New Year's Eve Kit

Hello!  I am so excited to share this really cute idea with you all!  A New Year's Kit.  Some sweet friends surprised us with this darling present last week!  I can't remember the last time I have seen a more creative and thoughtful gift...LOVE THIS!!!   The most creative part?  We received this BEFORE Christmas, so...it was just in time for our New Year's Eve celebration, but, a fun and unexpected surprise, since we were totally in the "Christmas" mindset.


A pretty package, ready to open...

 LOVE this printed label...Cute!  

Look at this adorable stuff!

New Year's Eve hats!

 Little party poppers...all packaged.

Gummy bear packs for our children...too fun!!!

 More cute printed labels to continue the theme...

 Plates and napkins...

Sparkling cider for the children and champagne for Mom & Dad...love it!!!

 A New Year's Banner...all sparkly!  

Here are the contents of the gift bag all set out for you to see...

What a thoughtful gift!!!  Our wedding anniversary is January 1...will be 18 years, YAY!  Our son's birthday is also January 1, and, he will be 4 years old.  So thankful we now have everything we need to ring in the new year, all because of a very sweet and creative friend.  I truly hope you had a wonderful Christmas!


HUGS TO EACH OF YOU!
      Beth 

A Mother/Daughter Cookie Exchange~ Fun Times!

One of the highlights of my ChRiStMaS season has been a Mother/Daughter Cookie Exchange in our home, this past Tuesday morning.  This idea is totally inspired by my good friend AMANDA BROWN, her blog (My Heart's Desire) is really great and, I hope you will check it out.  Ahhhh...we really had a SWEET time!  My dear friends, Aimee, Brandi, and Karen helped me host and, what a NEAT event!  




We served Chic-Fil-A mini chicken biscuits.... (so easy! ...and, Yummy!)...

And, powdered sugared donut holes (I bought these at Kroger)

Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Punch for the little girls... this was a real 'hit'...plastic cups and red/white straws that I cut in half... topped off with red and white sugar sprinkles.  

Mini cinnamon rolls were served up...I bought these at Kroger too...(so easy!) 

I found these glass apothecary jars at Kroger (Kroger has it ALL!!!) - on their Christmas aisle.  Filled two of them with marshmallows and Twizzler candies, for a festive look. 

Pixie Sticks for the girls ....

My girls...ready for the cookie exchange...

My friend (and fellow hostess), Aimee...with her girls Anna and Abigail.

My dear friends, Tona and Brandi.  LOVE these women!!! 

The ladies really brought their "A game" with cookies and recipes to share! 

The table....all ready to go and, Aimee is serving ice cream punch...

Love this!  All of the women in a big circle...sharing their Christmas cookie tradition.

Brooke and I, at the cookie exchange.

My sweet friend Amy, and her daughter, Lainey.

Sorry for this terrible picture!  This is the Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Punch!  I meant to snap a picture before and, then, it was gone!!!!  Here is the recipe:


1 large plastic tub of chocolate chip ice cream ( I bought Kroger brand)
1 gallon whole milk
4 Tablespoons vanilla
5 cups powdered sugar


Mix all ingredients together in a large punch bowl and serve cold.  * Leave ice cream out to thaw for 30+ plus minutes before adding to the punch.  (the softened ice cream will be easier to stir).  ENJOY!  =)

The invitation to our party...this cute paper was on sale at Hobby Lobby.

Mercury glass Christmas tree is from the Pottery Barn Outlet here in Memphis.  The apothecary jar is from Kroger.  

I mentioned this before, but, cut red & white straws in half to serve with the ice cream punch...a fun little touch! 

Dollar Tree  party favors!  These favors were my favorite part of the party!  Only $1 each at the Dollar tree!  I bought every one on their shelf!  We made these favors up so easily!  A little white card was attached to each spatula (with 2-sided tape) and then, a little ribbon tied in a knot...

The favors were stacked neatly in this silver punch bowl...set out by the front door, as our guests went to leave.  FUN!!!!

I hope you will think about hosting a FUN Mother/Daughter Cookie exchange for next Christmas ....2012.  This was an Awesome event and, I really believe that everyone left with a lot of holiday joy in their hearts.  SO great!!!


Merry, Merry You All!!!
Hugs & Flair,
Beth


Linking To:

Sweet Potatoes Supreme~ A MUST For Your Christmas Dinner!

I want you all to have this amazing sweet potato recipe.   This recipe is adapted from a dear family friend, Mrs. Judy Stone.  Her recipe calls for fresh sweet potatoes and, over the years, I have substituted canned sweet potatoes.  You really do need to add this dish to your Christmas lunch or dinner...SO good!!!!  


SWEET POTATOES SUPREME


3 cans sweet potatoes, drained  ( I prefer the Bruce's brand) 
1 cup sugar
3 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 stick butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla 


Topping:
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 T.  flour
1/2 stick butter, softened
1 cup pecans, chopped (optional) 


In a large bowl, use a hand mixer and beat the sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, butter and vanilla.  Place the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.  For the topping:  Take a 1 gallon ziploc bag and add the brown sugar, flour, butter and pecans.  Knead the bag with your hands until the topping is mixed up.  Place over the sweet potatoes.


This recipe can easily be made up ahead.  You can refrigerate or, freeze until ready to use.  *Add the topping right before you bake it. 


Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, until hot.

Enjoy this wonderful sweet potato casserole....SO good!!!


Merry Merry with Flair,
Beth


Linking To:
Tidy Mom, French Country Cottage

Winner of the Christmas Candle Giveaway Is....

Hello Friends!  


I randomly drew a name from the comments/entries this morning and...


The WINNER of the Christmas Candle giveaway is Kathryn Vaughan.  Click on Kathryn's name and look at her wonderful blog!  I had so much fun with this giveaway and, I will have another one in January!  Kathryn~ I will deliver your candle soon, so that you can enjoy it for Christmas.  


Merry, Merry Ya'll! 
Beth

Christmas With Friends

This Christmas has been one of my favorites of all time!  I have been blessed to have hosted two great events in the past few days.  Opening up our home during this season is a joy!  Today, I will feature an evening with friends, held this past weekend.  Yesterday, myself and three close friends hosted a "Mother/Daughter Cookie Exchange" here, and, I will show you this fun event, very soon. 


Christmas with Friends:


Dessert table with arrangement that I featured last week:  Pottery Barn Outlet mercury glass trees. 

The main food table.  Arrangement created by my favorite florist, Garden District, here in Memphis, TN. 

The stair case right by our front door. 

Our family room.  Ready for friends. 

The front walk way, lined with candlelight.

Desserts anyone?  Each year, I have so much fun making desserts for our friends.  This year I served:  Caramel Cake, Chocolate Layer Cake, Praline Cheesecake,  Fudge Kahlua Trifle,  Double Fudge Cheesecake and, Caramel Banana Pudding. 

Living Room coffee table. 

"Merry Christmas" corner in our den.

Entry hall table with our "Christmas Memories" books for our friends to sign in.  I love to keep a record of friends in our home each Christmas.  The candle is a scent I have burned in our home every year..."The Smell of Christmas" by Aromatique.  Divine! 

 A Sweet Friend:

Dinner is served:  Fried Catfish,  Buffalo Wings,  Chicken Pasta Alfredo, Green Beans Supreme, Sweet Potato Casserole, Au Gratin Potatoes, Sausage and Cheese platter- Memphis style, and boiled shrimp.  I do believe no person left hungry!  

Sweet Friends, we are so blessed! 

Me and four dear girlfriends.

Merry, Merry Christmas ya'll!  Christmas is a time for celebrating our Lord's birth and, a time to celebrate with friends and family.


Merry Wishes!!!
Beth


Linking To:  Savvy Southern Style, Coastal Charm,             Women Living Well, Between Naps On The Porch, 2805,              At The Picket Fence, Common Ground, My Romantic Home