A Merry Little Christmas Now

I'm having such a Merry Little Christmas season. Last weekend brought more cards in the mail, more gifts wrapped under the tree, more movie watching and pomengranate flavored drinks*.

Mostly, though, I got to let my heart be light with faithful friends who are dear to us.  

EstroActually was relaxing and indulgent as always. I fell asleep here after dinner, and didn't even make it through Love Actually. It was a lovely winter's nap.

Shannon brought us all these ornaments to commemorate the the Royal Weddding Watch Party we all did together. I love it so much!

Also this weekend, Dan + I got to celebrate some parents-to-be where there were more bottles {of champagne and vodka} than I've ever seen at a baby shower.

Though it was a co-ed baby brunch, the entire time we were divided men and women....how 7th grade dance of us, no? It only made sense that we pose for pictures that way, too.

Next weekend, if the faits allow, promises more of the same merriment.  I hope the same for you, that you have yourself a merry little Christmas now.


*For a great Christmas cocktail, split this punch with champagne, and add a dash of cinnamon and pomegranate seeds!

When the Sun Sets the Moonshines

If my father was on Facebook, this would be his profile picuture....

Without fail, if the man is entertaining, be it in swim trunks and flip flops or a more formal affair, as was this weekend, celebrating my stepmother's birthday...

Big Dave, despite having lived years in Virginia Beach, cannot tame his inner Appalachian, and when the night grows dark, out comes Tennessee's finest - a Mason jar of moonshine.

For those of you who know a little about hootch, you've likely heard of the legendary brewer Popcorn Sutton. Somehow, Daddy still manages to get his hands on some vintage 'shine - only the best for our guests, you know. And though, for most people, it's their first taste of white whiskey, without fail they ask for a second sip.

I'm guilty of embracing this novelty when I have parties sometimes, too. Most people don't keep moonshine in their home bars, but....I suppose it's like growing up with guns. When you've always had it around, it doesn't even phase you. Unless of coures, you sip too much...

In Washington, Tennessee State Society used to host a party called When the Sun Sets the Moon Shines. Locals may have wondered where such a clever name was born. I'm oddly proud to say you can thank my father for that one.

Specialty Drink Recipes - Baby Shower

You can't have a Momtinis + Manciures shower without cocktails (and mocktails!).  Here's what my friend Kathleen mixed up for us to serve:

The Raspberry Momtini -

The Pink Grapefruit Mockarita:

We served the drinks in plastic pink martini glasses from Party City.

Plastic cups likes these that you assemble for wine, champagne and martinis lose their detachable bottoms often and easily.  Helpful hint - use a hot glue gun to dot just a smidge of glue on the bottom before attaching it to the stem - it will prevent many an unwelcome party foul for your guests!  

Cheers!

Let's Chatt...

Some people may find it odd that I'd fly 600 miles to just sit on my friend's couch and talk for two days.

I have seen Seven States. I have seen Rock City. I had not seen Whitney for a long time and we didn't need the company of fresh or saltwater fish for our visit to go swimmingly.  

Whitney met me at the airport with a hot pink sign.

It cracked me up, and also proved whimsy isn't always accepted without question by everyone in the Tennessee Valley.  Whitney was probed with queries like Did y'uns meet on the computer? by fellow gate-waiters because of that sign. Oh, how I miss the South.

And how I really miss living near friends like Whitney...

Look at the sweet gift bag she had waiting on me in my room.

The bag was full of all kinds of Tennessee treats. And lots of toothpaste...(her husband is a dentist).

I had the BEST time chatting it up all weekend. We left the house only twice - once to dine, once to get facials. In the meantime,  we gabbed. We gossiped.  We gorged on the YUMMIEST food that Whit had prepared and sipped on these pink pretties....

Is Whitney not the sassiest with her custon monogrammed cocktail napkins?

Whit was kind enough to name the cocktail after me, but because of the wonderful conversations it inspired during my Chattanooga weekend - I would like to call it the Girl Chatt. I encourage you to serve it when you and your old friends reunite!

Here's the recipe:

Seaside I Do's {Megan + Eric}

The main event of The Maine Event truly was Megan & Eric's wedding!

The bride and groom met years ago in Italy, have lived for years in the DC area, but grew up New England. That is why they chose York, Maine, a charming little resort town where the bride spent summers as a little girl, to say I Do!


Everything about this morning wedding was just stunning - the scenery, the sea breeze (I love the way it blew Megan's veil ever-so-slightly during the ceremony)....

...the bride's FIRST dress (keep reading, there's another...)

Even the guests were glamorous!

Jess & Kathleen trollying to the ceremony

After the knot was tied, guests enjoyed this view....

and some speciality drinks, named after the newlyweds!

If that isn't cute enough for you....these are the cocktail napkins that accompanied the Megaritta and the Klaibellini....

Y'all know how I love a good cocktail napkin....

After drinks, it was time for lunch!

Mr Dubs and I dined alongside two of his best friends who were all groomsmen in each others' weddings...and whose brides I am happy to call my own friends!

Kim & Dave

Nick & Kelly

Here's a clever trick I've never seen before! One of the MANY wedding favors was gift-wrapped, and served as a placecard....

This is one of four favors guests were given! Yes.....4!


Tomorrow I'll talk favors, the second dress....and the after party trolly!

But first, a peak at the rest of the reception....

High Cotton {A Southern Cocktail}

I am reposting and recycling today, because I'm just green like that.



This post followed last year's CMA Awards Show, but if like me you're a big time fan of


1. awards shows
and
2. country music

then you know that the Academy of Country Music Awards (also know as the ACMs, to those who talk the lingo) are a few weeks away!

You also know that Spring means you will be hosting bridal showers or other girly events, and I think that every bride -and girl who's celebrated her 21st birthday, for that matter - deserves a cute little signature cocktail.


So, in the spirt of party planning, Spring and Summertime sipping and all things devinely Dixie, I'm reposting my recipe for the High Cotton, a perfectly pink, girly, Southern cocktail that will make all your guests swoon. Those that throw back more than two may do more than that...

The High Cotton is just vodka with juices from pineapple, cranberry and lime...topped over a nice fluff of cotton candy. Yes, cotton candy....it just disappears into sweet little sugar pixels at the tilt of the cocktail shaker. Oh, and if you're looking to buy cotton candy sometime when the circus isn't in your town, you can buy it every day in the candy section at Party City.

Note that this concoction can be renamed to fit any girly event...


Call it Wedded Bliss, A Blushing Bride or Baby Soft if you serve it at a baby shower. Call it anything you like.... all libations taste better when given lively little names!

RECIPE

HIGH COTTON
2 jiggers vodka
1 jigger pineapple juice
1 jigger cranberry juice
1/2 lime, squeezed
Cotton Candy
Crushed Ice


Place a palm-sized amount of cotton candy in a martini glass
Pour remaining ingredients into cocktal shaker,shake
Top cotton candy with mixed concoction, stir and serve

High Cotton

It was made perfectly clear to me that there is nothing special or especially country about Sangria, therefore, long before the chicken even hit the peanut oil, sangria was yanked from the line up of last night's CMA Awards Show Menu.



What was perfectly special for Country's biggest night? A High Cotton.

The High Cotton is just vodka with juices from pineapple, cranberry and lime...topped over a nice fluff of cotton candy. Yes, cotton candy....it just disappears into sweet little sugar pixels at the tilt of the cocktail shaker. Oh, and if you're looking to buy cotton candy sometime when the circus isn't in your town, you can buy it every day in the candy section at Party City.

Doesn't it sound so Southern and girly to sip a High Cotton while watching Taylor Swift sweep all the trophies? Well, it was. I think this concoction can be renamed to fit any girly event...Call it Wedded Bliss and serve it at a bachelorette party...give baby shower guests a Baby Soft. Or if it's a Thursday and you're just thirsty...call it a Just Because. All libations taste better when given lively little names!

RECIPE

HIGH COTTON
2 jiggers vodka
1 jigger pineapple juice
1 jigger cranberry juice
1/2 lime, squeezed
Cotton Candy
Crushed Ice

Place a palm-sized amount of cotton candy in a martini glass
Pour remaining ingredients into cocktal shaker,shake
Top cotton candy with mixed concoction, stir and serve

Saying I Do - Part 2 : Cocktails

Once we were officially Mr. and Mrs. W, it was time to have fun! But first we had to get to Marriott Ranch and the bus driver....well...his GPS broke and that caused a slight delay. Cocktail hour was supposed to be held on the front lawn of the Ranch's Manor House, but the rain changed that plan.

The rain may have drowened my spirits for a second, but not the spirits we served our guests.

It was important to Mr. Dubs and me that our wedding celebration reflect lots of personal touches.  We wanted our guests to leave saying, "That was so them!"  Nearly all decisions were made with that goal in mind, right down to the signature drinks. We served Tennessee Juleps, because I grew up in Tennessee; they were SO yummy! I loved those tiny mason jars, too! Those fun, fruity things are Black-Eyed Susans. Named for Maryland's State flower, this cocktail is the official drink of the Preakness Stakes.  Mr. Dubs is an official Maryland native.

So, with a drink in their hands, and comfy shoes on their feet......

our guests were ready to (and I hate to say this because it does make me kind of squeamish to use "party" as a verb, but....) party!

RSVP YES for tomorrow's post:  The Reception and The After Party

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RECIPES

THE TENNESSEE JULEP

1 jigger Gentleman Jack Tennessee whiskey1 1/4 cup vodka

1 jigger apricot schnapps
1 tsp powdered sugar
10-12 fresh mint leaves
crushed ice
water

In a bowl cover mint with sugar. Add a few drops of water and muddle. Remove half of muddled mint and place in a silver julep glass. Top with crushed ice to half full. Add whiskey and schnapps, remaining muddle and top with crushed ice. Stir with a long spoon until frost appears on the outside of the glass. Rub lip of glass with lime and dress with fruit and mint


BLACK-EYED SUSAN


1 1/4 cup light rum
3/4 cup triple sec
Juice from one lime
4 cups orange juice
4 cups pineapple juice
Lime slices or maraschino cherries (optional)


Chill all ingredients. Combine in a punch bowl. Serve over crushed or chipped ice in tall glasses or punch glasses. Makes 10 large or 20 small servings. Garnish, if you prefer, with a slice of lime and/or a maraschino cherry.