The Bubbly

      Every grocery store I visit has displays full of champagne. Now that Christmas has passed retailers have focused on New Year's. I don't really notice any concentration on food so much as I do the champagne.

      It makes me think about it a little. I enjoy an alcoholic beverage, but I don't really get into champagne so much. I have enjoyed a mimosa or two here and there, but I've never sought out champagne. So now I stand in the store and stare at all the bottles of the sparkly stuff. Up for grabs are an Extra Brut, Brut, Dry, Extra Dry, and a few others that I'm not sure of. It's only then do I start to wonder about myself. (Trust me, I always wonder about myself, this is just the first time I wonder about this specific topic.) If I am such a horticulturalist, why aren't I more interested in the wines and champagnes? They are all made from grapes. I like grapes. Grapes grow on vines. Do you see where I am heading with this? Good. Then tell me so I know... :/

      With a new year right around the corner I'm thinking I need to start something new. I think I may need to try some of the bubbly. Let me see if I can decipher the differences between sweet and dry. I like learning things. I try to learn something new every day. Maybe this will be what I learn on New Year's Eve. :) Maybe. 

      Do you celebrate on New Year's Eve? Do you have a drink of choice? Have any insight into champagne? 

I hope you all have a very happy and safe New Year!

Holiday Happenings

      Well, it is Christmas night as I write this. The holiday hangover is starting, but something else weighs on me. It is that feeling of sadness. I don't know why this feeling looms over me after every Christmas, but it does. Maybe it is the anticipation of the whole season- the shopping, baking, wrapping, and visiting. Or maybe it is the overall feeling that everyone is just friendlier in general at Christmas. It seems that it all ends too soon. 

      Maybe, for me, it is because I live nearly 900 miles from my family. We haven't spent Christmas together in the last couple years. I've opened up the beautiful presents they sent and I long to wrap my arms around them and thank them for such thoughtful gifts. What I wouldn't give to hear the laughter and camaraderie happening in my parents house.

      Christmas is also the time when I seem to reflect more on the friends and family that are no longer with us. I think back on Christmas's past when we were blessed with their presence. What I wouldn't give for just another minute with them. But I do have the memories of the holiday's we did have together, and that brings a smile to my face.

      Maybe that sadness is from those references above. Who knows. All I know is my small family had a good holiday. We are happy and healthy and ready to start preparing for where we shall celebrate next year. We gave a few presents and we got some in return. I even got these glasses that used to belong to my grandmother. I love the handed down presents, don't you? 

      This sadness will stay with me for a couple days, then it will subside. If we are lucky days will come and go, and before we know it next Christmas will be here. :)

      Am I the only one that feels like this? Did you have a holiday full of laughter and fun? What was the best gift you received? Gave?

W.P.I.- Besides the poinsettia the Christmas cactus is a popular holiday plant. They are an easy-to-take-care-of plant that thrive in many conditions, including cold. If you have had trouble getting your plant to bloom try putting them in a dark room for a while. The darkness will make them set their buds. When the plant is put back in a lighter room the buds will turn to blooms. 

      

       

       

Merry Christmas

      The Charmed One and I would like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas.

      We hope you have a happy and safe holiday season. 

      

Time is Ticking By

      The trees have been plucked from their grounds, tied up, dispersed, displayed, and bought. They have found their final resting place to be displayed in bright lights, cheery ornaments, and festive bows for friends and family to see. 

      Presents have been bought from stores near and far. They've been hidden, and wrapped, and possibly hidden again before they find their place under the pretty tree. Some are decorated with bows, some are hidden in bags. 

      Fudge, cookies, and candies have been made, and now are presenting themselves evilly. They tempt all who walk by, all who dare to look at them.

      Many children have attended their last day of school for at least a week, leaving them home, eagerly anticipating the big day. Do they scour the house for gifts? Do they help with the last minute needs? 

      Certain channels have been showing Christmas movies since Thanksgiving. Stray Christmas cartoons like Dr. Seuss, Charlie Brown, and Rudolph have been aired. Chevy Chase's crazy antics in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation has been shown a couple times, always bringing a smile to my face. (One of my favorites.) Love, Actually has even been on. Sadly I only caught a couple minutes of that. (Another of my favorites.) 

      Time is ticking by. The day is almost upon us. 

      The day to see shining faces, listen to endless laughter, smell the roasting meal, and just feel the feel of Christmas.

      Are you ready for it? What is your favorite Christmas movie? Do you celebrate at your house, or someone else's? What do you look most forward to?

      

Tis the Season for Peppermintini's

      It is the time of year when we tend to indulge a little more on things. I'm not just talking presents, either. Sometimes we tend to eat more sweets like fudge, or candy. Sometimes we just keep over-eating from Thanksgiving through Christmas. What's that? That is just me? Oh. Okay. My bad.

      But sometimes there are holiday parties, family get-togethers, and meeting friends for a drink. And sometimes, especially around this time of year, these occasions may call for alcohol in those drinks. Just sayin. :) Hey now, remember I am Irish. I care for a shot of whiskey every here and there, and I do fancy a Guinness. That is just me. 

      What I have noticed though is that people are very, very, creative when it comes to holiday drinks. I had so many holiday drink pictures in a folder that my normal one post a day on the KRW Facebook page went to two last week for my Thirsty Thursday post. Then I posted another one on Saturday. Surprisingly some of those drink pics get the most responses. So, since it is the season of giving I thought I'd share. If you find one you like maybe you could be the next hit at the family party. So without further ado why don't we start with something a little lighter. How about we start off with a Peppermint White Russian?

      Next up we will stick with the candy cane theme. How about we try a Candy Cane Mojito? 

      Had enough peppermint yet? How about we switch over to cider? Do y'all like cider? I bet you would like this Hot Cider Nog. Doesn't it look yummy?

      If the combination of cider and eggnog don't appeal to you maybe an Eggnog Martini does.

      Let's keep with martini's. Let's swing it back to the peppermint. You know, peppermint is good for your stomach, right? It helps with stomach upset, etc. So if the nog upset you a little try this Peppermintini.

      How's that? Is that enough to make you feel... giddy? I think Santa may want you to leave him one or two. After sliding down chimneys, avoiding getting caught, and eating cookies all night I'm sure he wouldn't mind finding one or two of these every here and there. Just don't leave out too many or we might find a Tipsy Santa Cocktail...

      Of course there are plenty of non alcoholic drinks out there for those that don't care for the spirits! If you Google most of these I'm sure the recipe is available as well. 

      Do you attend many holiday parties? Do they have fancy drinks like these? Are you a martini person? What is your favorite beverage, alcoholic or non?

W.P.I.- Peppermint (Mentha piperita) has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It has a pleasant taste and is a popular flavoring for food and drink. Peppermint has a wide variety of health and medicinal uses. It is used to help treat the common cold, to calm inflammations and to soothe digestive problems. It also has been used to treat pain, minor headaches, rashes, and dry skin. 

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Please??? :)

      

  

Sleigh Ride

      We are entering the final days before Christmas. Are you finished and just anticipating the big day(s)? Are you running frantically trying to get those last gifts for that someone you may have forgotten? Are you baking cookies, fudge, or candy? Or do you let others do the baking, and you reap the benefits? 

       Does the holiday season stress you? 

       How about you come on a little trip? Why don't you climb aboard this beautiful sleigh and take a ride. Let's enjoy the fact you don't have to drive yourself. Let's enjoy the thought of not having to shovel snow, or trudge through it to get to stores. Let the sights relax you. Look at that branch hang low from the weight of the snow. Let the bright red color of that Cardinal in the tree bring a smile to your face. Let the untouched scenery warm your heart. Breathe in the cool air and feel the warmth of your loved one next to you.

      You glide into our destination. A cabin in the middle of tall pines awaits you. There is no sound, only peace and quiet. The warmth of the cabin hits you as soon as you open the door. Mulling spices simmer away on the stove sending a festive aroma throughout the air. The cabin is inviting in every way, but the fireplace aglow with soft flames is luring you in. That is where you are drawn. An over-sized, soft as you could imagine, chair awaits you with a steaming cup of tea on an end table.  

      You climb aboard and find a book sitting on the table next to the tea. A smile comes to your face as your reach for it. It is you, your loved one, and the book in front of the fireplace.

      Out of every book available which do you choose? What does your loved one read along beside you? 

      

       

Pet-tastic

      Usually this time of year funny pictures and meme's make their rounds on the internet. It seems many people try to spread Christmas cheer via humor. And it seems I'm going to try to do it as well. 

      Like via this picture. This shows some creativity...

      That one brings a big smile to my face. But what I've been seeing a lot of lately is animals getting into the spirit as well. Here's one...

      If that didn't make you smile then try this one...

      C'mon... Still not smiling? You better start, the big day is less than two weeks away! Try this on for size...

      Isn't that fitting?  (I hope you laugh at my puns! Even though they may be a tad bit lame.)

      Finally, if dogs aren't your thing *gasp*...

      Aren't they cute? 

      There you have it, my attempt at trying to put you in the spirit! 

      Do you dress up your pets for Christmas? Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? Are you done shopping, just starting, or in the middle of your list? 

W.P.I. - Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous. According to the Colorado State University Extension, 1971 research at Ohio State University proved poinsettias were only poisonous to rats when the rats ate 500 bracts or leaves. However, they are not meant for human or animal consumption. Poinsettias contain a sap that is irritating to animals and to people with latex allergies. Dogs or cats that eat poinsettia leaves or stalks have been known to cough or vomit, though the plants are not fatal to them. Since dogs will often taste new objects in their surroundings, it is best to place poinsettias in places where dogs cannot reach them.