Things That Make You Merry #3: Chocolate Mint Crinkle Cookies!

Last year I discovered this recipe for Chocolate Mint Crinkles from Betty Crocker and I cannot wait to make them again this year!  The cookies are fun to bake (on your own or with helpers), they look pretty, and they're delicious!  Chocolate mint crinkles are perfect for a holiday party, christmas cookie bake-off, or a night in with your loved ones, your favorite christmas movie and a mug of hot chocolate! 

Ingredients

2

cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

1

cup unsweetened baking cocoa

2

teaspoons baking powder

1/2

teaspoon salt

2

cups granulated sugar

1/2

cup vegetable oil

4

large eggs

1

teaspoon vanilla

1

teaspoon peppermint extract

1/2

cup powdered sugar

Hershey's® Kisses® Brand mint or candy cane flavored candies

Directions

• 1
  In medium bowl, mix flour, baking cocoa, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• 2
  In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, oil and eggs with whisk until well mixed. Beat in vanilla and peppermint extract.
• 3
  Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• 4
  Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper. Place powdered sugar in small bowl. Shape dough into tablespoon-size balls; roll in powdered sugar. Place on cookie sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart.
• 5
  Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until cookies crackle and dough doesn’t look raw. When cookies are done, immediately place a KISSES candy in center of each cookie, and press lightly. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes. Remove to cooling rack; cool completely until candy is set.

ENJOY! :)

Things That Make You Merry #2: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular & The Rockettes

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular has been filling hearts with joy since 1933.  Whether you're visiting New York City for the first time or you've lived here for years, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular & The Rockettes are an iconic part of Christmas in New York City.  This year's show features The Nutcracker, the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, and the living Nativity.  For more information on The Radio City Christmas Spectacular click here: http://www.radiocitychristmas.com

Things That Make You Merry #1: Christmas Music!

Nothing warms your heart and puts a smile on your face like Christmas Music!  It's the most wonderful time of the year, and this year there are so many amazing new Christmas Albums to download!  Below are a couple of my all time favorite Christmas Albums as well as two new albums to check out. 

ALL TIME FAVORITES:
1. Wynton Marsalis, Crescent City Christmas Card: https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/crescent-city-christmas-card/id311555142
2.  Harry Connick, Jr., What A Night: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/what-night!-christmas-album/id294373574

NEW TO TRY:
1. Idina Menzel, Holiday Wishes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/holiday-wishes/id924313589
2. Nashville Cast, Christmas With Nashville: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/christmas-with-nashville/id934150517

Things To Be Thankful For #30: A Christmas Tree!

Tree stands line the streets of NYC and a beautiful scent of balsam fir and pine wafts through the air!  It must be time to find a Christmas tree!  This is a time of year that Mike and I look forward to every year, and 2014 brings an extra hint of excitement because it's our first Christmas as husband and wife! 

While we claim to be pretty serious about our search for the perfect tree, we usually just end up singing this song as we make our selection: The Happiest Christmas Tree! 

Throughout the year we try to collect Christmas ornaments from our travels, and adventures.  When it comes time to decorate the tree, we love to look back and remember the wonderful places we've been and the amazing people we've met along the way.  Our hearts swell with gratitude as we carefully place our ornaments on the tree. 

Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season, and a very Merry Christmas!

Things To Be Thankful For #29: The Meatball Shop!

The Meatball Shop is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in all of NYC!  Their meatballs are innovative and delicious, and don't even get me started on their amazing ice cream cookie sandwiches (homemade cookies and ice cream!?! What more could you want!?)! 

Last night, Mike and I found ourselves without Thanksgiving leftovers, and TMS came to the rescue with their delicious gobble gobble meatballs served with mashed potatoes, gobble gobble gravy and cranberry sauce! For dessert? An ice cream cookie sandwich of course; pecan shortbread cookies with pumpkin ice cream! Heavenly! 

I'm convinced that The Meatball Shop has the power to improve a bad day, or to make a great day even BETTER!  They have locations all over NYC, and they even serve brunch! Thanks, Meatball Shop!

Things To Be Thankful For #28: Today Show Radio

Today Show Radio is one of SiriusXM's newest channels, and if you haven't had the chance to listen to it yet, you are missing out!  The incredibly talented Jessica Ettinger (you know her from The Highway on SiriusXM too) regularly hosts Today Show Radio, but whenever she is out, you will find me there!  You can hear Today Show Radio on channel 108, and in addition to being able to listen to everything you can see on TV, you can also get the inside scoop on what's going on behind the scenes with the hosts and the guests of The Today Show!

Things To Be Thankful For #27: Thanksgiving, Friends, & Family!

Friends, the day we've been waiting for is here! Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your day is filled with love, laughter, thanksgiving, and plenty of delicious food! I am thankful for YOU!