Holiday Eating Tips

An assistant from our DC office sent this holiday eating tip list to the entire firm today. The ENTIRE FIRM! That's pretty bold of an assistant :) It took me almost 2 years to muster to courage to send an email to everyone. When I finally did, I re-read it after sending and realized that I have not one, but TWO typos from rewriting certain parts. Oh well, hopefully the partners overlooked my errors, despite being a communications professional.

At any rate, I think I might heed his advice, even if my waistline begs me not to.

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare... You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Cookie decorating extravaganza

Frosting and sprinkles and gingerbread and sugar cookies and spritz cookies and candy canes and... I think I'm just now coming down from my sugar high.

A new tradition to add to an old tradition; Our annual girl's Christmas party has turned into a cookie-decorating, Secret Santa, hide creepy caroler, girl's Christmas party! It's fun. I wish it were last Sunday again. We don't all get together nearly enough. (Shall we plan another 21st birthday party for Jenny?)

And now, the cookie-decorating masterpieces.

Maddie's creations were rather tropical.

Maddie's creations were also democratic.

Thanks for hosting, Lizzie! Hope you were able to get all of the sprinkles out of your carpet!

Creepy caroler strikes again

Operation scare-the-bejeezies-out-of-Lizzie occurred last night. (Lizzie, were you scared?!) Yes, friends, creepy caroler is at it again. After a year with the Newsomes' and scaring the bejeezies out of Zeke whenever she could, creepy caroler found a new home with Lizzie.

We had our annual girls' Christmas party last night, so Erin thought creepy caroler was the perfect hostess gift, just a little token of our gratitude for letting us decorate cookies and scatter sprinkles ALL OVER your apartment. We hope creepy caroler brings you joy and happiness, but no nightmares. Heavens knows that Zeke is permanently scarred.

TGIF

A batch of little letters to kick off the weekend.

Dear girl's party on Sunday,
I'm excited to make pretty, festive cookies and hang out with some of my favorite people.

Dear RyRy and Autumn,

I've very much excited for your hot buttered rum party tonight. I am wearing pants with an elastic waistband to I can fit as much of it in as possible.

Dear health,

Please don't hate me for all of the aforementioned hot buttered rum that I will consume tonight.

Dear blue skies,

I very much like you right now. You're a welcomed break from the crazy rain we've been getting.

Dear Joe,

Thank you for doing my dishes AND scraping my windows this morning. That was very sweet.

Dear Christmas,

You're only 8 days away!

Dear Team Menu Impossible,

I miss your blog posts about tucking and rolling, but can't wait until your post on your 1950s style meal at Canlis. Congrats on finding a menu! I knew you would from the beginning. I just had a feeling.

Dear dress I liked last year,

There is now a MUCH cheaper version of you that looks IDENTICAL. (You guys have to click on both links to really understand the absurdity in the similarity in looks, but luckily not pricetag!)

Have a wonderfully, fabulous week before Christmas weekend!

pic/via whimsicalities

Celebrate

"What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day." -- Phyllis Diller

I thought this quote was appropriate for today since tonight is our office Christmas party. They are pretty low key these days, but it's still fun to socialize outside of the office.

Do you have any funny office Christmas party stories?

pic/via

Hunter Boots

Since my new favorite thing seems to be directing you to other things, I present you with Hunter boots. As you all probably know, I've been eyeing them for some time now. I've convinced myself into buying them and then quickly convinced myself back out of them, then back again. It's a vicious cycle, I tell ya. I like yellow, blue or red. Oh, and green, but Stephers has those, so I would probably opt for another color.

I live in Seattle, so they're practical, right?

Cozy and warm

Doesn't this fleece look cozy and warm? I also like all of the fuzzy, lambie fleeces at Patagonia. They remind me of Kimber. And of Autumn's nanny family boy because apparently he has a little, minature lambie too.

Black Velvet

The Waterwheel was blessed with the vocal talents of Maddie and me this weekend. About a half dozen times. (You're welcome, Waterwheel patrons) I was definitely yearning for some karaoke fun, but I think I got my fill in. For at least a week.

pic via Joe's iPhone

TGIF

Dear Christmas Tree,
When you came into my life almost two weeks ago, I have to admit, I was nervous. How could you possibly live up to the awesomeness of last year's? Initially I had my hands on a much smaller version of you, but when Joe pulled you out from the group (a seemingly foot above the rest), we knew we had found the one.

I don't know what it is about you. Your intoxicating smell, your tall stature, the way you light up or maybe how you wear your attire (ornaments). Whatever you're doing, keep doing it. You've completely won me over. When I walk into the room and see you lit up, I immediately smile.

I know our time together will be short, but I want you to know that I will always cherish the memories. But for now, let's enjoy the holiday season! (How do you feel about hot buttered rum in your stand?)

Love,
Petes

P.S. When will these start to magically appear?

Madison Park Conservatory

Last night, Joe and I hit up his buddy Gary's new gig, the Madison Park Conservatory. We just went for drinks and dessert, but if what we had is any indication of what the dinner would taste like, then count me in!

I ordered a Seasonal Bellini, which had prosecco and a pear-cardamom puree. It was light and refreshing, everything a bellini should be and more.

Joe ordered the Brooklyn 46, which is a spin on the regular Brooklyn cocktail, but uses Maker's 46, a special, new Maker's Mark.

For dessert, and brace yourself for this one, we had Olive Oil cake with olive oil gelato and caramelized pears! I was skeptical because olive oil doesn't strike me as a "sweet" ingredient, but believe me: It's worth a try.

So who's with me on my next trip to the Conservatory?

Gary and Joe behind the bar

top pic via/Madison Park Blogger

Wreath

Isn't this wreath just perfect? I think so.

pic via/weloveit

Washyourhandsington

The long and awaited, Washyourhandsington campaign! Many of you have heard me talking (or singing) about this campaign for what seems like ages, so I'm so excited that it's finally launching! It's been a really fun campaign to work on - a lot of new experiences, including shooting some of the footage of the video myself!

I know you're waiting with baited breath, so watch it. (You may notice a familiar face in the ending shot.)
Then share it.
Email it.
Post it.
Tweet it.

Do whatever you'd like, just send it out into cyberspace. It would be very exciting if this went viral. (I'm probably biased, but I think it does have potential to actually go viral!)

con·grat·u·la·tion

According to the dictionary:

con·grat·u·la·tion  

–noun
1. the act of congratulating.
2. congratulations, an expression of joy in the success or good fortune of another.

Well then, congratulations Joe! By now, you should be done with your thesis defense!

I guess rubbing the boar's nose for good luck really worked.

Here comes Santa Claus

This cute little family puts together a Christmas video in lieu of cards every year. I think that is such a fun idea! You can watch the 2009 and 2008 versions too, but I think this year's takes the cake.

Here Comes Santa Claus - A Christmas Video Greeting from Jared Foster on Vimeo.

TGIF

I loved Roald Dahl when I was growing up. After reading this, I think I love him even more. It's a good reminder to keep your eyes open and enjoy the ride, even the small little details that we ignore on crazy days.

TGIF! Oh, and Go Huskies!

pic/via - click on the picture to blow-up the image if you can't read it.

Skating + Picasso

Last night I did a little of this. (Thanks for helping, Mads!) Once again, it was fun. My little advisee is adorable and I'm so sad that I don't get to advise her for another year.

Tonight, I'm going to do a little Picasso viewing at the SAM. It's first Thursday, so the normally $23 tickets are only $12! Steal.

When I was studying abroad, I went to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, so I've seen quite a bit of his art. He's still a very fascinating fella; I remember his early art looking nothing like the art we all know him for. I guess we all change our style throughout life. (For instance, I don't see myself jumping into a pair of Doc Martens or wearing a puka shell necklace anytime soon...)

via

Button Factory

Sometimes I sing this song to Joe. He chuckles a little, but I'm sure inside it's a completely different story. Last night, I sang, "Hello. My name is Joe and I work in a Christmas tree factory..." because I GOT MY TREE! (pictures to come)

But back to the song. I remember when I first asked if he'd ever heard it, he responded something along the lines of, "only everyday of my childhood." I'm glad I'm as mature as his 5th grade classmates.