Christmas 2011!

Hey Everyone!  Merry Christmas!  Hope you all had an amazing holiday.



My holiday season kicked off with a sleepover.  My friends, Jhiane and Marian, stayed over and we all headed to Rockefeller Center to see the tree.
It was so magical.  New York City is just so magical this time of year.  I loveeeeeee it.  We were so lucky with the mild winter temperature.


We returned back to my place and enjoyed tea and cookies (with my husband) from Jacques Torres.  I had the mudslide cookie which was good, but way too overpowering with chocolate. 
The next night my husband and I spent Christmas Eve in our home.  We exchanged gifts and I was so excited to get a few of the items on my wishlist – YEAH.  In addition, we skipped dinner and opted for a snacky dinner instead.  I made us Nachos with Baked Chips along with black beans, jalapeno, jack cheese, Frank’s Original Hot Sauce, and light sour cream.  We also made Martinis – in the mix – Grey Goose Vodka, Peach Schnapps, and Orange Juice.  So yummy – I love alcohol! 
Christmas morning my husband and I headed to my sister-in-law and brother’s home.  Most of my family got together at my brother’s, along with my cousins and their angelic little baby girl.  We missed my sister and all our family in California, and my parents who are traveling at the moment. 
After opening our gifts, we spent the remaining of the night eating and talking – so typical of us.  I snacked on chips, guacamole, and margaritas as my appetizer, along with other items.
My cousin, Ajay, and his wife (Nan) put together an awesome Greek Salad with Feta Cheese on the side.  It was so delicious and I’ll share the recipe with you all soon.
My brother made outstanding Vegetarian Enchiladas with a homemade enchilada sauce – so so delicious!  He is such an amazing cook, but I’ll never tell him in person.  Haha!  My sister made her phenomenal Mexican Rice – so good.
We also had really yummy Rosemary Potatoes, delicious & healthy Mixed Vegetables made by my Aunt, and some Indian food for the adults. 
In addition to all that food, my siblings put together a Taco Bar, and we actually had meat – spicy ground turkey made by my sister.
And we ended the night with tea and 2 very enticing desserts made by yours truly – Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting…
… and Sour Cream Chocolate Cake with Almond Buttercream (coming soon).

My sister, cousins, and I stayed up till 4 am chatting up a storm.  It was so great to hang with my family and I truly feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life.  This really is what Christmas is all about – to spend time with the ones you love.  It was a full house with my teenage nieces who effortlessly make any party so much fun, and the star of the night was my baby niece, N, – aren’t her ponytails so cute? 
As always, a very special thanks to my brother and sister-in-law for hosting an amazing party and for all their generosity and hospitality!  THANK YOU!!!


TELL ME: How did you spend your Christmas?  What was on the menu?  What all did you do?