Thank you Grandma B.!

When I was young, it was easy for me to take for granted the hard work and heart that went into the special caramels that my Grandma B. always had at her house during the holidays.  All I knew was that these little goodies just happened to be on the table or in little bowls lovingly placed around the house.  I would open each tiny wrapped package of sweet, chewy goodness, pop it in my mouth like it appeared out of nowhere and wonder how I got so lucky as to fall into its path. 

I have since grown up and realized that at least 3 hours of careful measuring, temperature watching, constant stirring and wrapping went into each yummy batch of Grandma's homemade caramels.  I have missed so many of her holiday traditions and this one is definitely at the top of the list.  I attempted them a couple of years ago and they came out a little too gooey but still very delicious. 

So here it is, Christmas 2010.  I spent the evening stirring up a batch of these beloved caramels.  I even had to pull a chair up to the stove to sit on as I stirred and stirred and stirred.  I guarantee Grandma never needed a chair!  Oh well... I know if she were here she would say that it didn't matter how you went about making these goodies, just that you loved doing it and that you created something that your family loved because you loved them so very much.  So that I did! 

Thank you Grandma B. for passing the love down to me!

Jake patiently waited for me to make a mistake...

24 hours later it's time to cut and wrap...

Davey is quite a natural wrapper wouldn't you say?

Zach helped by taste testing!

And this festive little fella may have hummed a Christmas carol while he wrapped...Or not...

Perfection!

What is OH so funny about these pictures?

Thank you Grandma B.! 

A short visit in Philly

My time in Philly was mostly spent in meetings gathering ideas and information from other ARAMARK sites to take back and utilize at my museum location.  I met managers from Mesa Verde, Hearst Castle, Lake Powell, Pikes Peak and the Oregon Zoo.  These are just a few of the many interesting venues we inhabit.  I was excited by the enthusiasm these people had for their respective businesses and was reminded of what a wonderful company I work for.

I did have some time to venture out for a while so  I wandered by the animated windows at Macy's. They told the story of a letter written by a little girl named Virginia to the editor of  the New York's Sun pleading for an answer to the question, "Is there a Santa Claus?  I thought the windows were charming and appreciated all the tedious cutting of paper required to make the displays.  (No snickering Alexa!!)

After admiring the pretty windows, I stepped inside Macy's, not to shop, but to oogle at the huge light display that has been a Philadelphia tradition since 1956. All the children gather on the floor and stare in wonderment and awe at the display before them and not one of them moves!  Behind the tree at the bottom you can see the Wannamaker Organ!

I then decided to track down a burger place called Square Burger that was supposed to have a burger very similar to Shake Shack in NY.  It started as a tent covered operation and is now housed in a cute little building at Franklin Square Park which has a carosel and putt-putt golf and I can only imagine what a wonderful place it is to visit during the warmer months.  As for the burger...It was delicious!  So was the Philly Dog (kosher all beef hot dog wrapped in kosher salami, pickle, onion, cherry peppers, plum tomatoes, mustard)!  Yes, that's right!   I got a burger and a Philly Dog and ate both completely!  It was well worth my visit and I am not the least bit ashamed of my over-indulgence!  Don't worry Shake Shack, I still think you're the best but you have a very close second at your heels!

City Center is still the prettiest part of Philadelphia in my mind, especially at night.  It is right outside my hotel and I never get tired of looking at it!

Wednesday afternoon I made a nostalgic visit to Moriarty's.  This is an Irish Pub that David and I frequented last year on our visit.  It is quaint and homey and cozy and I love the people and yes, I went to a bar for the first time in my life by myself!  In my defense, I only went because my husband said I had to go and enjoy a Guiness for him and re-enjoy our favorite watering hole.  I met a great bartender!  She gave me some pilsner glasses they were getting rid of and a couple of t-shirts to take home.  Ahh the city of sisterly love!!!  I lost many of my pictures but I salvaged one and when I look at it it still makes me feel warm and fuzzy!

I then decided to check out Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol Village.

Nothing like Scrooge and Tiny Tim to get you in the spirit!

Finally, while at the Reading Terminal Market, I came upon the Flying Monkey Patisserie!  They make amazing pasteries and are famous for their Pummple Cake!  At 1800 calories a slice, it is definitely not for someone planning on eating anything else for the rest of the day!  I decided to go the healthier route and bring home a dozen of Flying Monkey's Whoopie Pies.  I got Red Velvet, Pumpkin Chai, Pumpkin, and Cookies and Creme.  They survived the flight home but I highly doubt they will last the next 2 days.  These little puffs of heaven are amazing!   I will even go as far to say that they are the best sweet treats I have ever had!  Seriously!

Thank you Philly for yet another hospitable trip!  See you next year!

Decking the Halls!

Ok, so you decide that this is the weekend that the Christmas decorations go up.  You bring everything down from the attic, you purchase the tree, you calm your husband down because he is so excited to be a part of all of this Holiday cheer (sarcasm) and you get busy!

Now, I don't know if it's my age, the fact that I have no female in the house to enjoy the festivities with or that I have a dog that's trying to eat every Christmas berry, tree clipping or lightbulb that drops, but my decorating experience this year was less than spectacular. I didn't even have my Home Alone soundtrack playing!  I was being a big ole Scrooge. 

Then Alexa introduced me to Elf Yourself .  Oh boy did I begin to enjoy myself and get into the spirit!  I "Elfed" everyone in the family!  I posted them on Facebook and e-mailed them!  I laughed myself silly!  So much fun!  David may have even gotten a text from Alexa telling him I was out of control!  And yes I was but it did the trick!  So thank you Alexa for coming to my rescue in the Christmas spirit department!  If I find myself humbugging in the coming weeks, you will surely find me Elfing someone!

By the way, my house did get decorated and I am happily admiring the end result as we speak!

Happy Thanksgiving! Part 3

Kids make the Holidays that much more special and yesterday was no exception! 

Audrey and Andrew painted Christmas ornaments and saved a gingerbread house for later while Lucca took it all in and the big boys played a little football after dinner.

My dad and Bert's house is so warm and welcoming and always has just the right touches to add to all of our family get togethers. Thank you both for a wonderful day and I can't wait to do it again at Christmas! I love you!

And for Alexa...  Just in case you were missing a little androgeny and snow falling on pines!  Always topics of discussion!!  XOXOXOXO