I'LL DRINK TO THAT...

i recently added more specific labels to all my recipes,
so it should now be easier to go through the archives and find specific ones if needed.

if you click on any category on the lefthand side of the blog,
it will take you to all the posts that fall in that category.

some categories have many posts that qualify so they will not all show up on the homepage,
but at the bottom of the page there will be a button that says "older entries" to see more.

now i couldn't help but realize how each time i host a party,
a new beverage recipe appears on the blog.

WINTER WASSIL was first tried at gray's sip and see,

CAPPUCCINO PUNCH was made for witt's first birthday,

ORANGE JULIUS was served at bunco,

and now it only seems fitting to republish the drink recipe that we used for graham's party,
FLAVORED HOT COCOA!

i'm warning you in advance,
you will never want to drink ordinary cocoa again.

INGREDIENTS

8 C powdered milk









 6 C nestle quick (approximately 1- 1 lb. 8 oz. box)






4 C powdered sugar





2 8 oz. jar flavored coffeemate creamer (powder)
(whichever flavor you buy will be the flavor of your mix)






11 oz. regular coffeemate creamer (powder






1/2 t salt





DIRECTIONS

mix all the above ingredients together in a LARGE mixing bowl.





store in an airtight container.






mix together 1/4 C cocoa mix with 1 C hot water and enjoy!

SIP ON THIS...

we had the honor of hosting a SIP AND SEE

for BABY GRAY and his momma, LESLIE.

there was a FALL theme, with an invitation to come

"FALL IN LOVE WITH GRAY."

it was a sweet time for friends and family to
SIP ON DRINKS and SEE THE ADORABLE BABY.

there were several funny moments including (but not limited to): 

-several women that showed up down the street at our aunt and uncle's house instead of ours

-a guest that rushed in apologizing for being so late but who was actually half an hour early

by far my favorite comedic moment of the day was this conversation i had with a guest:

"at first glance i thought the invitation said SNIP AND SEE. i hadn't heard of such before.  all i could guess it to be was some type of contemporary circumcision ceremony. i was so curious what this party was going to be like, until i reread the invite and corrected my reading mistake."

i cannot explain the uproar of laughter that came out of my mouth at that moment.

i have no idea what would be served at a SNIP AND SEE.
but THE SIP AND SEE MENU included:

gingerbread mini muffins

mel's speciality spice cake pops
doughnut holes

pecan bars

variety of cheeses and meats

and several dips

these awesome co-hosts took care of food, drinks, flower arrangements, decorations, and preparations.

i made this pretty and tasty DRINK for all to SIP.
may i suggest you mix it up soon too.
your sense of smell, sight, and taste will all thank you.

WINTER WASSIL

(makes 15-18 cups)
4c apple cider

2c cranberry juice

1/2c orange juice

1t allspice

1 1/2t whole cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

cranberries (optional)

1) combine all ingredients and heat until warm.

2) garnish with fresh cranberries if you chose.

SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVIN' IS EASY...

nothing says summertime like

playing in the backyard

road trips

ice cream after dinner

plaid shorts

pool time

watching movies

and cherry lemonade!

(or according to adelaide "lem-o-lay")

HOMEMADE CHERRY LEMONADE

1 C hot water

3 C ice cold water

3/4 C sugar

3 large lemons squeezed (about 1/2 C juice)

maraschino cherries

1/2 C maraschino cherry juice

36 oz lemon-lime soda

1) place 1 cherry in each section of 2 plastic ice trays.

2) fill trays with soda and freeze.

3) bring 1 C water to boil.

4) remove from heat and stir in sugar until dissolved.

5) mix sugar water, ice cold water, cherry juice, lemon juice, and remaining soda.

6) stir and chill.

7) pour cold lemonade over cherry ice cubes and serve.

(thanks again to this recipe blog for another great one.)

"DEJA BREW: The feeling that you've had this coffee before."

this past sunday i might have had more than one cup of the frothy goodness described below.
my first cup took me back to days of college rushes. does anyone else remember the cappuccino punch tamara used to make for siggie events?! cup number two had me convinced i was in warrenton at antique show drinking a frozen cappuccino from the concession stand. and then i heard someone else say drinking this concoction was like slurping up those perfect, last thick drops of a melted milkshake. no matter what it is compared to, i can assure you i will be making this recipe again.

FROZEN CAPPUCCINO PUNCH
(from taste of home)

1/2 C sugar
1/4 C instant coffee granules
1 C boiling water
8 C milk
1 qt vanilla ice cream, softened
1 qt chocolate ice cream, softened

in a small bowl, combine the sugar and coffee.
stir in boiling water until dissolved.
cover and refrigerate until chilled.
just before serving, pour coffee mixture into a 1 gallon punch bowl.
stir in milk.
add scoops of ice cream.
stir until melted.

believe it or not, the punch wasn't the only highlight of my day. it was made for WITT's birthday celebration and there were MANY moments of the day that i absolutely LOVED. we are oh-so-thankful witt continues to do well at home. although he can't be out and about, mel and austan came to our house to party in their son's honor.




i LOVED making MEMORIES and PARTY FAVORS before the party. (thank you cassie for the great recipe, and thank you ashley for the perfect boxes).







i LOVED this guy getting his picture made with his CAKE before the celebration started (it was homemade by his grandma, WOW!)









i LOVED the way so many others helped make the party special. from flowers to snacks, the DETAILS and assistance were FABULOUS!







i LOVED the BALLOONS guests brought instead of cards. balloons are one of witt's favorite things, and the collection that came home for him to play with that day was too FUN!








and in case i hadn't mentioned it already, i also LOVED the CAPPUCCINO PUNCH.

'TWAS THE NIGHT AFTER BUNCO...

... and my stomach was still sore,

from laughter and slumber party snacks galore.
(if you care to try these same tasty treats

the recipes are below, you can make them to eat!)

it was just three months ago in a town near me,

a bunco group formed with these twelve fun ladies.

when september arrived it was my turn to host
and i knew i would love this night (i don't mean to boast)
i just so enjoy having others come to our home,
including some fab substitutes that were willing to roam.

the prizes were wrapped and ready for winning,
the scorecards were out and the music was spinning.this bunco night had a slumber party theme,
so we all wore pajamas to help set the scene.

we took turns frantically rolling the dice,
while sipping on yummy orange drinks with ice.

each person hoped to roll lots of sixes,

and scream, "bunco!" to get their fixes.

eventually the game could go on no more,

all had to be in their own beds by 11:04.

but i heard them exclaim as they drove out of sight,

i'll see you in a month, for our next bunco night!

(here are some recipes worthy of any BUNCO NIGHT, SLUMBER PARTY, or JUST BECAUSE!)

ORANGE JULIUS
(like the good stuff from mall food courts)
INGREDIENTS
1/4 C sugar
6 oz can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 C milk
1 C water
1 t vanilla
10 ice cubes
DIRECTIONS
1) in blender combine all ingredients.
2) blend for 30 seconds-1 minute or until ice cubes are crushed.
3) serve in fun glasses with straws.

POPCORN MADNESS

INGREDIENTS
2 bags of microwave popcorn
1 bag of marshmallows
1 bag of m&m's
butter (i usually use at least 2 tablespoons)
DIRECTIONS
1) grease bundt pan.
2) pop the popcorn. (take out unpopped kernels, biting into one totally kills the party mood)
3) melt the marshmallows and butter.
4) mix popcorn and marshmallows.
5) add m&m's. (use m&m's in seasonal colors for a festive touch)
6) put in bundt pan & let it cool. (i usually spray my hands with pam when I press it down in the bundt pan)
7) turn over & put on cake stand or serving plate.
8) eat too much & get a stomachache.

CINNAMON ROLL-UPS
makes 48 mini roll-ups
INGREDIENTS
1 loaf white bread
8 oz cream cheese
1 stick butter
3/4 C sugar
1 T cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
1) trim crusts off all bread
2) use rolling pin to roll each piece of bread until flat
3) spread some cream cheese on one side of each piece of bread
4) roll up each piece of bread then cut each stick in 1/2
5) melt the butter
6) mix together cinnamon and sugar
7) dip each stick in butter then cinnamon sugar mixture
8) place all pieces on ungreased baking sheets
9) bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes
10) taste the goodness.

PIGS IN A BLANKET
INGREDIENTS
2 cans crescent rolls
1 package lil' smokies sausages
spicy mustard or other dipping sauce
DIRECTIONS
1) preheat oven to 375.
2) tear off small pieces of crescent dough and wrap around each sausage.
3) place on pan and bake for 10 minutes or until done.
4) serve with dipping sauce.

FILL ME UP, COCOA CUP, DON'T LET ME DOWN...

one of the things that marks the winter season for me is...
FLAVORED HOT COCOA MIX

since my mom started making homemade cocoa mix back in the day i have developed into quite the hot chocolate snob. i LOVE hot chocolate any time of year but i only make the homemade mix at Christmastime. needless to say it is a sad day when the mix runs out and i have to settle for something store-bought, but for now i will drink it up in style!

you too can make this DELICIOUS mix to give as gifts to neighbors, friends, etc. or just to have on hand for your own perfect nightcap...

INGREDIENTS
8 C powdered milk






6 C nestle quick (approximately 1- 1 lb. 8 oz. box)






4 C powdered sugar






2 8 oz. jar flavored coffeemate creamer (powder)

(whichever flavor you buy will be the flavor of your mix...
i usually use french vanilla, but the hazelnut and amaretto are very good too)


11 oz. regular coffeemate creamer (powder)






1/2 t salt







DIRECTIONS
Mix all the above ingredients together in a LARGE mixing bowl.






Store in an airtight container.

TO ENJOY
For each cup of hot cocoa you will-
add 1/4 C mix to 1 C hot water and drink up!