2013 Christmas Family Get-Together

Dec 22 - Sunday.  Everyone converged to Nyack where Bicky & Mark were kind enough to host.  It was an unusual and extremely warm day for December...73 degrees!  I made Pernil, tomato onion salad/relish and chimichurri.  Kathy brought along a spiral cut ham.  Bicky provided rice pilaf, sauteed string beans, Brussels sprout and sweet potatoes.  There was desserts galore: Bicky made a gingerbread cake, Kathy brought a chocolate mousse cake and I brought a chocolate trifle.  A glorious feast!

I took a ton of photos and it makes for a great photo essay:

The desserts from top: chocolate mousse cake,
gingerbread cake, chocolate trifle

Mom & her bonnet hood dryer

Bicky opening her Secret Santa gift

It's a scented candle!

Mom thought it hysterical that big box held the one candle!

Baz & his SS gift

Kathy is delighted(?) with hers:
Prairie Woman Cookbook

Tom got his book from Secret Santa

Kris opens her goodies from Secret Santa

Mark very happy with his wine and pilot point pens

Tony got an Auto Zone gift card and his beloved
chocolate jelly rings

Nikki's new cutting board

Trisha Yearwood's Cookbook &
Now That's What I Call Music CD

Miranda's turn

Lots of gift cards to her favorite store:
Urban Outfitters

One of many thank you hugs

Nikki's clever "money umbrella" gift to Xavier

Tom got new touch screen gloves and Nikki, a set of candles
From Xavier & Miranda

Aunt Bicky knitted a cowl for Baz

Three Generations

What's in the big box?

Nikki & her new sewing machine!

Merry Christmas!!

Dear Santa...no...Dear Wendy...

I was fortunate enough to receive confirmation to one of Wendy Williams' holiday shows.  Kathy I attended today and we made out like bandits.  It's hit or miss...although never really a miss - anything we get is always appreciated.

I was going to take my own photo of my stash but why, when I can just use Wendy's!

First up:  Olivia & Joy bag...both Kathy & I got the gold one.

Next...A Clarisonic Pedi system

Last:  An array of gifts!

From top left corner:  

Nescafé Dolce Gusto One Cup coffee maker with carton of cappuccino and free carton of choice

Gendarme cologne

J.R. Watkins Body Butter

Becca facial brush

Papyrus card

Legal Eagle Seafood shrimp

Tablet case/clutch/make-up case

Champagne glass (fits a whole bottle of champagne)

Timex Weekender watch

Wireless Call Notifier (hang it on your bag or belt and lights up when a call comes in and phone is on silent)

Boomphone -headphones that can also play externally & phone ready

USB bracelet from EBay

Apparently about $1000 worth. :)

We were lucky and happy gals as we lugged our goodies to a Dallas BBQ lunch.  

Happy Holidays!!!

Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

The first recipe I've tried from Pinterest.  Easy, excellent and sooo delicious! (And no frying!)

Jazz Brunch in the West Village

Always great to see Ronna and the family!

                                 

From left to right: Derek, Ronna, Howard (Ronna's brother), Izzy & Mark

                      Ronna's cousins: Josh, his sister Pam & her son, Ben

                            

Turkey Day 2013

This year, we had everyone in attendance!  So special these days with some of the kids grown and having their own thing to do.  Mom was feeling good which was extra special!  Each of us contributed something and it all made for a wonderful dinner and family get-together!  Love my family!

Nikki prepping her Brussel Sprouts

                           

Girls and their mash

My Turkey & Stuffing!

Kathy's Famous Rolls

An array of homemade desserts:
Evelyn's Chocolate Pecan Bars, Kris' Blueberry Pie,
Salted Caramel Cupcakes (only thing not homemade which I provided)
Kathy's Cranberry Cake and Pumpkin Roll, Nikki's apple pie-lettes