A Week in My Life: Week 50

Here's what the past week looked like:

Beeboo is gettin' some extra love today.

I really love that we'll have a white Christmas this year. We don't normally get this much snow until January. I truly love the snow, I just hate driving in it.

Early morning light is so beautiful.

That face...

We had some pretty nasty weather move through here earlier this week. Driving home in it on Sunday was not fun.

Sunlight through my windshield.

Trying to liven up some of my houseplants under the kitchen light. They are looking a little droopy.

Have a beautiful week!

Love and Tannenbaum

After two days of the most depressing December weather (rain and dense fog...), the sun is out again and the air has that crisp feel to it.

I love mornings that start slowly; where I can take my time and really wake up. There's no where to rush off to immediately and I can make myself a cup of tea and read in bed for a little bit. It might be just me, but I'm instantly 100% more happy when I am able to do that.

Today's December photo challenge photo is to take a picture of something green. I'm trying not to take the prompts too literally, but it's hard not to take pictures of your tree. I love seeing it in my living room! My kitties were given an early Christmas gift of catnip, so I captured a picture of Beeboo playing with hers. When we first adopted Beeboo, she was so unfriendly. She bristled and ran away when we'd try to pet her and she'd only come around when she wanted food. We even had a standing appointment to return her to the shelter because she was SO crazy hyper (ruining our blinds and chewing on our cables and wires). We live in a tiny apartment so it was not something we wanted to put up with. But when they day came for us to take her back, it was like she knew what we were about to do. We looked and her and she looked back and we just couldn't do it. Ever since then, she's completely changed. It's the weirdest thing. Animals are incredibly perceptive.

A Week in My Life: Week 29

Here's what the past week looked like:

Like most of you, the beginning of my week was full of wrapping and unwrapping presents. My living room has only recently recovered from this whirlwind.

 My incredible husband ordered me a huge box of French macarons from an NYC bakery as a Christmas present! I couldn't believe it! I ate them all within two days... The best dessert I've ever tasted.

Getting back into hard-boiled eggs. Just a little dash of cayenne pepper and salt and you're good to go. 

We had our first sights of snow earlier this week. I was very happy. 

Despite everything being so cold, my succulent has been doing really well. There's a new root sprout that has started to grow out of one of the plants. It loves the large picture window, apparently.

I love snapping photos of my cat sitting in the window. She has such beautiful fur. 

Baby's breath.

 I borrowed Canal House Cooks Every Day and have been obsessed with some of the recipes found within. I made one of their caprese salads, but instead of basil, they sprinkled chopped chives, sugar, salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar over the tomatoes and mozzarella. It's exquisite...

 Christmas Eve candlelight service.

 Yay, more snow!

 Beautiful persimmons at the grocery store.

 In addition to the pots and pans set that my parents gave me for Christmas, I also received three cast-iron skillets! There are 6, 8, and 10 inch pots. Really excited to make the a gluten-free cornbread recipe I've been eying.

Random, I know, but this is the best yogurt I have found to date. If you find it, buy some. You won't regret it!

Christmas with the In-Laws

Luis and I spent Christmas day with his parents in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, one of the most beautiful places in our immediate area. Can I just take a second to brag about my awesome in-laws? Well, I'm going to: they are awesome, folks. They graciously treated us to a brunch at the Grand Geneva Resort. I love good food, and any place that serves champagne continuously is alright with me!

They had every assortment of breakfast foods, cheeses, fruits, salads, and even crab legs in their shell. I was in food heaven.

 

Yes, this is a chocolate fountain... and yes, I did pig out. 

This is just a sample of some of the food I had: buttermilk mashed potatoes, maple cured ham, sweet potatoes with glazed pecans, and cajun tomato chicken and mussels. 

We explored the grounds a little bit and discovered candy-themed displays everywhere!

They had beautiful Christmas lights all around the exterior of the resort. When we left the Grand Geneva, we all went to see Les Miserables. IT WAS INCREDIBLE!!! Probably the best movie I have ever seen; the acting, the cinematography, the thematic elements of the film, everything was perfect. I highly recommend seeing it if you haven't already.

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

 

On Christmas Eve, Luis and I spent the evening with my side of the family at my parents' house. It was a night full of laughs, corny jokes, and an exorbitant amount of photo taking. You know how it goes: "Ok hold up the present!" *snap snap* *opens present* "Ok hold it up... are you smiling?... Smile!" Yes... with every single gift. Hehe. We're goofy.

We were given a new 10 piece cookware set this year! I was so thrilled because I desperately needed a new set. My brother gave me a digital food scale so I can bake gluten-free! Since flours weigh differently, you need to measure in weight measurements (grams) and not volume measurements (cups, etc). Really excited to break it in!

 

My mom made a delicious roast with sauteed veggies, a creamy, cheesy potato dish, and chocolate pudding for dessert. Good eatin'! 

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all of you the best, most relaxing day with the ones you love. I'll be heading to a wonderful Christmas brunch at the Grand Geneva Hotel in Lake Geneva, WI, with my in-laws, and who knows what else will be in store! Merry Christmas! 

Favorite Holiday Movies

I cannot believe how quickly the month of December has gone by. Perhaps it's because of how hectic life became at the beginning of the month. Today is one of the first days I've been able to have completely to myself without any hint of guilt. 

Either way, today has been a much needed dose of relaxation. On top of that, it snowed for the first time today! Now that the evening is upon me, I heated up some hot chocolate, made a few snacks, and I'm ready to settle down for a movie (or two). Here are some of my favorite holiday movies:

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1. Elf- Come one, who doesn't love this movie? One of my favorite scenes is when Buddy attacks the "fake Santa," ripping off his beard in front of a host of shocked children, forever ruining their perceptions of dear old Santa Claus. Well done, Buddy. Also, when he gives his dad the gift "for that special someone." Classic! 

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2. The Holiday- I know, I can sense your judgement and eye rolling from here, but allow me to explain. I love movies where there is traveling involved. The two main characters, Amanda and Iris, switch houses, cars, everything for two weeks during the holiday season, to vacation in each others homes. The change of scenery causes them to resolve their internal conflicts (Amanda with her emotional suppression, Iris gains some gumption) and find love in the process. Predictable plot, yet something keeps me coming back time and again.

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3. The Nutcracker Prince- This one's an oldie but a goodie! For me, this movie brings back a host of childhood warm and fuzzies. I'd watch this movie with my little brother each Christmas, literally every year with hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. I found it on YouTube last year and I'm resolved to keep the tradition alive!

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4. Home Alone- I never grew up watching this movie during Christmas, but my husband did. It's now been added to the list of Martinez Christmas movie favorites. Gotta love a little kid fending off burglars with a little hijinks. 

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5. The Polar Express- I love this movie. It makes me feel like a kid again. It amazingly captures the innocence of a child and reminds you of the excitement and special nature of Christmas. 

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6. A Charlie Brown Christmas- Charlie, with typical pessimism, is repulsed by the commercialization of Christmas and sets out to find the real meaning. Great music, sweet film. 

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7. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the cartoon version)- I have nothing against the Jim Carrey version, but I find myself preferring the cartoon! I always get hungry when he carves the "roast beast". 

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8. A Christmas Story- remember, you'll shoot your eye out, kid!

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9. The Nightmare Before Christmas-  This movie is simultaneously a Christmas movie and a Halloween movie. I happen to watch it on both holidays. Jack Skellington is the man!

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10. Le Père Noel est Une Ordure- this French Christmas film is by far the funniest movie I have ever seen. The movie follows two inept individuals who attempt to run an anti-suicide calling hotline from their apartment. They end up encountering all sorts of crazy scenarios and the ending of the movie was so grotesque and hilarious. 

What are some of your favorite Christmas movies??

Christmas Wish List

I'm taking a break from work and writing papers to indulge in a little selfishness. Is that bad? 

1. I've been wanting to buy a camera bag for some time. I love this [expensive] casual one from B&H Photo.

2. Scarves become more than just a winter staple when winter hits Chicago. As I love anything black and white, this is the perfect scarf.

3. Philosophy has an amazing collection of holiday-scented bath items. I can only image how delicious the Gingerbread Man bottle smells.

4. How cute are these owl mittens!?

5. I'm really into the chunky-heeled pumps as of late. Plus, I love the yellow/cobalt color combo.

What items are you pining for this season?