How I Feel Home for the Holidays, While Living Half a World Away

"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas." It's always been one of my favorite Christmas carols and something my brother and I used to cross our fingers for every year. Sledding, snow men, snow angels, snow cream, snowball fights - it doesn't get much better for a kid. Growing up in North Carolina, then beginning my TV anchoring career in Ohio, and spending five years at Fox News Channel in New York City - I was lucky enough not to just sing about having a white Christmas, but actually have a white Christmas - a number of times.

This year the only white Christmas I'll be seeing - isn't snow - but white sandy beaches. Santa will be riding a Sea-Doo instead of a one horse open sleigh, and ugly Christmas sweater house parties will be replaced with ugly Christmas wetsuit beach parties. For real! You see it's summer where I live. I live in the place Americans fondly refer to as The Land Down Under. I'm not complaining, just noting the stark contrast.

I'll be kicking off my Christmas morning with a cool swim at Australia's most iconic beach, Bondi Beach, and then heading to my brother-in-law's house for a poolside Christmas feast with 'prawns' the size of your fist! That's 'shrimp' for folks in our corner of the world!

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Delivering Your Entertainment News on My Favorite Aussie Morning Show

From Taylor Swift touring Australia - to a potential Pussycat Dolls reunion - to movie awards - to a Roseanne reboot... I've got your entertainment news on Australia's Studio Ten! Check it out! This is my favorite Aussie morning chat show. Such a talented group... and the perfect mix of serious and fun!

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Baxter's Mystery Ailment Nearly Killed Him, Here's What Happened

"Putting all these factors together, the conclusion from several of the doctors was that the problem was likely something that couldn’t be easily cured. Something like cancer."

An American Thanksgiving in Oz, with a Bun in the Oven

This opinion piece first ran on FoxNews.com.

I’ve enjoyed Thanksgiving as an American living in Ohio, North Carolina and New York. And now I enjoy living in Australia – a wonderful place except … Aussies don’t celebrate the wonderful holiday.

This is quite understandable, given that Australia is a place far, far away – where back in the 1600s there were plenty of kangaroos, but neither Native Americans nor Pilgrims.

What do you think of when you smell apple cinnamon and pumpkin spice? It’s something we don’t even have to think about as Americans, right? The holiday season, of course

I’m willing to bet you’re getting a warm, fuzzy feeling inside your tummy this very second. It’s why Starbucks makes such a killing this time of year selling their festive lattes. Those tempting aromas mean Thanksgiving is here and Christmas is just around the corner.

Let’s continue my game for a moment. What do you think of when you smell coconut sunscreen and salt in the air? Again, as Americans our mental rolodexes flip to beach vacations in the months of June, July and August.

OK. Now flip everything you know on its head. Let’s travel to another hemisphere. Let’s go to the wonderful land of Oz! A faraway land where the seasons and corresponding months are just the opposite of all I’ve ever known.

Pup Cakes! How to Make Dog Friendly Birthday Cake

Happy 10th Birthday Baxter Bear! I can't believe my baby is 70 in dog years! I wanted to make his day extra special. The highlights... a long walk at Bondi Beach in the morning, sunset chasing and fetch at the dog beach in Rose Bay (Sydney, Australia), a bath and grooming session with mama, and doggie pup-cakes! I have a peanut butter pup-cakes recipe that I have attached below. I'll also link to a few other recipes if peanut butter isn't your (or your dog's style). Leave a comment here or hit me up on social media and tell me what you think!

PREP TIME: 5 minutes

COOK TIME: 15-20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

3/8 cup peanut butter
3/8 cup honey
1 egg + 1 egg white
3/8 cup applesauce
1.5 cup flour
3/4 cup oatmeal
1.5 tsp baking soda

TOPPING:

1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray cupcake tray and/or line with cupcake papers. Mix together all ingredients. Pour mixture into 12 spots on the cupcake pan. Bake about 15-20 minutes (depending on your oven). Let cool. Mix together peanut butter and honey for topping. Spread over each of the 12 cakes. Enjoy with your furry friend!

These are quite dense and peanut-buttery. Careful not to put too much extra topping on or it may be tough for your big guy to eat! Baxter was hilarious eating his! And a little tidbit... They don't have any oil in them so I didn't feel to guilty eating two of them! You shouldn't either! Enjoy! xoxo