2013 Christmas in Pictures

I know I’m a couple days late… but I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!! I had a wonderful Christmas! (Despite being sick!)  I think my body is just worn out from going nonstop the past month and a half!!  I’ve been moving, cleaning, shopping for the apartment and for Christmas, and working 60+ hours a week!  Craziness!! After going to both sides of the family 4 days in a row, today I just slept in and relaxed all day and I can already see an improvement in my health!

Anyways… I thought I would show you all some of the fun I had over Christmas and try to get around to some of your blogs tonight since I’m being a lazy bum! ;)

Somehow I ended up on Santa’s naughty list… no idea how that happened

I got some decorations up around our apartment for our first Christmas out on our own!

I baked some Snickerdoodles

We watched “White Christmas” (best Christmas movie ever!!) I watch it every Christmas Eve!!

Santa came! ;)

My twin and I matched on accident on Christmas (with my fur-niece Marlo)

Having some laughs with my twin and mom on Christmas morning while hubs, my brother, and dad played Zombies (and my youngest sister was taking a nap) lol

AND… got in some yoga for the first time in a month!!

How’d you spend your Christmas?

I hope you all enjoy the last few days of the year!!

Triple Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Recipe

Recipe can be found HERE

 

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup baking cocoa (I used Ghirardelli)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate baking chips

White Chocolate Frosting:
     1/2 cup white baking chips
     4 ounces cream cheese, softened
     3 cups confectioners’ sugar
     1/3 to 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

 

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Combine the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.  Stir in the chocolate chips.

2. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until set.  Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

3. In a microwave, melt baking chips; stir until smooth.  Cool.

4. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth.  Beat in melted chips.  Frost cookies; sprinkle with peppermint candies. 
(note:  I just put the round peppermint candies in a blender and set to chop for a couple seconds to get them sprinkle-like)

Yield: About 6-1/2 dozen

 

Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookie Recipe

 

You can find this recipe HERE

Ingredients:
      1 cup – White Sugar
      1 cup – Corn Syrup
      1/4 cup – Butter
      1 cup – Peanut Butter
      6 cups – Cornflakes

 

Directions:

Bring sugar & corn syrup to a boil. 

Remove from heat & add butter & peanut butter.

Melt, pour over cornflakes.

Mix together and spoon onto wax paper.

Makes 50 cookies

          

Five For Friday (and a winner)

1. Wowsa… this time is so busy, but I LOVE Christmas time… It’s my favorite time of year!! :)  Mostly because our whole family is together during Christmas and we have LOTS of good memories of Christmas growing up… 

 

2.  I’ve been busy baking (recipes to follow)

 

 

3. AND… wrapping gifts

 

4. I know this is supposedly a running/workout blog (mainly)  with a hosh posh of other things… Well mostly its been mainly just hosh posh lately and the reason is because I haven’t really been working out a lot lately… I’ve tried to change that around this past week and have been doing a new workout DVD to try to get my mojo, passion, or whatever you want to call it, back.. more to come on that later too…

 

5.  The winner of my athletic giveaway featuring Anti Monkey Butt and Stopain according to random.org is…

#11 -

 

Congrats Christine!! Email me your info and I will forward it on! :)

 

I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season and not getting wrapped up in all the hustle and bustle but able to spend time with family and loved ones and remember what Christmas is all about! :)