Santa baby, hurry down the chimney tonight..

Wishing you and your family a very happy holidays. No matter how you you celebrate, I hope you enjoy the fire, snuggle close, eat some great food. Try to take a moment to tell someone you love them, all while singing my favorite song, "Santa baby, hurry down the chimney tonight..."

Have you been naughty or nice this year? A little of both...good to hear and me too! I wouldn't have it any other way.

When you wake up Christmas morning to see what Santa left you, I wish you cheer and smiles...

I'll leave this drink under the tree if Santa is watching his weight. He's not, then I'm off to make the most divine oatmeal cookie recipe ever.

For the past two years I've watched the Nutcracker performed by the San Francisco Ballet. It always warms my heart and helps me appreciate the beauty of the holidays. This year, I promise to keep the holiday spirit feeling if you do? Happy Holidays to you! Now hurry down the chimney tonight...

Dance, like no one is watching

Can you tell me where I can find a corporate desk job for ballerinas? I recently figured out the exact moment when I knew I would be a creative adult. The moment was when I got to freestyle in my ballet classes.

From the ages of five to fifteen, I studied and danced ballet. In class, we were taught about discipline, strength and position. My ballet teachers were usually very warm, but strict, so they could teach us the love for dance.

Each year I would train for months for one ballet recital and the always intimidating judge’s panel. To be able to move to the next prestigious level, I needed to perform in front of these judges, a list of ballet positions in the proper form, with grace.

All of the ballerinas (aka bun heads) would support one another through this stressful process. I actually looked forward to the panel, especially the freestyle portion at the end of the test. Others were afraid and, in fact, some planned their freestyle ahead of time, but not me!

Looking back, I must have looked like the actress in Flashdance, in front of all those judges. Except I was ten, and outfitted in a leotard, tutu and a bun. When it was time for me to freestyle, I smiled at the judges and waited patiently for the piano player to play a piece of music that I had never heard before. I closed my eyes, felt the music and danced all around the room like a free little bird.

Over the next few weeks, as I waited to receive my marks from the judges, of all the portions performed, I would wonder mostly about their thoughts of my freestyle dance. When I received my ballet certificate moving me to the next ballet grade, I looked first for the judge’s comments (just as I get excited to read your comments). I wondered if they liked it. Was I creative enough? Were they smiling, holding back their laughter? Or, did they see a promising pupil?

And this was the exact ballet moment that I knew I would need creativity throughout my life. What are some of the ways that you show your creativity?

Our Love Story: The Nutcracker

For the next two weeks, Honey and I spent a lot of time together. We did all of the things that new couples enjoy, like going to the movies, trying different restaurants and hearing live music. But we were not like other couples that had just started in their new relationship. Honey and I had already been friends for a year. We already knew a lot of each other's secrets, knew how to make each other laugh and even knew how to get under each others skin.

December was a very full month for us. Not only was it Christmas and New Years, but it's also his birthday. And prior to my return to San Francisco, he had already arranged a two week trip away during Christmas. The start of his trip was in Vegas to celebrate his birthday with 16 of his guy friends and then 12 days in Peru with his sister.

We had just spent a 5 months apart and it took us a year to be together and I wasn't looking forward to us being apart, even if it was only for two weeks.

Honey surprised me with my holiday present, which was opening night tickets to see the Nutcracker ballet in San Francisco. This was a huge sign of how much he cared for me because he was trying to make me happy. I love the ballet and danced for a long time, but was currently out of commission due to my knee and wasn't sure if I would be able to dance again. I got 'all dolled up' in a satin wine colored, floor length, dress and gold ballet shoes. I felt like a Princess when he saw me for the first time and seemed speechless standing at the bottom of the stairs.

The Nutcracker, which was at the San Francisco Opera House, was a spectacular night. The ballet was beautiful and it made me so happy to be there. I watched the performance with a smile on my face from ear to ear. I sat on the edge of my seat and wanted to get on stage and dance with the performers. Honey held my hand, made me feel so special and took care of me the whole night. I looked around at the audience to see the children that had been brought there to make their childhood memories of seeing the Nutcracker. The little girls had on their best dresses, ribbons in their hair and black patent shoes.

To remind me of this night Honey bought me a Nutcracker snow globe from The Opera House ballet store. I vividly remember this store because there was a little girl dancing because she was getting a nutcracker ornament. Her mother smiled at us and said that she had had a rough night and was glad to see her happy. During the ballet performance, she was sick and threw up. By the time we saw her at the ballet store, she was smiling.

Ah the magic of the Nutcracker...

Honey's flight to Vegas was the next day. He came to my apartment to say goodbye. I started to get emotional and my eyes filled with tears as we kissed goodbye. I could see in his eyes that he didn't want to leave me too. I wanted him to have a good time in Vegas (not too much fun) and he deserved an amazing time in Peru, but I was enjoying being with him so much.

As we were kissing goodbye, he told me that he was going to visit Lake Titicaca. My Grandfather, who had died six years earlier, had always wanted to see Lake Titicaca mostly because he laughed every time he said the name. My Grandfather never got his wish. Honey told me he would go to the Lake and say a prayer for me and for my Grandfather.

Honey couldn't call me from Peru and all we had was email to stay in contact. I wondered to myself, "How was I going to get through the next two weeks without him? How did I, Miss Independent, who can do everything by herself, become the kind of girl that couldn't be without her new boyfriend."

Maybe I had truly fallen in love. Have you ever been separated from your loved one for a period of time? Do you think that distance makes the heart grow fonder? I hope you and your family had a wonderful holidays!

Auntie C’s Tomato Bisque Soup Recipe

I grew up in an English household surrounded by English accents and a lot of sarcasm. Did I mention a lot of sarcasm? My Auntie C was no exception to the rule. What always separated her from the English family bunch was her emotional and warm heart. I always think of Auntie C fondly and as a motherly figure to me. Try to picture my Auntie C and imagine her as my short haired, sarcastic, emotional, "sweetie" Absolutely Fabulous auntie.

One of my fondest memories from when I was a child of my Auntie was when she took me on opening night to see the Swan Lake ballet. (I think I was 11) I had been dancing ballet for a couple of years and was loving it. Ballet was a wonderful outlet for me. I sat on the edge of my seat the entire night and held her hand. It was magical evening.

While I was growing up in Toronto and from the times I have visited almost every year after, Auntie C makes wonderful soup. There is never a kick to them, but there is a warmth of childhood every time I slurp at some of her soup from my spoon. Below is the recipe so you can share it with your loved ones. This is really easy dinner recipe on a budget.

Tomato Bisque Soup Recipe

INGREDIENTS:
½ cup butter/margarine
2 medium onions diced
¼ cup flour
1 28 oz tin of diced tomato
5 cups chicken broth
A Pinch celery seed
2 carrots sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
6 whole peppercorns
½ teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoon sweet vermouth (don’t fret if you don’t have it – you could throw a drop of sherry in)
Chopped parsley/dill

DIRECTIONS:
Over a medium saucepan heat and melt the butter, sautee onions in a separate cooking pan. Add the onions and add the flour to the large saucepan; stir in the tomatoes, the broth and the seasoning.

Simmer for approx 45 minutes. Serve Tomato Bisque Soup with a little chopped parsley or dill. This soup also freezes superbly!! I like to serve this soup with either a grilled cheese sandwich on the side (that recipe coming soon) or with some croutons.

I hope you enjoy this dinner recipe on a budget and can imagine Auntie C in her blue kitchen with her frog figurines, cooking for us. Leave me a comment and let me know what dish your Auntie made for you?