Winter Decor

Hanukkah came sooo early this year that it was over in a blink.

It finally seems like winter here in Denver so I thought I would decorate a little snowy.....(I love the snow)

I love the menorah my son made in summer camp. It is made of twigs and a rock. It really is beautiful.
New Year.....new decorations....I have a time thing going on......(I can safely tell time now so things are a BIG improvement over last year at this time)
Well except for that clock on the left there.....at least the hands are in the right position! I must have been standing on my head when I set it. My mom bought the hourglass for me....she lugged it all the way to Maui. I love it!! Thanks mom!!

Winter Decor

New Year's Eve Party

We hosted a family-style New Year's Eve Party at my house on Friday night. It was a last minute switch of venue from a friend's house to mine. (long story...son..allergies...hives...cat...) Earlier in the day I found this blog called Focal Point and it was talking about a great family New Year's Eve Party that her parents had in their New Jersey basement in the 70's. I loved the old photos and how she described her fond memories. It made me think about how my grandmother used to throw these lavish family parties and I wanted to make our small family and friend gathering just a little above casual with some memory-making flair.

So what did I do first? Run to the G-Dub of course for some vintage champagne glasses. They only hold a few ounces which is perfect for Sparkling Cider or a few sips of the bubbly. This was a family/kid party remember?

I found nine and threw them into a little bleach water and then into the dishwasher. These aren't family heirlooms so If something gets a little scratched up in the dishwasher I don't really care too much.

I pulled out my white china, vintage ice buckets (G-Dub) and fancy party hats (yes, G-Dub in the package still) YES I bought the party blowers new....I'm not that crazy!

It was a fun night with delicious food (thanks Surai!) games, and a little Dick Clark to count down the new year. It was really fun to be with friends and family safe at home. It was fun for both kids and adults!!

I hope your New Year's Eve was safe and fun! Here's to 2011!

Here's where I'm linked up!

New Year's Eve Party

G-Dub top 10

My #1 find? The red cowboy boots.....I want to wear them every day!

G-Dub top 10

The Giving Gals

I belong to a neighborhood group of ladies that meet once a month and have lunch and donate to a new charity. (how come food looks yucky with flash photography?) It was deelicious! Our December lunch was at my friend Carlyn's home that was decked out in all of it's Christmas finest! Each table setting was different and it made a really beautiful, eclectic table. She and a friend of hers gave each other one table setting for Christmas every year so now her table is filled with different plates, bowls and chargers. It really looked amazing! What a great idea!

Here is my table setting with a blue Hanukkah type plate...she is sooo thoughtful.....oh and she picked it up at the G-Dub because she knows me so well! I love all of the beautiful ways you could make a table with mismatched items. It looked amazing. Thanks Carlyn!!

Guess where we are going in January? A Goodwill Field Trip! We are each bringing donations along with a little shopping excursion as well. I can't wait!

The Giving Gals

Instant Cocoa Mix...Yummmm

Easy and Deelicious Hot Cocoa Mix

10 2/3 c. powdered milk (25.6 oz. box) (eyeball it)

1 (16 oz.) can unsweetened cocoa ( I prefer the dark cocoa)

2 to 4 cups powdered sugar

6 oz. Coffee Mate creamer

1 lg box chocolate instant pudding

Pinch of Salt

Mini Chocolate Chips

This recipe is good because you can just put in whatever you want. More milk, less cocoa, more sugar, less ....whatever you want!

Add hot water and mix (alot) maybe even whisk it a little!

Put a pack of Starbucks Instant Coffee for added deeliciousness!

Instant Cocoa Mix...Yummmm

Mad Men Party Part 2

Introducing Krista as Peggy......(her hair stylist should win an award for this one!)

Keys as Freddie Rumson

Freddy Rumson from Mad Men

What!? Peggy hooks up with Freddy Rumson (you would have to watch the show to catch that one...)

Let me txt Don real quick and tell him Freddie and I won't be in on Monday...

Mad Men Party Part 2

Mad Men Party of the Century! Part One

ALL CIGARETTES IN THE PHOTOS ARE NOT REAL!!!

My Bestie Lisa K. gave me the best Mad Men Dinner Party of the Entire Century!

She found the best faux ciggies at a prop house that blow "smoke" and are all glittery on the end so they look "lit". If you watch Mad Men then you know a cigarette is your most important accessory!

Krista and Scott (Keys) are greeted by the Paparazzi...(me)

Ellen brought The Best Jello in all of the Planet...

Group shot...

Lisa put together a party trivia game from the 60's and from the Mad Men Series....It was sooo fun~!.....and since I'm the only one who watches Mad Men Religiously...I was the winner...(in my own mind of course)


Lisa and Roger (she likes to call him Rogie and so do I)

are the best team EVER!

Shrimp Cocktail Starter...Lisa sets the most amazing table!


It would not be a 1960's dinner party without the Jello Mold. Let me tell you that Ellen worked on this masterpiece for 3 days, and it was THE MOST AMAZING THING I'VE EVER EATEN!!


All the ladies in our fancy Mad Men Attire...

A lady wears gloves and carries a pocketbook....oh and smokes a little...

This is part one in a series stay tuned for more of our show....

Mad Men Party of the Century! Part One