Spring has sprung…think PINK!!

I would like to kick off our series on outdoor entertaining with a springy option to pour at your next at-home event!!  Making specialty drinks by the pitcher allows your time as a host/hostess to be so much more enjoyable…not having to mix drinks for each guest, one at a time.

featured in July 2007 In Style

The Pink Lilly

2  cups grapefruit juice

2 cups  pineapple juice

1 1/2 cups white rum

1 cup  chilled club soda

splash of grenadine

In a pitcher, combine juices and rum.  Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.  Stir well and pour into ice-filled martini glasses.  Top with club soda and grenadine.  Serves 10.

Enjoy!!

Toasts for St. Patricks Day!!

If you are asked to toast family and friends during St. Patrick’s Day…a few ideas for you…

There are good ships,
and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may they always be.

May you live as long as you want and never want as long
as you live.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

May the luck of the Irish
Lead to happiest heights
And the highway you travel
Be lined with green lights.

May you have all the happiness
and luck that life can hold—
And at the end of all your rainbows
may you find a pot of gold.

Enjoy celebrating the luck of the Irish…

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!!

St. Patrick’s Day is quickly approaching…Think Green…and all the fun…parades, the luck of the Irish…leprechauns and shamrocks!! To add to the festivities, just a few drink ideas to help you celebrate. Always remember to drink responsibly!

GREEN BEER…A few drops of green liquid food coloring in the bottom of a mug or glass topped off with your favorite beer.

APPLE GREEN MARTINI
1.5 ounce of vodka
1 ounce of Green Apple Schnapps
ice

Add ice to drink shaker…pour in the vodka and Schnapps…Shake! Strain into martini glass and garnish if desired.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY PUNCH (non-alcoholic)
4 liters of lemon-lime carbonated soda
2 pints lime sherbet
6 cups crushed ice.

In large punch bowl, pour in soda. Add sherbet and ice. Stir!!

IRISH COFFEE
2/3 part hot, strong, freshly brewed coffee
1/3 part Irish Whiskey
2 tsp brown sugar
Whipped cream

Into an Irish coffee mug…put in brown sugar…follow with the whiskey and hot coffee. Float whipped cream on top.

ENJOY!!

Birthday Toasts!

In case you are called upon to raise a glass celebrating a birthday…

To you on your birthday, glass held high,
Glad it’s you that’s older - not I.

To wish you joy on your birthday
And all the whole year through,
For all the best that life can hold
Is none too good for you.

Happy birthday to you
And many to be,
With friends that are true
As you are to me

Cheers!!

Thanks to realbeer.com for the featured toasts.

Friendship Toasts!

The next couple of days, we will be featuring toasts for various situations.  Here are a few toasts to add to your repetoire!!  Have on hand for those special get togethers…so you can rise to the occasion and let your friends know how important they are.

Health to you,
wealth to you,
and the best that life
can give to you.

May good fortune preceed you,
love walk with you, and good friends
follow you.

May you live as long as you like, and
have all you like as long as you live.

Toasting Tips!!

Have you ever been put on the spot to make a toast?  A few suggestions to take the anxiety out of the mere thought of being asked!!

• Choose toasts from classic poetry or limericks; offer simple, heartfelt expressions; or summarize the honoree’s qualities or achievements.
• Keep it simple and brief.  A three sentence limit is a good rule of thumb.
• End cheerfully!  Lead the audience to raise their glasses, smile and sip.
• Robert Mondavi insists upon the Swedish custom of making eye contact with each person as you clink glasses for warm feelings.

Join us the next couple of days for some toast options to always have in your bag of tricks!!  Cheers!!

More for your Football Feast!

What would football be without hot wings?  Add this to your line-up for Sunday’s Super Bowl!

Hot Wings

1 lb. frozen wings, drumettes
Seasoned Salt
1/2 cup butter/margarine, melted
1/2 cup Tabasco
1/4 cup lemon juice

Spread wings in a lightly greased 9″ x 13″ casserole dish.  Lightly sprinkle with seasoned salt.  Allow to thaw for 30 minutes.  Bake in 325 degree pre-heated oven for 20 minutes.  Mix remaining ingredients.  Pour over wings.  Cook for additional 45 minutes turning every 15-20 minutes.  Serve with blue cheese dressing for dipping if you would like. 

Add a couple of sweet treats to your feast!  Remember, easy and simple is best for this kind of entertaining.  Add brownies or cupcakes.  Are you a Cardinals fan?  Add Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing.  Are you a Steelers fan?  Add Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing and sprinkles with the team colors…red, blue and yellow!  All in the name of simple!

Add to the fun with a football pool!  Keep it simple too!  And the stakes low!!  HAVE FUN!

Another Football Favorite!

Velveeta Ultimate Queso Dip

Ingredients
1 lb. (16 oz.) VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 can (10 oz.) RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained

Directions
Mix ingredients in microwaveable bowl.

Microwave on HIGH 5 min. or until VELVEETA is completely melted, stirring after 3 min.

Serve with assorted cut-up fresh vegetables, WHEAT THINS Crackers or tortilla chips.

Super Bowl Fun!!

Super Bowl Sunday is upon us!  Invite your friends and make it fun!  Keep it simple!  Visit tomorrow for some more ideas! 

Always a favorite…

Sweet ‘n’ Sour Meatballs

1 lb. bag of Armour pre-made cocktail size meatballs
2/3 cup Heinz Chili Sauce
2/3 cup Smuckers Grape Jelly

Brown meatballs lightly in oil.  Cover, cook over low heat for 5 minutes.  Drain off excess fat.  Combine chili sauce and grape jelly; pour over meatballs.  Heat, stirring occasionally, until jelly is melted.  Simmer 10-12 minutes until sauce has thickened.  Makes approximately 40 appetizers.  You might like to keep in a crock pot to keep warm.  Serve with toothpicks!  EASY!!