Fun Friday Favorites: Board games, perfume, and Oreo Balls

It’s been blustery cold here.  Between all of the late starts, early dismissals, and “Snow Day”/no school…it’s hard for me to get back into ANY sort of routine.  I’m not complaining.  I’m just validating why I haven’t been consistent on ANYTHING, except for wearing lounge wear or pajamas.  And catching up on some of my favorite bloggers.  And having my fair share of yummy Oreo Balls each night as an evening snack.

But on to Fun Friday Favorites.  Today’s post is going to be a cinch.  I’m sharing with you some things we received for Christmas (that didn’t get taken back), a cozy blanket that you’ll want to run to Target and get, and a DELICIOUS recipe…Oreo Balls.

 

1.  The board game Monopoly *Empire edition –

Such a fun game!

Such a fun game!

 

I realize this is a game for kids, but listen.  Nate got this from Santa (though I saw it at Target the other day for $19.99).  Anyway, the boys and I played this on Wednesday when they had a Snow Day and we loved it!  (Well.  Most of us loved it.  From the picture below, you can guess who isn’t a fan of the game…)

Playing Monopoly can be tough on little five year olds...

Playing Monopoly can be tough on little five year olds…

If it makes you feel better, just know that Maxim ended up winning this game.  Then, he was smiling.

#playinggameswithfiveyearoldsistough

#fiveyearoldsarenotgreatsports

But we all had fun and honestly, I’m hoping to play another round of Monopoly Empire tonight.  I just LOVE playing games.

 

2.  The board game of Life –

Another favorite of mine  (and the kids love it, too!)

Another favorite of mine (and the kids love it, too!)

At Thankgiving time, my mom and the kids played the old 1980’s edition (that would be MY game that I’ve had since I was about eight years old) of Life and Maxim LOVED it.  So, Santa brought him this game for Christmas.  After a round of Monopoly Empire on Wednesday, the boys and I played this game.  I STILL love this game and we all had fun.  Sort of.  Well, let’s just say that I made some observations about our boys that day:

a.)  Nate has really matured into a sweet young gentleman and being the nine year old that he is, he plays board games well.  Which means, he doesn’t let the small stuff get to him.  Have to pay $20,000 to the bank?  Ok.  No biggie.

b.)  Maxim is your typical five year old learning that in the real world, there are tough times.  Not everyone is a winner.

We played the game, but when it was through, I felt like I needed a LARGE glass of wine or an hour massage or ANYTHING to help me decompress.  Maxim was happy one minute when he was landing on a Payday or adding babies to his car (remember…the pink or blue pegs you put into your car?).  But the next minute, he was holding back tears.  Here were just a few of his quotes:  “I’m NOT as good at spinning the wheel as YOU are, MOM!” or “BUT I DON’T WANT TO BUY A HOUSE!” or how about this one…”WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY THE BANK $50,000?!!!”  Oh, friends.  It was beautiful.  But through the tears, laughs, and anguish, the game of Life was played.  I think my favorite thing was that we were still in our pajamas at noon.  Bliss.  Pure BLISS.

Enjoying the game of Life in  our pajamas on their Snow Day.

This was one moment where EVERYONE was happy 🙂

 

3.  Juicy Couture’s Viva La Juicy Noir perfume –

I am in LOVE with this perfume!!

I am in LOVE with this perfume!!

Hubby got this for me for Christmas.  Well, kind of.  Actually, he meant to get it for me, but the sales lady didn’t look closely enough at the picture he showed her on his phone.  (I just happened to take a snapshot of this because I LOVED it so much.  And I MIGHT have just sent the pic to Hubby so he’d have a Christmas idea for me.)  Which is why I ended up with Juicy Couture’s Viva La Juicy.  Not the “Noir” version…which is the one I wanted.  So, I happily exchanged it at Von Maur and ta da!  I have this wonderful smelling perfume!

 

4.  Christmas mug and platters –

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This mug...PLEASE!

I LOVE this mug!

I love this!

Won’t this look great with my frosted sugar cookies on it?!

Grandma Helen gives us money each year to buy Christmas gifts from her.  Back in early November, when I saw these at Von Maur, I snagged them up.  I KNEW that I would just LOVE these for Christmas.  So, thank you Grandma Helen, for the darling mug and two platters!  I love the red and white…they’ll be used ALL winter!

 

5.  Brown faux fur vest from Jodi K’s –

Love this vest!!!

Love this vest!!!

Hubby did so good!  He bought this for me at Jodi K’s!  Remember when I blogged about it?  (Favorite things at Jodi K’s)  Well, I was delighted to see some Jodi K packages all wrapped up beautifully and sitting under our tree 🙂

 

6.  Target Threshold blankets –

These blankets are great!  And on sale!!

These blankets are great! And on sale!!

I didn’t receive a blanket for Christmas, but I saw these and felt that I should pass on the news.  They are on sale (basically) and we absolutely LOVE these blankets.  We have them on our beds and even a few for the living room.  Nothing like curling up in a blanket on a cold winter’s night.

 

7.  Oreo Balls –

YUM.  This are so easy and soooo good!

YUM. These are so easy and soooo good!

I made these after Christmas.  In my defense, I just didn’t have enough time before Christmas.  I was too busy shopping and wrapping and such.  But I will tell you that I’ve actually made them TWICE.  They are that good and that easy.

Oreo Balls

1 pkg. Oreo cookies

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 pkg. white almond bark

1/4 pkg. chocolate almond bark

Using any kind of Oreos (This time, I used Winter Oreo cookies, which made the mixture have a tint of red), place the Oreo cookies in a Ziploc baggie and crush them.  Then, in a large bowl, blend the crushed Oreo cookies and cream cheese together with a mixer.  Chill for an hour, then form into walnut-size balls.  Place balls onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper (for easy clean up).  Refrigerate for one hour.  Melt white almond bark and dip balls into almond bark, one at a time.  Let dry on a cookie sheet.  When dry, melt chocolate almond bark and with a fork, drizzle the chocolate over the balls.  Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Ingredients needed for Oreo Balls.

Ingredients needed for Oreo Balls (But I forgot to take a pic of the chocolate almond bark…oops!)

Made into walnut-sized balls.  Now, ready to be chilled for an hour!

Made into walnut-sized balls. Now, ready to be chilled for an hour!

Oreo Balls are so easy and sooooo tasty!  You can add a splash of color by sprinkling some sprinkles on them, too.  Either way you make them, they are good and will.not.last.long.

 

Have a great weekend!!

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