my week in objects (mostly).

This week's post is different than most (and also belated) as I've been on the road due to the holidays! I'm spending some quality time with family in Washington, D.C. and it has been absolutely wonderful!

So here are five little things that made my week: 

1. this selfie. 

(because I love getting to hang with my cousin, Galla, who keeps me young.)

2. this displaced window.

Easy (and adorable) Christmas shortbread cookies

I haven't had much experience with baking (other than box baking) in my 22 years of life, but I've always been creative and interested in making little masterpieces that I can eat. Working in an office environment gave me the perfect excuse to make something simple but special (and most importantly, edible) holiday gift for the people that I work with.

When looking for a recipe to try, I turn first to Pinterest. I'm always interested in trying new things in my tiny apartment kitchen. I remembered that I had pinned a recipe for lavender shortbread cookies a while back, and decided to look for a way to make the recipe a bit more Christmas-y.

Cranberries were the key!

I decided to add in some dried cranberries to make my batch a bit more festive.

Conscious gift wrapping

I love giving gifts during the Christmas season... searching for and picking out a thoughtful gift for someone you love is a great time for reflection on what he or she means to you. It is also really great to see the look of excitement and gratitude on the receiver's face, especially when it affirms that you've found the perfect gift.

What I don't love about Christmas are the millions of pounds of trash that this season creates... think about it: People spend money on rolls upon rolls of silly, brightly colored wrapping paper, gift bags and tissue paper that are probably just going to be crumpled up and thrown out. I grew up re-using the bags and paper from the gifts that were given to me... but I've realized that the thought doesn't occur to everyone...

This holiday season, you have the chance to make conscious decisions about how you wrap your gifts for your loved ones... your choices could have effects on you, your loved ones, your bank account and the environment!

So here are some alternatives to your traditional gift-wrappings:

1. Don't wrap them!

You heard me. This works especially well when giving gifts to someone one-on-one, since you can just hold it behind your back or pull it out of your bag. In my opinion, not much is lost without wrapping, especially when gifting to adults.

2. Up-cycle

I've become a bit of a hoarder in the past few months... ask my roommate! She'll tell you that every brown paper grocery bag, paper packaging, or gift bag that either of us have brought home has been stashed under my bed, waiting to be resurrected this holiday season.

my week in objects (Christmas edition):

It is my first holiday season with my own apartment, and my roommate and I decided to throw our first Christmas party with a group of our friends. Of course, we waited until the last moment to decorate, and with our limited funds due to post grad life, we decided to hit up our favorite local thrift shop to see what we could find.

Though we did not buy a Christmas tree, we ended up finding everything we needed to give a festive touch to our quaint little apartment! This includes stockings, garland, a nativity scene and so much more. The best part of our trip was knowing that all the funds spent at our local thrift shop are used to benefit programs for community members in need. What a way to celebrate the season of giving!

We also visited our local orchard market for fresh produce and apple cider. Our party featured holiday attire, a unique Christmas playlist by one of our enthusiastic friends, yankee swap, catching up, and lots of laughter. A great time was had by all!

So here are five little festive things that made my week:

 1. this decorative pine-cone.

(because we have this in our doorway instead of mistletoe, and I prefer it anyway.)

2. these Christmas mugs.

(because what is cuter than having matching roommate mugs to drink your morning latte in?)

my week in objects (mostly):

five little things that made my week

1. this festive vest.

(for filling my "holiday attire" requirement at Christmas parties.)

2. this save the date from a gorgeous couple.

11 local options for the holidays

We have now entered into the season of giving: the time to show gratitude and love for the special people in our lives through sincere, thought-out gifts. But have you taken into account the impact that your purchases make on the world around you?

Anna Lappe, an author and sustainability advocate, has some food for thought on the matter:
“Every time you spend money, you are casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”

So instead of taking to department stores and big businesses for Christmas gifts, why not invest in your own community this holiday season?

Several studies have shown that there are many different benefits from shopping at local companies, rather than nationally owned businesses. To start, more money from your purchases will remain in the community, which will benefit local owners, service providers, and farmers. Investing in the community through your purchases puts your tax dollars to good use, creates more local jobs, and reduces environmental impact. Chances are, you will be able to find unique and higher quality goods from local and artisanal producers than at any store in the mall.

Here are eleven locally owned and operated options for holiday gifts for everyone on your Christmas list:

1. Zoe’s Chocolate Company -

This local, award-winning chocolate shop sells boxes, individual treats, and seasonal favorites. There are also unique, Mediterranean-inspired flavors that will excite your favorite chocoholic, including Aegean pistachio, baklava, and orange flower. Zoe’s has two locations, one in Frederick and the other in Waynesboro.

The Venezuelan Hallaca Process

     Something that has greatly impacted my life is my Venezuelan heritage. I have been incredibly lucky to grow up in a multi-cultural atmosphere and be able to take part in my culture. My father was born and raised in the US, just like me, and my mother is from Venezuela. She was able to come to the US to teach at university and she still teaches there today. 

     My family and I used to visit Venezuela during the holidays every year and we would stay with relatives to celebrate Christmas and New Years. Although we have not been able to go back for the past few years, we have kept the holiday traditions alive in the US. 

     I was able to spend Christmas in Washington DC with family, and we decided to make traditional Venezuelan Hallacas, which is the common holiday meal. 

                                       

     Hallacas originated from the indigenous population in Venezuela, since they were given the scraps of meat from the tables of the Europeans. They would use cornmeal dough to supplement the meat and wrap the hallacas in banana leaves to cook them. 

     Like the Venezuelans that came before us, we wrap our hallacas in banana leaves, which can be found at Latin or Asian markets. We cut the leaves into smaller pieces and save the tiny scraps just in case we need more. 

                                       

     We use Achiote to dye the cornmeal dough, or masa. When the dried cornmeal comes out of the bag, it is white, but it becomes a corn-yellow color after the achiote is mixed in. This seed also gives the dough some flavor. 

     When the masa is the proper consistency, it must be rolled into balls, placed on an oiled banana leaf (we used the leftover achiote oil) and flattened. Next, the spiced and cooked meat mixture goes in the middle, as well as some onion, pepper, olives, and raisins. 

                           

     The hallacas are then folded up in the banana leaves. They are tied with string so that they do not fall apart. 

     They are then cooked for about an hour, as seen above. 

                                           

     When they come out, they look like the photo above. My family and I made a little less than 100 hallacas this year and we ate them between Christmas and New Years. To accompany the traditional Venezuelan holiday meal, we ate ensalada de gallina and pan de jamon.
     I had a really great holiday with my family, and I hope you did as well!
     What kinds of meals do you cook for the holidays?