Tis the day after Christmas and the gifts are opened, the wrappings thrown away. The leftovers are in the fridge and the kids are probably playing with new toys and games. You are probably exhausted and want nothing to do except relax, but I bet you are off to the mall for post-holiday sales and gift returns. I don’t envy you that at all. I refuse to go near the malls until after New Year’s Day. I made that decision when I discovered online shopping years ago. Now we are beginning to think of our New Year’s Eve plans, resolutions and how to keep them, goals and plans for a better year. What are you thinking about today? I am thinking about this blog and how to make it more interesting for you. Wondering what recipes you might like. Wondering how to help make your new year more wonderful.
So, I thought I would do some surfing and try to find some words of wisdom to pass on to you and perhaps a poem and a recipe or two.
Happy New Year
Author: Catherine Pulsifer
H appiness depends upon your outlook on life. – Find the good in all situations
A ttitude is just as important as ability.- Keep your attitude positive
P assion find yours this year! – Do what you love and you will never work
P ositive thoughts make everything easier.- Stay focused and stay positive
Y ou are unique, with special gifts, use them. – Never forget you have talent
N ew beginnings with a new year.
E nthusiasm a true secret of success.
W ishes may they turn into goals.
Y ears go by to quickly, enjoy them.- Wisdom from your elders, listen
E nergy may you have lots of it. – Take care of yourself
A ppreciation of life, don’t take it for granted. – Live each day
R elax take the time to relax in this coming year.- Keep a balance in your life
source: http://www.wow4u.com/happyny/index.html#dHC16iJDVHWQsXyO.99
“Let our New Year’s resolution be this: We will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word.” — Goran Persson
“New Year’s resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.” — James Agate
source: http://www.ibtimes.com/new-years-quotes-25-inspirational-sayings-celebrate-2014-1523392
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.
So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.
Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
― Neil Gaiman
“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.”
― Brad Paisley
“May Light always surround you;
Hope kindle and rebound you.
May your Hurts turn to Healing;
Your Heart embrace Feeling.
May Wounds become Wisdom;
Every Kindness a Prism.
May Laughter infect you;
Your Passion resurrect you.
May Goodness inspire
your Deepest Desires.
Through all that you Reach For,
May your arms Never Tire.”
― D. Simone
“Honor to the earth,” the abbot said, “honor to the dead in the passing of the year; honor to the living, in the coming of the new. A Great Year passes tonight. A new one begins. Let the good that is old continue and let the rest perish….”
― C.J. Cherryh, Fortress of Owls
source: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/new-year
I just read a great article for the new year at “Times of Ti” and I am urging everyone read it and let me know your thoughts. The article is entitled “New Year – New Era/Thoughts from Behind The Pressline,” written by Daniel Alexander. I found it very thought provoking. The article is about our relationship with Cuba and Korea and about the new movie, “The Interview,” which truthfully, I had no intention of going to see. It just seems stupid to me. I may be wrong, and if you saw it and found merit in it, please let me know. The URL for this article is: http://www.timesofti.com/news/2014/dec/23/new-year-new-era-thoughts-behind-pressline/?page=1&
Now onto lighter thoughts, entertaining for the new year. I love cocktail parties. Not for the drinks, not for the banter, definitely not for the noise level, but for the appetizer-type of food. Yes, I love to see my friends and families, but when it comes to finger-foods, I’m there! So let’s see what my brain comes up with for a drink and a goodie for your New Year’s Eve party.
Home Cookin Chapter: APPETIZERS 2014
BACON-WRAPPED SHRIMP
====================
ACTIVE: 20 mins.
TOTAL: 40 mins.
SERVES: 4-6
INGREDIENTS:
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 clove Garlic; GRATED
1 tsp. Paprika
1 tsp. FRESH Thyme
3 tbsp. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
1 lb. (about 24) LARGE Shrimp; PEEELD AND DEVEINED, TAILS INTACT
12 slices Bacon; HALVED
.
DIRECTIONS:
POSITION A RACK 3-4″ FROM THE HEAT SOURCE AND PREHEAT THE BROILER.
Whisk the lemon juice, garlic, paprika, thyme, olive oil AND 1/2
tsp. kosher salt in a SHALLOW BAKING DISH. Add the shrimp AND
toss to coat; MARINATE IN THE REFRIGERATOR for 20 mins.
TURN THE SHRIMP IN THE MARINADE TO COAT WELL. ONE AT A TIME,
REMOVE EACH shrimp AND wrap with a piece of bacon; secure with a
TOOTHPICK, if desired.
Place SEAM-SIDE DOWN on a baking sheet. Spoon any remaining
marinade over the shrimp. (MSS NOTE: I would cover the entire
baking sheet with aluminum foil BEFORE I put the shrimp on it.)
BROIL, TURNING THE SHRIMP ONCE, UNTIL the bacon is SLIGHTLY CRISP
AND the shrimp are cooked through, about 5 mins.
source: pg. 65, Food Network Magazine, Nov. 2014 issue, Volume 7,
No. 9.
Servings: 0
Exported from Home Cookin 8.59 (www.mountainsoftware.com)
Home Cookin Chapter: * Imported Recipes
Clean Slate Cocktail
====================
By Colleen Graham
Cocktails Expert
The Clean Slate Cocktail by Cody Frederiskcon – Photo Courtesy: ©
Cody Frederickson
The Clean Slate. Photo Courtesy: © Cody Frederickson
The Clean Slate is a fantastic cocktail worthy of New Year’s Eve
that was created by Las Vegas
Bartender Cody Fredrickson. It was chosen as the winning cocktail
in the December 2013 New Year’s Eve Cocktail Contest.
The drink is a nice balance of flavors that begins with one of
Ciroc Vodka’s newest flavors. Their
Amaretto vodka was released in 2013 and is a cherry-almond
infusion that has a hint of vanilla, a flavor That, to date, is
unique to the market. In The Clean Slate, Fredrickson paired that
with elderflower and cherry liqueurs as well as a housemade
apple-cinnamon syrup. The flash of the drink that brings it all
together is the Champagne and golden sugar rim. It is a stunning
drink.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 1 Cocktail
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 ounces Ciroc Amaretto Vodka
1 ounce St. Germain
1 ounce Cherry Heering
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 ounce apple-cinnamon simple syrup *(recipe below)
Top with Champagne
Garnish: Sugar and edible gold flake rim
.
PREPARATION
In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients except Champagne,
shake vigorously. Double strain into chilled white wine glass
rimmed with gold flake and sugar. Top with Champagne.
*Apple-Cinnamon Syrup
Cut four (4) apples and remove the core.
Boil them in 2 1/2 cups of water until they are soft and stewed.
Add 2 cinnamon sticks and stir for 10 minutes.
Add 2 1/2 cups of sugar and stir over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Drain and double strain the syrup.
You can also blend the apples and cinnamon sticks for a sweetened
apple cinnamon puree to use in other cocktails.
source:
http://cocktails.about.com/od/Flavored-Vodka-Cocktails/r/Clean-Sla
te-Cocktail-Recipe.htm
Servings: 0
Exported from Home Cookin 8.59 (www.mountainsoftware.com)
Home Cookin Chapter: BEVERAGES – NON-ALCOHOLIC
Hilerie’s Party Punch
=====================
Recipe by HILERIE
“This is a quick and easy punch. I have served it at both family
functions and at work celebrations. In
Fact, this punch has been demanded for all co-workers birthday
parties for over a year now.”
PREP: 10 mins
READY IN: 10 mins
Ingredients
2 (2 liter) bottles ginger ale
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen white grape-peach juice concentrate
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen white grape-raspberry juice
concentrate
1 (12 ounce) package frozen raspberries
16 fresh mint leaves, or as desired
.
Directions
Mix ginger ale, white grape-peach juice, white grape-raspberry
juice, raspberries, and mint leaves together in a punch bowl.
source:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hileries-party-punch/detail.aspx
Servings: 28
Exported from Home Cookin 8.59 (www.mountainsoftware.com)
A TZIMMES REVIVED 