Whoa. Has it really only been one week since Thanksgiving? It’s like the moment the dishes were finished (oh wait, I didn’t do the dishes!) my head was pointed North and ready to dive right into Santaland. And I couldn’t be happier about it.
In This Post
I’m trying my best to not get caught up in the must-do’s and will-try’s of the holiday obligations and instead am taking it one minute at a time.
And that’s why I had to take a minute, regroup and do as Frankie says—Relax!—and put my feet up in front of the fire. It’s my favorite spot this time of year.
We arrived back home from our week in Memphis and Nashville on Thanksgiving day just as most of you were diving into the cranberry sauce. It was an incredible trip and I’m so glad to have shared it with my lil’ ol’ family, learning more about our country’s history and to visit friends we haven’t seen for far too long. I have a few posts about our trip with a few eats mixed in that I’ll be sharing soon. And let me just say, there’s nothing quite like true, Southern-style food.
Since we were unprepared and unmotivated to cook the turkey ala dinner king once we rolled our bags into our home sweet home, instead we wandered down to our friend’s house and crashed their dinner. They’re good like that. I ended up getting in the kitchen for a bit but Sherrie had prepared nearly everything, including this amazing pie that you should make any day of the year.
But that was a whole holiday ago! Time to get into the latest swing of the season with a few Friday Faves…
Your Chance to Give Back with Santa’s Milk Drive
Did you know that milk is the most requested donation for national food banks, yet is the least donated? You can help me do something about it.
If you’re a Utah local:
This Saturday at Smith’s Marketplace in West Jordan, UT, I’ll be teaching my daughter and her friends the true lessons of the season by participating hands-on in Santa’s Milk Drive, where we’ll be handing out goodies, prizes and asking the public to donate to the Great American Milk Drive in partnership with Feeding America. Please join me and my daughter, other local food bloggers and Winder Dairy at this in-person event.
WHEN: Saturday, December 6th 1:00pm-4:00pm OR online: santasmilkdrive.com
WHERE: Smith’s Marketplace – 5600 West 7800 South, West Jordan, UT
More info about the event can be found here.
If you’re anywhere else in the U.S.:
Help by donating a gallon of milk online here. By simply inputting your zipcode your gallon of milk will go directly to your own local food bank. Everyone deserves milk with their Santa Cookies, and all year long.
If you’re a food blogger:
If you have a cookie recipe or other sweet treat or just want to get the word out anytime in the month of December, consider linking to Santa’s Milk Drive santasmilkdrive.com and encouraging your readers to donate online. Lori and Gina already have, and there are more bloggers’ joining the cause every day. It’s super easy for your readers to donate and by simply inputting their zip code, they’ll be able to donate directly to their local food bank, keeping the charity where it’s needed most: in their own communities.
Thank you so much for considering joining this worthy cause!
Cookbooks, cookbooks, cookbooks! Gifts for all! Some good ideas in these gift guides here and here.
My friend Courtney was on Jess’s podcast talking about minimizing stress when it comes to the holidays. I’m obsessed with both of them.
Somehow my husband and I both came down with a cold at the same time. All those airport germs. I asked you guys what to do, and you had ALOT of great suggestions! And I referred to this list of how to beat a cold the natural way. I’m down with #5, as long as it’s in my tub.
If there is ONE thing you get yourself this holiday, make it these! I have never slept better, or wanted to sleep in longer. They’re the coziest!
Meet our new Christmas yard art! As soon as all the Christmas stuff goes on sale the rest of the gang will be my next purchase.
I saw this on Kelley’s weekly list of The Goods and printed it immediately. What a great idea for all ages!
You know I follow other blogs besides food blogs, and this one is one of my favorites because every post tells a story through the photos. Doesn’t hurt to have such cute kids either.
Eggnog Jello Shots? Sign me up!
Christmas Wreath Macaroons? Where’s my coffee?
I came across this fun site for all kinds of oddball gifts. Kitschy gifts are sort of my favorite kind.
Some ladies sport tennis bracelets (I’ll take #3 or #12 please) but I’m rocking this $990 piece of hardware because after 5 months, the old broken wrist just isn’t what it used to be. Why does insurance charge SO MUCH for a piece of plastic that looks like it belongs attached to my KitchenAid? I know, talking about health care is boring, but ask yourself this: How can one patient be charged $99,000 for a treatment that a patient only 20 miles away is charged only $7,000 for the same procedure? CRAZY!
My friend Denise predicts the next 10 food trends for 2015. Food sherpas? I like it!
This is a great list of printable Christmas gift tags, so much great design in one spot.
I’ve been making okay progress with my weight loss endeavors thanks to Weight Watchers, but man! The holidays are HARD! So I gave in on Black Friday and bought one of these. I know, I’m a Christmas gift spoiler. I hope I got the right one.
Speaking of Christmas gifts, my daughter and my nieces have a total narwhal obsession. Last year they got these and they were a total hit!
This year I tried to get them these, but they’re completely sold out.
So I’m doing a lot more good and they’re getting this where they’re getting a little something, but helping in a bigger, more philanthopic way. I think they’re going to dig it! I hope they don’t read the blog!
My name is Heidi. Make that Haiti. 23 hilarious misspelled names on Starbuck’s cups.
30 of the tackiest Christmas ugly sweaters,
and…
This takes the ugly sweater idea to a whole new level,
or…
Keep it simple with this ugly sweater tshirt. Or get the naughty version. Ha! I know which one my husband is going to want.
On the blog biz front:
Food blogging recipe-saving alternatives to Ziplist.
15 ways to avoid blogger burnout.
And now a few foodie gems I discovered this week on the web:
Chicken Enchiladas with Butternut Squash
Kristen says her sister in law Ginger makes the best enchiladas, but by the looks of these, Ginger’s got a fight for best in show on her hands. Get the recipe here.
Fettuccine with Grapefruit Sauce Brussels Sprouts and Manchego
Grapefruit sauce? On ice cream but also on pasta? Genius! Get the recipe here.
Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Smudge pulled some hot chocolate mix from a can that’s been in the cupboard since we moved into that house which tells me two things: I need to clean out my cupboards and this recipe looks infinitely better. Get the recipe here.
Vietnamese Hot and Sour Tamarind Soup
What a great looking vegetarian soup, but I might have to add a shrimp or 10 to the pot. Get the recipe here.
Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Pasta with Aubergines and Olives
I can only imagine the flavor explosions this pasta would bring! Whoa. Get the recipe here.
Hope to see the Utah locals this Saturday at Santa’s Milk Drive. I’ll be the one wearing the cow hat. Make it a great weekend friends, and cook something good.
XO, Heidi
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iamaddictedtoyou
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Emily @ Life on Food
I am getting such a kick out of the ugly sweater trend.
Denise | TLT
Thanks so much for the feature, Heidi! And I will definitely be your food sherpa if you ever visit Amsterdam;) Have a wonderful weekend! xoxo
Kristen
Friday faves are my fave, but you know that already :)
So… I don’t feel so cheated now that you have that mega brace. Kelly’s robo leg brace was so freaking expensive and our insurance didn’t cover it. I could have had my house cleaned by professionals for a whole year with the price of that. I can’t imagine what people who absolutely have no income can afford to stay well. It’s such a wrong system!
Anyway, Thanks for the link love… and the cookies and milk thing is awesome. Sharing it on my happiness report this week!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl
So sorry about your wrist! And yet you soldier on with these great posts, thank you! So many great things on this list: sweet picture with the friendly donkeys, the printable badges, the 10 food trends (‘tapas ghetto’ made me laugh), and that last pasta dish has me drooling.
Have a great weekend, Heidi!
kelley
That wrist contraption is crazy. Hope it feels better quick! Those fleece sheets look amazing. I’m a sucker for all things soft and fuzzy. Have a great weekend! xo
Marissa @ In My Yellow Cardigan
YES! Memphis is AWESOME! The museums, the BBQ, yes! What an awesome place to go for Thanksgiving!
Also, this is a real serious question: WHERE did you get your daughter’s jacket?? I’m turning 24 two weeks from today but if there’s a grown lady version of her coat, I want it!
Sandy @ ReluctantEntertainer
Thanks for all the tips and info. I ADORE your Friday Faves! Yummy recipes, Ali is getting SO tall and adorable. Love your fireplace … I know exactly where you were sitting! :) xo