Yummy Hallowe'en Libations

Three types of drinks for three types of Hallowe'ens..

first - the cocktail party:

Created by a Harry Potter fan,  this was named the You-Know-Who Cocktail..

source

1 oz black sambuca

1/2 oz absinthe

1/2 oz gin

dash lemon bitters

pour into shaker over ice, shake, strain into glass

garnish with lemon zest and a chip of dry ice

serve smoldering :)

The all-ages get together:

some Spooky Punch..

     

Freeze juice/colored water in silicone surgical gloves, mask overnight.

Mix up your choice of fruit juices and ginger ale,

add your ghastly ice and voila - spooky punch!

If you'd like to add alcohol, try this version: use cranberry, orange and soda

then add 1 oz vodka into each glass, garnish with orange zest.

for the Trick-or-Treating crowd..

after the first year of this my husband and I learned the secret to taking the kids out:

fill with this:

Mulled Pom-Apple Cider

Place equal parts pomegranate juice and cider over heat

with a cinnamon stick, orange zest, dried pears and apples

Place in mugs with your choice of brandy, rum or port - I like spiced rum!

Share with your neighbours :)

Which one will you be drinking?
Are you attending any festivities this weekend?
Any special decorating plans?

There's been a million posts on Hallowe'en decor, but I really liked this front porch, 

from Nicole at Making it Lovely - she's entered into the BHG contest, so head over to her blog and vote!

Off to put the finishing touches on Vampire Queen and Miss Canada costumes..

Cam has decided to dress as a hockey player, and since he is one, all we have to do is choose a jersey - 

have I mentioned I love that boy?!

Tomorrow we will carve five pumpkins (one for each of us - tradition)

and hang our mad spider collection from the porch ceiling..

I think there's about 50 now, it's becoming a bit creepy!

Happy Halloween All!

til next time..

The Simple, Subtle Way to Work a Home Bar Into Your Space

In my mind, a gracious home always includes a cocktail area.

This doesn't mean an enormous vinyl-covered wet bar,

but a chic little display that functions as a serving spot

 and provides an interesting vignette.

source

D and I are former bartenders,

(and certainly got over-indulgence out of our systems way back when!)

so we rarely drink unless we have company,

and then in moderation.

The last thing we want is to have the focal point in a room be the bar.

So how to incorperate this space subtly and easily?

Pop over to my guest post at Project Gadabout today

for some GOR-geous examples.

x am

Its February! Celebrate Love...

February is one of my favourite months.

Just when you feel like you'll never see the sun again

 (maybe thats a canadian thing)

this day appears, 

set aside just to celebrate the love we have in our lives.

for the record, i wasn't always sappy like this,

my husband ruined me :)

and my children provide me with more love than I deserve

The Gourmet Cupcake Company, via i-heart-cupcakes

So pretty to hang in a window...

Wax Paper Hearts, Martha

LOVEly Umbrella

BuggyBrolly

Breakfast for your Honey

via stylehive

Love on a Saucer by ZuppaArtista

For your little darlings..my kiddies have this, theirs gives "heart hugs"

ikea

Share the love with some friends over Valentinis

2 1/2 c currant vodka

1 1/4 c champange

3/4 c raspberry shnapps

1/4 c lime juice

shake over ice...

D. and I don't give each other presents, 

we try to find some time just for us instead,

 but we always give cards/notes/poems

For 

it was not into my ear you whispered

but into my heart

It was not my lips you kissed

but my soul

                      

                           -Judy Garland

          

That is on the painting I did for over our bed.

These heart-shaped coasters were given to us as a wedding present

 - they're made entirely of recycled aluminum from pop cans! 

I have no idea where our friend got them - it was a while ago ;)

They have lived on our bedside tables in every house we have lived in 

- there's been a bunch.

See? I told you he ruined me!

Never thought I would be a romantic..

I'd love to hear about your Valentines Day plans...

til next time..