Who Needs Black Friday?

Last year was the first year I actually got up at 5am and headed out with all of the other crazy people on Black Friday to shop and secure those "only on this day" deals or the "only before 8am" deals. I truly thought I was missing out on something ... boy, was I wrong! What I learned: (1) I don't need to get up that early; (2) people are even more psychotic than I thought; and (3) the stores are full of you know what! I went out early last year, came home and then went out later in the day. THE SAME DEALS WERE THERE LATER IN THE DAY!! This year, I out-smarted the retailers!! I decided I was not going to get up early on Friday and was going to enjoy my martinis on Thanksgiving and not worry about feeling the hair of the dog the next day. I went shopping on Wednesday night when everyone was heading to the bars! The employees at the stores were putting up the various sale tickets and signs at that time since no one was going to be in the stores on Thursday and they needed to get ready for the psychotic shoppers coming on Friday! Since the signs were up, they had to give me the sale price!! I did AWESOME!! And there were no crowds, no psychotic people and plenty of parking!! To quote London Tipton ... Yay me!!!!

Finally ... Someone Who Can Really Dance!!

Yay!! Brooke won!! She was clearly the most talented dancer although not really a well-known celebrity. I was worried she wasn't going to get the "popularity" vote, but she definitely deserved to win!! Kudos!! Now, if they would have a tryout for dancing with the pros for your average joe, I am all over it!!

Eeeewwwwww!

I can't believe they actually went through with it!! And I can't believe we're going to have to see it on every magazine cover this week!! He's so gross!!

Martini Review

After doing some Christmas shopping last night, we stopped by Burton's Grill at Derby Street Shops for a cocktail. I had the best cranberry martini! It was nice and cold and garnished with vodka-soaked cranberries! Although we were a little frightened of choking on the cranberries at first, they definitely were essential to the drink!
RATING:
Appearance A+
Taste A++
Quality A+
Highly recommend!!

DWTS

I'm totally bummed that Julianne has decided to quit DWTS to focus on her singing career. Although I like country music, I like her on DWTS so much more!! It will not be the same without her ...

So Very Well Rested ...

We are back to reality having spent a lovely evening in town on Friday night with no kids! We had an awesome room on the 7th floor at the Millennium Bostonian Hotel overlooking Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market with a ginormous bed, large flat screen tv and marble shower! We had a great dinner in the North End at Bacco Ristorante complete with a table full of Tony Sopranos next to us (good people watching)! And we were able to hook up with friends who happened to also be in town for drinks afterwards! And, in case I didn't already mention it ... we had no kids!! I love being a Mom and I love my girls more than life itself, but a night away does a Mommy good!! We are nice and rested and ready to face the week ahead! Although re-entry is going to stink!

Endless Gratitude

We are so very fortunate in this country to have our freedom and I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of the Veterans out there for their service in protecting that freedom for each and every one of us. Don't get me wrong, it is great to have a holiday and not have to go into work, but we need to remember the reason for this day. This day is a tribute to all those who served and sacrificed so much for their country and for us. My father was a Navy man who fought in World War II and my eldest brother was a Marine who fought in Vietnam and even though they are no longer with us, I'd like to express my endless gratitude not only to each of them, but to all Veterans out there --

THANK YOU!!

Christmas Cheer?!?

Well, for some strange reason, I am in the holiday spirit! I know, I know, it's not like me to be this merry so early, but I'm really looking forward to the holidays this year! Crazy, huh? It may be due to the fact that I have gotten a jump on some shopping and I actually know what I want to buy for people this year. It may also be due to the fact that some of us have agreed not to exchange gifts anymore, but take a day and do something fun together that the kids will enjoy and remember more than what present they received from so and so. `Tis the season to start some new traditions, make some great memories and be with family and friends. I've been thinking about the annual open house we usually have for my side of the family since we spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with S's side, and I think this year I may break from tradition and have a friend open house as well. Since I'm party planning, I found these great recipes to try out on some unsuspecting guests:

White Christmas

1.0 oz Godiva Liqueur
1.0 oz Peppermint Schnapps
0.25 tsp Vanilla Extract
2.0 oz Vodka

Mix with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with mint leaves.

Cranberry Snowdrift

• 1 ounce Ocean Spray White Cranberry Cocktail
• 1 ounce white crème de cacao
• 1/2 ounce white chocolate liqueur

Combine ingredients with ice in a cocktail mixer. Shake and strain into a martini glass rimmed with granulated sugar. To garnish, thread whole cranberries onto a cocktail pick; dip in water and roll in decorator's sugar to coat evenly. Perch the pick in the glass, and top the cocktail with shaved dark chocolate.

These recipes are a little different from the candy cane martini I usually serve, but after all, it is about starting new traditions, right? Although, I wish I had a set of 12 of these to use at the party:


It's always more fun in a decorative glass!! Merry Christmas!!

Brrr .... the Cold Weather Is Coming

I cannot even believe I am even considering drinking again, but this is my favorite time of year and I am so looking forward to the sweaters, turtlenecks and curling up under a cozy blanket on the couch. What better way to face the cold than with this delectable concoction:

CARAMEL APPLE MARTINI

Ingredients

• graham cracker, crushed top of glass
• caramel ice cream topping, for rim of large martini glass
• 1/4 cup iced vanilla vodka
• 2 tablespoons dekuyper butterscotch schnapps
• 2 tablespoons apple Schnapps (can use Puckers sour apple)
• 1 dash cream soda

Directions

1. Drizzle caramel topping down the inside rim of glass and chill.
2. In a shaker full of ice add vodka,apple Schnapps and Buttershots shake till your hands become very very cold.
3. Dip rim into crushed cookies.
4. Pour into martini glass and add a splash of cream soda.
   
5. Ta-da:
   
   
   

ELECTION DAY 2008

Make sure you vote today ...

Beware of Candy Corn ... Martinis!

Halloween is now over and I can honestly say I will never, ever, ever drink another candy corn martini again. Although delish, they definitely sneak up on you and knock you on your tush! Don't remember much about the night, except how pretty they looked!

See for yourself ...

And yes, mine looked just as pretty (at least I think they did)!

I Need My Friday Night Lights

Just wondering where the heck FNL is ...