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Christmas 2011 Recap

December 28, 2011 by Renee Claire

PopBetty - Christmas Collage

A Christmas that started off inauspiciously, with stress and empty pockets, ended up being one of the best ones in recent memory. This was the first Christmas in four years where I didn’t have to work Christmas Eve, or the week after; everyone was in a good mood and liked their presents. Here’s how we celebrated (clockwise from top left):

  • Watched holiday movies while working on this Thomas Kinkade Christmas Wreath puzzle (50 cents at the thrift store).
  • Ate gingerbread (made with Betty Crocker mix and Target cookie cutters).
  • Rented Bachelor Mother, which was even better than I remembered {film still via Livin’ Vintage; rent it for $2.99 On Demand}. David Niven and Ginger Rogers are just magic together, and the script’s so clever. In my opinion, it’s aged better than many so-called “classic” screwball comedies.
  • Saw Arthur Christmas, the latest movie by Aardman Studios (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep). My teen brother & I saw it in mid-December, and had the theater to ourselves. We don’t always find the same things funny, but we both laughed ourselves silly, especially at naughty Grandpa.
  • Drank Crispin Honey Crisp Hard Apple Cider, another good & cheap holiday tipple.
  • Also: Bought a bunch of snacks (chips, crackers, cookies, things we normally try to restrict), and made a giant batch of paella on Friday, and nibbled on both through the weekend. Watched the first episode of Rosemary & Thyme, a cozy British mystery series with a gardening theme (Season 1 is available for streaming on Netflix).

How about you guys? What made your holiday break special (or at least bearable)?

Filed Under: Christmas, Festivus

Pinterest Holiday Boards

December 14, 2011 by Renee Claire

I had planned on doing a Winter Holiday special here, similar to Halloween Week, but…eh. I’m feeling stressed and Grinch-y this year. Christmas shopping & prep, the luminary ceremony at my grandmother’s grave, a major home clean out, and one big end-of-the-year freelance project (which I’m still working on) consumed the last few weeks, and I have miles to go before I sleep.

I did save up lots of great holiday post ideas at Pinterest, though, in anticipation of that holiday special, and it would be a waste not to share them with you. Here are a few favorite finds, from my Winter Holidays board:

Source: refinery29.com via Renee on Pinterest

Source: amazon.com via Renee on Pinterest

Source: myrecipes.com via Renee on Pinterest

Source: trissalicious.com via Renee on Pinterest

Source: us.asos.com via Renee on Pinterest

Clockwise from top left (click images for links):

  • a peppermint-inspired manicure from Refinery 29
  • a chewy turrón recipe
  • plaid tights
  • a peppermint martini
  • Bachelor Mother, a classic comedy set during the holiday season

There are a lot more goodies (over 300 pins) on my two Pinterest holiday boards, Winter Holidays and Holiday Gifts & Wrapping Ideas, and I hope you’ll click over. I also hope to do more holiday posting next week, once my big project wraps up.

Filed Under: Christmas, Festivus

Colonial Williamsburg Christmas Decoration Inspiration

December 7, 2011 by Renee Claire

My family and I spent Thanksgiving week in Williamsburg, VA. It was a great trip, and since the Christmas season apparently starts in late November, Colonial Williamsburg was already decked with holiday wreaths and garlands. Below are some of my favorites:

Williamsburg christmas wreath

A stunning apple wreath & garland…

Williamsburg christmas garland

…a simple doorway garland with rope & leather wreaths… 

Williamsburg christmas

…and another eye-catching garland bunch, which includes a pineapple and a hedge apple.

Aren't they lovely? It's amazing to me how festive and Christmas-y they look, all without ornaments, ribbons, or lights. Hope you find them as inspiring as I do!

Filed Under: Christmas, Festivus, Travel Tagged With: TBD

Anatomy of a Christmas Party #3: Gingerbread Cookies

December 23, 2010 by Renee Claire

PC210550-2

From left to right: Target 8-piece cookie cutter set, $6.99; Betty Crocker decorating tips, gingerbread cookie mix (with egg + butter), & white, green, & red icing; grocery-store-brand red hots & sprinkles.

Decorating gingerbread cookies is awesome, but making gingerbread cookies? Not so much. Year after year, I'd follow recipes to the letter, only to pull out a pan of hard, over-spiced sadness. So this year I just used Betty Crocker everything (plus cheap Kroger "decors"), and the result was a hit.

PC210551-1 

Pre-bake image. Love these cookie cutters!

I was extra impressed with the Betty Crocker gingerbread cookie mix. The cookies did taste like they came from a mix, but only slightly. The balance of spices and chewy texture were excellent, and best of all, it was easy. I know there's been a backlash against "easy way out" cooking, but sometimes a girl just wants to throw a party.

Gingerbreadcookies

Tragically, these were all decorated by adults.

Filed Under: Christmas, Festivus, Food Tagged With: TBD

Anatomy of a Christmas Party #2: Good Sparkling Wines Under $15

December 21, 2010 by Renee Claire

Good Cheap Sparkling Wines
Our favorite holiday alcoholic drink isn’t eggnog or hot toddies, but cold sparkling wine. Not just any sparkling wine, either: CHEAP sparkling wine. Here are 5, from left to right, that are delicious for the price:

  • Riondo Prosecco, $11.50
  • J. Laurens Brut Cremant de Limoux, $12.99
  • Veuve du Vernay Brut Rosé, $8.99
  • Cristalino Brut Cava & Cristalino Brut Rosé (pictured), $7.99-$8.99
  • Segura Viudas Cava Brut Reserva, $7.99

All are readily available at grocery stores & liquor stores; if you live in Atlanta, I highly recommend Tower. Here are more good recommendations under $20; if you know of other great ones, leave them in comments below!

Filed Under: Christmas, Festivus, Food

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