January 2, 2018 - First Day Back After Holidays

Tanya's Daily Scoop
​NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 1 DAY

Holiday Hangover

Folks, I don't know how you spent your New Years Day, but as I mentioned yesterday - mine was spent in the kitchen.

​Hours and hours and hours in the kitchen.

The day began with us plopped in front of the TV  watching the Rose Parade (and then leaving it on in the background to rerun over and over again).
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Did you know: that we went to the Rose Parade in 2016 & 2017?

2016 at the Pasadena Rose Parade (c)travelincousins.com

2017 at the Pasadena Rose Parade - the kids didn't want to come (c)travelincousins.com

Then it was time for breakfast.
Which at first I thought I was only cooking for the four of us (Dave B, Dominic and Cosette), but soon came to realize that my mom wanted in on it, Dave C. asked for some, Mika was also hungry, Brigitte didn't want to be rude and ask, and Chaplin saw something to her liking! Of course I fed them all!!

So it turned out to be a family affair!

And no sooner had I finished eating was I back in the kitchen to continue working...

Luckily I had already started on the Meringues that my Great Grandmother always use to make us around the holidays and that were always a favorite!

Last year, we were beyond stoked and thrilled that I figured out how to make these vegan!!!

I had also started on another family favorite - Rainbow Cookies. Nom nom nom

And since we were out of freshly baked Chocolate Chip cookies, I figured that I might as well add a batch to the baking list while I was at it!

Ahhh the baking/cooking list:

• Mama's Meringues
• Rainbow Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• *Finishing the Peppermint Patties
• Zeppoles
• Casadetas 
• Sauce
• Gnocchis to feed an army
• Garlic Bread
• Sauteed Chard

By nightfall everyone was well fed and stuffed. My job was complete. Whew!

​And yes the rest of the gang thought that I was CRAZY to do all of this work. 

Today I'll be back at the mall, helping out with a few returns/exchanges.

And then getting ready for my trip.     Lots to do and I might add that I am dealing with a couple of issues that might cause me the need to adjust the trip.   We shall see.

But for now I will bid you adieu,
​-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
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Back to reality

Well, can I tell you how great it is to be back and blogging!!! 

I feel like I've been without my family for so long and sharing all that's been going on.  
Of course, a great deal of it over the past year has been filled with nonsense that I wouldn't want to share with you.

But, now it's a brand new year!  I'm ready for a brand new start and I'm back with an all new feature every Monday, as I mentioned yesterday in my New Year's Day blog.

The first of these "Elisa's Long Island and Travelin' 25" will be published next Monday, January 8th. 

I am so excited to be bringing you the first of many to come of my Long Island Town Spotlights.  The first of these towns in the spotlight will be Garden City in Nassau County.  I really hope you enjoy it!

Here's a little preview of the rest of the month:

January 15: 24 Museums in Queens 

January 22: 25 Things to do on Long Island in the Winter 

January 29:  29 Performing Arts Centers in Queens and Long Island 

I'll be heading out next week to visit the Queens Museum, which will be highlighted within the article for January 15th!

This week is all about getting the kiddies back to school and settling into the daily routine.

Here is Gianna & Punkin on New Year's Eve.  

We spent a quiet evening at home - really quiet lol!  Ashamed to say, we were tucked in bed by one minute after midnight!

Have a fabulous day!! And stay warm if you are on Long Island - it's brutally cold outside!!

-E
xoxo