Headed HOME! :)

WE ARE finally on our way home.  We left Oklahoma early early this morning.  We have been gone for way to long.  We had a wonderful time with all of our family but now it's time to get back into the daily groove.  I can't tell you how excited I am to hug our corn chip kids, Maggy said Bear has been searching the bedroom for me.  We have our wonderful friends Maggy and Zhorti that stayed with them while we were gone.  I couldn't have left that long if it weren't for them.  They are great and the dogs love them.  

We are passing Memphis, TN as I type.  Were making good time, only 15 more hours to go!  I hate long car rides!

Happy New Years to ALL! Jim and I will get to celebrate in the car, I will miss the New York ball :( Have some champagne for me!

Merry Christmas!

I wish you and all of your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! With lot's of love, Ry

The Night Before Christmas

My mom read me this every Christmas Eve...with egg nog in hand.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

by Clement Clarke Mooreor Henry Livingston

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;The children were nestled all snug in their beds,While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.Away to the window I flew like a flash,Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snowGave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,With a little old driver, so lively and quick,I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roofThe prancing and pawing of each little hoof.As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;He had a broad face and a little round belly,That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,And laying his finger aside of his nose,And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight," Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Bye Bye Mobile!

We leave Mobile tonight for our long travels to Bella Vista. I love driving at night durning Christmas time! We take the back way all the way up the Mississippi river and I get to see millions of christmas lights on the way. Last year I enjoyed the Mississippi river bottoms so much we kept driving all night until 3 in the morning, It reminded me of Huckleberry Finn. Wish us safe driving in our travels!

Bye Bye Mobile!

(Mobile, AL)

Santa Baby

On our first stop, Pensacola, FL, I got to spend the night with my friend Ashley and her 2 month old son Davin. He is the best baby, he didn't cry or wake us up in the middle of the night. I wanted to share this photo of his Santa suit, isn't he cute. How do I look holding a 2 month old?....yea that's what I thought, wait another 4 years and then think about it :) Until then, I will hold babies to hold me over.

P.S. My best friend Brandi is expecting next year! I can't wait to see her little booger :)

Elf on the Shelf

Here is a fun new tradition you can start with your family. Elf on the Shelf is a little elf doll that reports directly to Santa Claus. Kids can tell the elf their Christmas wishes. They may also want to be on their very best behavior as the Elf on the Shelf has Santa's ear. Some children also like to name their elf. Place the little elf around your home during the weeks before Christmas. During the holidays the elf watches children carefully during the day. At night when the kids are sleeping the elf magically returns to the North Pole to report to Santa Claus. In the morning the elf appears in a new place which offers a daily hide-and-seek ritual for kids. Kids will love trying to locate the elf's new location each morning.

http://www.elfontheshelf.com/#/home

P.S. They sell these at Barnes and Noble
I think it's the cutest thing ever since I have an elf addiction!

On the Road Again

We are driving up to Pensacola, Florida today. I have the office phone forwarded to my cell for the next 2 weeks and It’s always fun to be sound asleep and have to wake up with an office voice, EMC how can I help you? I shouldn’t be complaining since I’m lucky to be able to leave for 2 weeks, that’s the one bonus of us owning our own business…thank you Jimmy Bob. Were also lucky to have a job in times like these, so I am very grateful.

Our first stop is Robert and Ashely’s house. Ashley just recently had a baby so this is the first time I will get to hold the little man. I’m one of those people that get scared to hold a new born, I’m always afraid I will break them. Jim and Robert are going hunting so Ashley and I will hang out and do new born stuff, I’m not sure what new born stuff is but I will soon find out.

Our next stop will be Margo and Lorraine, Jim’s mom and grandma. We will celebrate Christmas there and stay a day or two. Margo and Lorraine always make a great breakfast the morning we celebrate Christmas, I’m not sure what all they put in their French toast but it’s to die for.

We then head to Mobile, Alabama. Most of Jim’s father’s side lives in Alabama. We always have a great time hanging out with them, Susan, which is Jim’s aunt, has a horse! Jim’s grandmother Flo is the sweetest person I have ever met, I love her southern accent and she gets around so great for her age. She lost her husband in a plane crash when all 3 children were young and she raised them alone and never re-married. She's an amazing woman.

After our Alabama stop it’s a straight shot up to Bella Vista, Arkansas. My mom lives there with my stepfather, and grandmother, Memaw. This is the only place that I can really relax. I sleep like a baby and feel so comfortable, I guess because it’s my mothers home and she knows what I like. She has so many fun things planed for us since this is the first time in 6 years I have spent CHRISTMAS DAY with her, we will shop and eat at Taco Bueno just to name a few. Memaw is the sweetest thing ever, she has been a wonderful grand ma and I always love her company. I could go on and on but I’m sure this is boring everyone to pieces. OH and Jaclyn and Jason will come up and stay 1 night with us while I’m at my moms.

After relaxing at moms we head to Oklahoma to see my Aunt Sharon. It’s hard for me to visit since she lives in the same house my papa and meme lived. Papa past away last year and meme has been gone for 4, it’s not the same without them. We will stay 1 night and then head to my dad’s which is about 1 ½ hours north of Owasso, OK. He lives in the middle of no where, literally! You can see miles and miles from his prairie home. They have chickens, horses, cows, sheep, goats, dogs, and cats. I will take many pictures while I’m there. I love holding the baby goats, they are precious and I wish I had some at home. After our farm visit we start the track back home. This journey will take 2 weeks and I hope to journal some steps along the way.

Thank you Memaw!

My grandmother memaw and my mom sent us a present in the mail yesterday. They wanted to send it to our house since it’s fragile and they didn’t want us making the long drive back with it. My Memaw has been calling me ever since Friday dying for me to open it so last night in front of the tree and with Memaw and mom on speaker phone we all got to open it together. It was a beautiful clock. Jim and I don’t have a single clock up in our home except for the microwave clock that’s off by 30 minutes. It’s lovely! The diamonds spin every 30 minutes, the little men play their instruments and wave back and forth, and it plays 6 melodies from the BEETLES, including HEY JUDE. We love it and can’t thank MEMAW enough. Thank you Memaw, I can’t wait for you to come down and see it on the wall in person. Every time the hour hits, we will hear a Beetles song and think of Memaw and mom, we will cherish it forever! Love you both! Can’t wait to see you next week.

Jim describing the clock to them

Martha's Holiday Card Tree

Martha Stewart has so many great holiday idea's, I had to share this one with you. Every year I hang my cards on a boring string, this is what I'm doing this year thanks to Martha.

Each card you receive is like a little gift, carefully chosen by a friend or family member; as such, it deserves more than a passing glance and makeshift presentation. Suspend cards-turned-ornaments from dried winter branches in a bucket, vase, or other vessel; you don't need to add any water to enjoy this nature-inspired card display.

You will need:
Dried branches
Bucket or vase
ribbons or strings

Step 1

Gather some branches and place them in a bucket or vase, if your having problems keeping them in place pour some sand in the bottom. Punch a hole through the top of a closed card. String a length of ribbon through the hole, then thread the ends through a bead or two, and tie the ends in a knot or bow. To thread wide ribbon through a small bead, bend a length of 28-gauge wire in half, and send the ends through the bead so the ends are exposed on one side and the loop on the other. Put the ribbon through the wire loop, and pull on the loose ends of the wire, bringing the ribbon through the bead. If you wish, tie a tassel to the ribbon inside the card, too, so it hangs down. Another variation: Punch two side-by-side holes at the top of the card, thread ribbon ends through from the back, and tie a small bow in front.

Step 2

Loop card ribbons over various branches of the "tree." Consider placing pewter bowls of nuts, dried apricots, and dates next to tree to entice visitors into taking a closer look.

The Weekend

Ft. Lauderdale is chilly this morning, I'm blaming it all on myself.  Last week while having email wars with my other 3 "Shopping is Cardio Chicks" I was bragging how warm it was here in Florida.  Poor Christina had ice all over her jacket and I was stabbing everyone with 80 degree comments.  Now karma has hit and I'm not able to go out to the beach nor pool.  It's windy and cool and I would need sweat pants and a jacket to lay out under the sun, so no soaking up rays for Ryan today.

Yesterday it took us 5 hours to drive down, it should have took 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  It was a mixture of Mr. Magoo/Tunces the driving cat, traffic, and getting lost in South Miami which isn't the greatest part of town.  We arrived at our hotel later then expected and found all of Jim's business guys at the lobby bar.  I had makeup smeared all over the underneath of my eyes since the sun was blaring in my face all day and I had to make small chat while looking like a cat.

Jim and I ended up going alone for dinner to a Greek restaurant called Taverna Greek Islands.  It was some of the best food I had ever eaten. (My step father was Lebanese and his mother cooked me grape leaves, hummus, fresh pita bread, etc..that's why I have a love for this kind of food.)  When we set down they brought us fresh hummus and bread out immediately.  For our appetizer we had grilled shrimp with Satori's special sauce (greek old papa owner).  For our main course I had filet mignon shish kabobs with grilled vegi's and Greek rice, Jim had lamb chops soaked in olive oil, garlic, a touch of rosemary, and some other spice I couldn't detect.  It was wonderful and I wish I were there eating right now :)

Were down here for one of Jim's business contacts.  Their throwing the party based on a company called Enviro Fuels, the party is geared towards getting the company in front of investors eyes.  I was thinking of a regular Christmas party with about 25 people, to my surprise they have rented the entire top floor out, there is a special guest entertainer coming all the way from California, which is TOP SECRET, the only way I found out that small part is because one of the women had sipped on to much wine.  I will try to take pictures with my huge camera, but it's hard doing undercover shots without an IPHONE (hint hint).

I'm off to take my shower before Jim gets back from his morning meeting.  We got lucky facing the marina so now I can go out on the balcony in my PANTS and SWEATER and watch the boats go by. (I love boat watching).  Hope everyone enjoys their weekend and again HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

Inching Closer to the Beach

Were headed to the beach today. We were invited to a holiday party this weekend down in Ft. Lauderdale and we thought if we’re making the 3 hour drive, why not make it a weekend. I haven’t been to the beach in over 3 months. I have turned into a pasty ghost and am craving SUN Rays. Ft. Lauderdale is a lively town and every time I’m down that way I wish I lived closer. The restaurants are great, the water is aqua blue, and the sand feels wonderful beneath my toes. It’s much needed since next week is the start of our traveling for the holidays. It’s nice to see family but I have to say it’s stressful. We feel like we have to please everyone and I’m looking forward to a Christmas at home next year.

So I will enjoy my relaxing weekend and soak in all the sun I can, because I know it’s going to be a while until I get to enjoy the beach again.

P.S. I get to wear my black gala dress again! So glad I got it!

Shopping is our Cardio

I moved to Florida in 2004. It was a hard travel on Bear and I and both of us were out of our comfort zones and when I’m out of my comfort zone I go to something that makes me feel at home, and that’s food. I have gained about 25 pounds since my skinny days in Oklahoma. It’s been over 4 years and I’m ready to get back in shape. I made my decision on Tuesday when 3 other girls and I were having an email war about Oprah, we all were ready for a change. Here is what we came up with: http://fourfatchicks.blogspot.com/


Check it out. We hope to post healthy recipes, our progress, and ideas on becoming more healthy. I think this is the best way for me to get motivated, if I know that people are reading it I won’t try to cheat on my weight watcher plan. Wish US luck! Love to Allie, Lesli, and Christinia! Hopefully the 4 of us will be on Oprah chatting about this blog one day! Vision Board..here I come!!

Easy Breakfast Casserole

When we have guests over I always like cooking a nice breakfast for them, only thing I get stuck in the kitchen for an hour while everyone else is enjoying their morning talking and sipping hot coffee. So here is something you can make the day before and pop it in the oven in the morning and still get to enjoy a clean kitchen and some good company.

Take it out of the refrigerator about 15 minutes before baking.

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:
1/2 pound spicy or mild pork sausage (optional) You can but bacon chunks if you would like
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cups frozen diced hash brown potatoes, thawed (about 16 ounces) or cubed potatoes (I prefer cubed potatoes)
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack or Cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon pepper

salt to taste (I even throw in some garlic and onion salt)
mild salsa, optional

Preparation:In a large skillet, cook sausage and onion, breaking up sausage with a spatula. When sausage is cooked through, drain off excess fat.

In an 8x8x2-inch square baking dish, layer the potatoes, half of the shredded cheese, browned sausage and onion mixture, and remaining shredded cheese.
In a bowl, combine eggs, milk and pepper; pour egg mixture over cheese.

Bake, covered, in a 350° oven for 45 to 55 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Transfer casserole to a wire rack and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes.
Cut into squares. Serve with salsa, if desired. Serves 6.

Painting of The Door

I began my painting project on Saturday morning. It took me many moons to choose a color. I chose RED..Here is why.

A red door is a significant symbol in many countries. In China, some say a door is painted red before the New Year to invite good luck and happiness, while in Ireland, it’s done to ward off ghosts and evil spirits.

Now, on to the feng shui meanings

A. If you'd like to bring new energy to your home, painting your front door red can help. The color red is associated with success, luck and prosperity.

Then while researching my red door this morning I came across this:

B. few words of caution about red: In traditional Chinese feng shui, there are certain unlucky "star combinations" that can be activated by the color red. It's possible your house has one of these combinations at the front door. Also, each year (using the Chinese calendar), one of the eight directions or the center of the house will be an inauspicious place to use red. In order to find out if either of these situations is an issue for your home you will need to do a compass-method analysis of your home. Or, use the "try it and see" method: paint your front door red and see what happens. If your luck takes a big turn for the worse (illness, unexpected major expenses, loss of a contract or job, etc.), run back to the paint store and repaint the door another color.

I wish I had known about this before I painted the door. I hope my door is in the LUCKY STAR COMBINATION. I guess I will be testing it out on the “TRY IT” method. This does scare me for some reason. I guess because the whole painting of the door this weekend was a bitch to get done. The door didn’t want to be RED. It took over 4 coats and 16 hours to finish. This is no lie, my aching back is proof in the pudding.

BEFORE

Durning

(took 3 hours to tape the damn tiny squares)

AFTER

I do love the results, and my cheap flocked wreath looks so much better with the red then then white. I will let you know if any luck changes. What do you think? Is White or Red better?

Happy Birthday Jim #31

Jim turned 31 today.  I made him Cinnamon rolls this morning with a chocolate espresso.  We opened his presents under the tree this year, it was a nice morning....UNTIL REALITY HIT.  I had forgotten I started painting our front door yesterday.  I began at dawn and worked till dusk.  My backed ached and it was a project I wish I had never started.  Today after breakfast I started at it again.  I was painting until 4 and then forgot I had Jim's dad coming over for dinner to celebrate.  The door is now done except for the little detail painting I need to finish.  I will post pictures tomorrow.

For tonight's dinner I prepared the following:

Filet's soaked all day in garlic, olive oil, and Worcestershire Sauce seared on the Green Egg Grill

Deviled Eggs with Horseradish (Jim's choice since it's his birthday)

A Onion White Vinegar Shrimp salad

Ryan's Onion Corn...VERY EASY and wonderful!  I take frozen corn, microwave it until it's done.  Then saute some onions and garlic in butter then transfer those to a bowl.  Then I throw some more butter and flour into the same pan to make a rue, when the flour gets mixed in with the butter slowly add milk and stir until it makes a creamy sauce.  Then had the onions and garlic back in to the sauce.  I then add salt and pepper to taste and mix it in with the corn.  

Baked Potato Casserole with Cheese, Chives, and bacon bits

Baked Texas Toast slices topped with cheese and garlic

THEN THE BEST FOR LAST.  Mom got Jim a Banana Dream Cake, which is the best damn cake in the world!!!  I'm not a dessert person and I love it!  

Happy Birthday JIM! I love you and hope you have a great year at 31! 

Celebrating Jim's Birthday!

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Korean Tansu

Three months ago I met the owner of the Howey Mansion.  It's a very interesting story, and I swear it was meant to be.  I ended up buying this piece from her, which is a Korean Tansu.  It's very old and fits my home perfectly.  Korean writing on rice paper lines every drawer.  I will cherish it forever.

The drawers..Does anyone know what it says :)  

Lesli, these are some of the curtains I have made, they look better in person.  I got the rods from ROSS

Some of the hardware on the TANSU

More paper lining on the doors

Twilight Book Club Questions

Most of us have already finshed the book and I thought it would be fun if we all anwsered these questions. Take your time, some are hard. I was thinking you guys could email me and I would post them for everyone to read. A lot of you have already started the 2nd book. I'm headed to get it tonight :) I heard it's good! The movie was good and JIM even liked it! My anwsers are in red

1) Is the fact that Edward can’t read Bella’s thoughts more important that it seems? Yes, I think she is some how connected to Jacob and the Indian reservation and maybe she is part of the wolves. Do you think it will serve a larger purpose? YES
2) Bella faints at the smell of blood. If she were to become a vampire, how might this serve as a barrier? How might it be an asset? I think she will change if she becomes a Vampire, they say when they first change into one and it’s hard to resist having blood. I think she will crave it like all the others.
3) Is Edward selfishly putting Bella in danger, or is Bella being too stubborn for her own good? Is it a little bit of both? What are the threatening factors facing Bella and are there ways to avoid them? I think it’s a little of both. I think she is already in love with Edward and she will do anything to be with him.
4) Temptation is a major theme in Twilight-more accurately, resisting ones temptations. Discuss the subplot of Carlisle’s job as a doctor in relation to this major theme. How well does he handle temptation? What do you feel would be the most difficult part for him in his role? Why does he remain working as a doctor when the Cullens don’t seem to need income? Carlisle handles temptations very well, but if he didn’t like being a vampire I wonder why he made Edward into one? I think they would need income for gas, the home, etc…right or am I missing something?
5) The Cullens live, act, and care for one another as a family. How much of their ability to do so is dependant on Carlisle’s rule that they live in a manner that contradicts their nature-hunting animals instead of humans? Do you think that they would be able to maintain their bond if they weren’t all committed to his plan? Yes, I think they would keep the bond, they said in Edwards early years he did stray from the animals to humans, and Carlisle forgave Edward. I think one day Carlisle is going to slip
6) Edward saves Bella on more than one occasion, Discuss the different instances and how Bella reacts before she knows what he is and after. Also discuss how Edward reacts after each instance both before and after she learns he is a vampire. I was shocked that she wasn’t more thankful for him saving her from the truck accident in the parking lot, this questions confuses me
7) Alice explains to Bella the theory of how vampires have come to exist. She mentions that most have some memories of the transition and their life prior to it. How does what we learn from James about Alice’s past explain her lack of memory. ?? I’m thinking for this one
8) Once Edward has tasted Bella’s blood, do you think it will be harder to resist-specifically her blood? Yes Will the fact that he is able to control himself make Bella want to be changed into a vampire? Yes Do you think that it is fair of her to ask that of him? Yes Do you think it is fair of him to refuse? Yes, because he loves her and he wants what’s best for her.
9) Jacob Black tells Bella a story about his tribe and the “cold ones”. He doesn’t believe any of it but says his father clearly dislikes the Cullens. If Jacob’s father believes the Cullens are dangerous, why doesn’t he warn Bella or Jacob? Is he hiding a secret of his own? I think they are werewolves
10) Stephanie Meyer has noted that each of the novels in Twilight Saga pays homage to other literary classics. For Twilight, she has said Pride and Prejudice, was the key inspiration. Pride and Justice is often described as a romantic comedy. What parts of Twilight are romantic? What parts are comic? Describe the similarities between Eliszatheb Bennet and Bella Swan, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Edward Cullen. What roles would Bella’s friends play in “remake” of Jane Austen’s classic story? I have never read this, but I don’t think Twilight is comic at all.

Cheap Christmas Gift Idea

I got the black one

I got this at Bath and Body works for only $3.00, it’s one of the items on sale this week. It’s big and fits all my makeup perfectly, it’s not cloth so you don’t have to worry about stuff breaking and staining it. Also, if you have a loose pencil running around it rubs right off. I thought $3 was a good deal since its very classy looking. I have been using a white cloth makeup bag with a bright pink flower on it. I take it to work and you can tell it’s a makeup bag. Now that I have my new one it resembles a clutch, no one knows it holds the beauty products.

Wintry Florida

Mom, Joe, & Gidget

My mom called me over the weekend to tell me it was snowing. I slumped down in my chair thinking how I would love to see snow during the holidays. I glared out the window picturing snow covering the yard and to my surprise there were 3 Sandhill cranes inches away from our front door. I smiled and rushed to my camera. I spent most of the morning hiding in the bushes taking pictures of these birds. They were beautiful and it made me happy to live in Florida. There are no Sandhill cranes on my mom’s porch. J I felt like the people that worked on “The Planet Earth” series, which if you haven’t seen it you must rent it NOW. I was laying on the ground inching closer and closer to get close-ups of these red headed birds. They seemed not to care I was around. Here are the pics below.

This is the sunset when our cold front came in last week...Cold fronts to us mean 50's and 40's at night.

My Top 5 Hottest Drinks for the Holidays

I know a lot of you will be hosting Holiday parties and here are some of my favorites that are simple and delicious. Even if your not hosting a party, you must try the peppermint Pattie tini, maybe sip some for Christmas eve. It's great and It really tastes like a peppermint patty!

TOP 5

Peppermint Patty Tini

1 part Kahlua (You can use any type of chocolate liquor, I get the cheap kind)
1 part Schnapps, peppermint
1 part Cream

Pomegranate Kir

4 oz. champagne splash of pomegranate juice
Pour champagne into a chilled flute and top with a splash of pomegranate juice.

It's simple and the colors are beautiful. People will really think you worked hard on this one.

Egg Nog Sipper

2 parts egg nog, 1 part rum

OR if you want to do it yourself, here is the recipe

Ingredients

1 quart milk

4 egg yolks

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

4 egg whites

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup bourbon or rum grated nutmeg

Instructions:
1. Heat milk just until small bubbles form without boiling. 2. Beat egg yolks with sugar until light and fluffy. Add salt and hot milk and mix well. 3. Place over low heat or hot water and cook, while stirring, until mixture thickens (excess heat and long cooking will cause it to curdle). 4. Beat egg whites until stiff, gradually adding the 1/4 cup sugar. 5. Fold whites into hot milk mixture. 6. Stir in bourbon or rum. Serve hot with a dash of nutmeg.

Poinsettia Punch

Ingredients:
2 10 oz. packages frozen raspberries (thawed)

1 6 oz. can of frozen pink lemonade concentrate (thawed and undiluted)

1/4 cup of sugar 1 bottle of Zinfandel Blanc de Noir or other roses

1 2-liter bottle of raspberry or regular ginger ale

Instructions:
1. Blend the first three ingredients and pour into a wire mesh strainer to get rid of the seeds. 2. Add to a punch bowl or large pitcher. 3. Mix in remaining ingredients and enjoy!

Cojito

The girls made this on Lipstick Jungle on the Thanksgiving episode.

1 bunch mint (approximately 5 stems)

1 ounce lime juice

1 teaspoon sugar

3 ounces Bacardi Coco

1 ounce light coconut milk, unsweetened (not the thick creamy kind, the thin milky kind)

splash of club soda

Muddle mint in lime juice and sugar in a glass. (I don't usually have a muddler. I just use a wooden spoon to mush the lime juice, sugar and mint in the bottom of a heavy glass.) Put ice on top of the mint and lime mixture (Important: The ice weighs down the mint, and helps keep you from swallowing mint leaves.) Shake the Bacardi, and the coconut milk with ice, and strain into the glass with the mint-lime mixture. Give it a quick stir, and drink with great enjoyment.

ENJOY!!!!