THINGS THAT MAKE YOU MERRY #5- #12

Well... it's official.  I am a terrible blogger. I am now 11 days behind on posting happy things that could potentially help to brighten your day, week, holiday season, and general out look on life!!  Okay... I won't give myself that much credit, but If you'll take it, I would like to squeeze a little bit more merriment into your holiday season! 

To make up for my slacking, below you will find a whole bunch of new additions to THINGS THAT MAKE YOU MERRY (#5-#12)!

#5. Discovering Gems While Online Shopping

Like this pillow for example. It reads" Always be yourself.  Unless you're a unicorn.  Then always be a unicorn."  #GEM

#6. Unusual Baby Names From 2012

They may be unusual, but at least two children had to have been given one of these "unusual names" to make the list! You'll have to click on this link below to read the full article, but I will share with you, a few of my favorite names from 2012: YOGA and ESPN. 

http://gawker.com/5967948/2012s-definitive-list-of-unusual-baby-names

#7. Deals To Share At Starbucks

Grab a friend and share a coffee from 2pm-5pm! Starbucks is offering a buy one get one free deal, valid through December 16th (tomorrow)! Enjoy!

http://rekindle.starbucks.com

#8. Talented Friends

If you don't know my incredibly talented, photographer friend, Katherine, then you are missing out! And yes, that is how I introduce her to people... "Hi, this is my incredibly talented, photographer friend, Katherine." -- Just kidding, but I think it!  If you are looking for beautiful photos to capture that special moment (or many special moments), you will definitely want to call upon Katherine Miles Jones!  Check out her website below for a peak at some of her work! 

http://www.katherinemilesjones.com/

#9. National Cupcake Day

What could be better than a whole day dedicated to the glory that is, a CUPCAKE!? Absolutely nothing!  This year National Cupcake Day falls on Saturday, December 15th, and I plan to eat as many cupcakes as humanly possible! YUM! 

PS. I promise that this is a real day, and that I didn't just make it up!! 
PPS. The photo above is taken from one of my favorite cupcake spots in NYC (special thanks to my mom for introducing me) : http://www.georgetowncupcake.com/ 


#10. A Charlie Brown Christmas

This Christmas classic, never gets old! Watching A Charlie Brown Christmas always reminds me of my sophomore year of high school.  My English class was asked to perform a stage version of our favorite holiday story, and we couldn't help but choose, A Charlie Brown Christmas .   While we all played memorable parts in the play, one classmate, stole the show, with his short line, "An ugly tree!"  For anyone that was in Mr. Bellarosa's English class, I'm sure you remember that too!  All high school memories aside, this movie always brings a smile to my face, and I bet it makes you smile too.

#11. The Golden Globe Nominations

If you're a lover of film then you too, will love this list of the 2013 Golden Globe Nominations!  Click on the link below for the full list, but before that, know that Lincoln is leading with the most nominations.  If you haven't seen it yet... (don't worry I haven't either), than I think it's time to head out to the movies (I'm planning to go this afternoon, if anyone wants to join me)!

http://www.goldenglobes.org/2012/12/nominations-2013/

#12. Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses

I discovered these delicious little guys, last year, and I just couldn't get enough of them!  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I ate two or three bags of candy cane kisses, all by myself. haha They are just too good to pass up! 

PS. The Candy Cane Kisses are an excellent addition to any Christmas Treat (IE: cookies or brownies)!

Things That Make You Merry #3 & #4!

Happy Tuesday, Friends!

I've decided to post these next two together, as I think that they will compliment each other quite nicely! :)

#3: TRADER JOE'S CANDY CANE JOE-JOE'S

Do yourself a favor and head over to Trader Joe's, right this very second, to pick up a box of these!!! Mike and I scooped these up while grocery shopping on Saturday evening and they were GONE, by Monday! The cookies have the perfect amount of crunch to them, while still being nice and light, and the filling is creamy with surprise bits of candy cane inside! These are the perfect holiday treat! #TraderJoes

Try these alone, or with...

#4:PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE... in the slow cooker!

 

Maybe you're like me and you have a slow cooker, but you don't really use it as often as you would like to.  Well, here's the answer to all of your problems: Peppermint Hot Chocolate! What!? No, really! 

My brilliant friend (and excellent photographer), Katherine, told me about making peppermint hot chocolate in the slow cooker, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it! #YUM

1. Whisk together six 12-ounce cans of evaporated milk in a slow cooker
2. Add two 12-ounce bags of chocolate chips
3. Add 1-2 teaspoon(s) of peppermint extract (available at Trader Joe's) 
-OR- 4 ounces of peppermint bark (or maybe even use a little of both)
4. Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally
5. Ladle into mugs and garnish with whipped cream and candy canes

Recipe serves 12!

Things That Make You Merry #2!

#2: PICKING OUT A CHRISTMAS TREE!

Every year, I get so excited to pick out a Christmas Tree, that you would think the tree had gold hidden somewhere in it's branches.  Starting the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas trees begin to line the streets of NYC, and they fill the streets with a glorious smell, that only Christmas trees can offer.  Whether I pick out the tree myself or with family, friends, or roommates, it is always a special (and fun) experience! 

This year, Mike and I found our tree at the farmer's market outside of The Museum of Natural History.  An interesting (emphasis on the interesting) guy named Christopher, helped us to find a tree.  As he was shuffling through the stacks of trees, he asked us where the closest bar was, and then went on to tell us that he was originally from a small town in upstate New York, just about thirty minutes from where I grew up (small world, right?)!  At any rate, within minutes, Christopher had picked out the perfect tree for us!  The branches were full, the height was perfect, and the smell couldn't be beat!   Mike and I were thrilled and said, "SOLD! We'll take it!" 

Christopher wrapped the tree for us, and began to write up our receipt.  He wrote down his name: Christopher, and the street we purchased the tree on: Columbus.  Mike and I both laughed and said "Oh that's funny, Christopher Columbus!"  Christopher sort of stared at us blankly.... but he did help us find an awesome tree, and we will be thankful all season long! :-)

Things That Make You Merry!

The past two years, I have created a special set of posts in November, called Things To Be Thankful For.  I absolutely loved writing these posts, and I looked forward to them every year, but this year...  I blew it!  Life got away from me, and before I knew it, the month was half way over and I hadn't created a single post.  Enter hashtag fail here... (#FAIL).  Haha!

At any rate, to remedy the situation, I decided that I would create a special set of posts for December, entitled : Things That Make You Merry! I hope these daily posts bring a little extra joy to your Holiday Season!

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU MERRY!

#1: Home Alone-Blooper Reel!

Today's post is short and sweet!  If you love the 1990 holiday classic, Home Alone, as much as I do, then I think this blooper reel will make you smile! 

Check it out, and Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdB0wmvQwgY

"If you are here, you are awesome."

It's that simple, friends!

1. I think you are awesome.

2. I think that you are here for a reason.

I shouldn't even say that I "think" you are awesome, because I know that you are awesome, just as much as I know that you are here for a reason! No, I don't mean here on Spreading Sunshine (although that is nice, too!), I mean here, on this earth, breathing and shining, today.  If you are here today, alive and on this planet, you are here to do something great and you are awesome.

Maybe today you're having one of those down days, and you aren't feeling too awesome.  You feel like your life is a giant puzzle.  All of the pieces are spread out all over the floor and you can't figure out what goes where.  Maybe you feel like you have an even bigger problem today, because you can't even find all of the pieces to your "life puzzle," in the first place!

Sound familiar? Well, let me encourage you with this great quote, "The size of your problems, reflect the size of your future." If you are in the midst of big problems, get excited, because that means that big things are headed your way!  Those missing  puzzle pieces are falling into place, starting right now! Know today, that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

You have such outstanding things ahead of you! You woke up this morning, because you have something amazing to do.  Something new to discover, something new to learn, and I can't wait to see what unfolds next in  your life!

"If you are here, You are awesome."