Thanksgiving – Blondie Birdie

November 2019: In a Nutshell

November 30, 2019December 8, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Saturday, everyone!

Christmastime is officially underway, and so is the countdown to the end of 2019- which means the next few weeks are going to be spent doing a lot of shopping, even more gift wrapping- and plenty of cooking/baking and traveling to various holiday functions and get togethers. December is a busy month for most people, and I’ve known for a while now that things are going to be moving pretty much non-stop for me!

Here on “Blondie Birdie,” I’ll have plenty of holiday cheer to share throughout the month ahead- with ceremonial tree lightings, local events, gift-giving ideas/tips and some of my favorite seasonal recipes for the culinary curious to try out- but I’m also going to be putting together my annual Year-In-Review post to mark the end of the decade while preparing some big blog news and changes for the beginning of 2020. I’m very, very excited!

But before I jump ahead into all of that- I did want to tip my hat to November 2019- a month that was just as busy, exciting and unexpected as December is shaping up to be.

I kicked off the month with one last scare for Halloween with a trip to Haunted Overload in New Hampshire before they closed for the season, only to then enjoy a daytime adventure (in the rain and cold this time around) to the Three Sisters Sanctuary in Goshen just a few short days later.

By mid-month, things had taken a surprising and thrilling turn when Troy and I went to not one, but two Hozier shows in the span of 72 hours– one in Boston and the other in Connecticut- which made for some excellent stories and photographs while we enjoyed ourselves and the company of my dear and longtime friend, Steven, who was the mastermind behind the spectacular light shows for each of Hozier’s shows during this tour. The Connecticut show marked Troy’s first time in a casino- and naturally I had him play a slot machine for the first time, too.

I’m a terrible influence like that.

November saw me return to the Ski & Snowboard Expo to represent Indie617 (our Top 100 Songs of The Decade is streaming now through the weekend, by the way!), the UMass Fine Arts Center for a dance performance, and Red Apple Farm to stock up on ingredients to prepare for this past Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day feast- which didn’t disappoint. I have so many leftovers in my fridge that I’m pretty sure I can feed everyone on my block for a couple of days.

And now, with a couple of quiet, more low-key days ahead of me before I return to work on Monday morning (where the posting schedule will return to normal, as well!) I’m looking forward to decorating my apartment, scratching a few things off my Holiday Gift Shopping List- and indulging in more than one hot chocolate since snow is just ahead in this week’s forecast!

So here’s to November- one for the history books, indeed!

I’ll be back on Monday morning- bright and early as usual- so enjoy the rest of your weekend ’til then, everybody!

– Ashley –

Pre-Thanksgiving Thanks…

November 26, 2019December 2, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday, everyone!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around my neighborhood- with decorations and lights going up in all the storefronts and the common at breakneck speed. I believe there’s more than one tree lighting ceremony being kicked off this coming weekend around the Valley- whereas I’m still shopping for my own little tree to commemorate my first Christmas in my new apartment. I haven’t found the perfect one yet- but there’s still time and I’m getting closer, I think!

Of course, Thanksgiving is going down in a couple of days- and I’ll be packing up the apple dumplings I recently picked up at Red Apple Farm and the salted chocolate pie I pre-ordered from Florence Pie Bar before I head over to my mom’s house to mingle and eat- but I have my monthly “Favorites” post lined up in the morning, too! It’s a short but sweet one!

I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude and what I’m thankful for this year. My friends and family, of course- it goes without saying- and as crazy as my full-time job can make me at times, I’m thankful I’m gainfully employed since I know so many others are out there struggling to find steady work/income right now. I’m thankful to Indie617 for giving me a show on Saturdays and allowing me to grow and learn in a field outside what I’m normally used to- and have an immense amount of fun while I do it.

I’m grateful for my health, my beautiful apartment, my kindhearted and artistic community for welcoming me with open arms- and the deepening friendships/relationships I’ve forged since moving out here.

I’m also beyond thankful for the time I’ve been able to spend with someone near and dear to me. He’s moving for a job opportunity in early 2020 and I’m going to miss him very, very much- but I’m so grateful he’s been such a major part of my life for so long and that we’ve been able to make such wonderful memories together this past year.

I’m especially grateful to this blog and it’s followers/subscribers- who have made 2019 one of my most productive and successful to date. There’s big changes coming to “Blondie Birdie” in early 2020 that I’m excited to share- and I hope you’ll all be excited, too!

But before I get ready to get some pre-holiday work done at my office- here’s some helpful links for those of you who might need a little backup as the day of unapologetic gluttony and super comfy elastic-waist pants draws closer and closer!

Need a last minute recipe? I got you!

Need some holiday outfit inspiration? I got you there, too!

Need a soundtrack for dinner? Oh, you know I got you!

Enjoy the rest of your day, everybody!

– Ashley –

Fall Foodie: 5-Ingredient Red-Wine Cranberry Sauce

November 22, 2019November 29, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday, everyone!

Today’s post is coming at you all a little later than usual (I’m an early bird, after all)– but for good reason. The last Friday before Thanksgiving is always a little crazy at my job since so many people are on vacation next week and it’s sort of a mad dash to get those last minute loose ends and cases wrapped up before the office is a ghost town for a few days.

I’m powering through a lengthy “To Do” list today, but that also includes sharing a quick, easy, delicious- and crowd-friendly side dish recipe for next week’s festivities! If you like citrus, and if you like red wine- then you’re going to love and appreciate this recipe for cranberry sauce!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

One 12-ounce package cranberries
1¼ cups sugar
1 cup dry red wine
1 orange
1 cinnamon stick

READY? HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

In a medium pot, toss the cranberries and sugar to combine. Pour the red wine over the cranberries and heat over medium heat.
Peel the zest away from the orange with a vegetable peeler and add it to the pot. Cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice into the pot.
Add the cinnamon stick and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst, 10 to 15 minutes.
Cool the mixture to room temperature before serving.

This makes about ten servings, so if you need to adjust the measurements to better accommodate a smaller/larger crowd- feel free! And I recommend making a little extra, anyway- since it tends to go quickly whenever I serve it!

With the holiday next week, the posting schedule here on ‘Blondie Birdie’ is going to be a little different- with content up on Tuesday, Thursday (before I head out to have dinner with my family!) and on Saturday when I wrap up this past November and prepare for the final month of 2019.

I’ll see you all then! Enjoy your weekend!

– Ashley –

OOTD: Thanksgiving Cover-Up…

November 20, 2019November 29, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Whenever people ask me what Thanksgiving with my family is like- I’m always honest. It’s a lot of fun- with minimal political talk, occasional roasting of one another, and either football or Christmas music as the background noise to a lot of conversation and even more eating.

My mother, who has hosted the holiday every year since I was a little kid- always goes above and beyond for a house filled with people- making enough appetizers, main courses, side dishes and desserts to feed a small and very hungry army. It’s absolutely insane- and you will always go home with at least a few containers filled to the brim with leftovers. It’s just a given.

Of course, as fitness-oriented as I try to be- I still indulge on Thanksgiving- which is the ultimate “cheat day” anyway. And for this reason- I want to be as comfortable as possible for when I slip into my inevitable food coma. Gone are the days where I would wear nice jeans to the meal (buttons and zippers are essentially post-dinner torture devices that cause the ultimate discomfort) and although I can embrace an elastic waist as much as the next person- I still want to look put together and “dressy” during a big holiday with a lot of my family in attendance.

I’ve embraced layers in recent years- which both keep me warm and help hide what I’ve affectionately named the “pie paunch” after a big meal- and I’ve been loving pairing big, slouchy sweaters over loose-fitting and cozy cotton dresses over the course of this fall.

My short-sleeved little black dress for example, looks a little more dressed up and chic when I throw on this baggy white knitted sweater over it. Paired with some black, fleece-lined leggings for extra warmth and my black knee-high boots- I look presentable for dinner but remain perfectly comfy while I go for seconds on the stuffing and sweet potatoes.

If you’ve got any Thanksgiving styling tips for maximum comfort- feel free to share! The more suggestions, the better!

A little later on this week I’ll have a Thanksgiving-inspired recipe to share (it only requires a handful of ingredients and about 25-30 minutes of your time- so I have a feeling you’ll all enjoy it!) before we break for the weekend.

Until then, enjoy your “Hump Day,” everybody!

– Ashley –

Fall Foodie: Hot Mulled Cider

November 13, 2019November 19, 2019by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I’m getting ready to run some final errands before I head out to Boston for a couple of days for a mini vacation, but before I do- I wanted to share what is- hands down- the best (and easiest!) recipe for the perfect mulled apple cider for those of you who are attempting to savor these final days of Fall and may be looking for some refreshments for your upcoming Friendsgivings/Thanksgivings.

A handful of ingredients and 20 minutes is all you need to whip this one up- and it’s a crowd pleaser for sure!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

16 cups pure apple juice or fresh apple cider
Four 2-inch cinnamon sticks
2 oranges (peels and juice)
8 whole cloves
6 star anise

READY? HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
Pour into mugs, rest the cinnamon sticks inside the cider- and serve.
Grab the fluffiest, coziest blanket you own, get comfortable and curl up- and enjoy!

I assure you- this is the only cider recipe you’ll ever need to get you through what’s left of Autumn and the early Winter! There’s so much flavor in each mug!

I’m going to be back on Friday with a full recap of my days away- so stay bundled up, stay warm- and enjoy the rest of your week, everybody!

– Ashley –