You heard it here first

I am going to the gym tomorrow.

I just couldn't do it today. And I also had ambitions of doing the 30 Day Shred but that didn't happen either.

So instead I decorated my apartment a little bit. I still have to unpack and stuff -which I plan to do before I go to bed.

Thank goodness I did laundry and changed my bed before I left for Chicago. Nothing like coming home from a trip and having to deal with that.

I have so much crap all over the place. I really do need to get rid of stuff again. Another deep clean is in order for sure.

This place is so small it's so hard to keep it uncluttered!

O Christmas Tree...



No fireplace here!



As I mentioned before - I brought home some 'groceries'. All sorts of party leftovers including chicken, ham, mac and cheese and string beans. Half a block of cheese and some crackers too.





I asked my dad to get me some pigs in a blanket. I made them from scratch for the party yesterday - but he picked some up for me at BJs. I now have 80. Please come over on NYE and help me eat them!



Salad fixins! And the leftover Milanese which I had for lunch.


I also had a surprise waiting on my doorstep. A yummy Christmas gift from my manager. Thanks Terry!





Does anyone else have a prissy boxcutter like me?



I had leftover Chicken with the Sauce over rice for dinner. I keep saying I'll give the recipe for this but I don't think I ever did. I will soon - I promise. I added a handful of frozen peas.



Now it's time to clear off my bed so I can get under the covers.

Back to the office and the studio tomorrow.

Sigh.

Wrap it up....

My sweet dad drove me home since I had a bunch of things to bring with me. I have so much to do in my apartment but I'm lacking motivation. I'm going to try to decorate - I'll take some pictures later.

I'm also lacking motivation to get to the gym. I'm going to drag myself there nonetheless - even if I just walk today.

For lunch I took the leftover Chicken Milanese and wrapped it up.



Perfect!

I also went 'grocery shopping' in my parents' fridge. More on that in a bit.

Off and running!! (maybe!)

Holiday Cheer

Greetings from Long Island. I'm still here - working from home today and heading back into NYC a little later.

When a ride is offered - you take it. Especially if you want to bring home luggage and a bunch of Christmas decorations.

Yesterday my parents hosted a party for my mom's office. Lots of good food and good times.

For breakfast I had a PB sandwich on whole wheat. Aliie ate half of it as she sat next to me barking like crazy. Plus a little later - a potato latke.





I was on appetizer duty. I made some skewers of mozzarella, basil and tomato.



And pigs in a blanket.



Let me tell you. As an event planner - there is virtually no one - save a vegetarian - who does not like pigs in a blanket. They are by far the most well received hors d'oeuvres I've ever served. There is no shame in giving the people what they want - just saying.

I ran for about 25-30 minutes on the old ancient treadmill here. Still it did the job.

The house is all decorated for Christmas now.
















We even had Christmas mugs for coffee and tea.



Here are the hors d'oeuvres. I ate more than enough chips and dip and 2-3 of the skewers with a few carrots and veggies mixed in for good measure. Plus about 4 pigs in a blanket - which were passed hors d'oeuveres and were gone so fast I didn't get to take a pic.



Caprese Skewers with reduced balsamic.



Chips and salsa



Chips and onion dip aka EVIL



Crudite and ranch



Cheese and crackers

And the dinner spread.



Mashed potatoes



Honey ham



Baked beans



Cornbread and sourdough



Salt and Pepper Chicken Tenders



Mac and Cheese



String beans almondine

I had some wine...



And here's my dinner plate.



Plus dessert - profiteroles with slivered almonds.





It was all delicious and a good time was had by all. I think we really know how to throw a party.

And now to today.

Breakfast was a sandwich made with leftover ham and cheese.



So now you're all caught up! Hope everyone had as lovely a weekend as me. I feel like I'm well rested finally and looking forward to the holiday.

Talk to you again in a bit!

Up on the housetop....

Today I spent the afternoon in my dad's old firehouse. He was 'on the job' for 29 years and retired in 1999 - just 2 years shy of 9/11 (thank goodness).

It was their Christmas Party - complete with a visit from Santa. Judging from her reaction today - Madeleine could not be more excited for Christmas.

The best part of going to this party when I was growing up was that Santa handed out a gift to each of the kids. Plus you got to climb all over the fire engines.

Santa arrives on the roof and then comes down on a tower ladder.











It was a fun time - filled with sugar and face painting.

But that was today. There's more to tell you that happened first.

I got on the earlier flight yesterday. The American Airlines gate agent did not like me and gave me a hard time re: my carry on as I was boarding but I got on - with my luggage - nonetheless.

I took a car to my mom's office. My sweet sister ordered me a sandwich which I ate in about 2.2 seconds.



That's turkey and cheddar on whole wheat w/honey dijon.


I had 2 mini ones of these for dessert.



And then we (Mom, Jen and I) went to Elizabeth Arden for massages.

Man I really needed that. I still get a clicky sound when I move my left shoulder. I need someone to work on my shoulders alone for like an hour I think.

Then we went to Waterzooi for dinner.



We had moules.



I had the Montrachet - which had goat cheese and red pepper and white wine. Jen had the Blue Moon - which was white beer, bacon and onions.

My mom had a burger.

We all had frites.



And warm French bread.



And shared the Tahitian Vanilla and Beligan Chocolate Gelato for dessert.



With mint tea.


YUM.

This morning I had a half a bagel and some cheese eggs for breakfast.




I didn't really have lunch. I ate some Red Hot Blue chips and salsa, a handful or two of peanuts and then a 'dirty water' dog at the firehouse.





It's hard to take pictures of your food when an almost five year old wants you to help her find her bag of candy.

We stopped at Target on the way home. I got some Christmas shopping done (presents for Mads and Ells in particular).

Dinner was take out from Marra's. I had the Chicken Milanese.



A breaded cutlet topped with tomato, onion, basil and mozzarella salad

The following is the very reason I am not allowed to keep ice cream at my apartment.





That's the latest and greatest. Tomorrow my parents are hosting a party for my mom's office. Good food, good times to be had.

I better get some sleep. I'm gonna be on KP duty early I figure.

Have a lovely evening one and all. Sleep well.

Temporary Delay

I'm at O'Hare - crossing my fingers that I get on standby for the 10:50 (now 11:50) flight to LGA.

This morning I woke up and went to the gym at the hotel. There was a 5K loop program so I did that. I loved it. I wish my gym had that feature. I did a walk/run combo and ended up at about 38 minutes.

I ate the banana from yesterday after my workout and then I got to the airport and ate this.



A massage is in my future - as long as air traffic control cooperates.

Cross your fingers.