mecca, Costco), planned my menus, and am holding myself accountable. So for this week:

* Monday: Skinnytaste Turkey Stuffed Peppers*

*Tuesday: Cheese Tortellini with Spinach, Peas and Brown Butter*

*Wednesday: Ginger Fried Rice*

*Thursday: Roasted Chicken Thighs with Zucchini and CousCous*

Friday I'm taking the bus to NY so dinner will probably be a sandwich or salad picked up at Union Station.

Next week I'll let you know how I did!

xoxo,

b