Holly, jolly
Hi! Happy Monday! Hope you’re having a wonderful week, and that those of you who are celebrating are enjoying a fantastic holiday season! Totally wearing my leopard-print Santa hat to teach BODYPUMP this morning haha.
Nothing says “holiday season” like a trip to the Air and Space Museum. 🙂
(For an airplane-loving guy and his equally obsessed little girl, it was very Christmas-y indeed.)
They had a special Ripleys! Believe It or Not addition, and as someone who enjoys reading random trivia and exploring oddities -this is from the girl whose dad drove HOURS so she could finally see “THE THING!”- I loved it. We enjoyed learning about the various planes and history; they had full-scale planes, space craft, memorabilia (the medals, hats and uniforms were particularly fascinating) and activities.
We were hoping Liv would enjoy it, and she was a huge fan. They have a great kids’ area with simulators, coloring, and cute photo ops. It was a fun little adventure.
Saturday night, I went to Kelli’s holiday party. The Pilot was supposed to join me, but our sitter came down with a cold, so he took one for the team and had a daddy-daughter night. Kelli hosts fabulous parties, and this was no exception.
She set up beautiful appetizers,
a delicious lasagna and salad dinner, a hot cocoa bar (with Bailey’s, marshmallows, peppermint swizzle sticks, and whipped cream), build-your-own-s’mores, and a photo booth with awesome props.
(with Kelli, London, Ashleigh and Andy)
For my little hostess gift, I made a batch of my Paleo granola (from the book!)
and some vanilla almond milk for them to enjoy the next morning.
I also took some of these cookies over, which have a pretty interesting story behind them.
Last week during girls’ night, Whitney, Jessica and I were at the Patio, and our server overheard us talking about cookies. (I’m pretty sure I’m going to turn into a cookie at any moment haha.) He told us that he dated a pastry chef when he lived in Chicago, and she tested over 200 chocolate chip cookie recipes in the endeavor to find the PERFECT recipe. As you know, little tweaks can make a huge difference like the brown sugar and white sugar ratio, the amount of butter or flour, etc. He said she finally arrived at what she thought was the perfect recipe and made a batch to take to a job interview as pastry chef. They hired her on the spot! The best part about this story: he gave us the recipe. I need to go back to the Patio and ask him if I can post it on my blog for ya. 😉
Speaking of cookies, I have a glorious (vegan and gf) holiday treat recipe to share later today.
For now, it’s time to lift some heavy things.
Have a happy Monday!
xoxo
Gina
What did you do this weekend? Any fun holiday or fitness adventures??
34 Comments
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LOVE the skirt you wore to the party! I would love to get that choc chip recipe! But I’ve also noticed everyone has their own favorite “type” of chocolate chip cookie. My fiancé likes them a little flatter/crispier and I love them soft & doughy!
thank you so much! so true! i like the chewy/fugdey cookies
Love that container for the paleo granola (and the granola of course!) I’ve actually never made it myself but would love to try that recipe 🙂
Love the sparkly party skirt! This weekend I packed up to fly home for the weekend and took care of some things at home. Nothing terribly exciting, but I am really looking forward to seeing my family this week!
Oh yes, Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes can be so different! I love them thick and doughy with huge chunks 🙂
We had a little christmas party at my friends house on Saturday and he made a bake with catfish filets, peppers, tomatoes and feta cheese on top in the oven. It was AMAZING. Like baked greek salad. So good!
What a fun party! And how cool that waiter gave you his ex’s cookie recipe! Were they fabulous?
they were fantastic! but then again, i like all cookies 😉
That cheese board looks amazing! A party is always better when a cheese board is involved 🙂 Happy Monday!
Such a cute homemade gift! I need to start planning ahead and make some gifts vs showing up with a bottle of wine at every party. Though it is usually appreciated and enjoyed! Ha!
Adorable pics!! I need to try the paleo granola!
Granola sold me! Buying the book right NOW! Cannot wait. 🙂
hahah! thank you so much! i hope you like it 🙂 xoxo
wow please go back to The Patio ASAP!!! need to make choc chip cookies for my boyfriends dad on Dec 29!
I looove your skirt! What a fun party! I just love going to holiday parties!
I cannot wait to try that granola!!!!
I love the idea of giving the paleo granola and homemade almond milk as a hostess gift. So cute and practical!
Such a good looking weekend! That granola looks fab and I can’t wait for this recipe later!
My weekend was the best! I ran my first ever 5K!!!!!
What a cool cookie story! That’s awesome!
Everyone thinks they’ve nailed the perfect chocolate chip recipe…until they’ve had the next best! The real question is, did you think they were better than yours?!?! 😉
they were AMAZING, but i think there was a little too much flour. i like dense and chewy cookies
I pre-ordered your book this weekend! Merry Christmas to me! 🙂 Cannot wait!
yayyyy! i hope you love it! 🙂
Love the paleo granola recipe. That’s a must try! I just stocked up on a bunch of containers like yours at the container store. Aren’t they amazing? My pantry is full of ’em. I can’t believe the Pilot is wearing shorts. It’s warm in Phoenix, but not warm enough for shorts.
That looks like such a fun party — I love that they had a hot chocolate bar! Also, such a sweet idea to bring almond milk and granola. Delicious!
Always, Anita
I would totally have worn the leopard print santa hat too 😉 The paleo granola looks so good, and it looks like a great gift!
My boyfriend and I explored the city and made stops at the key holiday locations (Union Square, Bryant Park, and Rock Center) on Saturday and then went skiing/snowboarding on Sunday–holiday and fitness filled weekend!
What a fun weekend!! And so cool that the server gave you the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever. I need to start talking about cookies in public more often. 😉
I hope he lets you post the recipe! I need a perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe!
Fun fact – my “grandpa” (not actually related, but he is family to me) was one of the first group of AVG Flying Tigers and his photo is in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, so that place always has a special place in my heart.
Oh boy! I definitely need the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever. I am a total lover of chocolate chip cookies and would make them everyday if I could.
My son would love that museum! He has a mild obsession with airplanes and helicopters also.
We love chocolate chip cookies in this house. I make yours at least once a month, no lie! Quick story: I asked my son what his favorite dessert was and, of course, he couldn’t decide. He said, “Um….cookies…..no, chocolate……no, ice cream.” So yesterday I surprised him with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice cream! It blew his little toddler mind! Haha
Love the paleo granola sign, it’s kinda cafe like?
Oh wow. If someone takes that much time to find a perfect recipe I want to give it a try! Have you made the cookies yet? My heart sings for chocolate chip cookies.
yep, they’re the ones in the pic!
Oh my gosh, we need that cookie recipe!
that is such a cute hostess gift! *filed*