Christmas: The Aftermath

Hooray! You all survived the holidays! And so did I! Pictured above is the food I MADE. Yes, I cooked. Nope, no one died. #nailedit

The company I work for gave every employee a turkey for Christmas. Or a ham, but since I don't eat pork, the decision was easy...

For an expat, the holiday season is the toughest time of the year. Being away from family, best friends, and all the traditions is hard. I have shed a countless amount of tears during the past couple of days. Who am I fooling... WEEKS! Actually, I've just cried at Starbucks, cause I opened my mailbox and there was an e-mail from my uncle. I'm a crybaby lately.

Since my personal life is far from rainbows and unicorns right now (I'll be moving out in a few weeks), I felt extra lonely this year. Oh and have I mentioned my niece? She was born in July, and I haven't met her, smooched her, held her yet,... nothing. It breaks my heart.

Just like last year, me and my family used FaceTime to hang out on Christmas Eve. FYI: In Germany, the BIG Christmas day is Christmas eve. That's when Santa, or in our case: the Christkind, brings the gifts, the whole family gathers around the tree, and eats potato salad & hotdogs for dinner. Well, my family does. So no one has to spent a whole lot of time in the kitchen while everyone else celebrates.

Only one of my siblings' gifts made it to the USA on time, so here is what my sister and her son gave me for Christmas:

My MacBook might be just as happy as I am now!! Well, my sister asked what I want for Christmas, so... I love this pouch! I love the design, and that it comes with a little bag for the cord.
My nephew made me some (unintentionally PG-rated :oD) candles at his daycare. I died laughing when I unpacked the big one! He is such a sweetheart though. I miss him so much!

I got my other Christmas gift little early, 13 days early: Tickets for a NBA game in Houston.

If you follow my blog for a little, or read THIS or THIS post, you might know I'm a HUGE Los Angeles Lakers fan. Always been! Kobe is one heck of a player, so it was MUST for me to see him playing LIVE again before he retires by the end of the season.

I will share a recap of the trip to Houston, Galveston, and the game later this week!

What did Santa drop off for you this year??

  

Free Download: Christmas Gift Tags

Just in case you need some last minute gift-pimpin: I'm sharing some downloadable Christmas Gift Tags with you today. 
Click HERE or on the preview picture to download the high-res PDF, and print "fit to page" on Letter Format. 

Enjoy, and feel free to Pin and share!

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Cupcake Paper Angels DIY // Weekend Recap Feature

Thank you to EVERYONE who stopped by Monday! There were some great DIYs linked up. Please continue spreading the word about this awesome new weekly Linkup though - and if you would like to be my co-host, featuring this LinkUp on your blog, shoot me an e-mail: grapefruitprincess(at)web.de! 

I loved every single post, and again: it was a tough decision! My pick is a very cute DIY - just in time for some last minute Christmas (tree) decoration!

My pick for today's feature are the "Cupcake Paper Angels"

 

from Christianity Cove!

You probably noticed recently that cupcake papers are coming in vibrant colors and many patterns! 

Here’s a chance to make cute Paper Angels Christmas craft / ornaments out of them that are fun, inexpensive, and look absolutely darling on the Christmas tree!

 So come on, head over to Christianity Cove to see the DIY! 

Don't forget to leave a nice comment, and tell them Anni sent you!

Meet Christianity Cove:

Christianity Cove is the web’s #1 resource for Sunday School lesson ideas, crafts, games, activities and tips for teachers. With over 700 free Sunday School lesson articles on our blog, and 26 best-selling resources in our library of products, we’ve helped thousands of teachers around the world revitalize their Children’s Ministry programs and fill their classrooms with eager students.

Follow "Christianity Cove":

Facebook // Pinterest // Blog

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Please come back Monday and link up your Weekend related fun posts on my next
"Weekend Recap" Linkup for the chance to be featured on here!

 

It's a lie! Don't let them fool you!

One of my friends in Germany posted a picture on Facebook today, and everyone over there was like "What the heck is that?". And since I have received 3 of said items so far (thank you, all my "Dollar Tree"-shopping friends), I think it's about time to tell you guys something....

The Christmas Pickle is as German as the "German Chocolate Cake", the Pope, and the president of the United States of America!

"Weihnachts Gurke" by Christbaumschmuck der Firma Inge-Glas, Neustadt bei Coburg, Deutschland - Own work.
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Weihnachts_Gurke.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Weihnachts_Gurke.jpg

No one in Germany ever puts a pickle on their Christmas tree. Don't let those stupid PR people fool you. And if you have German friends, please don't give them a Christmas Pickle as a gift and expect them to be joyful and thankful. We don't know what that ish is... I dropped my 3 off at the Salvation Army the other day. I don't want a new one. Thank you.

And just in case you didn't figure: The German Chocolate Cake, the Pope, and Barack Obama are't German, either.

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Weekend Recap Feature: Simple Crochet Christmas Wreath Ornament @ Julie's Lifestyle

Thank you to EVERYONE who linked up Monday! There were a few blogs linked up, but please continue spreading the news about this awesome new weekly Linkup. Would you like to be a co-host? Just hit me up and leave a link to your blog in the comments! It will be fun working together and promoting the "Weekend Recap" together.

Again I loved every single post, and picking one post to feature today was a tough decision! This week's pick is a crochet DIY. It's pretty simple, so even beginners should be able to make it :)

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My pick for today's feature is the 

"Simple Crochet Christmas Wreath Ornament"

from Julie's Lifestyle!

Head over to Julie's blog to see the whole project! 

Don't forget to leave a nice comment, and tell her Anni sent you!

Meet Julie:

I am a wife and mother who loves cooking, crocheting, knitting, makeup, fashion, travel, and so much more.  I started this blog on November 8, 2012 by the urging of my teenage daughter.  My daughter also helped me get this blog started and I'm loving every minute of it.  I love meeting new blog friends and I hope you enjoy visiting because my blog has a little bit of everything.

Follow Julie's Lifestyle:

GFC // PINTEREST // GOOGLE+ // BLOGLOVIN  
 TWITTER // INSTAGRAM

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Please come back Monday and link up your Weekend related fun posts on my next
"Weekend Recap" Linkup for the chance to be featured on here!

  Check out my amazing sponsor:

Mason Jar Gift Bags Tutorial // Weekend Recap Feature: Yesterfood

Happy Friday!

Man. It's cold. SUPER COLD! Around 30 degrees in the ArkLaMiss right now is no joke! I even turned on the heater for the very first time in this house! No need to tell you how happy I was finding out it works. I see even worse temperatures mentioned from my fellow bloggers on Facebook and their blogs, so I will stop complaining now and pour myself another cup of coffee.

But now: Back to business!

Thank you to EVERYONE who linked up Monday! There were a few blogs linked up! Please continue spreading the news about this awesome new weekly Linkup though! I loved every single post, and again: it was a tough decision! My pick is a very cute DIY - just in time for all your Christmas crafts!
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My pick for today's feature is the "Mason Jar Gift Bags Tutorial" 

from Joy @ Yesterfood!

Head over to Joy's blog to see the whole tutorial and some gift-in-a-jar ideas! 

Don't forget to leave a nice comment, and tell her Anni sent you!

Meet Joy:

The timeless arts of cooking and sewing hold a special place in my heart. On Yesterfood, you'll see some of the family favorite recipes you may have grown up with, and some new ones, too. Approachable sewing projects will appear from time to time. A great mix of the old and new applies to recipes, sewing, and to life!

Follow Yesterfood

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Please come back Monday and link up your Weekend related fun posts on my next
"Weekend Recap" Linkup for the chance to be featured on here!

  Check out my amazing sponsor:

Festive Favorites Link-Up // Christmas-Anni's Answers

Ho Ho Ho!

Today I'm joining Jennifer and Amber for their Festive Favorites Linkup!
I hope you'll enjoy my answers and don't forget to join the fun!

Favorite Christmas song 
   "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree"!!!

Christmas song you can't stand 
   "Last Christmas" by Wham!

Favorite holiday movie
   "The Holiday", "Home Alone", "The Muppet Christmas Carol", and "Santa Clause"!

Real or artificial tree?
   For the last 4 or 5 years artificial, but as soon as we don't live on the 5th floor
   (nope, no elevator) anymore, I WANT A REAL ONE!!!

White or colored lights?
   White.

All matching ornaments or more random personal ornaments?
   Random and matching.

Favorite ornament
   6 Christmas Tree balls from back home!

Angel or star tree-topper?
   A tiny silver star.

Does Santa wrap presents or leave them unwrapped?
   Wrapped!

Favorite childhood memory
   Finding the "Stork" ornament on our Christmas tree!
   My parents always hid one in our Christmas tree when my mom was pregnant and
   that was the way to tell us kids :)! I saw it twice, cause I have 2 younger siblings. 

Coffee, hot chocolate, or eggnog?
   Coffee, hot chocolate, and eggnog. 

Christmas morning at home or do you travel?
   Christmas eve, since we are in Germany! We don't have to travel this year,
   because the whole family will be coming to Bavaria for the first time! Wooooohooooo!

Traditional holiday meal or something unconventional?
   Very traditional! "Kartoffelsalat und Würstchen" - means Potato Salad and Hot Dogs.
   Love it!

Personalized photo Christmas cards, store bought cards, e-cards,
   or "ain't nobody got time for that"?

   I started this tradition this year and posted a photo of our 2013 Christmas card

   yesterday! Check it our here: CLICK

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2013 Christmas Tree Giveaway // 2nd and 3rd Prize: Apple Gift Cards!

Christmas is around the corner and King of Christmas is here to spread the holiday cheer! Their artificial Christmas trees are known to be the best and most beautiful around - and after checking out their website, I definitely have to agree! So "King of Christmas" will be giving away one of their best trees among other great prizes.  Rules USA Residents Only Must be 18+ to Enter How to Enter Head HERE and enter the Rafflecopter form! Easy :o) Prize 1 – Cypress Spruce Christmas Tree ($279 Value!) The Cypress Spruce Christmas tree conjures images of an old-fashioned winter wonderland. Its weighty needles lend a majestic air to the room. It radiates holiday energy and summons the family to eat, drink, and be merry. Artificial 7 Feet Tall, 60 Inches Wide Pre-lit With LED Lights Prize 2 – $100 Apple Gift Card Apple designs and creates iPod and iTunes, Mac laptop and desktop computers, the OS X operating system, and the revolutionary iPhone and iPad. For Use at Apple.com or in Apple Stores Prize 3 – $50 Apple Gift Card Apple designs and creates iPod and iTunes, Mac laptop and desktop computers, the OS X operating system, and the revolutionary iPhone and iPad. For Use at Apple.com or in Apple Stores

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