Published on Thursday, December 29, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Jennifer Marie. Congrats!
If you can believe it, I have yet to bake a holiday cookie this season! Â Shh! Â But the year is not over which means I still have time to get my bake on. Â Sugar cookies are a staple during this time of year, and while in and of themselves perfectly delectable, they can alwa... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 by caryn
After weeks of cooking and baking, I'm ready for a bit of a New Year's break! Â I LOVE this time of year because I get the opportunity to experiment with holiday flavors like peppermint, pumpkin, and gingerbread. Â And fortunately, stores like Fresh & Easy make it easy for me to enjoy my favorites without having to step foot into my kitchen.
[captio... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 by caryn
I find it incredibly ironic that I'm writing a post about leftovers, given the fact that in general, I don't enjoy food that was prepared and eaten the previous day. But for this very reason, I wanted to share some ways you can enjoy leftovers. Â Turkey is a holiday staple during this time of year. Â For the amount of time and effort it takes to prepare a whole turkey... Read More »
Published on Monday, December 26, 2011 by caryn
[caption id="attachment_29401" align="alignright" width="199" caption="Photo Credit: jade007"][/caption]
After a weekend of sharing, conversing, eating, and relaxing, it's time for a post holiday clean-up. Â While I strive to "clean" while I'm prepping and cooking, I reserve the "deep clean" for after the guests have left. This also gives me an opportunity to start... Read More »
Published on Saturday, December 24, 2011 by caryn
There are very few things that I "collect," however, for as long as I can remember, I've frequented The Disney Store each year at this time to infuse our holiday decor and celebrations with a little Disney magic. This year, we added two new ornaments to our collection...
This Mickey & Minnie Ornament Set is simple, elegant, and unique. Each ornament is designed... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 23, 2011 by caryn
Earlier this week, I shared my plans for our Christmas meal. Along with a ham we received from Walmart, I'll be serving vegan apple and butternut squash soup, scalloped potatoes, salad, bread, and a prepared dessert. Easy! As opposed to Thanksgiving, where the hubby and I went all out, going so far as to make even the cranberry sauce from scratch, Sunday's meal ... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 23, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winners are Margie, Patricia W C, and Angie. Congrats!
As much as I enjoy getting creative with my holiday meals, preparing and cooking for a large number of people can be time consuming, stressful, and costly. If you still haven't decided what you'll serve this Christmas, why not opt for a few semi-homemade di... Read More »
Published on Thursday, December 22, 2011 by caryn
Today, I'll be finishing up the remainder of my Christmas shopping so that I'll have at least a couple of days to wrap, cook, and relax! Yes, I'm one of those last minute, procrastinator types, hoping stores will still be stocked with gifts for friends and family members. Â If you're still shopping for the holidays and in need of some gift ideas, check out jcpenney'sÂ... Read More »
Published on Thursday, December 22, 2011 by caryn
It's the season of entertaining and holiday parties. Â I've been shopping and prepping for our upcoming family dinner and I'm happy to say that we're nearly done (minus the cooking part, of course). Â What's going to be particularly tricky about this year's Christmas celebration is the fact that the hubby and I will be cooking the meal in someone else's home! Â Sinc... Read More »
Published on Saturday, December 17, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Laurie Harrison. Congrats!
In the midst of the shopping rush and holiday parties, I'm reminded of and sensitive to the fact that this season isn't always "magical" for those who may be struggling financially, physically, or emotionally. This is the time of year when charitable organizations reach... Read More »
Published on Saturday, December 17, 2011 by caryn
Only in Hollywood will you find snow-covered streets and a 60 foot tree with a twist. The Grinch, Max, and the Who-ville Whos once again return to Universal Studios Hollywood to celebrate Grinchmas!
Last weekend, the park was brimming with guests eager to begin the holiday season. Grinchmas, which runs continuously from December 17th through January 1st, 2012, is... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 16, 2011 by caryn
A visit with Santa has always been a tradition in both or our families, so it only seemed natural that we would start the same tradition with our own children. Who would have thought though, that both of my children, at various points in their lives, would actually be afraid of the genteel man with a beard?
This year, for the very first time, both of my children ... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 by caryn
Having grown up in Southern California, I'm always amazed at the things we haven't done and the places we've never visited. During this time of year, it seems like there are endless family-friendly activities surrounding the holiday season.
Popular amongst families in the area, is the annual venture to see local displays of Christmas lights. Â Newport Dunes... Read More »
Published on Sunday, December 11, 2011 by caryn
Decorating gingerbread houses was a memorable tradition in my childhood home, and one I started with my son a few years back. Powell's Sweet Shoppe, our local candy store, which has this old-time look and feel to it, is offering pre-assembled cottages made from baked graham cracker to decorate this holiday season. Â For the past few years, we haven't bothered with h... Read More »
Published on Saturday, December 10, 2011 by caryn
As a young, single woman, I enjoyed browsing the sale racks at Macy's and trying on shoes at Steve Madden. These days, it's a rarity if I get an hour or two of uninterrupted time  to myself, let alone some time to shop.  Since my shopping ventures are almost always focused on my kids, my wardrobe is somewhat outdated. When I perused my closet for a dress that would ... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 9, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Annmarie W. Congrats!
Toys, toys and more toys! Newpapers, television ads, and stores are filled with educational, electronic, and even eccentric toys, hoping to make it home to a special boy or girl. I peruse the ads and glean wisdom from my children, hoping to pick out a few that they'll play ... Read More »
Published on Thursday, December 8, 2011 by caryn
Last week, the hubby and the kids spent an adventure-filled day at Knott's Merry Farm, and I can't wait to share with you our favorite highlights from the day. But since we're in right in the midst of the holiday fun, I thought I'd share a fantastic deal and opportunity to give back.
Once again, Knott's will collect hundreds of toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve ... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winners are Heather H and Georgia. Congrats!
This is perhaps my favorite time of year. It's been brisk here in Southern California, and it's truly starting to feel like Christmas. And while I'm busy prepping our home, shopping for friends and family, and exploring my inner foodie, I've also got safety on the ... Read More »
Published on Monday, December 5, 2011 by caryn
It seems like only yesterday that we were carving pumpkins...baking pies...remembering all that we have to be thankful for. Â With less than a month before Christmas, we're getting festive...trimming the tree...shopping for friends and family...exploring the foodie within...and immersing ourselves in the magic of Disney.
The Disneyland Resort has been transformed... Read More »
Published on Monday, December 5, 2011 by caryn
It's the season of giving, and while I found some incredible deals on Black Friday, I'm still struggling to find gifts for a handful of friends and family members. Â Interestingly enough, my greatest shopping challenges include finding gifts for close friends and family. Â When you've been shopping for the same person for years, it requires a bit of creativity to gift... Read More »