Ah, the holidays!

I don't particularly like to announce when I'm going out of town, on the odd chance a stalker decides to rob my house or something (though I'm sure he'd be sorely disappointed in his findings.)

Anyways, last Wednesday, my house looked like this:










Check out this AWESOME blanket my friend gave to me for Christmas.  Janetha, I know you're jealous!


Breakfast.  Tea and oatmeal.  I only like oatmeal on cold days.


My bag was overpacked and I was ready to go.  On a short plane ride to Oregon to see my parents.


Here is a picture from the sky of some part of western Idaho.  You're welcome.

The next few days were spent baking and lounging.  I made a delicious lighter version of pound cake for Christmas dessert.  I forgot to snap a picture but here's the recipe I borrowed from Cooking Light.

Light Sour Cream Pound Cake


cooking spray
3 cups cake flour (I used regular and it came out just fine)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt (I used just a dash)
3/4 c. butter, softened
2 c. granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1/4 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. light or fat free sour cream

1. Spray cooking spray generously into bundt pan (this always reminds me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding when her fiance's mom brings a bundt cake and her mom has no idea what it is.  Anyone remember that?)  Sidetracked.  Coat the inside of the bundt pan with flour.

2.  Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in small bowl.  Place butter and sugar in large bowl and beat until fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time.  Add milk and vanilla and mix until just combined.  Add flour mixture and sour cream alternatively, beat until just combined.

3. Spoon into prepared pan, bake for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes, then loosen with a narrow spatula, place plate over pan and invert cake onto plate.  I like to top it with a vanilla or caramel or lemon sauce.  Yum!


(source)

Skip to Saturday aka Christmas feast.

Ham, pineapple cranberry sauce, gingered carrots, green bean casserole, potato rolls, mashed potatoes.

Also, I thought I'd share this gem with you:


My brother and I, playing in a box.  Never too big, right?

We had leftovers the next day, but with some kind of balsamic glazed brussels sprouts.


Yeah, I still don't like brussels sprouts.  Even if I think it's cool they look like tiny cabbages.  I ate them anyway, since I guess they're good for me.

We also went to see Tron: Legacy


It was awesome!


The theater was called cinnebarre.  I tried to take a picture, but it was dark and I only had my phone.

My point is, that they took out half the seats and replaced them with long tables.  You can order food and they'll bring it to you during the movie.  Quite brilliant.

Unfortunately, we'd already eaten dinner and didn't participate in any ordering of food.

The other cool thing, was there were TONS of movie posters lining the walls.  Most of them were old, OLD posters (I'm thinking prints of old posters, not actually the originals).  It was really neat looking at all of them.




I also tried out Jessica's Kicked Up Spinach Dip but minus the bacon.  Don't tell her that I left out the bacon, k?


Totally yum-o.

Now I'm back home and happy to see this guy:

He was at the kennel charming all the staff and making new friends.  Still, I think he missed me.

Now I'm wondering: how long can I leave my suitcase in the middle of the floor and get away with it?



What was your best memory of Christmas this year?