Happy 2011 Friends!

In the New Year,
we wish you the best year you’ve ever had,
and that each New Year
will be better than the last.
May you realize your fondest dreams
and take time to recognize and enjoy
each and every blessing. Happy New Year,And many more!By Joanna Fuchs

Wouldn't it be nice to greet your New Years Eve guests with the special house drink?  How about a "Chocolate Blitzen Martini" to kick off the get together!

Ingredients:

2 oz. semisweet chocolate
1/3 c. chocolate-flavored sprinkles
1 c. chocolate ice cream
2 oz(1/4 c.) Bailey's
1 oz. (2 tablespoons) dark cream de cacao
1 oz. (2 tablespoons) vodka
Chocolate curls 

Directions:

1. In a heavy small saucepan, heat chocolate over low heat until melted. Dip the rims of eight 1-ounce mini martini glasses or shot glasses in the melted chocolate and then dip in the sprinkles. Chill until serving time.

2. In a blender, combine ice cream, Bailey's, cream de cacao, and vodka. Cover and blend until mixture is smooth.

3. Pour into prepared glasses. Garnish with chocolate curls. Serve immediately. Makes 8 (1-ounce) servings.

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, especially to our friends and families near and far.  True wishes for Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All.

Party at Aunt Mae's . . .

Last night we went to my Aunt Mae & Uncle's annual Christmas party!  A fun time was had by all.  The dining room table which seats 10 was filled with appetizers - you name it and you'd find it! Deviled eggs to die for, shrimp cocktail, chicken on a stick, teriyaki chicken wings and drumsticks, buffalo chicken dip, egg rolls, scallops wrapped in bacon, beef wrapped in bacon, veggies and dip, there was something for everyone!

A little embarrassed . . . 

Upstairs in the family room Santa arrived and low and behold he had a gift for all the little kids - even if they were naughty!

Cooking for a crowd!

Meanwhile in the kitchen there was a pasta station - you name it and it was there!  You had your choice of sauce, red or Alfredo, meatballs & sausage, chicken, shrimp, ham, artichokes, olives, onion, basil, green peppers served over cheese tortellini or rotini - yum, yum, yum!

Sisters & a beau!

Cousins!

Third cousins . . . 

Engaged - for 4 years!  When's the wedding!

The mantle decorated by Aunt Mae

A table-top boxwood tree!

Relatives and friends, young and old were relaxing and having a great time!  Can't wait until next year's party!

Pomegranate Glazed Pork Tenderloin

This evening I made pomegranate glazed pork tenderloin - I was feeling a little guilty about not making hubby a grand dinner for his birthday.  We did go out to dinner, but somehow it wasn't the same - for me!  This pomegranate dish sounds exotic (to me anyway), it really isn't.  All I did was coat the tenderloin with about 3 tablespoons of pomegranate jam!  It was was melt in your mouth delicious, flavorful, juicy and tender! This would also be great brushed on a crown pork roast (which I happen to love) and served for Christmas dinner!

Along with the pork I served a roasted veggie medley of cauliflower, asparagus, and carrots. I roasted everything at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

Here are the roasted veggies, (the photo didn't come out that well) they were tossed with a little bit of olive oil, a pinch of sea salt and fresh ground pepper, then roasted for about 30 minutes.  They were just delicious!

For dessert we ate cake and drank tea!  I ordered a cake from my favorite baker, Creative Cakes by Debby.  It was a white almond cake with butter cream frosting - again, delicious!  All in all we had a lovely dinner and I feel vindicated!

Holiday's past . . . some fun times!

 Here are some fun shots of our 2009 family pre-Christmas.  We had to have a pre-Christmas party because my brother, sister-in-law and their two daughters were going to be in Florida visiting my sister-in-law's family. The good news is they said they'd never do it again!

On of my nieces, recently home from college pointed  out that "girls rule" in our family.  We have more females than males, and we usually have a lot of fun.  This photo started out originally with two people, and people kept jumping in!  

 This was early in the evening, not much wine had been consumed at this point, my mom even jumped in for this photo shoot, and yes, one of my nieces was laying on the floor looking up at us!

Here's a pic of my sisters Christmas tree, it was huge!  It was so huge that her husband had to fasten it to the wall!

I'm looking forward to posting this years Christmas photos!  I'm also thrilled to be finished with one of my graduate classes and my student teaching - one more to wrap up!  And I'd like to wish my hubby a very Happy Birthday (Dec. 8th) this past Wednesday!  He's a wonderful guy!

Oh Christmas Tree . . .

Oh Christmas Tree . . .

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here . . . this morning I was out and about with one of my girlfriends and we stopped at a local farm stand - oh the greens, the boxwood trees, and beautiful wreaths!  I can't wait to decorate the outside of our home.  I'm looking forward to attending Aunt Mae's annual Christmas party, but most of all I'm looking forward to spending time with good friends and family.  

Even Duke's ready!

I saw a recipe for an egg-nog bundt cake on someone's blog (sorry I can't remember who had it) and I though it would be a fun recipe!  So I went to Allrecipes.com and found this one!  And would you just look at the nutritional information, now how's that for a gift - LOL!!!  Enjoy!

EGGNOG CAKE

INGREDIENTS:

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix 1 cup eggnog* 3 eggs 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg CUSTARD SAUCE: 1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup milk 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten 1 teaspoon butter or margarine 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped

DIRECTIONS:

1.

In a mixing bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Beat on low until moistened, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured 12-cup fluted tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes; invert onto a wire rack. Remove from pan; cool completely. For sauce, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan; gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Blend a small amount into egg yolk. Return all to the pan; mix well. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Cool for 15 minutes. Fold in whipped cream. Store in the refrigerator. Serve with the cake.

Nutrition Information Servings Per Recipe: 16 Calories: N/A

Amount Per Serving Total Fat: N/A Cholesterol: N/A Sodium: N/A

Amount Per Serving Total Carbs: N/A     Dietary Fiber: N/A Protein: N/A