TWTW - the one with the Christmas

I've just awoken from my last season of CSI Sunday night coma. I'm like a fat tick about to pop. I'll have you all know I'm 1993 pounds heavier than I was when I left work on Wednesday. Anyway, let's see..so Christmas happened, huh?

Wednesday it poured like an asshole. I made the pilgrimage to DiBruno's for Prima Donna gouda cheese because I can't make it through the Christmas weekend without it. Wednesday night I got my hair done with the fabulous Kristi at Sensational Scissors, and when I came home my living room looked totally different. MFD put my favorite flowered rug in the basement, cleaned all the floors, put down a new rug, and changed the couch cushion covers. I walked in going WTF? What is this place? But it looks nice.

Lori spent the night and some time on Christmas Eve morning before heading back up north. I made some spinach mac and cheese muffins, ranch dip, and roasted red pepper dip.

Traditional Christmas Eve afternoon at Sandy's with framily:

Followed by Christmas Eve at my uncle Billy's and aunt Sue's and a stop in at MFD's cousin's. All Christmas Eve stops in a dress with bare legs and flip flops.

Guess what Santa brought me? A freaking beach cruiser. This is what it looks like because it's not put together yet. See that feminist rants shirt? Does Santa know me or what? MFD's fishing rod rack and other outdoorsy items were well loved, but his man bun did not work out as I had hoped. We were spoiled by our loved ones too. Materially, it was a nice Christmas.

But it's not really about the material stuff, is it? We are lucky to be surrounded by so many awesome people...some related to us and some not. Christmas day we made stops at my Mom & Rich's, my Dad & Carol's, the hospital to see my father-in-law (he was sprung the next day), and rounded it out with dinner at Frank & Amanda's.

Saturday I took stock of life under MFD's tent city out back, sorted and put grifts away, and caught Mae eating MFD's wireless headphones before heading to Sam's and Giant.

I did some food prep in the afternoon, and we had friends over Saturday night. Activities included pie in the face, laughing, bullshitting, Cards Against Humanity, and TV outside (hence the aforementioned tent city). It was fun but we didn't go to sleep until 3 a.m...you know that's late for this old lady.

By the time Sunday rolled around, I was straight up out of gas. I got an 80 minute massage at 11, ate a shit load of cookies, stopped by Pier 1 to pick up the papasan chair that came in for the shore, and popped into TJ Maxx. I was going to get that canvas for the third floor at the shore many moons ago and didn't, so when I saw it there again, I figured it was kismet. I got a coffee mug too - Call me Boss Lady? Come on, I couldn't resist. After that I had dinner at my Dad & Carol's with the family. How cute are my little niece's plaid tights? To quote white girls everywhere, I literally can't even. I made my way home and died on the couch for a few hours. The End.

Don't forget! Tomorrow is a special Show Us Your Books: Best of 2015.

I want to hear about your Christmas - how was it? Last week of 2015...let's make it a great one, shall we?

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

Thursday Thoughts: Merry Christmas!

Sending wishes of merry and bright days from our house to yours. I will refrain from saying and may all your Christmases be white because it's going to be over 70 degrees in Philadelphia today on Christmas Eve and I'm wearing flip flops. There's a snowball's chance in hell of a white Christmas around these parts but we're rolling with it.

Don't forget to join Jana and I for Show Us Your Books: Best of edition on Tuesday!

Shit MFD Said Vol. 25: Christmas Eve Eve Special

As he goes to turn the bluetooth speaker on before heading out to decorate
Me: Mike! You're going to be outside. Your part of the decorating is outside.
MFD: I need to get prepared.
Me: For what?
MFD: Well Steph, for you Christmas is visual. For me it's auditory. I need to get in the mood with my music.

MFD: I wonder if I'll ever find my wedding ring. 

Me: Do you know how many times I've heard that?

MFD: Well sometimes it's gone a long time.

Me: And?

MFD: Well. I'm just saying. It's been a long time this time.

Holding up a bowl next to the sink with sugar in the bottom
Me: What is this? 

MFD: My Christmas sugar gum drops bowl.
Me: Why isn't the container it came in your Christmas sugar gum drops bowl?
MFD: Why do you care?
Me: If you would've put this bowl in the dishwasher, we would not be having this conversation.
MFD: Regrets. I've had a few. 

Watching Mum TV (it's a Philly Thing) every day
MFD: Steph, don't you wish you were in this band? Dancing?

Me: No. 

MFD: Why not? 

Repeat 

While reading this 

MFD: We don't watch Mum TV every day.

Me: A lot of days, okay? 

When I realize Dune is on

Me: You know, Mike, we went to see Star Wars tonight which is fine. I like Star Wars. But this is like The Dork Awakens.

MFD: You don't have to watch this. You can go upstairs.

MFD: Dolly, do you want to go to the Mummer's Parade?
Me: No.
MFD: It would be awesome if we lived downtown and they could go.
Me: No. I would never take them no matter where we lived.
MFD: They would love it. They tell me they want to go every year.
Me: They would hate it. The music, the loud noises, all the people.
MFD: Gus wouldn't mind the noise.
Me: Gus is deaf.

Sunday night just before six
Me: Are you getting a shower?
MFD: Of course.
Me: Can you give Mae a bath?
MFD: I have to be in and out in like five seconds.
Me: Oh. Where are you going?
MFD: I have to marry someone.
Me: Of course. 

Happy Festivus! 

All read and approved by MFD before they go live...
Shit MFD Said Vol 1, Shit MFD Said Vol 2, Shit MFD Said Vol 3, Shit MFD Said Vol 4
Shit MFD Said Vol 5, Shit MFD Said Vol 6, Shit MFD Said Vol 7, Shit MFD Said Vol 8
Shit MFD Said Vol 9, Shit MFD Said Vol 10, Shit MFD Said Vol 11, Shit MFD Said Vol 12, Shit MFD Said Vol 13, Shit MFD Said Vol 14, Shit MFD Said Vol 15, Shit MFD Said Vol 16, Shit MFD Said Vol 17, Shit MFD Said Vol 18, Shit MFD Said Vol 19, Shit MFD Said Vol 20, Shit MFD Said Vol 21, Vol 22, Vol 23, Vol 24,

Christmas in Philly: Wanamaker Light Show

The Wanamaker Light Show in Macy's is my favorite thing about Christmas in Philly and has been a tradition in this city since 1956. The grand old Wanamaker Organ, a sight in its own right, is covered up with a huge tree and light display during the holidays. It runs from the day after Thanksgiving until New Year's Eve with shows at 10, noon, 2, 4, 6, and 8 (no shows on Christmas Day).

I remember taking the train down as a child with Gamma, claiming our spots on the ground floor, and waiting for the magic. The excitement is still there today and since I work a few blocks away, I make it a point to catch a show every year.

Everyone comes in and crowds the floors and balconies to get their spot. Arrive early to get a good one, and don't try to shop during it because it's a cluster.

Since you're already there, you might as well check out the Dickens Village that's been happening in Macy's for the past 20 years. The third floor of Macy’s is transformed into a 6,000 s.f. Dickens Village for the holiday season to bring A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens to life with more than 100 fully animated figures reenacting 26 of the story’s most memorable moments.

Then maybe walk through City Hall to see the Christmas tree and out to Dilworth Park to check out the Rothman Ice Rink and the little shops on the side.

What's your favorite local holiday excitement?


Joining Sara, Pinky, and Katie for Countdown to Christmas

TWTW - the one before Christmas

Dorks unite! Friday night we saw The Force Awakens with Mark and Sarah and we loved it. Just enough cheese, humor, and drama to make it really line up with the original three movies. I have zero cares for the second trilogy released. MFD saw it again on Saturday night. It was the first time I went to the movies where there were recliners and I have to say it was awesome. I don't think I've been to the movies since we saw Gatsby. Is that possible?

We stopped off at Target after, because the only time I will go to the store right now is in the dead of night. Star Wars shit was everywhere. The marketing on this re-emergence is phenomenal. And yes, of course we got that cereal. Since I told you last week what a crime scene wrapper I was, I thought I'd show you...wrapped for me by me. ho ho no, mofos. I am the worst wrapper in all the land.

I spent most of Saturday in the kitchen. Doesn't the freaking refrigerator always appear at its most grody when you don't have the time or inclination to clean it out? I had to pause and do that in the midst of food making.

Lola Jean was the most popular person at Cici & Pop's Christmas party, of course. I ate so much there I nearly popped, all the food was delicious and I wish I took a pic of the dessert spread because it was fabulous. We drove around our neighborhood looking at Christmas lights on the way home.

Saturday night I slept for over 10 hours and it was fucking amazing. Sunday morning started off slow, and I had to do some work work throughout the day, but I got on to house pickup/sheets changing/towel washing/box breaking down stuff soon enough. I also lolled around on the couch and read. It was worth it, I woke up feeling refreshed today. 

Weekly food prep: egg muffins with sausage, cheese, and red peppers for breakfasts; jalapeno popper quinoa bites and cucumbers for lunch; 408 holiday sweets at work for snacks; poop soup and scrambled eggs for the dogs; spaghetti squash with red sauce (sausage in there) for dinner along with some veggie rice from the freezer. I also made a pear and cranberry gingersnap crumble from Smitten Kitchen for the party Saturday. It was good! And peanut butter blossom cookies Sunday. I don't think I baked cookies at Christmas last year which makes sense because I don't enjoy baking.

This weekend at the shore, new counters/sink/faucet went in on Friday, thanks to MFD being able to be down there. Top two left photos are the original kitchen, bottom left is after we painted the cabinets and put new hardware on, all the right photos are with new appliances/painted cabinets/new counters. 

I have to say, I do love it. MFD was right about switching out the appliances. And getting rid of that one piece of brown trim is already on the spring to do list. Don't worry.

And today...well, despite the unseasonably warm temps we've been having on the east coast, it's the first day of winter. I'm hoping for minimal snow and ice like most other people who have to leave the house for work I'm sure. 

How did you fare this weekend?

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending