Summer Sipping

Kate Headley Photography from RitzyBee.com

I just love the Up A Notch column in Southern Living!  It has wonderful advice to make every day tasks just a little bit more special!  The June issue really caught my eye and I enjoyed sharing the tips from Ritzy Bee Events in D. C.  on my daily segment on the Gene & Julie Show on 103.7 Lite FM this morning. Kelly Seizert and Maria Cooke are featured in the magazine with tips to add a little garnish to your favorite summer drinks.  They suggest that you build your own Herb Tower (They recommend one from Leaf & Petal 205/877-3030) and let your guests get to work by selecting a garnish of their choice for their cocktail.  Check out their blog for some additional images of beautiful herb containers and check out the June issue of Southern Living for great summer sip recipes and five recommended pairings!

A New Years Celebration Countdown

Who doesn't love Rachel Ray? You can imagine how thrilled I was when I was asked to contribute to the Rachel Ray Everyday New Year's Countdown story called "Happy Hour." It is featured in the December/January Issue on page 138. Here are a few of the highlights! You can read the entire story here: www.rachaelraymag.com.

11:00 - One Hour to Go: Greet your guests at the door and leave a little goodie for them on the coat rack or hanger. As they take off their coat they can get in the New Years spirit by wearing the hat or feather boa you left for them. Place a stack of cards, pens, and a small box on the table and ask each guest to write out their wishes for 2010. Take turns reading them out loud (anonymously of course!) over cocktails later in the night.

11:15 - 45 Minutes to Go: Set out savory appetizers and snap photos and videos of your guests that you can email them the next day.

11:30 - 30 Minutes to Go: Refill the appetizer platters and check on the drinks and punch. Make a round thru your party and pick up empty plates, glasses and napkins. Remember to use small serving trays and buffett trays and refresh the food more often so that it always looks fresh and stays warm.

11:45 - 15 Minutes to Go: Cue the celebration and send subtle hints that it is time to gather for the countdown. Dimming the lights or blowing out candles in the rooms they should move from should do the trick. Get help from a friend to assemble some trays of sweets that you can put out after the countdown. Assembling them now will save you time later. Unwrap a few bottles of Champagne so they are ready to pop!

12 - Celebrate!

One of the hardest parts of a coctail party is figuring out how many drinks will be needed! Below is my cheat sheet to help you figure out your numbers.

# of People	10	25	50	100
Bottles of Wine per 2 hours	5	13	25	50
Bottles of Champagne per 2 hours	3	10	20	40
Bottles of Beer per hour	20	50	100	200
Bottles of Liqour per hour	1 1/2	3	6	12
Mixers for Liqour drinks per hour (1L)	4	9	17	33
Lemons and Limes	3	7	13	25
Ice (lbs)	5	13	25	50
Paper Cocktail Napkins per hour	40	100	200	400
Linen Cocktail Napkins per hour	20	50	100	200

Drinks with Dash

I love serving a signature drink at my soirees. It isn't always easy to come up with the appropriate refreshment but with the help of Louise Pickford's new book, Cool Drinks for Hot Days, you will always have the perfect recipe! There are all sorts of twists on the classic Iced Tea as well as festive and colorful drinks that are sure to please any guest. The photography is beautiful and will inspire you to serve your specialty with flare.

Oh Christmas Tree!

Thanksgiving is over and it is time to set up the Christmas Tree. If you are looking for something new this year I have a fun and feminine new suggestion for you! If my husband would let me, I would have a pink tree like this Cotton Candy Pink Flocked Tree.  It is currently on a close-out sale so act now and order your perfectly pretty new tree!  Fill it with bright and bold red ornaments for a festive punch of color.  Wrap the gifts beneath in red paper with pink ribbons and serve all of the guests at your holiday party peppermintinis!  Add two parts vodka and one part peppermint schnapps in a shaker with ice and mix them together. Pour the mixture into martini glasses rimmed in red or pink sugar and add a candy cane or peppermint stir stick. Enjoy!