Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Do you like quiche? What about cheese? Bacon? We do, too. You have to try this recipe. I made it for Christmas morning, and it was definitely holiday-worthy.

7 slices white bread (crusts removed and cubed)

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
6 eggs
3 cups whole milk, no substitutes
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

1-2 green onions, diced

In greased 11-inch by 7-inch by 2-inch baking dish, combine the bread cubes and cheese. In large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper; pour over bread and cheese. Top with bacon. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes or until knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Enjoy!

You can read the original recipe here!

Christmas Morning, v.2

Unwrapped presents, a cozy apartment, a glittering surprise from Josh, and a snowy street. Christmas was very merry, indeed.

Christmas Morning, v.1

We stayed in Chicago for the holidays this year. Although I missed spending time with family, I must say... Christmas at home with "just the two of us" was pretty wonderful.

I went a little overboard with Josh's stocking stuffers. The handle on the stocking even broke under the weight!

Midway through the morning, we noticed that it was snowing outside! Chicago's first real snowfall of the season came on Christmas Day. It made our morning together all the more cozy. 

Would you believe me if I told you that "White Christmas" by Andrea Bocelli was playing the moment we looked out the window?

Happiness and cheer

Five more days 'til Christmas!

Sugar cookie bakin'

Since we are not traveling home for the holidays this year, it is crucial that we have a stockpile of homemade Christmas cookies in our apartment! On Sunday afternoon, Josh and I embarked on our first-ever sugar cookie adventure.

It was my first time rolling out this dough (this trick worked beautifully), and we had fun cutting out the shapes!  

We used the recipe that my mom makes every year, the one that always turns out buttery-soft with a hint of almond. Even though I forgot to buy cream of tartar (whoops!), they still look and taste like the Christmas cookies I remember.

What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

Black Friday

When we visited NYC last year, we never made it to Central Park... or Shake Shack. On this trip, we took care of both. (Do you spy the camera strap? I was pretty impatient to take a bite of that amazing burger!) Fellow Chicagoans, rumor has it that we are getting a Shake Shack, too! Wouldn't that be nice?

Arielle Elise Photography: Christmas Giveaway!

This giveaway is too amazing to pass up!  Visit Arielle Elise Photography for more information!

Thanksgiving in Manhattan

This year, my family celebrated Thanksgiving differently than ever before. We had the opportunity to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from my sister's balcony, far above the crowded Manhattan streets.

It was magical.

Goodbye, Pikachu!