So Long, 2013.

This has been a year full to the brim for me.  I've travelled a lot, back and forth between England and America, been to my very first wedding and celebrated my first American Christmas.  I've adapted to a new way of life, had a million cat-snuggles and got my very first tattoo.  I listened to so much music, went to one of the best Coheed shows of my life and, probably the best thing, I've learned a lot about myself.

I'm an introvert (I've got a post lined up about this later) but I've learned that I can meet new people, I can make friends and be social.  I can interact with people I don't know in a place that I'm not familiar with and I fully intend to continue on with this next year, hopefully getting even more involved with my new home.

I'm thrilled that I've managed to accomplish so many of the goals I set for myself, too.  I made my list fun, with things that I knew I'd really want to do, so it wasn't hard to cross so many off.  There were some that I didn't quite manage (knitting a sweater...oops) but I'm spurred on by my success this year to achieve even more.

Tonight, S and I are ringing in the new year with a couple of our friends on their rooftop.  There will be good food, sparkly drinks and a whole lot of fun and awesome company.  I'm so excited to see what 2014 will bring, for me and S, our families and our friends.

How are you celebrating tonight?  I hope whatever you do, you have lots of fun, you smile often and that 2014 brings you everything you hope for and more.

Love, K.

What A Week.

Remember in my last post I mentioned that I was feeling 'under the weather'?  I have been sick all week.  Fortunately I'm starting to feel better now but it really sucked, being ill over Christmas.  I've spent the last week either bundled up in blankets freezing or tearing them off when I get too hot, feeling achy and tired and wanting to sleep all the time.  I'm so glad the worst is behind me and I can concentrate on getting well!

Our Christmas Eve bash was so much fun!  S' family came, as did our friends later in the evening, and we all settled in with some food and a few drinks and had a really nice time.  I was worried there might not be enough food but there was plenty to go around and everyone enjoyed it.

I'm so glad I got all the prep work done the day before!  The palmiers went down a treat and that big pan of sloppy joe was pretty much scraped clean!  Success!  We all helped ourselves, mingled around with our plates and I got to see S' brother and sister, who I haven't caught up with in months.  I put my best game face on and toughed it out even though I wanted to curl up in bed and sleep and I had a really nice time.

Look at all those prezzies!  I really felt like a kid when I woke up Christmas morning, even with all the sniffles and aches.  I was so excited to dive into our gifts and hang out with S before he had to go to work (boo retail!) This was the first Christmas Day we've actually spent together and it was so much fun being able to open our gifts in person and share such a special day with each other.  He got me so much cool stuff and I was lucky enough to get a camera from my parents!  Now I can brush up on my photography skills!

Despite being sick, I had a great first Christmas with S and it was wonderful to have family and friends together at our house.  I hope you had a wonderful week, full of celebration, happiness and surrounded by the people you love.

Love, K.

Christmas Cooking.

S and I are having a little get-together tomorrow to celebrate Christmas with family and friends before settling in for a Christmas by ourselves.  I knew once we had planned our party that I wanted to have a 'buffet style' spread set out, so that people could help themselves, rather than organising a sit-down dinner.  While it was mainly because we're not sure how many people will be able to come, it also made it lots easier on us when it comes to prep and we wouldn't have to worry about setting a table for ten when we only have four dining chairs!

The first thing I knew I wanted to do was have one main dish for everyone to tuck into and I opted for an American favourite - Sloppy Joes.

I started off by browning some ground beef (about a pound and a half) with half a large white onion and, after draining the excess fat, added one can of chopped tomatoes.  I then added a cup and a half of ketchup, a generous splash of Worcestershire sauce and about ten jalapeño slices that I diced.  I also added a splash of the brine that the jalapeños were in to give it an extra spicy kick.

  

I let the mixture simmer for about thirty minutes or so, then turned off the heat and let it cool completely before putting it in a dish and covering it with cling film (plastic wrap) and storing it in the fridge.  All it needs tomorrow is a thorough heat through and it's ready to go!  I'm serving it in poppy seed kaiser rolls, yum.  I think I'll leave it in a dish with a spoon so everyone can help themselves.

Next up were some peanut butter cookies, because everyone needs a sweet treat at Christmas.  I followed Becca's recipe over on her blog, Ladyface, and they turned out so well!

It was so quick and easy to whip up the mixture, it must've only taken me ten minutes and most of that time was stirring that peanut butter!

Here they are cooling on the rack!  I'm going to store these in an airtight container for tonight and dip them in chocolate tomorrow morning.  They look and smell delicious, I can't wait to tuck in!

I've got my palmiers ready to go in the fridge, only this time I've prepared both savoury and sweet versions.  I had to do a test run of the sweet ones, to which I simply sprinkled on sugar and cinnamon, and they turned out really well and were super tasty.

 

I think when I bake the sweet ones tomorrow, I'm going to add an extra sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon on top.

I'm feeling a little under the weather today but I managed to crack these out and I am so glad I can have a lie in tomorrow morning and not have to worry about preparing everything before our guests arrive.  So this evening I intend to put my feet up, drink lots of orange juice (it'll totally make me feel better) and wrap my prezzies to put under the tree!

What do you have planned for Christmas Eve?  Are you throwing a party or having a quiet evening in?  I'd love to know.

Love, K.