Because I can’t stay away

Oh.

Hello.

I know I said I may or may not but might possibly write a post or two or six over the next two weeks. And so here I am. Because I had a build up of information I felt like I needed to share. Plus Caroline is currently trying to get past level 189 of Christmas Angry Birds before we go rollerskating with Gulley and her boys later on.

Because nothing says Christmas like an activity that might cause a forty-year-old woman to end up with a broken arm.

And now I’m sitting here trying to remember everything I wanted to share. It seemed like a lot when I woke up at 3:30 this morning thinking about it. Now? I seem to be drawing a blank.

Wait. It’s back.

And it will be in a numerical list formation because that’s so much easier than a narrative.

1. Last night I had my Birthday Club friends over for a little Christmas get together. We keep it very casual and some of us may have even been in our pajamas. Makeup is totally optional. Fun is a given.

In years past we’ve always exchanged a bottle of wine because, well, wine is good. But this year I was inspired by the Nester’s favorite things post and suggested we exchange our favorite things.

And it was so much fun. Really it might have been better than Christmas morning because it was just a bunch of fun little surprises.

Here’s what we each gave. (I think I’m about to create something resembling a real outline. I have no idea what is going on with me. Apparently I’m very organized today.)

A. Cocktail napkins and a cute flower magnet. My napkins say “Low Maintenance is for Rookies.”

Amen.

B. A tube of Moroccan oil for our hair.

Because we all believe in the importance of good hair.

C. A juice box of wine, a People StyleWatch magazine and about six pieces of chocolate.

Forget Midol. That’s the real cure for PMS.

D. A darling turquoise cuff bracelet.

E. Styrofoam cups that read, “Friends are God’s way of making up for our relatives.”

Just in time for the Christmas season and possibly Festivus and the airing of grievances.

I gave everyone pajama pants from Old Navy because I took advantage of the Jingle Jammie sale last weekend.

Anyway, it was so much fun. I highly recommend.

2. Another friend of mine is one of the best cooks I know. And she always makes these sweet roasted tomatoes when we go to her house. And I crave them. They are my kryptonite.

So I emailed her for the recipe so I could make them last night and I thought I’d share it with y’all because it’s so simple and so good.

Sweet Roasted Tomatoes (I’m not sure this is the official name)

2 large cans of whole peeled San Marazano tomatoes (I think they’re 24 oz.?)
1/2-3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter
salt and pepper

Put everything in a pot and bring to boil, then turn down to simmer for 30-45 min. Put it in a casserole dish and top with cubes of French bread, drizzle with olive oil. (I just served with toasted French bread instead of doing the cubes.) Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

3. While I had my friends over, P took Caroline to see the Chipmunks new movie. I’ve never loved him more for taking one for the team. I struggle with the Chipmunks.

I’m pretty sure every time they sing a Lady GaGa song in those little squeaky voices, a box of kittens die.

4. My tree is dead. Like so dead that I feel compelled to give it a pep talk every morning and let it know it only needs to make it five more days before it can go on to a better place.

If you consider the curb by the trash can to be a better place.

5. Look at what the Antelope of the Lord started in our living room.

But I think we all know there is only one true Santalope.