Some of My Favorite Summer Cocktails

The days are long and oh-so hot, the nights are sultry....summer is the perfect time for a frosty cold cocktail. 

My Crooked Little Country Garden

Yesterday I mentioned that one project seems to lead to another....and another....and 50 more. And my list just keeps growing and growing. 

Well, today I'm happy to share one big project that is finally complete!

Summer Cocktail Party Menu

I haven't hosted a dinner party in a while, so I started planning a date for a get-together. 

As things do, it snowballed into a gathering of about 20. 

The Easiest Thing I Do To Prepare for the Summer Months

All these gloomy, rainy days are kind of getting to me....I know we really need the rain but it's been raining now for about 4 days.

Enough is enough!!

Christmas Cocktails

Our weather forecast here in the mountains of Upstate NY says we will reach a high of 67 degrees tomorrow....on Christmas Eve. 

Are you kidding me?

Where's my white Christmas?

I think in light of the weather our Christmas Eve Cocktails will be by the outside firepit on the deck. 

Because, hello? SIXTY SEVEN DEGREES!

On Christmas Eve. 

I just can't. 

So, instead of a hot beverage on Christmas Eve, we're going to switch things up this year. 

A nice frosty Tuscan Pear Cocktail with ginger sounds heavenly!

As does this Pomegranate Vodka Gimlet  with fresh lime. 

Sweet Paul created this White Russian with Toasted Marshmallow Garnish which sounds like such a treat - dessert in a glass, anyone?

Sweet Paul keeps the party going with this Norwegian Forest Cocktail  - mmmmm those berries, rosemary, and lime sound refreshing on a HOT winter's day! Ahem. 

If you have some more berries leftover how about some Jingle Jangle Punch? 

 Or mix yourself up a Merry Maple Margarita for a twist on a summer classic. 

This Caramel Apple Sangria would be fabulous for a crowd...if you feel like sharing. 

And for a non-alcoholic crowd pleaser how about this Cranberry Cider Punch from How Sweet Eats. 

For 20 more holiday cocktail ideas why don't you head over to Swanky Recipes - there are some terrific ideas on that site I might just have to work my way through over the holiday period!

Sounds like a plan. 

It's tough work but somebody's got to do it!

Cheers!

Decorating for Christmas - The Living Room

I must have 8 or 9 big plastic tubs of Christmas decor....plus some cardboard boxes, bags, and even more items that haven't made it to any of the bags or boxes! I'm a Christmas nut....always have been. My younger daughter is just like I was back in the day....she gets so excited about the sights and sounds of the season.....it's nice to watch her enthusiasm and reminds me of how I used to be. 

When I was younger. Before my ex husbands both did things that nearly destroyed Christmas forever for me. 

But those are stories for another time. 

We have a tradition in my house that we decorate the Friday right after Thanksgiving. It started when my older daughter went away to college....she would be home for Thanksgiving and then not again until Christmas so it was the only time we could all be together to decorate. 

That meant going to an artificial tree from a real tree. I fought it kicking and screaming but it made the most sense with this new decorating schedule. Leaving a live tree up for over a month just doesn't work for me - I worry about the fire hazard and also holy smokes all the needles!!

And after the divorce it made even more sense to use an artificial tree since I'm not too keen on lugging a live tree into the house....cutting off the bottom....cleaning up a bazillion needles....etc. 

So this past weekend out came the boxes and bags and bins and we got to work...although it was tough to get in the spirit with temps in the 60's - what the heck? Where's my mountain top snow? This is just weird!!

But we put on some nice Christmas music and soldiered on. 

And here's a peek into our new home all decorated for it's very first Christmas with us!! 

These photos are of the living room only.....I'll share more in another post. 

I don't feel the mantel is quite finished just yet...I'd like to add some greenery up there. I'm still mulling it over. I posted some options here and looking back they all have greenery  that finishes them off nicely. We'll see. 

My tree is a hodge-podge of ornaments I've been collecting since childhood - and I love it. 

My stocking hangs next to the furbabies' stocking. They get so excited on Christmas morning to open their treats and new toys! Santa's always good to the babies!!

Of course the girls have their stockings together on the other side of the fireplace....Santa's pretty darned good to them, also!

At what age does Santa move on??? I'm curious....

I love this wooden wreath - I got this years ago from Gardener's Supply and this past year I added the matching two red trees on the mantel. The green trees I've had for about 15 years now. The mirror was from Joss & Main. 

My living room is long and narrow with a pathway behind the two swivel chairs....I knew I needed a skinny tree for this house. I picked one up a few months ago from JC Penney through one of Brad's Daily Deals. 

Love Brad's!!

My previous tree went down to the lower level for the girls to enjoy in the family room. 

Another change of pillow covers for the holiday season - I just love that I can swap them out any time I feel like it!! I'm telling you, Pottery Barn pillows are awesome!! Feather/Down inserts with a multitude of different covers....it just makes sense!

I picked up the red ones on my recent trip to Vermont and the jingle bell sleigh one I bought last year after Christmas in a super sale. 

The cheetah print fuzzy pillow covers go so nicely with the fur trim on the red pillows and can stay out all winter long.....or until I get sick of them and swap them out for a change of scenery. Chances are that will happen at some point!

This little metal tray and teapot were both gifts from my mom ages ago. The metal stand that holds the tray I got from Decor Steals a while back - it's awesome, totally adjustable for different paintings, chalkboards, artwork, etc - I just love it!

And of course a candle.....this one is a Kringle Candle - Snow Capped Fraser - smells just like a real Christmas tree! The shade is from Yankee Candle and I love the way the berry branches complement the cardinal tray. 

My bookcase holds another seasonal display - some favorite Christmas books with a variety of cute little holiday items I've had forever. 

And in the center is my new cake stand from World Market. I blame that purchase on Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick. She shared this cake stand when she gave all the sources for her kitchen reno and I fell in love....not only with the new kitchen but also with this wood and marble cake stand. I was looking for one for a while and this one was a fantastic price and exactly what I wanted!!  Thanks, Sarah!!

Anyway....that's our Christmas Living Room! It's nothing fancy or trendy but it's a collection of items that I have been decorating with for many years mixed with a few new pieces for my new home. 

Now picture it with the candles lit, Christmas music playing softly, and me holding a cocktail and laughing with family and friends. 

Perfect!

What time can you be here? 

~~~~~

Happily sharing at 

Christmas Open House Link Party

and 

Creating Christmas 

Art and Sand

Back to Reality

We had a fabulous getaway weekend in Burlington, VT with my daughters - but now it's Monday and it's back to reality. 

Almost.

I took a vacation day today so I could get some things done around the house before I get back to work. I'm puttering today. I love puttering.

My sweetie and I shopping on Church Street

And I love Burlington - what a great town! There's so much to see and do - amazing restaurants, the lake is gorgeous, and the shopping is such a treat! 

We don't have shopping in our little mountain top town. 

I might go a little crazy every time I visit there. 

Just a little bit.

This is what my dining room table looked like last night when I unloaded The Haul.

Yikes!!

But how could I resist some of these items? I mean, I'm only human.

These Christmas Cards? With the little squirrel? Just perfect for me and my little mountain house with all the wildlife.  They were calling out my name when I was browsing around in Homeport - one of my all time favorite stores on Church Street.

These pretty little bottles were so inexpensive and I knew I wanted to add some more colorful bottles to my window, just like Brenda has at Cozy Little House.  I just love how the colored glass looks in the window - it's like a little row of happiness!

And of course I can never walk by a Williams Sonoma...because I am a major foodie. And they were having their Friends and Family sale - 20% off  EVERYTHING!! Even sale items!

I'm already looking ahead to Christmas Morning with Spiced Caramel Apple waffles and a Cappuccino with Skinny Salted Caramel syrup.

And some Peppermint Bark as a palate changer after Christmas dinner. Yumzers!!

Of course while I was in Williams Sonoma I had to pick up a few tools. Their red silicone spoonulas and spatulas are my absolute go-to's in the kitchen - first utensils I reach for when I'm cooking.

I needed to replace a couple of my broken cutting boards and this little teak board was a fantastic deal at just around $12.

I also had to stop for a minute - ok an hour - in Kiss the Cook where I picked up this veggie brush to help with cleaning my giant veggie harvests. 

I also grabbed this wooden utensil with the flat edge - I have another one and they are absolutely the best for deglazing a pan. You can use them to scrape up all the little brown bits while deglazing and they are safe for nonstick coatings. This would be my #2 go-to utensil, when the silicone spatula is not firm enough.  It's always good to have extras of your go-to's so that when one is in the dishwasher you have another.

While in Kiss the Cook I grabbed this LeCrueset Kettle I've been drooling over for years. It was the last one they had in this color and I snatched it up real quick! I was so glad to be able to pick it up and examine it closely. I've been looking at it online for such a long time but something always held me back. When I picked it up and examined the quality it was a no brainer. It's replacing the cheap tea kettle I've had for years that has all the chips in the enamel. Done. 

It's going to make friends with my new best friend. I can already see them becoming very close.

My sweetie is already looking forward to Spring and grilling season once again....he bought me this griddle for when I do grilled veggies. He's always picking me up little gadgets for the kitchen - I have a sneaking suspicion he wants me to keep cooking for him!

There's another fabulous store in Burlington called April Cornell - I have never seen it anywhere else and I always make it a point to take a walk down to the waterfront to browse around the store. Apparently the Burlington store is their flagship store, the largest they have. My favorite place is the bargain basement - they have an entire level of sale items - I can get lost down there for hours!! 

I picked up these 2 great runners with matching napkins plus 4 placements with coordinating napkins. 

I really, really love nice table linens!

Perhaps a little too much. I may or may not be a table linen addict. 

This sweet little dishtowel came home with me as well - looking ahead to Valentine's day with this one of course! 

I also may have a small dishtowel fetish. I'm not saying. 

Just take  a look at this adorable tin box - it's almost like this was made just for me!! Roosters AND polka dots? I just can't. 

I have no idea where it's going to live but I knew it had to come home with me. 

Kim from Exquisitely Unremarkable - I know you're eyeballing it and yes, you're right - it would look great in your gorgeous kitchen or dining room - for sure! 

But this one's staying right here on the mountain top. Sowwwyyy!!

I tell you, April Cornell has some lovely linens and accessories - I'm always surprised at what I find in there! 

I think Sheila from My Kentucky Living would be right at home in that shop also with all those beautiful table linens!

There were a few more items that made their way home with me - these pillow covers from Pottery Barn as well as this gorgeous Sleigh Bell Velvet Runner - they will be absolutely gorgeous for Christmas! 

The bottles you see are all Vermont made spirits - from front to back:

Metcalfe's Vermont Maple Cream Liqueur  

Vermont Ice Apple Cream Liqueur 

Sapling Maple Rye 

Silo Elderberry Flavored Vodka

May I just say - YUMMMMMMMM!!!!

And yes, Rue from An Old Fashioned World - I know your tongue is hanging out right now.....wish you were here to sample these with  me!

We're going to have lots of visitors over the holiday period - these will be a nice treat when entertaining!

Speaking of cocktails.....

At the end of our shopping day we were POOPED!! Time to head back to our lake view room at the Hotel Vermont and have a cocktail. 

It was a lovely trip, as always, and it goes by far too quickly. 

Today we're back home on the mountain top and I'm puttering around putting away all my goodies. 

My little bottles are so happy in my kitchen window - they are sharing the windowsill with a couple of little turkey votive holders for Thanksgiving. 

It's the little things that make a home, isn't it? 

My new kettle looks wonderful in my colorful kitchen. And my new cutting board looks happy there with all of his friends. 

The place mats with their coordinating napkins from April Cornell are a nice addition to the fall table. 

And my new Christmas Ornament from Homeport is just waiting for Thanksgiving to pass so it can make it's way to the front of the Christmas Tree. 

Right in a prime location. 

Welcome home. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Update: My youngest daughter wrote about our trip to Burlington also - pop over and say hi to her at TheGoodThingsComin 

One Room Tour - My Dining Room

Ok, so I  might be a little obsessed with my dining room.  The sun shines in at a certain time in the  mornings and the curtains glow and the crystal sparkles and the wood glows and it just makes me smile. I look into the room while I'm making my coffee in the morning and it just feels like I'm exactly where I am supposed to be. You know that feeling?  If you don't,  I truly hope someday you do....

My morning view from the coffee maker

The light is changing - the leaves are falling rapidly, many of the trees are already bare, and we're heading into that thinner winter light. 

I don't care, I'll take it. I think this house gets more sun than any of the other homes I've lived in. I'm absolutely crazy about the sunshine in my new home. And pretty much my new home in general. 

My dining room isn't trendy by any stretch of the imagination. I don't have a big farmhouse table with skirted chairs or a painted hutch or white china. That's a gorgeous look but I tend to go more for a country feel with color and warmth and plants galore. 

I bought the table with the house because I loved it so much and thought it really suits the space. There are 2 leaves in it right now but when they come out it's a perfect little round table for 4. The antique chairs came with the table and 3 of them had to go out for repairs - the cane on the seats was destroyed.  I can fit 8 around the table comfortably, which works very well for dinner parties. 

My china cabinet came from Craigslist last year, before I even moved into my new home. Back in those long months when I was waiting for the closing. Long, long months. I paid $125 for this piece, delivered to my house and carried inside. I love the old look of it and it's just the right size for this little corner. I keep my crystal and wine/cocktail glasses in this piece, with napkins and placemats in the drawer. There wasn't enough room for my tablecloths, so they are in the basket under the hutch. And some are in the linen closet. Yup, I might have a few too many tablecloths. Oops. 

The basket came from Pottery Barn and of course I bought it on sale with a coupon. I refuse to pay full price! Refuse, I tell you!!

I bought a set of casters and attached them to the bottom of the basket simply using zip ties. Then my sweetie cut a piece of wood to set into the bottom of the basket to make it a little stronger - those linens can be a little heavy! 

In the other corner is my bar. We like to entertain and it's nice to be able to offer people their choice of cocktail when they arrive. This little bar is actually a dry sink that I bought at a yard sale about 15 years ago for $40. I just gave it a good cleaning and have loved it in each of my homes since. Underneath I keep cocktail mixers, soft drinks, straws, ice bucket, shakers, etc. In the drawers are taper candles to the left and after-dinner chocolates to the right - except that I may or may not have eaten them all. I'm not saying. 

The picture above is a daily reminder of an item on my bucket list - for my next big birthday I want to travel to Paris with my two beautiful daughters. They need to start saving!

All my infused alcohols are set out on the bar ready for sampling. Who will be my first taste tester? Any volunteers?

In between the china hutch and the bar is this little bench that used to be right inside the entry of my rental house. I placed it here a few months ago for lack of a better spot for it and I found I really like it there! I can sit on it and look out the window, almost like a window seat. And it can also serve as extra seating at the table if we are really trying to cram more people in. 

Oh, and the little Monkey has decided it's hers. She likes to watch the world outside and then settle in for a snooze. 

You can see how the dining room relates to the kitchen - it's an open space, perfect for entertaining. When I'm cooking people can sit at the counter and be right there with me for a chat. I love it. 

I can be at the stove cooking and still part of the gathering. As you know, everyone always loves to gather in the kitchen! 

I bought small scale stools for this counter so that they took up less space in the dining room but also so the backs didn't protrude too far over the counter top for passing dishes from one space into the other. 

Smart, eh? I told you. I had tons of time to think and plan. It took 5 long months to close on this house. I thought I was going to lose my mind. 

Anyway. 

This is looking back towards the dining room. One big happy space. Well, not that big. but compared to NYC apartment kitchens? Ginormous!! Perfect size for me. 

In the other corner I have my little wine cabinet. Most of my wine is stored in the lower level now  but I keep a few bottles up here. This little corner is just perfect for the wine cabinet. And of course every wine cabinet has to have a red sequin sparkly high heeled pump to hold your current bottle, right?

Of course. Duh. 

From that corner looking into the dining room there's a view of the mountains out the window. And tomatoes everywhere....ripening slowly. Remember the giant harvest? Yeah. We're going to be eating lots of meals with tomatoes....and celery. Hey, nothing wrong with that!!

So now you got the whole tour. What do you think? 

Doesn't have to be "trendy" to be awesome. Go with your heart. If you love it, it will show. 

I'm in love.