Ari, Author at Ari's Menu

Mint Chocolate Whoopie Pies

December 12, 2011 · by Ari ·

The time has finally come! The time to share my Food Blogger Cookie Swap creation! For those of you that don’t know, the way this swap worked is hundreds of bloggers signed up to take part of the giving that two fabulous bloggers organized. We were each sent the names, addresses and blog urls of 3 people who we would send a dozen cookies to each. I was so excited to get 3 people who were completely new to me! There are so many blogs out there, that it is always nice to be introduced to new ones.

The truth is, as soon as it came down to actually make the cookies, I started regretting my decision. I started to get a lot of anxiety about what to make and if other people would enjoy my baking or if they would think it was bad or if the cookies would stay fresh–this is still my biggest concern. The thing that I’ve noticed about my healthier baking is that if not stored perfectly, a lot of times things are likely to go stale a little bit faster. I feel like using less fat it is just a little easier for things to get dried out. Generally, however, if kept in air tight containers, I’m good. I was just nervous because this is a new recipe so I wasn’t sure about shelf life.

In true Ari fashion I waited until the day before send off day to bake my cookies. Also, the first day of tech week. Smart, Ari. So at 9pm after being at the theater all day, I got in the kitchen and was feeling less than thrilled. I had made pretty much this same cookie (I just had a few ideas to make it extra special 🙂 ) for my dad’s half birthday and it was such a huge hit that I changed my original cookie plan which involved chocolate, peanut butter and pretzels and went with this instead.

And everything seemed to be going well, and as planned.

Then they came out of the oven and looked like this.

Well, that looks different than before.

I still wasn’t sure what had happened, but I knew that they tasted good so I kept going for a bit, trying to get them together.

If you like cookies that are actually cake, you would have loved this first version.

Finally I admitted to myself that these were way too flimsy, and just not right. I couldn’t figure out what I had done wrong so I grumpily went to bed and decided I would get up and bake first thing the next morning. During my tossing and turning, it finally dawned on me!!! I had doubled the recipe (which when you are as bad at focusing as I am can be dangerous). Well, I had doubled everything….except the flour. I really thought I had doubled the flour, but going back through my steps, I realized I hadn’t. That’s why they turned out more like cake!

You can see the evidence in the dough

Batch 1:

Cake.

Batch 2:

Cookies!

Success.

Mint Chocolate Whoopie Pies

yield 40-50

Inspired by Can You Stay For Dinner‘s Vanilla Whoopie Pies with Chocolate Ganache

For the outside:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
3 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup light whipped butter, softened
4 oz fat free cream cheese
1 cup organic raw cane sugar
2/3 cup Splenda
4 large eggs
1 cup reduced fat buttermilk
1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 tsp baking soda
4 tsp vanilla extract
2 candy canes, crushed
green sprinkles (optional)

For the filling:

12 oz grain sweetened chocolate chips
3/4 cup 2% milk
1 1/2 tbs light whipped butter
1 tsp peppermint extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper, and spray with nonstick spray.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl and set aside.
In a separate large bowl (I used my Kitchenaid), beat butter, cream cheese, Splenda and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time. Add buttermilk and almond milk and beat until combined.
Add the flour mixture. Beat on low speed until just incorporated.
Stir in vanilla extract.
Using a sprayed tablespoon, drop cookies onto lined and sprayed sheet (for prettiest cookies, use your hands to roll after batter has been dropped).
Sprinkle each cookie with crushed candy canes and green sprinkles (if it’s not the holiday season, you can omit the sprinkles).
Bake for 10 minutes. The whoopie pies should spring back when you press them gently. Let the cookies sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Begin the filling by placing butter, peppermint extract and chocolate chips in a medium-large bowl.
Heat milk in microwave (or on stove if you’re more patient than me 🙂 ) until the top begins to bubble, but be careful not to heat too long.
Pour in hot milk and mix well until chocolate is fully melted. Let cool and thicken(I put mine in the fridge for about 15 min).
Spread a little chocolate on the flat side of one cookie, top with the flat side of a second and press together. Repeat with all cookies.

They look so much better this time around!

Happy holidays fellow food bloggers!!!

I really really loved the way these cookies came out. I hope that Emmamarie, Amy, and Monique enjoyed them!!! And thank you so much to Julie and Lindsay for putting this together!!

Charlie’s Birthday

December 10, 2011 · by Ari ·

The tradition of Starbucks birthdays continues!

Last night we went out to celebrate Charlie’s birthday at Abuelo’s.

Birthday boy!

It actually ended up being, for me, the perfect group. Kara, Charlie, Eddie, Steve and me. I tend to do better in smaller group settings. Large groups give me anxiety and I get shy and I feel like I don’t know who to talk to or what conversation to listen to. I often have to force myself to go to things where there are large groups and people I don’t know, but last night was easy, fun and really chill which was exactly what I needed! They also had skinny margaritas on the menu which made me super happy! I love margaritas, but I can never justify the calories of a full sugar one. Skinny margs are the way to go, and honestly, I think they taste better–I like to taste my tequila!

I had never been to Abuelo’s, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The food was soooo delicious! The portions looked huge so Kara and I decided to split a seafood dish

While Charlie ordered for the entire country of Ethiopia

Everything was delicious, but the bites I stole of Charlie’s spinach and cheese enchilada were definitely my favorite! With so much food, we all kind of ended up sharing everything which is my favorite way to do it! I can never decide on just one thing, I like to try lots of things!

And of course I brought Charlie’s green tea cupcakes for dessert.

They were a huge hit!

Don't worry Eddie, you can thank me later for posting this awesome picture of you.

I had a fabulous time spending time with some of my favorites!

Green Tea Mini Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

December 10, 2011 · by Ari ·

When my friend Charlie requested green tea cupcakes as his birthday treat, I was a little unsure of how they would turn out. I don’t really drink green tea. I’ve never made anything with green tea. The only reference I had in my brain was a sample of green tea fro yo. In true Ari fashion, I found a recipe to use for reference, then just did my own thing 🙂

Green Tea Mini Cupcakes

yield 20 mini cupcakes

1/2 cup cake flour
1 tsp matcha powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
pinch salt
3 tbs organic raw cane sugar
1 1/2 tbs Splenda
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg white
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup plain non fat Greek yogurt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Line 20 mini muffin tins and spray insides of liners (lower fat cupcakes tend to stick to the liner if you don’t).
Combine flour, matcha powder, baking soda and salt.
In a separate bowl, combine applesauce, sugar, Splenda, egg white, and vanilla.
Add wet ingredients into dry, then add yogurt. Mix until just incorporated.
Fill each lined muffin tin about 2/3 and bake for 10-14 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool completely and top with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting.

Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

yield frosting for 20 mini cupcakes (it really ended up being the PERFECT amount!)

4 oz fat free cream cheese, softened
1 tbs light whipped butter, softened
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp coconut extract
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

Beat butter and cream cheese together until fluffy.
Add extracts.
Add powdered sugar (you can use more or less depending on your sweetness preference).
Top cooled cupcakes.
Optional: If desired, top with sweetened flaked coconut.

Like a green tea latte, I think? But better!

I ended up being sooooo happy with the results! I would seriously make these cupcakes over and over again! The texture was perfect, and the flavor combination between the coconut and the green tea (something I kind of went for on a whim hoping it would work) was perfectly balanced!

See, the spraying pays off!

Scraping and Cookies

December 7, 2011 · by Ari ·

Hello, from Lux!

Lux is a super cute indie coffee shop downtown that makes me feel like I am not cool enough to drink coffee here. There’s not really a menu, and everyone pretty much seems like they are hip and cooler than me. I’m sitting here maybe their coolness will rub off on me 😉 I had a class out in the boonies today and I didn’t want to head home and then drive back downtown for rehearsal, so I packed my lap top and figured I could do some blogging in the in between. I ordered a chai latte which I am kind of loving right now.

It’s not super sugary like at most coffee shops, just chai spicy and delicious.

Tech week has been going well and all of my performances this week have been too. It’s always crazy when everything ends at once, but I have to admit I am looking forward to a little bit of a break. A break which will not happen if I keep scheduling through it. Whoops. But I am happy and humbled to continually be offered work in my field. I often feel so lucky to receive opportunities that I have a hard time turning them down and understanding that not every opportunity will fulfill me as an artist or make me a better teacher. But I have my East Coast trip that I’m looking forward to!! I think I will end up being able to see 10-15 people I adore all in one trip. Thanks friends for all living so close to New York. If it weren’t for Steve, Winston, Clementine and my bank account, I’d be right there with you. 🙂

After being scraped in physical therapy today, I spoke to 2 of the therapists there about my progress. They scraped all around my ankle today instead of just my achilles and it hurt a LOT today. KT (the therapist I’ve been working with) says she feels like we are constantly trying to play catch up with a problem that has been chronic for so long. It will start to feel better, and then I run and it feels worse. They know I’m not going to give that up, so it’s I guess like trying to put a bandaid on it and do what we can. They also don’t approve of the 2 pairs of shoes I just spent $160 on. Oy. I left honestly feeling a little defeated. I spent most of my life being overweight and practically sedentary. Now that I am healthy, I want my body to do what I want it to do. I am physically fit enough to do the things I ask of it. KT and Gabe even both talked about how I am strong and I am able to do everything they ask of me, and I am still able to run, so I guess I need to get out of my pity party and be appreciative for what I can do. I just can’t help but wish that I’d be able to do it with less pain. It makes me anxious because I fear that one day it will get worse and then I really won’t be able to do things. But again, that day is not today, so I need to quit worrying what if and just be grateful. Done. Thank you body for carrying me 11 miles last weekend. Please do a good job carrying me through my first 10k this weekend and through 12 miles next Friday. I trust you to do a good job 🙂

In other happy news, today as I was baking some of my own cookies to put myself in a good mood, the remainder of my cookie packages showed up! I seriously now have 4 different varieties of cookies in my house. That is bad news. I need to share them ASAP. I will take some photos tonight and then post all about the cookies and their awesome senders! I love presents. I love cookies. I love Christmas!

Ok I’m off to grab dinner and head to our dress rehearsal. Come see Fiddler. It’s really good I think. Ohhh!!! And we got asked BY THE GOVERNOR to perform at the official candle lighting ceremony on the first night of Hanukkah!!! So honored and excited!!!

Where Have I Been?

December 6, 2011 · by Ari ·

It is the busiest time of year for us youth performing arts folks. This week I am gearing up for 2 shows, while being at all of my Bravo! performances. Busy busy bee. In the time I haven’t been at work I’ve been enjoying the number of calories burned in an 11 mile run by eating delicious food, including celebrating Yogurtland’s 12 days of holiday flavors!

Nicole has been helping me enjoy the festivities.

And of course I convinced my family to take part as well

"Grandma, don't leave me for the fro yo!"

"Do I get to go for a ride to Yogurtland? I think they should have a bacon flavor for dogs. But I also like peanut butter."

And I’ve also been enjoying the change in weather.

How often does one really get to wear rain boots in Phoenix? I put them on at the slightest drizzle, because I have horrible fashion and consider a cute winter outfit anything including rain boots or leg warmers.

And then there was also a good amount of time spent on cookie baking…

Dear cookies, please stay fresh for your recipients! Please please please do not go stale because you tasted amazing right out of the oven!

Yesterday I was so busy I didn’t even get a work out in and I had to cancel my physical therapy appt. But today started out on the right ~~foot~~ pedal!

I know I always say spin class is hard, and today was the same ride as Thursday, but is felt sooooo hard. And the room felt like it was about a million degrees. I was very happy to be spinning, but even happier to be done!

Now, I've just gotta work my way up to running that far...

Today I have a run of the show at school, the final performance for one of my acting classes, a Bravo! performance and tech. Whew. I need to shower and eat before I never have time to ever again.

What Comes After 10

December 3, 2011 · by Ari ·

I love long runs. They are undoubtedly my favorite part of training. I mean, when I’ve only done 4 and want to be done, maybe for a minute I don’t love them, but I always at some point find myself so pumped during and after them. Today was Kara’s epic return post ankle roll injury. I mean, we did a short run on Wednesday, but today was really her big day back. The last time we ran together was when we did 8 miles.

Kara got to my house bright and early for some cinnamon raisin Ezekiel bread with almond butter and banana. I know that everyone eats nut butter and banana toast before long runs, but there is a reason. I felt fueled and energized the entire time. I don’t think I will ever do an other long run without this breakfast. We waited a few minutes for the sun to come out, put on our fancy new compression socks and we were off!

"Watch out run, we're coming for you!"

"HiiiiYA! Take that, road!"

I was feeling pretty good today and secretly the entire time I was wanting to do 11 miles. I haven’t repeated a number on a long run yet, and I am always anxious to cover new distance and do something I’ve never done before. I contemplated lying to Kara about how far we’d gone and then surprising her with a “Tadaaaaa, we actually did 11!!” when we returned, but I didn’t know if she’d appreciate that post injury, so I pretended not to notice that the Garmin beeped at 5mi, and then stopped at 5.06 and said “Ohhhh whoooops…” I made it a whole 30 seconds trying to be deceitful. Then I asked Kara if I could convince her to run for 4 more minutes before turning around, and because she is basically the most awesome friend and running buddy to ever walk the face of the Earth, she immediately said yes, and we changed the plan to 11. I was so excited I literally jumped up and down a little. New territory!!!! My favorite!!!! So we ran a few minutes longer until we hit 5.5, then stopped for some espresso love flavored Gu.

This Gu stop made me laugh for about a mile. I mean, I think the espresso flavor tastes pretty decent, but the stickiness of Gu sometimes makes me a little grossed out, but I look over and Kara is not at all phased and says “I’m thoroughly enjoying this!!” She straight up loved the Gu which for some reason was pretty hilarious to me. I’ve never heard someone say that I guess. We turned around and I continued to laugh about her and the Gu.

It seemed as if the second half of the run flew by. I was so excited. To run new mileage, to have my running buddy back, to be running. I finished the last mile of the run with a huge slapstick grin across my face. We finished with a respectable (for me) 10:11 average pace.

That is Steve's hand. I promise my hand is not hair like that.

Mile 1–11:12
Mile 2–10:36
Mile 3–10:32
Mile 4–10:25
Mile 5–10:25
Mile 6–10:05 (thank you Gu!)
Mile 7–10:09 (man so close to no positive splits!)
Mile 8–10:07
Mile 9–9:48 (that’s more like it!)
Mile 10–9:39
Mile 11–9:19

Really really close to negative splits!!! When we walked in the door I was just so happy. I get some serious runners high. I’m pretty sure I’m hooked 😉

Once we got back, I forced Kara to join me in some stretching and foam rolling.

Check out those hot sweat stains. It's no wonder half of my blog search terms include the word sweat.

"Aunt Kara, I will help you stretch! I am so good at stretching. How do you think I got this long?"

Then came the least fun part of all. I’ve been using the pool as my “ice bath” and as it’s gotten colder and colder outside, the icy pool bathes have gotten less and less fun. Today, it looked like this outside:

In Phoenix, 50 degrees is considered scary cold.

"AHHHHH!!!!!!!" and lots more curse words

Steve just made fun of us.

"Yeah, just keep laughing, jerk."

While Winston and Clementine were in full on play time mode. Thanks for the entertainment, puppies. You definitely made it suck less.

"Come out and play with me NNNOOOOWWWW!!!"

"Okay, you asked for it! Raaaawwwwrrrr!!"

It’s funny, once you’re actually in the pool, the only thing that seems worse than staying in is getting out and getting blasted by the cold air. Finally, once our toes started to go numb, we braved it.

Brrrrrrrrr

"Mom, why did you go in the scary water? I don't understand."

This much is true, ice bathes are better with friends.

Happy Half Birthday to You

December 3, 2011 · by Ari ·

In case you weren’t aware, I love to celebrate. Anything. Everything. All the time. I get that from my dad. I remember growing up, we would celebrate my 1/2 birthday, 1/3 birthday, 9/10 birthday, you name it. It even goes down to 7/8 of a decade and crazy things like that. Thursday was my dad’s 1/2 birthday, but I was in rehearsal so his celebration had to wait until last night. I called my dad to see what the plan was and he asked if I was on the no carb diet (aka the dark ages when I avoided carbs like the plague–don’t do it, trust me) and I laughed and said “I’m on an ALL carb diet!” No carb stands a chance against me. Especially the night before my long run. He got so excited for pizza, so I suggested getting Papa Murphy’s and bringing it back to my place. I love their deLITE crust, it makes me feel not so guilty about pizza eating 🙂

I got the Mediterranean chicken and a veggie and cooked em up along with some roasted green beans and onion.

Have you tried sriracha on your pizza?? I put this stuff on everything, but it is especially good on pizza!

I also did some baking, but I can’t share too much yet, because I loved what I made so much that I decided to nix my original idea for the blogger cookie swap, and make a little variation of these instead. But I have to offer a sneak peak 😉

I had to send them all home with my dad because they never would have lasted over 24 hours in this house!

My dad, Steve, Hermano and I enjoyed our dinner, watched Who Framed Roger Rabbit and then Hermano won at Life. I came in second. I hate not winning. In fact, I’m still slightly bitter. Watch out, Hermano.

I still have embarrassing childhood stories to tell. You better think twice before you try to beat me in a game!

It was really nice to celebrate, but stay in and relax and play games. Maybe I’m old, but 9 out of 10 times, that’s what I’d rather do 🙂 Happy half birthday dad!!!

Just Keep Spinning

December 1, 2011 · by Ari ·

HOORAY!!!!! After a ridiculous month long hiatus (how did it get to be a month?!) I finally made it back to spin this morning! I don’t know why I was being such a lame-o about it. I love spin. Minus the sprints. I do not like sprints. I do not like them Sam I Am. But I love spin especially Linda’s spin. Kara and I arrived super early and were the first on the list.

"Ummm, how do we work this bike again?"

I started the class with my flat road back at 9 (one lower than before) just in case I had totally lost some of my ability, but about half way through I ~~told myself to stop being a wimp~~ decided to step up my game and put it back at 10. Just in time for the steepest hill and sprints. Awesome. After some good sweat dripping action and singing along to Love the Way You Lie at gear 19, I was pretty happy with my ride 🙂

It feels so good to be back! No more time off from spinning for this girl!

Yesterday, I started the day with a way too early and cold run with Kara. We planned to do 3, but wimped out from the dark and cold after 2. Looks like now that it’s officially winter, we will be starting a little later and sleeping in–yay!! After our run, I headed to physical therapy where I got scraped again, but it wasn’t NEARLY as bad this time around! Pre-scraping, I hung out with my favorite football players at physical therapy. Those guys crack me up. The therapists always have them doing these crazy hard looking athletic things and I wanted to play too. I’m not at all competitive 😉 They were doing ladder work and making it seem really hard, then I skipped my little legs right through. They asked me if I used to play sports and I laughed and almost responded by saying “No, I’m Jewish.” but I think that’s only funny to me, so I just laughed and said no. I really like that in addition to making me feel better, my physical therapy sessions are giving me a little extra exercise time. I’m always surprised by how sweaty I am when I leave. But then again, we all know I have a sweating problem.

Tuesday night I went to Zoo Lights with my dad, Janie and Hermano. I was super excited because I figured Steve would be able to take all sorts of amazing photos, but he wasn’t feeling well that night, so I will just have to go back with him on a date night to get some pictures 😉 I did try to take a couple with my phone.

I ♥ lights!!!

And I also rode a camel with Hermano. His name was Isaac.

Hey Isaac, thanks for the ride! Look, no hands!

Today I am so excited to go to work. I love days like that. We start tech for Fiddler on Sunday, so I wanted to shake things up tonight and we are doing Fiddler on the Roof soap opera style for our run tonight. As ridiculous as it sounds, there is a method to my madness 😉 For those of you in the Phoenix area, I would love for you to come out and see the show! The kiddos have been working super hard and I feel hopeful that it will be good! Click here to order tickets!

Have a great day everyone!

Jello Arms

November 29, 2011 · by Ari ·

Hello friends! I woke up this morning with some angry achilles tendons. Normally, I don’t run consecutive days in a row, and this week, I ran 3 in a row, and didn’t ice as much as I should have. I woke up wanting to run so that I could avoid strength training (which used to be my fav, but now I would rather do just about anything else…except row!), but as I hobbled out of bed, I knew that I needed to do something else. Okay tendons, I get it. I will not run 3 days in a row anymore, now can you chill the heck out please and not f up my program? That’d be great, thanks.

I know some people can run way more often than me and be fine. I also know that I will take myself out of commission if I don’t do what is best for my body, so I am listening. So after an hour of sitting around lazily, I finally made it over to the gym for an upper body strength training session which I will now attempt to actually put into words. Don’t judge my lack of terminology, or my wimpy arms. I’m hoping posting the weight amounts will motivate me to work a little harder and get strong again! 😉

Superset 1 (3 sets): Pushups (body weight) and incline chest press (30 lbs)

Superset 2 (3 sets): Skull crushers (20 lb bar) and bicep concentration curl (15 lb dumbell)

Circuit (3 sets): 3 point shoulder press (5 lbs dumbells), bicep curls (10 lb dumbells), and overhead tricep press (20 lb dumbell)

Lat pull (3 sets) @ 65 lbs

Reverse V up on exercise ball (3 sets)

By the time I left, my arms felt like jello. I am recommitting myself to AT LEAST 1 day of serious strength training per week. My body needs it. After my work out, I walked over to the Bux for my coffee

And then I got so excited when I saw this!!!

I LOVE the Starbucks holiday cookies and this one comes on a stick! Isn't he cute??

Well, I quickly changed my tune, because you know what is not cute? A 400 calorie cookie.

Sorry snowman, you are just not worth it.

As I sipped my coffee, I got to chat with Kara about our final weeks of training for PF Chang’s. Can you believe we are already mapping out the end of training??? I seriously can’t. But, I feel ready for it. I kind of wish I was doing the Vegas 1/2 on the strip this weekend. I think I could do it now if I had to, but deep down I am grateful for the extra time and ability to up my mileage a bit before the actual race. I know I will feel more comfortable knowing I’ve run 12 miles, than if I did it after 10. I need to go in with no doubts. And of course my original goal was just to finish, and now I have a time goal in my brain. Arg. It’s not a fast one by any means, but it’s there and I do NOT plan on sharing because I don’t want it to be my focus. I really do just want to finish my first big race.

Kara and I also had a chance to map out our work outs for the rest of the week and I am happy to say that my week is looking pretty legit.

Sunday: short run

Monday: speed run

Tuesday: strength training

Wednesday: run…we shall see how long and how fast it ends up–it’s Kara’s first run back from injury! Hooray!!

Thursday: spin

Fri: off

Sat: long run

I like having a plan. I like even more planning with someone else because it holds me accountable. Okay, I’m off to work. Have a great day friends!

It’s the Most Wonderful Time

November 29, 2011 · by Ari ·

I’d been asking Steve if we could start decorating for the holidays since my epic day off on November 11th. He had been a big jerk kindly told me that we were not going to be “those people” and we had to wait until after Thanksgiving. Well you better believe the first thing we did Friday morning was get out the tree!

This is our Chrismukah tree. I tried to suggest we put it out sooner and call it a Thanksgiving tree, but I was vetoed.

Whoever decided trees were only for Christmas was a big dope. Didn't they know that Hanukkah is the festival of lights?! Look at those lights being festive!

Did you catch out menorah ornament? Mom? Dad??

Last year we bought some basic colorful (of course) ornaments and then a few personalized ones that we plan to add to each year. I pick one out every year that represents Steve and he gets to pick one that represents me. I bough the penguin one to represent *us* and Lisa got us the engagement one for Christmas. I think that one’s my favorite. Either that or my Lion King ornament that Bethy got me when we lived together. It was my very first ornament and our roomie Christmas was one of the best ever!

Of course we couldn't resist getting Winston and Clementine ornaments. Too bad they don't really look like them at all haha. Note the hippo--it represents my favorite Christmas song ever. "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas! Only a hippopotamus will doooo!"

We also put up some decorations around the house. Most of them are from Hobby Lobby and Target, two of my favorite stores on Earth!

Look, family, a menorah! And Steve's swear jar. He has a profanity problem. Who else thinks the proceeds should go to me?

It wasn’t until Sunday that we finally got to the outside decorations including one extra special decoration! Steve did most of the work while I played assistant and photographer. Winston was scared and hid inside and Clementine played spectator.

Just to warn you, I took a lot of pictures. It’s my first time getting to document the experience! 🙂

I.love.lights.

"Look at me! I'm cute and I hang the lights!" Somehow I feel like my interpretation of Steve thoughts must be wildly inaccurate. "Noooo, look at me! I'm cutER and I sniff things." That one seems about right 😉

"What is this fancy contraption? Can I eat it?"

"What about these? I can eat these, right???"

"Fine, I will just sit here starving to death because you never let me eat anything." In my head, Clementine is really good at the Jewish guilt.

I always feel like there is no right place for our wreath since we can't put it on the door. Does this look odd to anyone else?

Finally, it was time for the main event! You remember this guy don’t you??

THE FLAMINGO!!!!!

Putting him together was…well…interesting.

"I don't need to read the instructions!" Ugh. Men.

Clementine was very confused by the flamingo.

"You don't look like a dog."

"You don't smell like a dog."

"Lower, dad, I can't see!!"

"You don't play with me like a dog,"

"What are you????"

The best decoration ever, Clementine. That is what I am.

"See, I stand on one foot."

"What were we talking about again? SQUIRREL!"

We still have some more lights and decorating to do, but we’re off to a great start and I am pretty much puking up holiday spirit. Did I mention that I love this time of year?

What are your holiday/decorating traditions?

Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich

November 28, 2011 · by Ari ·

Hello friends, I hope everyone had an amazing holiday weekend! I had three glorious, consecutive days off. It was fabulous.I did lots of baking, and spent time with some of my favorite people. I had two different running dates Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, I ran around my neighborhood with Carolyn before heading over to Nicole’s taffy pulling party (Nicole is the BEST hostess). Then yesterday I convinced my bestie to get on the running train with me! I met Bethy at the lake with the duckies and after not running for quite some time, she ran 3 miles with me! I’m soooo proud of her!!

This morning it was kind of nice to get out there just me. I love running with friends, but it’s also nice to be able to zone out and focus on myself and some speed!

Okay, so speedy for me is like an other person's power walk, but I was pretty happy with it 😉

Okay, so lately I have been having seriously strange food cravings. I don’t know if it’s from running more or what, but yesterday I asked Steve if we could make steak this week. Ummm, I don’t really eat red meat. I mean, I don’t label foods as “off limits” anymore, but typically I just choose white meat poultry and fish. However, a nice juicy fillet mingon still sounds so amazing. I’m going to have to make it happen. Then yesterday as I ate my delicious sandwich at Dilly’s Deli, I found myself thinking “I wish this had bacon on it!” Also, my appetite is all kinds of out of whack. I’ve been hungry 24/7 for going on 5 days in a row!! You’d think I would have had my fill from Thanksgiving, but I just feel like a bottomless pit. Not cool.

So with my weird cravings, I cannot confirm that what I have dubbed the best Thanksgiving leftover sandwich ever actually is in fact that, but it tastes pretty amazing to me 😉 I started by toasting 2 slices of cinnamon raisin Ezekiel bread. I spread fig butter on one, topped with leftover white meat turkey and topped with leftover mashed sweet potatoes. On the other piece, I sprinkled goat cheese and dried cranberries. Then I put the whole thing in the oven on ~~burn~~ broil until warmed and the edges of the bread and cranberries were browned, then topped with apple sliced and put it all together. Yummmm.