Holiday Time Waster

Here are some hilarious pictures of kids visiting Santa. I think that I sent this around in an e-mail last year, but it's worth viewing again.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/holiday/sfl-scaredofsanta-ugc,0,7181908.ugcphotogallery

This is one of my favorites.

Patience and Fortitude

I love Patience and Fortitude, the lions in front of the main New York Public Library building. Last year they didn't decorate them for Christmas, so I'm glad they did this year. I want to get Patience and Fortitude bookends before we leave New York.

Lili's First Subway Ride

Last weekend Heinz's mom, sister, and 3-year-old niece, Lili, came to visit us. Lili is the only person I know that likes to ride the subway. She kept asking if we could go on the choo-choo.

Miracle on 34th St. Windows

Every year, Macy's has two sets of store windows. On one side of the store, they have their regular store windows that are different every year. And then on 34th St., they have windows showing Miracle on 34th St. The dolls are made to look like the actors in the movie. I love that in the one where Natalie Wood is visiting Santa Claus, you can see the little Dutch girl waiting in line behind her.

Macy's Store Windows and Santaland

Sak's Fifth Avenue Holiday Store Windows

Rockefeller Center Tree 2007

The Rockefeller Center tree is much brighter this year because they're now using LED lights. I like the older, muted lights better.

Celebrity Sighting

Yesterday Heinz was working at an ER in Queens. Before he left, a woman came in to shadow a doctor because she was going to be playing a surgeon in an upcoming movie. Heinz talked to her a little bit, asking her about it. An intern said to her, "You know, you look just like Michelle Williams!" Heinz said that she turned BEET red and said, "I get that a lot." And the intern persisted: "No really, you look just like her!" So she then said that was because she was her. Heinz said as he walked away with the intern, he asked, "So who is Michelle Williams?"

p.s. Heinz said she was very nice.

It's Now Time for Snowman Hats

Now that pumpkin hat season is over, it's now time for snowman hats. I sent this picture to my mom this morning, and she had it on her computer. Her students said how cute he was and asked if he was her grandbaby. She said, "No, I don't know whose baby it is. But my daughter made the hat." So since my mom doesn't have a grandbaby to brag about yet, she'll just use someone else's in the meantime. So thanks, Katie, for the picture of the ever adorable Luke.

Snow!!

I took this picture from my balcony this morning. There's about a half inch on the ground now, and it's snowing some more! I might need to get one of those snowman kits and head to Central Park. This snow is perfect for making a snowman...it's really wet.

Christmas Tree for My Craft Room

I don't know if everyone has the same Gap store windows, but the windows on 5th Avenue have trees that would be perfect for a craft room. They have balls of yarn on them and then a scarf wrapped around like garland. So cute. And then you could put knitted Christmas ornaments on it too!

Costumes From Enchanted

I went to see Enchanted at the Ziegfeld theater today. It's a beautiful, old historic theater that's a real treat to go to. Some of the costumes from the movie were on display at the theater. The puffed sleeves on the prince's costumes are ginormous!

J.K. Rowling's Tales of Beedle the Bard

You may have heard that J.K. Rowling has handwritten and illustrated a book called Tales of Beedle the Bard, a book that she mentions in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. She has only made 7 copies. She is giving 6 of them to people who were instrumental in helping her with the Harry Potter books, and the last one she is auctioning for charity at Sotheby's. The book came to New York City to be viewed by the public for three days. We went on Tuesday. As we were walking up, a woman wearing a cloak and a tartan McGonagall-like hat came walking up to meet her friend wearing a Griffindor scarf. Now I am a huge Harry Potter fan, but the cloak and hat were a bit much.

The book is beautiful. I wish that she would have sold a cheaper version to the public. The book is handbound in Italian leather, and there are handmade silver pieces on the front set with moonstones.

And then we rode the bus home and I got motion sick and couldn't go to work that evening. I shouldn't have had all of that fresh-squeezed orange juice at Norma's.

Balloon Inflation

The balloon inflation Wed. night was insanely miserable. Because it was so warm and most of Broadway was shut down, there were crazy amount of people there. When I went two years ago with Julia and Layton, it was nothing like this. It's basically why we didn't go to the parade Thursday morning. We knew it would be awful. At least I've been twice now.


See that line of people across the road? I don't even understand where they were coming from. We were slowly shuffling our way to see the balloons.


Mr. Potato Head's foot, an ice-cream cone, and the top of JoJo's head.


Thanksgiving is brought to you by McDonald's.


Hello Kitty Supercute, a new balloon.


Scooby's patootie.

Turkey Love

Oh yeah baby, you know what I like. I love that fresh thyme, sage, and poultry seasoning. And that maple brine? Thank you.


My turkey injector--the first time I've used it. We'll see if it makes a difference.


My pumpkin cheese ball looks a little deformed. Perhaps I should just stick to hats.

And for Those of You With Less Holiday Spirit, Go Scrooge Yourself

http://www.scroogeyourself.com/?id=9559751863

Get Your Desk Diary On

This ad copy had me at "Savor opening lines from dozens of famous works of literature." I will be severely disappointed if Pride and Prejudice is not in there.


The 2008 edition in the popular and long-running Barnes & Noble Desk Diary series celebrates Famous First Lines chosen from a diverse selection of classic and modern novels, short fiction, and poetry. This handsome, richly illustrated planner provides a convenient weekly agenda format, monthly calendar grids, and a year of fascinating literary lore in a durable, handcrafted binding.

Savor opening lines from dozens of famous works of literature, accompanied by brief descriptive texts about the works and their authors. Also included is quiz about last lines from famous works, lists of prize-winning novels, an 8-page supplement of classic world maps, and other special features.

Go Elf Yourself!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9552634017

I could watch this all day. I think you should make your own and post them in the comments.

Christmas Movies

I love Christmas movies. Every year on Thanksgiving, I like to watch Miracle on 34th Street, because the movie starts on Thanksgiving with the Macy's parade. (Although since I've been cooking a big dinner, I haven't had time to watch it until the next day.) And every year we watch A Muppet Christmas Carol while we decorate our tree, and Heinz sings along to all the songs. And I like to watch It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve or Day. And of course there's A Christmas Story for 24 hours on TBS, which is awesome, and I also love The Bishop's Wife, Christmas Vacation, and Elf. What are some of everyone else's favorites?

Another Pumpkin Hat Hospital Photo!

Congrats to our friends JJ and Melissa on the birth of their second daughter. And again, I feel so honored that someone used the pumpkin hat for the hospital photo!

The Best Throw Ever

I have to give my mom mad props for finding these throws. They're called Serasoft throws and are available at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $20. And it's usually easy to snag a 20% off coupon in the mail or newspaper. My mom has bought these for almost everyone she knows, and I got one for Heinz's Aboulita and third-person Grandma. Apparently Aboulita loves hers so much that she keeps asking who gave it to her. And Grandma loves it too. It's perfect for snuggling on the couch, and it's a present that you can get just about anybody. And it's extremely soft.

The Best Slippers Ever

You may think it's lame to give slippers as a gift, but I think that these are the best ever. They have some hard soles on the bottom so they're sturdier than most slippers. And the fleece hugs your foot and is so comfy and warm. They're available at www.llbean.com for $20.

Stocking Stuffers from the Container Store

If there's not a Container Store in your area, you can order these items from www.containerstore.com. There's even a link for Stocking Stuffers.


This is the most brilliant of them all. A silicone cup cooley for people that you know who go to Starbucks a lot. Only $3.99. I can't decide if I want a pink or a brown one.


This pencil supposedly gets rid of scratches on CDs and DVDs. $5.99


An envelope opener; $4.99


These look awesome. You put them on the lens of your camera and it creates cool special effects. $5.99 for the whole set!


What kid wouldn't want a secret message writing set? $5.99

Stocking Stuffers and More, part 1 from Urban Outfitters

Here's some cool stuff from Urban Outfitters. I got several stocking stuffers from there last year. They have some cool retro stuff, like Peanuts and the Grinch, and kitchy items that adults my age will appreciate. I'm sorry that each photo doesn't have a link; go to www.urbanoutfitters.com and on the left, click Apartment, and then Entertain.


This is a poo-pooing reindeer. It comes with brown jelly bean-like candy.


I never had a Snoopy Sno-Cone machine, but I think that this might hold some good memories for some adults.


A key chain with sounds from the Mario Brothers games. $10


Yummy Peanuts characters lip balms. Some of them even seem appropriate for guys. $15


Star Wars games plug and play. I think it includes four games for $25.


A 3-D drawing tool. Last year they had 3-D drawing pads, which I thought were pretty cool. The drawings themselves didn't exactly look 3-D, but they looked like they were coming off of the page.


We obviously need this. It's so you can take pictures of yourself without having to do the whole holding out your arm thing. (See picture on the right.) $30, web only

Ambassador Heinz

Heinz went to visit some babies for me last week while he was interviewing for a job in Alabama. I can't believe Heinz wore his suit to visit babies in. That's pretty brave.

This is Luke. His mom, Katie, said that he had a good time and that he giggled and laughed the whole time Heinz was there. Heinz said that he would have a good time no matter who visited; he has a great personality. I guess it runs in the family.


This is Liam, Julia and Ryan's new baby. He is so little compared to Heinz's hand! Heinz said that he was cute. I think that's pretty obvious.