Our Little Elf

All Bundled Up

and off to the grocery store with daddy.  Yep, it's that cold here!

Holiday Cheer

Our weekend has been full of holiday cheer. 

Starting with Friday.  It was the Winter Sing at M's school.  This concert was just for the kindergarteners and I was truly blown away.  I don't consider myself an overly emotional gal (crying that is...except when pregnant of course).   But I admit I was one of those sappy mom's holding back tears.  And, that's OK:-)   To my surprise none of the kids had stage freight.  As a matter of fact, M seemed to really enjoy the stage...ham, like her dad!  They sang Who Am I (it was a turkey), Hanukkah Time, The Snow Man, Lunita (a Hispanic lullaby) and We Wish You a Happy Holiday...... and each class recited a poem...wow.  The concert was for 45 minutes and I was hoping for 45 more!

We have also been doing our Christmas cookie baking this weekend (and when I say "we", I mean "me').  Elbow deep in dough listening to Christmas music.  I just LOVE all of the oldies when it comes to the holidays. Doesn't really get any better than this.

(Oh, and M had her first sleepover last night.  I was shockingly not a mess --probably because she was next door!  Actually, Chris was more reluctant than I.  I felt a little nervous when we went to bed since M wasn't in her bed and I couldn't give her my nightly kiss.  Sad, yet an awesome big deal.  And, we didn't even receive a phone call.  In fact, I had to call the next morning asking her to come home!)

Rainbow Bear by M

A Feast for the Senses

Last night Chris and I met some of our dear friends—Rob and Kara—at Marion Street Cheese Market (MSCM) for a Cheese, Please event. I’ve just got to say that this was so much fun!!!! And, MSCM did a fantastic job hosting this event! There were 17 tables, 35 vendors, 100 different wines, beers, spirits, cocktails, tapenades, cheeses, charcuteries, caramels, toffees, preserves, coffees, chutney, and truffles, plus some delicious appetizers prepared by Executive Chef Leonard Hollander. My favorite tasting item of the night was the wild boar salami and a creamy goat cheese (I tried this cheese at the end of the night so unfortunately I can’t remember its name. I will find out though and post for all of you cheese lovers!!). There were too many wine finds to mention here.  However, the surprise of the night for me was that I actually enjoyed a beer---Sophie, a Belgium white. I tried my best to like the whiskey, but it’s just not for me.


And to top off this awesome night, we met Alpana Singh, a Master Sommelier (the youngest ever) and the host of Check, Please. She gave a talk on pairings of cheese and wine/beer and autographed her new book, Alpana Pours.

This was a really fun way to experience new drinks and foods and to hang out with friends who get into that sort of thing! Thanks, Rob and Kara.  Freddy’s next……

Sums up the night perfectly!

A Santa Reflection

M at the same age as ARose.....

Kids Holiday Party

Today was my work's holiday party for the kids.  Each  year it's so much fun for the kids (and exhausting but fun for the parents).  This year was no different.  ARose really got into the spirit.  She was a bundle of energy having a new-found independence that was really cool to see.  We literally couldn't keep up with her running, then crawling, then rolling.....it was hilarious.  And, M could hardly contain herself before meeting Santa.  She was a little shy as usual but I think she helped out her lil' sis. 



Pre-Santa's lap



Classic!!



Termini

Termini. How I love thee. Cannolis, almond cookies, pignolis, biscotti, torrone, amaretti….. My waist is expanding just thinking about these delights! Actually, it's expanding because I'm eating some of these bad boys as I type....just took a bite....here's another!  Yum.

Termini is a family owned and operated pastry shop which originated in South Philly in 1921 by two brothers from Southern Italy. It has been passed down from generation to generation using family recipes that have not changed since its inception. It’s a Christmas tradition in South Philly. Ask anyone from South Philly and I guarantee you they know of Termini. I’ll even go out on a limb and say that this place invokes a certain amount of nostalgia for them as well.

Chris’ roots are grounded in South Philly. When he was growing up (and even more so with his parents) this area was primarily made up of Italian Americans. There are loads of wonderful attributes found in Italian Americans. One of which is taking their food and the traditions that follow very seriously. I’m not a South Philly girl so obviously for me it’s not the same. However, I have inherited this nostalgia by marriage and have fully embraced it. The embracing didn't take long. I remember one of my first Christmas’ with the Frigs and the excitement by the entire family because they received a little package of Termini’s cookies in the mail. The first time I visited Philly with Chris, meeting his Mom Mom for the first time and getting a true taste of South Philly and Termini’s. It was easy to fall in love with all of that. So, now that I’m thinking about it, I guess for me the nostalgia is discovering Chris’ heritage and remembering Mom Mom.

ARose's first Termini experience....she was more interested in the top than the cookies though!

Elf

It's that time of year and Elf on the Shelf made his appearance a couple of nights ago.  Is it just me or is he a little creepy looking--in a cute kind of way?