Now if only I had a reason to wear these!
About Me
- Amber
- Minneapolis, MN
- Small town raised. Loves the Big City. Loves my husband and my canine kids. Love all things vintage.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
307/365
10 Question Sunday Holiday Edition
47 days til Christmas
1. Real tree or fake tree?
Fake - for 2 reasons - 1. Less mess. 2. Do you know how much real trees cost? I'd rather pay once for my fake tree. Ok one more reason - 3. I've seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - one word: squirrel. My fake tree last year:
2. Gift bags or gift wrap?
Both. I enjoy wrapping if its a nice square gift. If its a fry pan or something, gift bag all the way.
3. Favorite holiday movie.
I can't pick one - my top 3 - "Elf", "Home Alone" and "Christmas Vacation". Honorable mention, "The Grinch" - (both versions).
4. Favorite holiday food.
Hmmmm..... everything? I will note that the food we only have during the holidays are things I don't necessarily love, lol - these include lefse (yes I'm a horrible Norwegian), rice pudding (I don't love the texture but Lucas looks forward to his Grandma's rice pudding every year) and poppy seed bread (again - Lucas looooves it - me not so much - I almost was denied entry into the Little family after I refused poppy seed cake my first Christmas with them, ha! Luckily they reconsidered).
5. Black Friday shopping? Yes or no.
Ehh.. I've done it, yes. Ugh. I think if everyone was in a cheery, this is fun, holiday mood, I'd be all for it. But I encountered more annoying crabby people than nice people the one time I went. I don't know if these crabby people thought shopping on Black Friday would be a breeze or what..... I prefer my online shopping. OR I go out later in the afternoon/evening of Black Friday.
6. When do you put up the tree and when do you take it down?
I put it up Thanksgiving weekend and usually take it down New Year's weekend or the weekend after. Its a pain in the butt to drag everything out of storage and put up so I'm going to enjoy it, damn it.
7. Christmas Stockings? Yes or no.
Growing up - no. Not sure why? We never had a fire place or anywhere to hang them I guess? Lucas and I each have stockings now and each of the dogs has one. Lucas' family has stockings. I don't think his mom has actually put anything IN the stockings for quite some time though, ha. Our fireplace:
8. Favorite Christmas tune.
"White Christmas" by the Drifters; "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt; "Baby Its Cold Outside" by Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart; "O Holy Night" by Josh Groban.
9. Best Christmas gift.
The ones I can remember the most are my Cabbage Patch Doll - seriously they were sold out EVERYWHERE - I think my mom had to pull serious strings to get me one and the first family computer. That was a big deal when we got that thing!
10. Holiday traditions in your family.
Christmas Eve on my side involves going to one of my aunt's or uncle's house (they take turns hosting each year). We always have oyster stew and clam chowder (gag me I know) and potato soup (yum - my aunt makes killer potato soup) and snacks/cookies. We draw names, open presents, call it a day. Christmas morning we always opened presents at home with just my parents and my niece. My aunt and uncle always came over too (they now live across the street from mom and dad). Brunch is served. Its always interesting to me to hear/learn/experience other people's holiday traditions - when I first met Lucas I was able to experience new traditions. Christmas Eve is at grandma and grandpas (on his mom's side) with the whole family - there are ALOT of them. His mom has 6 siblings who all have decent size families. Unlike my family who "graze" for dinner, Lucas' family has a sit down meal followed by singing Christmas carols (some in Polish) - this blew me out of the water when I first started attending their Christmas. Of course I'm use to it now lol. Then Grandma reads out of the Bible (the story of Jesus' birth) and we go open gifts. Christmas at the Littles can get deafening! Lucas' family doesn't exchange names so we mostly watch Grandma and Grandpa open presents haha. Christmas Day on Lucas' side involves going to his parent's house for dinner and gifts. His dad's side use to come over but I think it was getting a bit much for them to get from their house out to Lucas' parent's and then everywhere else they need to go so now Lucas' aunt does a Christmas Open House type thing a week or so before actual Christmas and that seems to work fine.
Whew! That was windy - so what are your holiday traditions? I read a blog recently where the blogger's mom fixes an all white (or "cream") meal for Christmas Eve and then a very colorful meal for Christmas Day - apparently this is some sort of Czech tradition. I thought that was pretty cool.
47 days til Christmas
1. Real tree or fake tree?
Fake - for 2 reasons - 1. Less mess. 2. Do you know how much real trees cost? I'd rather pay once for my fake tree. Ok one more reason - 3. I've seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - one word: squirrel. My fake tree last year:
2. Gift bags or gift wrap?
Both. I enjoy wrapping if its a nice square gift. If its a fry pan or something, gift bag all the way.
3. Favorite holiday movie.
I can't pick one - my top 3 - "Elf", "Home Alone" and "Christmas Vacation". Honorable mention, "The Grinch" - (both versions).
4. Favorite holiday food.
Hmmmm..... everything? I will note that the food we only have during the holidays are things I don't necessarily love, lol - these include lefse (yes I'm a horrible Norwegian), rice pudding (I don't love the texture but Lucas looks forward to his Grandma's rice pudding every year) and poppy seed bread (again - Lucas looooves it - me not so much - I almost was denied entry into the Little family after I refused poppy seed cake my first Christmas with them, ha! Luckily they reconsidered).
5. Black Friday shopping? Yes or no.
Ehh.. I've done it, yes. Ugh. I think if everyone was in a cheery, this is fun, holiday mood, I'd be all for it. But I encountered more annoying crabby people than nice people the one time I went. I don't know if these crabby people thought shopping on Black Friday would be a breeze or what..... I prefer my online shopping. OR I go out later in the afternoon/evening of Black Friday.
6. When do you put up the tree and when do you take it down?
I put it up Thanksgiving weekend and usually take it down New Year's weekend or the weekend after. Its a pain in the butt to drag everything out of storage and put up so I'm going to enjoy it, damn it.
7. Christmas Stockings? Yes or no.
Growing up - no. Not sure why? We never had a fire place or anywhere to hang them I guess? Lucas and I each have stockings now and each of the dogs has one. Lucas' family has stockings. I don't think his mom has actually put anything IN the stockings for quite some time though, ha. Our fireplace:
8. Favorite Christmas tune.
"White Christmas" by the Drifters; "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt; "Baby Its Cold Outside" by Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart; "O Holy Night" by Josh Groban.
9. Best Christmas gift.
The ones I can remember the most are my Cabbage Patch Doll - seriously they were sold out EVERYWHERE - I think my mom had to pull serious strings to get me one and the first family computer. That was a big deal when we got that thing!
10. Holiday traditions in your family.
Christmas Eve on my side involves going to one of my aunt's or uncle's house (they take turns hosting each year). We always have oyster stew and clam chowder (gag me I know) and potato soup (yum - my aunt makes killer potato soup) and snacks/cookies. We draw names, open presents, call it a day. Christmas morning we always opened presents at home with just my parents and my niece. My aunt and uncle always came over too (they now live across the street from mom and dad). Brunch is served. Its always interesting to me to hear/learn/experience other people's holiday traditions - when I first met Lucas I was able to experience new traditions. Christmas Eve is at grandma and grandpas (on his mom's side) with the whole family - there are ALOT of them. His mom has 6 siblings who all have decent size families. Unlike my family who "graze" for dinner, Lucas' family has a sit down meal followed by singing Christmas carols (some in Polish) - this blew me out of the water when I first started attending their Christmas. Of course I'm use to it now lol. Then Grandma reads out of the Bible (the story of Jesus' birth) and we go open gifts. Christmas at the Littles can get deafening! Lucas' family doesn't exchange names so we mostly watch Grandma and Grandpa open presents haha. Christmas Day on Lucas' side involves going to his parent's house for dinner and gifts. His dad's side use to come over but I think it was getting a bit much for them to get from their house out to Lucas' parent's and then everywhere else they need to go so now Lucas' aunt does a Christmas Open House type thing a week or so before actual Christmas and that seems to work fine.
Whew! That was windy - so what are your holiday traditions? I read a blog recently where the blogger's mom fixes an all white (or "cream") meal for Christmas Eve and then a very colorful meal for Christmas Day - apparently this is some sort of Czech tradition. I thought that was pretty cool.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
306/365
Happy weekend everyone. This is the first weekend in awhile we've done nothing. Its lovely so far. We've watched a couple movies ("Unknown" and "Gnomeo and Juliet" - they were both fine, nothing to get too excited about). Right now we're watching "Hall Pass" - too early to say how this one is.
In other news, I painted my nails "Bobbing for Baubles" - apparently dark blue is in this fall/winter.
In other news, I painted my nails "Bobbing for Baubles" - apparently dark blue is in this fall/winter.
Exciting weekend around here, let me tell ya. :-) Hope you're enjoying yours!
Friday, November 4, 2011
305/365
Five Question Friday!
1. What movie do you love to quote?
Ummm, I don't really quote movies too much.
2. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?
No. Lucas keeps asking me but I just can't. Its not that I don't trust him - I don't trust anyone around him!
3. What's your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
Sleep in, watch movies or bake.
4. Do you prefer a bunch of small gifts, or one really big, (expensive) gift?
It depends - if the big expensive thing is something I really wanted and ask for then that's all good. However it is fun to open a bunch of small things too.
5. Do you ever lose track of days and show up somewhere wrong?
Haha, no. I'm pretty darn organized. Just ask people who know me...
Thursday, November 3, 2011
304/365
I'm starting my Christmas shopping list. I know, I know, but it must be done. I'm stumped on what to get some people. Sure I can go the easy route and do the gift card but I don't want to go the easy route. I realize gift cards are appreciated - I really appreciate them because I kind of love clothes. HOWEVER, I want to be clever about my gift giving. I am even going to try making a couple gifts this year. I know, wish me luck.
Give me ideas! What's the coolest gift you've given or received?
Give me ideas! What's the coolest gift you've given or received?
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
303/365
So you guys probably notice that Lucas and I go out to try new restaurants quite a bit. This is thanks to my friend Julie - she decided to start "Supper Club" - starting on her 49th birthday she wanted to visit 50 restaurants before her 50th birthday. We've been lucky enough to tag along for 17 of those. I feel so fortunate to have been able to experience 17 new places and food I would never have otherwise tried. She has 5 left for the year and I'm sure we'll join in on a few of those potentially putting our total up around 20. And I've been able to maintain my weight loss, lol. Bonus!
My top restaurants (in no particular order):
Tilia - Just Julie and I went to Tilia, located in Linden Hills - Lucas has already been there - he helped build the booths in the joint thus he got a few free lunches. :) They have an amazing LOCAL beer selection and I've never heard a bad word about the place. Even from the people who have to wait a couple hours for a table. I had the fish taco torta here - it was pretty much amazing.
Duplex - cute little place in Uptown in literally, a duplex, converted to a restaurant. I loved the cocktail I had here - it was purple! :)
NE Social Club - located in, you guessed it, NE Minneapolis. I had mushroom risotto with sweet baby chicken here. There are no words. Yum, Yum, Yummity, Yum.
Bachelor Farmer - located in the Warehouse District of Minneapolis - our most recent Supper Club. This place was soooooo amazing - my husband had venison and LIKED it for the love of the land. I won't go over details because I just wrote a blog about it a few days ago, but even though I said "no particular order" I would put Tilia and Bachelor Farmer in my top 2. :)
My top restaurants (in no particular order):
Tilia - Just Julie and I went to Tilia, located in Linden Hills - Lucas has already been there - he helped build the booths in the joint thus he got a few free lunches. :) They have an amazing LOCAL beer selection and I've never heard a bad word about the place. Even from the people who have to wait a couple hours for a table. I had the fish taco torta here - it was pretty much amazing.
Duplex - cute little place in Uptown in literally, a duplex, converted to a restaurant. I loved the cocktail I had here - it was purple! :)
NE Social Club - located in, you guessed it, NE Minneapolis. I had mushroom risotto with sweet baby chicken here. There are no words. Yum, Yum, Yummity, Yum.
Bachelor Farmer - located in the Warehouse District of Minneapolis - our most recent Supper Club. This place was soooooo amazing - my husband had venison and LIKED it for the love of the land. I won't go over details because I just wrote a blog about it a few days ago, but even though I said "no particular order" I would put Tilia and Bachelor Farmer in my top 2. :)
If you live in Minneapolis, do yourself a favor - go eat GOOD FOOD. Is it cheap - hell to the no. But I have no issue spending money on good food.
And thank you Julie for encouraging us to experience food, not just eat it.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
302/365
Happy November 1st. I can soon start listening to Christmas tunes without getting dirty looks. I just downloaded a couple songs from She&Him (Zooey Deschanel's duo). I love her voice. One of the songs I bought:
What are your favorite Christmas tunes?
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