Santa Delivers

I'm lucky/spoiled enough to still receive great Christmas presents from my parents. I'm not quite sure how my mom and dad do it, but they always manage to not only get me things I love, but they do the same for my 4 siblings, and even our boyfriends and girlfriend! Anyway, this year they did it again and I'd like to share (brag about) some of my food related gifts because they're awesome.

One gift I knew was coming (I just happen to send my mother the Amazon link) was a Lodge 13" cast iron skillet. She even got me the brush to clean it and a pot holder for it - she thinks of everything. I can't wait to make some Steak au Poirve in it - and you can bet I'll post pictures after. My parents also knew enough to get me this great Crock-pot, which was perfect, especially since I was snowed in a day later! I was able to make a double batch of turkey chili (recipe to come soon) for Doug, myself and our friends who were also snowed in at our place. Also, the red color looks great in our kitchen, even though my new pot set has orange it. Oh, did I not mention my new pot set? Well, that was my gift from Doug and I love it! We had talked about getting this set almost 2 years ago and then decided we didn't need it, so it's something we can hold off on buying. I had no clue what to expect when it arrived in the mail, but I was pleasantly surprised! I've been cooking up a storm with it and the non-stick, hard anodized surface is fabulous. I would definitely recommend these pots, they clean so easy too!

As if all that stuff wasn't enough, my parents also got me some great new cookbooks and my brother got me a set of ramekins that I had been going crazy trying to find! And some new fun pans, like this one, also from my brother and this one, compliments of my cousin Danielle. My cousins Nicole & Rocky even got my Bakerella's book, Cake Pops and The Pasta Bible (I'm still reading it, there's a TON of info in there). My Aunt Connie got me this great cookie press, which I am anxiously awaiting an opporunity to use! I am so thankful for all of my wonderful gifts and for the people who gave them to me. Like I said, I'm lucky/spoiled :)

Here's one final gift that wasn't quite food related, but I love it and think it's so cute, the Pandora bracelet with a pocketbook & cupcake charm! I've been wearing it everyday since Christmas and I still think the bag & cupcake are the cutest!