Last Sunday little sis, her bf, my bf, and I had a great afternoon finding Christmasy things to do around the city. We started out with brunch at Jones, a retro inspired Stephen Starr restaurant just a block off Washington Square Park. Sorry no pics of our meals, but we all greatly enjoyed our hearty comfort food. After we stuffed ourselves full of tator tots, we walked on Market Street to the Christmas Village at City Hall.
Christmas Village was a lot bigger than I expected it to be. There were many, many vendors, wrapped around the outside of City Hall. It included mostly international crafty items so Christmas gifts were not going to be found here. Nothing seemed to catch our eye but its was a very busy, festive place to be on a Sunday in December.
Just before three o'clock we crossed the street to get to Macy's Light Show. This has been a tradition in Philadelphia since 1956, when Macy's was John Wanamaker's. Families filled the shoe department on the first floor to watch this fifteen minute show. Its probably more fun with children in tow but a Christmas show is enjoyable for kids of all ages.
My day dates
Our day ended with a little shopping and some dessert at Naked Chocolate on Walnut Street. As we sipped our hot chocolate, smoothie, and frozen hot chocolate, bf and I enjoyed hearing the story of how little sis and her bf met and fell in like ;) Again, sorry no pictures...I don't know where my head was this day. Can you believe that after all this, we didn't even run into Santa??
Yesterday, bf cut school and we had a Christmas movie day. We (smile) chose to spend the day hanging out in pajams, watching movies, eating lots of good food, and vowed not to leave my apartment once. It all started with some Love Actually and great conversation. On a normal day, the idea of not leaving my apartment would make me want to scream, but on this day it was exactly what I was looking for. A reason to slow down and relax. I got some Christmas cards written and some Christmas cookies made, all while enjoying the snow with a new favorite person. Two days earlier we decided that it would only be fitting if it snowed on our Christmas movie day. And around noon, our world started to get covered in a beautiful white coating. Seriously? Yes, seriously it snowed...
Don't mind the bright blue house behind me, somehow I've gotten used to it.
I spent some time in the kitchen and bf was super impressed with my culinary skills (everything was very easy shhh). Our favorite treat was the Faux Toffee I made. This is my favorite Christmas "cookie" and one of my Mom's recipes. I've been asked to start sharing recipes so here it is!
Faux Toffee
Whole graham crackers
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
8 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
4 oz. milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Line a jelly roll pan with aluminum foil. Place whole graham crackers side by side in a single layer. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter, stir in the brown sugar. Boil gently for one minute. Pour evenly over the graham crackers. Bake 6 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. Sprinkle immediately with the chocolate chips. Gently spread for an even layer of chocolate. Sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate for one hour to set. Break into irregular pieces and store in a sealed container in a cool place.
See? Super easy and delicious! Thanks Mama!
Later on we broke down and bundled up to grab some groceries around the corner and a last minute bottle of wine to enjoy with dinner. We finished the night by cranking up the fireplace and watching Just Friends. If you can believe it he had never seen this movie and thanks to me, laughed his a** off. A Christmas themed comedy with some ice skating, Christmas music and decorations, and a little love story thrown in...perfect. Oh - and Ryan Reynolds!
Luckily I found a bf that doesn't mind posing for blog pictures (at least so far). My apartment was so unbelievably cozy that night, I am officially in love with everything about Philly...
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