New Year's Eve - Champagne Punch

This is my favorite holiday punch and it is perfect for New Year's Eve.

Enjoy

4 cups pineapple juice, chilled

4 cups orange juice, chilled

1 cup vodka

1/4 cup grenadine

1 bottle Champagne, chilled 

garnish with orange slices

In a large pitcher, combine pineapple juice, orange juice, vodka and grenadine, stirring to combine.

To serve, add Champagne, stirring gently to combine.  Garnish with orange slices if desired. 

Happy New Year!

Christmas Woodland Tablescape

Welcome to my Woodland Tablescape.  I knew I wanted to do this theme for my Christmas table, but I was lacking in inspiration.  I wasn't sure how to tie it all together.  Then I saw Paige Knudsen's tablescape from her blog Simple Thoughts and I fell in love.  First, I just thought I would copy the whole thing, but I couldn't.  I had to put my mark on it.  But I totally stole her gold flaked log idea and the pinecone layout on top of the plate.  I wish I could find some antlers, but it was not meant to be.  Her tablescape is below. It's incredible. 

The little log slices can be found at Michaels, along with the sizing, sealer and gold flake.  I bought one bag of gold flakes and it was more than enough to do all six logs.  The sizing on the other had ran out after one, so I switched to modge podge  You have to apply the sizing and let it sit for about 20 minutes or so, until it becomes sticky.  When using the modge podge you have to apply the gold flakes just a couple of minutes after applying it. 

 My little helper is ready to start setting the table, so I better get started. 

 I got these cute little bottle brush ornaments at Pier 1.

 I haven't added the glasses or silverware yet.  Not sure what I want to use yet.

 I have a flocked tree this year, lightly tipped.  I love it.  The lights really seem to show up better. 

 Merry Christmas!

November

 Thanksgiving.  We have so much to be thankful for and this year it really hit home.  The Handsome Husband had quadruple bypass surgery in Oct.  He didn't have a heart attack, but didn't feel like he was getting his breath when he was working out hard.  So he went to the doctor and had a echo stress test and he needed surgery.  He is recovering quickly and looking forward to skiing in two weeks.  Oh, and his heart is 100% healthy.  Thankful.

 Katie had two visits to the emergency room.  She woke up blind in one eye one morning.  After 6 hours of tests, it turned out to be an Occular Migrane - no biggie.  Thankful.  The second visit was when her jaw dislocated.  Eight painful hours in emergency until the Oral Surgeon was called in at 2:30am and fixed her jaw in a blink of an eye.  Thankful.

 A loving family with all our kids close by to share with daily.  Thankful.

30 years in a loving marriage.  Thankful.

 20 years of blessed friendship with my BFF Annette.  Thankful.

I also reconnected with my high school best friend, Heather.  Thankful.

I could go on and on counting my blessings.

I'm so very Thankful. 

Elephant Parade - Final Wrap Up

Elephant Parade, Lantern Bay Park, Dana Point, California

Americana by Jeff Carillo
One of my faves

Here are the last pictures of the Elephant Parade in Dana Point.  Not all the elephants were here and I didn't take pictures of at least four because I didn't like them. Sorry, I realize now that I should have and let you decide for yourself if you liked them or not.   If I have showed you them before on the blog, I am not showing them again.  

Zia Skye by Laura Inkster-Gabor

 Triumph of Liberty by Sona Mirzael

 Jasmine by Khloe Kardashian

You will see Mellowphant in the back right.  

 Chaka bro by Chor Boogie

 Punkaphant by Andre Miripolsky

One of my faves, cool in person

 Golden Poppies by Jeff Carillo

My friend, Cynthia's favorite.

 Maa Lii by Chris Chung

Beautiful, a fave

 Cycle of Life by Luka B-Kaewdee

 Loved the textures

 Epiphany by Ashley Keene

 Ramafly by Keith Alway 

 Wild Life by OliviaDeBeradinis

Loved looking at how creative all the artist were, especially when given the same white elephant.  I look forward to The Elephant Parade being in other American cities.