One thing I love about this season is how often I get to see my family and friends.  Actually, after not having been able to get together with my friends in a long time, I now have at least 5 gatherings in the next 6 weeks, half of which I’ll either be hosting or helping to host… and that does not even count Christmas.  I’ve pinned thousands of great things to do but realistically, I’m not going to have time to them all with three kids, two jobs and everything else that comes with the holiday season.

Enter: the newly expanded MARTIN’S Simply Enjoy line.  Yup, straight from the grocery store around the corner.  It’s the deus ex machina of my holiday season.  I would love to make caramelized onion and gorgonzola tartlets from scratch, but let’s get real.

I tested out a couple of goodies when I brought them to my parent’s house for Thanksgiving… there is always that awkward time several hours after an early Thanksgiving meal where nobody wants to even think about a meal but everyone is getting a little peckish, so I thought it would be the perfect solution to satisfy.

A little of the Simply Enjoy Red Pepper Jelly went perfectly on top of the brand’s water crackers which we snacked on with brie (also a part of the Simply Enjoy line) and wine.

I slid a few Raspberry Powdered Shortbread Cookies on to our dessert table to see how they would stand up among Thanksgiving favorites like pumpkin, apple, and pecan pie and was happy to see that it found it’s way onto plates and paired nicely with the Simply Enjoy Colombian Coffee.

So, will tasty treats from Simply Enjoy be at my next holiday party/ New Year’s Eve fete /baby shower? You betcha! (wouldn’t the Italian sodas look really cute with colorful paper straws?)  In fact you’ll be likely to find the coffee in my cup each morning and a few treats stashed away for myself for a “midnight” snack after my kids go to bed!

Good news! Some of the delicious treats I tasted are on sale at MARTIN’S.  So stock up on a few for next time a friend comes over for coffee, you need to indulge in a delicious treat, if you don’t want to show up to a party empty handed or if anytime you want to make things extra special.

By Alex Iwashyna, blogger at Late Enough

The holidays are coming up and we all know that means PICTURES! And GIFTS! Oh yes, and family, love and joy.

But love and joy isn't as much of a worry as PICTURES! because in this day and age, a photo isn’t just sitting on a roll of film until it’s rediscovered in June and printed into a 4×6 eventually stuck behind a clear plastic sheet inside a paisley photo album (mom).

Today, a good (or not so good) picture is texted to 30 of our closest friends, facebooked to the other 412 and probably tweeted, blogged and posted on flickr within ten minutes of the flash.

So I turned to my children to help me illustrate FOUR TIPS on how to stay out of the spotlight during this season of blackmail and joy:

1) If you wear your underwear outside your pants, you will be facebooked:

My daughter is so cute and fashionable.

Except your caption reads: My granny really does wear granny panties. {sigh} And no, three whisky sours does NOT make her Superwoman no matter how much whisky she put her mug.

2) If you remove your clothing in 40 degree weather, you will be tweeted:

My son is so curious and warm-blooded.

Except your caption reads: I googled polar bear clubs, and Uncle Jay doesn't qualify because jumping INTO MY POOL. And if he successfully convinces Aunt Jenny to join him, I am calling the police. AGAIN.

3) If you wear a winter hat, pajamas and rain boots to Christmas dinner, you will be blogged.

You go girl!

Except your caption reads: Cousin Mindy? It's not raining, Hello Kitty is for children and I know those aren't pants because I bought a pair from Target in the LINGERIE SECTION. Can someone please tell me that I'm adopted…

4) If you try to fake your death to get out of another family gathering, you will end up on flickr:

Dead.

Except your caption reads: NICE TRY ALEX.

In summary: keep your shirt on, your undies in and your animal anime at home.

Oh and don't forget to let my family know how dead I am!

Happy Holidays!

Alex Iwashyna blogs at Late Enough mostly about life, parenting, marriage, zombies, culture, religion and her inability to wake up in the morning and not hate everyone. She also facilitates a local moms group called Nobody Told Me! (because OBVIOUSLY). Feel free to find her on Facebook, the Twitter (@L8enough), Flickr or StumbleUpon. But don't call. She's NOT a phone person.