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Category: Holidays

Need Ideas or just random thoughts on a Holiday, check out my Holiday section

  • Happy Turkey Day…

    Happy Turkey Day…

    Today not only do I celebrate Thanksgiving but it is also my anniversary. Today is a day to give thanks to many things, what do you give thanks for?

    I give thanks for:

    My family
    My boyfriend (who I love)
    My friends
    My job
    The roof over my head
    The food we eat
    I give thanks to god for keeping me strong and keeping me sane when we think things are at our worst.

    Remember life isn’t easy for anyone, even those who look like they have everything they don’t. Look at the famous people who look like they have it all but can’t keep a marriage, look at some people who might have it all but loose it to the addiction of drugs, or the people who are strong but have lost love ones. Everyone goes through hard times, and no one person is perfect. Today I give thanks for the many blessings we do have in our lives. Today I give thanks to you (for supporting soapnights & keeping it going). Today I give thanks…

    ps Happy Anniversary baby, may more years follow the happiness and the journey we have together. i love you.

    xo,
    kristin nicole

    Happy Turkey Day~

  • Fathers Day Ideas 2010

    Fathers Day is around the corner, do you have anything planned to do with your Dad on Father’s Day? Any gift ideas? If you have any good ideas please share with us….

    What to do…

    This year I’m going to celebrate Father’s Day on Saturday 06/19/10 because my parents are leaving to Sarasota for a week with my brother, his wife and kids. I am not going because I had a planned trip to Louisiana the following week. So on Saturday our plan is to go somewhere and eat something my dad as always loved… BREAKFAST! We will have breakfast, I’ll give him his gift and off they will go to there nice ONE WEEK Vacation on the beach. (Oh life is good). On Father’s Day we will still be spending it with my boyfriends Dad. We aren’t sure yet what we will be doing. I will either cook something at the house, or perhaps they will drive up to where we are to go out to dinner. Thoughts are still in the air. Any good restaurants in Pembroke Pines, FL that you know of, please let me know.

    Gift Ideas:

    So gifts for a dad are always hard, it’s always the same thing. Shirts, Clothes, Watch, DVD, I mean what else can you get your dad??? Depends on the dad I guess, but sometimes it is so hard to get a gift. Lately I have resorted in GIFT CARDS. Okay, okay I know they aren’t personal but they do the job and they can pick out their own gift, something they are sure to like and use. What are you getting your dad this year for Father’s Day?

    xo,
    kristin nicole

  • Memorial Weekend 2010


    Memorial Weekend 2010

    Memorial Day: Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War), it was expanded after World War I.

    Any Plans?!?

    Any plans set up for Memorial weekend? Any good ideas you want to share? Let me know, recipes and more, I would love to see them and share them with others.

    In Miami people usually head to the beach, BBQ, eat and drink, which is pretty much any other weekend in MIAMI 🙂

    My plans:

    We have two parties to attend actually. My cousins boyfriends house in Ft. Lauderdale, with a pool, catered food, and drinks, what more can you ask for. That will start around 12pm and around 4pm we will be heading out to our friends house in Cutler Bay, where we will then continue to party in the pool, eat and drink some more, may not sound like all crazy fun to you, but you do not know the people we hang out with. I can not wait!!

    Some people make a whole trip out of it, maybe perhaps to go up to the Keys for the whole weekend, or somewhere else to have some fun. This year, I’m staying in….except for Sunday of course, which is when we are celebrating Memorial Day.

    Tell me all about your plans I would love to hear them!!!

    MEMORIAL DAY – some people do not really realize what it meant, which I left a small description in the beginning. I found this poem that I would love to share with you all.

    Memorial Day

    As we stand here looking
    At the flags upon these graves
    Know these flags represent
    A few of the true American brave

    They fought for their Country
    As man has through all of time
    Except that these soldiers lying here
    Fought for your country and mine

    As we all are gathered here
    To pay them our respect
    Let’s pass this word to others
    It’s what they would expect

    I’m sure that they would do it
    If it were me or you
    To show we did not die in vein
    But for the red, white and blue.

    Let’s pass on to our children
    And to those who never knew
    What these soldiers died for
    It’s the least we can do

    Let’s not forget their families
    Great pain they had to bear
    Losing a son, father or husband
    They need to know we still care

    No matter which war was fought
    On the day that they died
    I stand here looking at these flags
    Filled with American pride.

    So as the bugler plays out Taps
    With its sweet and eerie sound
    Pray for these soldiers lying here
    In this sacred, hallowed ground.

    Take home with you a sense of pride
    You were here Memorial Day.
    Celebrating the way Americans should
    On this solemnest of days.

    –© 1999 by Michelle Keim,
    Commander of Royersford VFW Post 6341 in PA.–

    You can see the poem Here

    xo,
    kristin nicole

  • Valentine’s Plans & More…

    Valentine’s Day

    Another Valentine’s is here, yes a year as passed by and now we are getting close to the day we all celebrate our love for one another. What are your plans for Valentine weekend?

    My Plans

    This year my boyfriend and I decided to go to Orlando, we did this for our first Valentine’s trip together and we thought it would be fun to do again. The last time we did this it was freezing that weekend and it seems that this weekend will be pretty cold up there again. I’m looking forward to it, it beats being all sweaty, standing in lines at the Parks. Other then going up to Orlando we don’t really have anything planned, just take each day as it comes and plan from there. Sometimes not planning and just going with the flow is the best part.

    Romantic Ideas:

    Any romantic ideas? This year Valentines is on a Sunday and if you have to work the next day like me you can always celebrate your Valentine on Saturday night instead of Sunday. However, I know most people do have Monday off, and that works out perfectly for those celebrating Valentines on Sunday. You can do a picnic in the park, or a walk on the beach, the weather is going to be perfect this weekend if you live in Miami. If you don’t live in Miami and it’s cold, snuggle up by a fire place, have some drinks, with dessert and light some candles all around the room, I’m sure that will set the mood. Dinner is always the number one thing people do, you can either go out to dinner, or make dinner at the house. Valentines isn’t the only time we have to be romantic but for some reason that’s the day everyone usually goes all out. So if you have any ideas you want to share PLEASE let us know.


    Dedicate a song:

    My boyfriend brought to my attention a new singer by the name of Kina Grannis, she is very good and was “discovered” cause she wrote a song about Digg (the website) and put it on youtube, she was signed to a label but then dropped for some reason, she now is getting ready to release her new independent album. (I just got this information from a comment that Kina was signed to Interscope Records but decided to part ways with them because they had a different vision for her music then she had in mind.–Thanks for the info). Take a look at her song called “VALENTINE”:

    or you can check out her website at KinaGrannis.com . Kina’s song is written for Valentines Day, stating ‘will you be my Valentine’? It’s a great song and I think many of you will enjoy it. You can also download her new single on the link above.

    Happy Valentines!

    xo,
    kristin nicole

  • Brrr it’s cold in Miami…

    Brr it’s cold outside….

    Wow I can’t believe we actually had a cold weekend and another cold week ahead of us. And I don’t mean 60 degrees cold, I mean it was 44 degrees this morning and going strong (This is cold to us Miamians). Reminded me a bit of when I had to go to work in California, waking up not wanting to get out of that warm bed, sitting on a cold toilet (girls you know what I mean) and getting in that car hoping the heater heats up just a little faster because I’m sitting on one hand trying to drive with the other frozen hand. Not east people, not easy!

    Not complaining – Back to work

    However, I’m not really complaining, pass me some gloves next time and I’ll be ready to go. Today is the first day back to work after the New Year, and I have to admit, it wasn’t easy waking up in the morning, as I’m sure it wasn’t for many, especially because of the cold. But I got off my tush and worked my way to the bathroom to get ready for a work day. WORK….Oh how I dislike that name, but I think School scares me more. Another semester coming up starting classes tomorrow. Thankfully I am taking all on line classes this semester but I will have to see my tutor for Statistics. (Uhhh that word scares me).

    New Years resolutions

    I’m not going to go down the list that I’ll probably break before the month ends but I am working on eating healthier and exercising. I didn’t have much time last semester but this semester should be a bit easier to make some time for some of those crunches. Back to the gym or working out at home on the bike or pilates. Either way, I have to start getting back into the groove. What are your New Years resolutions? Did you break any already?

    Happy New Year all, may this year be filled with health, wealth, love, happiness and lots of se…..well you know 😉

    xo,
    kristin nicole

  • Christmas Wish…

    What’s your Christmas wish this year?

    Christmas is around the corner, and with each passing day we only get closer to the most beautiful Holiday around. Christmas! This year though, it seems like people don’t have the Christmas spirit, some aren’t decorating like they used to, the malls aren’t as packed and the weather, well if you live in Miami, you can go to the beach. Enough said! In other places around the world they do have their white Christmas, but is it just as festive this year as the past?

    What did you ask Santa?

    This year I haven’t really asked for anything specific, I honestly just want to be with the ones I love, lots of food, lights and a tree along with some music. Every year passes and we don’t realize that we get older, each year is another blessing. This year however, many people aren’t so grateful, a lot don’t have jobs, some for almost a year maybe even more, some people are just plain old scrooges. And like every year, there are children who’s parents can’t afford gifts, their sick children and the poor, and some of us give back by helping out at charities or donating presents to places like Toys For Tots, or donating money.
    Donate today to any of the following:

    toysfortots.org
    secretsanta.org
    stjude.org
    militaryworkingdogs.com
    makeawishfoundation.com

    What is your favorite place to donate to during the holiday season? Please let us know so I can share with others and help spread the joy to the less unfortunate.

    Happy Holidays!

    xo,
    kristin nicole

  • Thanksgiving Recipe’s & Ideas for 2009

    Another year is close to an end and we are only 3 days away from Thanksgiving 2009.

    Everyone has their own traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I want to know what you do for Thanksgiving?

    My family each bring a plate and someone in the family hosts the Thanksgiving dinner at their house, this person cooks the Turkey. This year my mom is taking the day off and we are doing Thanksgiving at my cousins house. So this year I was told to bring a green-bean casserole, wine and a fruit platter. TOLD? Yes TOLD, I didn’t get to choose, I left early when they decided this and so I was told to bring these things. Mind you, I like cooking but I don’t really eat green-bean casserole and I’ve never made it. So…. Wine, Check. Fruit platter, Check. Green-bean Casserole….hmmmm, my sister in law was so kind not to only give me coupons but a nice recipe to go with it. I hope it comes out good, does anyone have any other recipes they would like to share other then the Campbell Recipe? Well if you are interested here is the recipe:



    Ingredients:
    – 2 cabs (10 3/4 oz each) Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Sup (regular or 98% Fat Free or Healthy Request)
    – 1 cup milk
    – 2 tsp. soy sauce
    – 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
    – 8 cups cooked cut green beans
    – 1 can (6oz) French’s French Fried Onions (2 2/3 cups)

    Directions:
    1. Stir soup, milk, soy suace, black pepper, beans and 1 1/3 cups onion in 3-qt casserole.
    2. Bake at 350F for 25 min. or unit hot. Stir
    3. Top with remaining onions, Bake for 5 min. more

    And there you go, Green-bean casserole. Not that hard huh?!?

    Every year my brother, sister in law and group of friends do a Friends Thanksgiving the Friday after Thanksgiving. So this year I chose to bring a Baked Mashed Potato with Parmesan Cheese and Bread Crumbs, Thanks to Giada De Laurentiis (Everyday Italian from the Foodnetwork channel).

    Ingredients:
    – 1 tablespoon butter
    – 4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
    – 1 cup whole milk
    – 1/2 cups grated mozzerella
    – 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
    – Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    – 2 tablespoons plain dry bread crumbs

    Directions:
    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of butter and set aside.

    Cook the potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water until they are very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain; return the potatoes to the same pot and mash well. Mix in the milk and melted butter. Mix i the mozzarella and 3/4 cup of Parmesan. Season, to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer the potatoes to the prepared baking dish. Stir the bread crumbs and remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the mashed potatoes. Recipe can be prepared up to this point 6 hours ahead of time; cover and chill.

    Bake, uncovered, until the topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes.

    Of course I will let you know how each dish comes out. Wish me luck.

    Other ideas are to decorate with pumpkins and turkeys. Colors are fall, so bring out the oranges, and browns. If you have small kids, cupcakes are always fun to make with the kids and you can use orange dye for the frosting.

    Have a wonderful Holiday and Please share your recipe’s and ideas with me.

    xo,
    kristin nicole

  • Key West – Labor Day weekend

    Key West is always fun when you go with a group of people you know are going to just lay back and have fun.

    Saturday:

    We went with a group of 8 people, and close friends and family and as usual we had a blast. We headed out early Saturday morning, first things first, the car wouldn’t start. But don’t fear….we have men and they will handle the issue. Run and get a battery, replace battery, 10 minutes later, we are off to the Keys. We wanted to have breakfast at Crackle Barrel but since we were off schedule and by that time the place was packed we went to the next best thing….McDonalds. 😉 LOL

    Oh no not the Rain…

    Rain, rain go away come again another day, we are going to the Keys and we need to party, we can’t have this rain ruining our weekend!!! We got to the Keys and the guys unpacked while the girls went to Publix to pick up food, on the way we picked up Battle with the Sexes just in case we got rained in, but I was pretty positive that it would turn out to be a great weekend. Sure enough we got back and it wasn’t raining anymore, so we started our night of drinking and had a dip in the pool. Got out a bit early and I made my pasta that I always love to make. We ate and got ready for a night out in the Keys.

    Night time fun!

    We headed out to Irish Kevin’s Bar. The place isn’t that big but we managed to get a small table with stools, the place was cool inside and if you are from Miami you know it’s heaven to find a place that is actually cool inside. We ordered drinks and the guy on stage was singing with his guitar, the place was one of those bars where you sing a long to certain words with the singer and it was GREAT! We had so much fun, we wanted to try other bars so we headed to where they have the Bull- ride….my friend tried it but fell off, it was too funny. Oh did I mention that at Kevin’s one of my friends tried the chugging beer contest and his wife went on stage to sing….well that was fun! We went to a few places, someone broke a sandal, I found him a pair in five minutes, paid and headed off to the next bar.

    Sunday Sun

    We headed out to the pool after breakfast, and what did I say in the beginning? It was a beautiful day! We were out there for hours, laughing, drinking and just having fun and meeting new people. Later we got ready and headed out for dinner. The place was not impressive and we got stuck waiting for the bill for a while. We later headed back to Kevin’s Irish Bar since we had so much fun the night before. It started off slow, and the drinks were weak, the guy singing was good but all he could sing was country, which isn’t bad but a song that’s not country , not sooo good. Luckily he finished shortly after and the the guy who came on stage next was from a band at another bar we saw the night before. Him and the guy he was with was great. Again, the drinks came and again we sang along and again we had another GREAT night! We headed back to the hotel, and baked cookies with ice cream, what better way to end a night then that?!?

    Monday Morning ~ Labor Day

    We got up, and we headed back home. We played Battle of the Sexes in the car, did I mention how hard that game was and did I mention we laughed practically all the way home. Isn’t it great to have people in your life that you just get a long with, that you have so much fun with and that you love so much.

    To another great Birthday long weekend to my boyfriend Tony, oh I didn’t mention that, oh yea, this was part II of his birthday, Lucky guy!!!! To many birthday’s, to many more Key West trips with my brother and sister in-law and Friends….To the next time!

    xo,
    kristin nicole

  • 4th of July Weekend 2009

    This weekend was a long weekend for me. Our office closed since July 4th was on a Saturday this year.

    Friday July 3, 2009

    Friday I got up early, cleaned the house, did some laundry, and started dinner for my parents who were coming back from their vacation in Sanibell. They got home around 1pm and we hung out for a bit and later went into the pool. The pool was so relaxing, the day started off with rain but later became a beautiful day. We later had dinner and got ready to go to the HardRock Cafe in Hollywood to meet up with some friends of ours. We went to the Improv to see Todd Glass. He was funny, but not has funny as I thought he would be. His opening act was a man by the name David, I can’t remember his last name and I wish I did because he was really funny.

    After the improv we decided to go get some drinks. We started off at this Piano Bar. Okay you have to believe me when I say this was funnier then the improv. There was some women dancing on the stage which was just hilarious. Then they called up 4 men to dance on stage with that song that Will Smith dances to in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. You can see the video HERE

    I love this video, it’s too funny, so you can imagine these guys dancing to this song right in front of you. It was so funny, I wish I would have filmed it. 🙂 We later sat outside Tatu for some drinks. We enjoyed talking and the music that came from the bar across from us. Friday night ended nice.

    Saturday July 4th

    Saturday was a lazy day. We didn’t want to do anything. My boyfriend worked most of the morning and I later decided to go in the pool. We enjoyed the pool and started BBQ’ing.
    The food came out Delish!!! We later got ready and decided to go to the movies instead of finding a place where there were fireworks. So we went at 9pm to see the movie Public Enemy with Johnny Dept. You can see the trailer HERE True story and a great movie, Johnny Dept did an incredible job in this movie.

    Sunday July 5, 2009

    Sunday was a lounging day, I did a little homework and then packed our stuff and headed to my boyfriends house. We got stuck in traffic for about an hour due to an accident but once we got home we relaxed and watched tv. Later caught Ice Age Part I on Fx. I was excited to see it because I had only seen Part II. Which later came on after Part I was finished. I really want to see the 3rd one that is just coming out, looks really funny.

    So sunday was over with a flash and here we are, starting Monday all over again. Hoping this week goes fast….

    XO,
    Kristin Nicole

  • July 4th weekend…Any Plans?!?

    Any Plans this week for July 4th?

    I don’t really have any set plans but I know a lot of people go to the beach or Bayside or Parks to see the Firework displays. I’ve never really been one to want to sit and watch the Fireworks though. Maybe this year that will change though. We’ll see….

    Events in Miami:

    Bayfront Park
    Miami Beach
    Hollywood Beach
    Picnic at a Park
    Key Biscayne 50th Anniversary parade.

    Click on this LINK HERE to find out more ideas on what to do July 4th in Miami.

    Last year I didn’t have a good experience. We went up to Naples to enjoy a mini vacation and on July 4th we were getting ready to go to dinner when from the side BAMB!!!!! My brand new car only 2 months old was hit on the drivers side. Luckily no one was hurt and we were fine, but my car wasn’t. I cried and felt horrible the rest of the vacation time. So this year, I’m a little hesitant to go anywhere. A little scared…..

    So just be careful when you are driving out there, because there are idiots on the street.

    What do you do on July 4th???

    Where do you live? What do you normally do July 4th weekend?

    Love to hear feedback….

    XO,
    Kristin Nicole