FROM LA TO HALLMARK MOVIE
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SNOW FALLING an hour outside of Los Angeles.
Read MoreOH MY REINDEER! best cookie recipe ever!
/Doing a quick spin off of the holiday traditions post because I’m getting so many responses for more baking ideas! LOL. I cannot take credit, though. SUPERNANA is here! And actually, SuperNana is learning from pinterest- which I just started going to more. She got some fun holiday ideas from them and created these adorable reindeer cookies. Hayden flipped!! He loved them so much. And I am obsessed with how good the brownie cookie is. OMGosh.
Posting the recipe below, but SuperNana made them all by herself! And in case you missed my stories- scroll down for the Reindeer Pancakes with Turkey Bacon! (Tip: to make the turkey bacon extra crispy like I like it, my mom said to bake it on a cookie sheet on top of foil. It works!)
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HOLIDAY TRADITIONS starting with a cup o' cheer
/Originally written Dec 2019. Some things have changed, and some are still a work in progress (I won’t weigh you down with all the personal stuff right now!). BUT SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE! LIKE the best traditions. PLEASE LEAVE FUN IDEAS, especially since we are now in lockdown again… our usual experiences are on hold.
What are your holiday traditions? I’m hoping to share some ideas here and want to add ones you guys suggest, keeping this post up to date. Hayden and I have to stay here due to my situation with his dad, so my amazing parents are joining us in LA for Christmas. I want to make Christmas Eve and Day memorable. Would love ideas of your traditions. Since this post is older, i’m updating links today… bare with me if some things are not working or sold out, I’ll add alternatives asap.
In the meantime, I’m answering a burning Q right now from you all (lol):
WHAT DO YOU PUT IN THAT COFFEE OF YOURS? LOOKS SO DECADENT.
NEW MATCHING BEANIE SET (CAN MATCH WITH YOUR MINI-ME)
I love my coffee in the morning. Love it. If you follow my stories, you’ve seen what looks like a whole concoction. I get asked every time I do a story what it is exactly that I do to make my drink. I often just say “add hot cocoa and steamed milk” but that then garners more questions! It’s so silly and basic, but I’ll spill the beans anyway! (Pun intended). I do change it up a bit at times. When I had to leave my home quickly, many appliances went missing, so… I had to start again. (PLEASE NOTE, ONE CHANGE I MADE IN 2020 is to remove the hot chocolate on a daily basis and switch to steamed Oat milk!), but when I want something decadent for the holidays, keep reading.
Here is current routine:
Half a packet of hot chocolate mix (I get Nestle hot chocoalate with mini marshmallows) in large 12oz cup. Add 10oz of coffee (I do Keurig right now with light breakfast blend pods). Stir. Steam 1% or 2% milk (I am OBSESSED with this milk frother. I tried several and this is the one that makes it the way I prefer- lots of foam). Add the froth on top, stir again. If I’m making it more of a traditional holiday drink, I add a dollop of whip cream and a peppermint spoon. I know, I take this really seriously. Now, here is my order for Starbucks. This is in no way sponsored but you guys have asked what I order if I’m out. Since Starbucks is in so many places (even Thailand and Russia)!! I figured it’d be a good place to share my order. Venti non-fat MISTO with 3 pumps of mocha. If the barista doesn’t understand, tell them this: 3 pumps of mocha at bottom, 2/3 hot coffee, 1/3 steamed nonfat milk with extra foam.
While I’m here, sharing a few ideas for simple DIY holiday fun from my mom:
What my mom did for Hayden this morning making him Santa pancakes! Sooooo super fun. We saw the idea on pinterest (where I’m sure there are very elaborate ones, but I think my mom’s is pretty fab).
GINGERBREAD HOUSE: Michael’s has little pre-built. We made a haunted ginger house at Halloween from a kit and I swore never building one from a kit again. It finally stayed together with a heft glue gun! This year, we got a larger one from World Market (HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS- GOING TODAY TO GET MORE) and two from Michael’s, along with small figurines for Hayden to create a village. We are loving it. World Market also has the fun candy that is different and whimsical looking…our Whoville Village;)
MAKE PAPER SNOWFLAKES for the kids’ rooms. I youtubed how to make a 6 point snowflake. My mom’s version came out better… but we all got to participate. Hayden is a tad young, but Huck is the perfect age, for a reference.
Mom reminded me of a few ways to make the HOUSE SMELL DIVINE.
Bake cinnamon sticks and cloves (order HERE on amazon) on foil on a baking sheet at 275.
Get those pinecones that smell like Christmas at the market and incorporate them in your tree.
Get a water bottle sprayer. Use mostly water, but add a few drops of peppermint oil or cinnamon oil. Spray the pinecones or your wreaths to keep them fresh and fragrent.
Ohhhh…. I’m adding one more idea that I remembered from my instagram community. Lisa Malnory (@lisa_mal805)! I LOVE this candy cane hors d’oeuvre idea! Totally copying you. Add red tomato to buffalo mozzarella and basil. Such a statement!
And here are ideas for experiences:
Take a Ride on the Polar Express: If you are near a location, it’s a very fun way to kick off the holidays. We’ve been using our bell from Santa every day (except with that silly Elf hides it;) See my post below. Ideal ages around 3-7. Huck got to participate in the show for a bit, doing a small scene with the little boy and Santa. That was pretty special. Hayden loved the music and meeting Santa. We sat at the tables, but I hear the real seats are just as fun.
Disney On Ice: Again, if there is one near you, it’s worth going. Really spectacular show and talent. See my latest post on instagram here;)
Ok- your turn. Leave a comment with your ideas! I WANNA KNOW AND ADD to this post (giving you credit, of course)….!!
xoxo
AAJ
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SNOW FALLING an hour outside of Los Angeles.