“Giving The Tree a Trim…”

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on “Giving The Tree a Trim…”

Good Morning and Happy (Snowy) Tuesday, everyone!

Over the next couple of weeks, with the holidays and snowstorms and general end-of-the-year life and work craziness- the posting schedule on “Blondie Birdie” will be a little different. Instead of my usual Monday, Wednesday, and Friday blog offerings- I’ll be keeping things to a minimum on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I don’t burn myself out by Christmas. I’m sure you all understand- since there’s typically just so much happening this time of year. It can be easy to get overwhelmed!

With just a couple of things left on my Holiday shopping list to get over the next few days- I’ve been trying to focus on the things that truly matter, i.e. spending time with family and friends when I can. They’re all just as busy with shopping, wrapping, decorating and preparations for Christmas and New Year’s as I am- so it’s nice to be able to take a few hours out to enjoy one another’s company and catch up.

That was the case this past weekend when the “Fab 4” reunited. My longtime/childhood friends Sean, Stef and Holly came out to my neck of the woods on Sunday afternoon/evening to have a carefree visit to Yankee Candle’s main store in Deerfield before it was time to grab some food and play some board games when our party eventually worked our way back to Stef’s new house in Barre (not terribly far from me these days!)

It was a really nice time, and being able to make post-holiday plans for early 2020 with my friends gives me even more to look forward to. We always celebrate Friendsgiving AFTER the New Year to avoid losing our minds- so we have a date, a time and place for January- and I couldn’t be more excited!

But as I write this, I’m presently getting buried under another snowstorm sweeping across New England- but work still needs to be done before I can enjoy it- so I’m off to shovel my way to my office!

Stay dry, warm and safe out there, everybody!

xx

– Ashley –

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year…

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year…

Good Morning and Happy Friday, everyone!

Today I wanted to show off this year’s ugly Christmas sweater after an impromptu Holiday-Card-Photo-Shoot earlier this week- but I’m still waiting on the finished pictures to arrive, which is fine- because I’ve definitely been keeping busy since then.

With my holiday shopping *nearly* done (and I’m utterly exhausted from it,) I took some time off on Wednesday night to venture back into Boston with Troy and show my support for Indie617 and our nominated morning show at the Boston Music Awards at the House of Blues.

Although we couldn’t stay for the entire show (we live on the opposite side of the state, after all!) we had a wonderful time. It was great seeing friends and colleagues. catching a quick set from Future Teens and watching one incredible tribute to The Cars’ Ric Ocasek. And, even though it was late and cold out- we grabbed a quick bite at Yard House before hitting the road to come home.

It was absolutely worth being a little groggy yesterday morning.

I’m aiming for a nomination next year for “Best Saturday Show Hosted by Someone Who Calls Herself Pelvis Costello.” Wish me luck!

This weekend I have friends visiting my neck of the woods from out of town for a pre-holiday dinner and long overdue get-together- so I’m really excited- and next week on the blog I’ll have more festive finds and photos as Christmas comes closer and I prepare to wind down 2019 and get ready for the New Year. Time always flies by so quickly these last few weeks of December!

Until then, though- enjoy your weekend, everybody!

xx

– Ashley –

Festive Foodie: Gingerbread Snaps with Cream Cheese Filling

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on Festive Foodie: Gingerbread Snaps with Cream Cheese Filling

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I’m in a lovely mood. Not only did I take today off from work to prepare for tonight’s Boston Music Awards (and got to sleep in a little later than usual in the process,) but last night I had the most fun taking ugly Christmas sweater photos with my favorite person in the world for my 2019 holiday cards- and somehow my little town successfully managed to dodge an impending overnight snowstorm- getting by with only a little bit of rain in the early morning hours today!

So while I sit here, sipping a coffee and planning on doing some errands and Christmas shopping this morning and early afternoon before it’s time to make my way into Boston- I thought I’d share a baking endeavor I undertook earlier this week when a craving for gingerbread hit me.

Despite not being 95 years old, I actually love ginger snap cookies- and I knew of a way to make them a bit more festive for this time of year.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

FOR THE COOKIES:

  • 2â…“ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup molasses

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2-3 cups powdered sugar

READY? HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  2. In a medium bowl sift together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
  3. In a large bowl beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and molasses.
  4. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the flour mixture about ½ at a time.
  5. Form the dough into balls about 2 tablespoons in size. Place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Press the dough balls flat to increase crispiness.
  6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops are set.
  7. In a large bowl beat the butter and cream cheese together using an electric mixer.
  8. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the powdered sugar about ½ – 1 cup at a time until you’ve mixed in 2 cups.
  9. Beat in the cream 1 tablespoon at a time, alternating with a little extra powdered sugar until the desired sweetness and consistency.
  10. Frost the cooled cookies using a flat knife and apply another flattened cookie on top to form the sandwich shape.

From there, I usually stick the completed cookies in the refrigerator for an hour or so to harden up the cream cheese and make them prime for dunking in cocoa- but you can indulge however you’d like!

I’m off to get some errands done and make myself look presentable for tonight- but I’ll be back on Friday morning with more festive content as the holidays creep closer and closer!

Wish Indie617 luck for the BMAs- and enjoy your “Hump Day,” everybody!

xx

– Ashley –

Winter, Wings and (Almost) Winning…

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on Winter, Wings and (Almost) Winning…

Good Morning and Happy Monday, everyone!

I am admittedly in a bit of a fog right now- not only because it’s a Monday and I’m back at work and waiting for the caffeine to kick in- but because I was at last night’s Patriots/Chiefs game with some friends from my office in Foxborough and am utterly wiped out from a full day of tailgating and cheering in the bitter, almost painful cold!

Not only that, but the game itself was nerve-wracking- and although I thought for sure the Patriots would pull off another last minute victory- the referees had other plans with some blatantly poor calls.

Oh well. I had a really, really fun time anyway- and it was absolutely worth being as tired as I am this morning!

A little later on this week, I have a recipe for a Holiday-inspired dessert, and festive “fashion” (I use the term very loosely) I’m excited to wear at my next holiday party.

I’ll also have a full recap from this coming Wednesday’s Boston Music Awards- which I’m looking forward to crashing!

But until then, I’ve got to wake up- get some work done- and power through until 4:30 PM today!

Enjoy your Monday, everyone! Hang in there!

xx

– Ashley –

Digging Out of The Snow…

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on Digging Out of The Snow…

Good Morning and Happy Friday, everyone!

While I had wanted to get a post up, as usually scheduled, this past Wednesday- the Winter storm that began whipping though New England on Sunday night had other plans for me. With over two feet of snow accumulated where I live and occasional power outages due to strong winds- my primary focus became staying warm and safe until it was calm enough outside to shovel my way back into the world on Wednesday afternoon.

The storm marked the first significant one of the 2019/2020 Winter season- and while snow is always a welcomed guest throughout December (we’re dreaming of white Christmases and all)– by February I know I’m going to dread the sight of it. It’s like clockwork. It happens every year.

I digress. During a lull in the storm on Monday afternoon- I went for a little hike not far from my office to snap some photos of the aftermath. Little did I know another foot of powder was on it’s way- so I managed to get some nice shots before then.

On top of the snow, a lot of my friends and family have been battling some weird cold/flu that’s been spreading like wildfire- so needless to say I’ve been proactive with keeping myself rested, hydrated, and well until it blows over. The last thing I need during the busiest time of the year is to get taken down by a sore throat or a stuffy nose!

Yesterday, in-between glasses of orange juice and Vitamin C gummies- I headed out to pick up some things in order to finally get around to decorating my apartment for the holidays. November marked six months living in Greenfield- and this Christmas will be the first in my new place!

I picked up some small decor to place around my kitchen and living room areas- and while I thought a $15 artificial, pre-lit tree was the perfect addition to my place- it ended up looking more like something from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” So comically odd looking. See for yourselves!

Next week on “Blondie Birdie” I’m going to have a recipe for a festive family favorite (say that three times fast,) a peek at my latest ugly Christmas sweater- and a recap of this coming Sunday’s Patriots/Chiefs game since I’ll actually be in attendance! I’m so looking forward to tailgating with friends- despite the cold!

Here’s wishing you all a warm, safe and productive weekend ahead. Be good to each other out there! ‘Tis the season, after all!

xx

– Ashley –