Let it SNOW, let it snow...ok, enough already!

It has been a record-breaking winter for snow across the country, and even the world (as noted by my friends in Amsterdam who are also "clog-deep" in snow. lol) Living on the East Coast has it's benefits...but freezing cold winters with weekly snowstorms is definitely NOT one of them! For many folks, a big snowstorm means a Winter Wonderland of skiing, sledding, snowshoeing and ice skating... for others, the best thing to do is stay warm, stay indoors and stay out of harm's way! At moment, we would be the latter, keeping warm by snuggling indoors, seeing as our little one is only 4 months old! So here is my list of all the FUN things you can do INDOORS! (I love this funny pic my co-worker sent...she called it: "Tomorrow's commute" lol)


Enjoy copious amounts of red wine! Especially if you aren't driving. :) For some nice bargain wines, we have been buying Mark West, Bogle and Fat Bastard (purely for the name, but the taste is pretty good too) Serve with some nice artisinal cheeses, sopressata salami & rosemary crackers. Whenever possible, we love to splurge on the good stuff from Whole Foods.


Cook up some easy & hearty one pot/pan recipes. Some of my favorites are Turkey Chili, Spinach Lasagne, Minestrone Soup or Chicken Pot Pie. I'll add links to my recipes soon. I'm more of an improvisational chef, so it'll take me a little time to remember how I make these dishes and how much salt/pepper or hot sauce to add. In the meantime, visit Food Network or Epicurious, my go-to sites for recipes!

 

Rent lots of movies!  These days you have Netflix, $4.99 from OnDemand (with very limited choices) or my new fave thing, $1 rentals from Red Box at Stop & Shop/your local grocery store!  I've found the same movies available at Red Box as I have on our OnDemand cable. So, seeing as we are renting so often, i'm thrilled to save the $4. Romantic comedies, 80s flicks, foreign & independent films are my faves. Most recent rentals were Dinner for Schmucks (very funny actually), Hot Tub Time Machine (surprisingly hilarious! and I love the title!), The Kids are Allright (Oscar-nominated, amazing film about 2 kids born to a lesbian couple who go looking for their biological Dad in Los Angeles - great soundtrack too), and An Education (last year's Oscar nominated film, and based on a true story about a young English girl seduced by older man with dubious intentions). Looking forward to seeing more of this year's Oscar-nominated films including The Social Network, Blue Valentine and The King's Speech when they come out on video. Black Swan was amazing! I was able to sneak out to a showing with my mom & Emily for "Box Office Babies" at the Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline! 

Watch your favorite series or "guilty pleasure" reality shows on DVR. I have to admit, I'm addicted to far too many reality shows...but I know I am not alone out there! My faves are The Real Housewives series...especially The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Camille is an evil be-atch and gets what she deserves! Kyle is a Mean Girl and her hair is too long! Kim is bonkers! Taylor needs to STOP the injectables & divorce that wet towel of a husband! Jiggy the Pom is a pimp! Cedric is the world's oldest - and luckiest houseguest, and another pimp!).  The Real Housewives of Atlanta (i love it when Kim & NeNe fight! Phaedra is such a contradiction it's hilarious...and her baby is just so cute, Lawrence is the real queen of the show, and Cynthia needs to realize her catwalking days are over!). Top Chef All Stars (because I love a good cooking show with drama & bitch-slapping...I hope Richard, Carla or Mike win, I am pumped the evil Marcel was voted off). Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys on Sundance (yes, it's amazing! My fave "BFF couple" is Elisa & David). And, any number of random cooking or DIY shows, ridiculous dating-based competition shows (like The Bachelor...which totally sucks this year BTW) or Bridalplasty...plastic surgery right BEFORE your wedding, seriously?), heck, I even DVR Oprah and Ellen sometimes. Believe me, my DVR is well-stocked with hours of "reality."  And, NO. I don't watch Jersey Shore. It makes my skin crawl! (Although I hear next season is based in Italy, so I think I may have to tune in!) Good thing my reality is so much more real. :) What shows are you tuning into?


Play board games! We love Backgammon, Scrabble, Uno, Rummikube & Othello. My family is extremely competitive...it's hilarioius! And, we even have the occasional cheaters...uhmmm, "zilch," is NOT an acceptabel word, Dad! and no, you can't use formal names like John or Susie, sis! :) Get them now at ToysRus.com! What are your fave games?


Have a dance party while cleaning! There is nothing I love more then listening to all of our favorite cds and chillin' out. And if the mood is right, I'll get up and dance! It's great to blast the tunes while cooking...and gasp! cleaning. So, instead of dreading your cleaning day, crank up the stereo or your iTunes and dance! My favorites are anything by Thievery Corporation, any of my French/Paris mixed cds such as "Paris Magnifique," Katy Perry (I love "Baby, You're a Firework"), Adele's new album or any of Andrew's fabulous rock collection such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones or Bob Dylan. Get them now on itunes or Amazon.com!

Read a book! honestly, I used to be the worst reader in the world...then i realized I was just reading boring books! My family loves to read, so we have a library of books that would rival Amazon.com! Andrew recently read The Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards' tell-all autobiography and loved it. Now now he's onto James Cramer's latest financial best-seller, and i'm reading the follow-up to "Chocolat" called "The Woman with No Shadow" and it's amazing! Any book set in Paris is right up my alley. Other favorite exotic location-based books included, "Le Divorce," "A Widow for One Year," "Under the Tuscan Sun," and "Eat Pray Love." What are your faves? :)

Snuggle up with your honey bunny. Do I really need to elaborate here? Put on a fire or light a candle, put on your favorite CD (Barry White, Paris Magnifique or Depeche Mode?), pour the wine...and Just do it!  :)

xo
Mel, your CityGirl