{Welcome 2011!}

Reflecting back on 2010 put a Huge smile on my face.  

I am very grateful for yet another wonderful year

and

 Welcoming 2011 with even a Bigger Smile :)!

via Geekologie

This is what the Lord says, ... "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

— Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 (NIV)

May you all have a Blessed & Safe New Year!!!

Cheers! 

xoxo's Nancy

{Some Fun Festive Drink Recipes to try...}

Caramel Vanilla Martinis

Ingredients

• Ice cubes
• 3 ounces Amaretto
• 2 ounces caramel-flavored Irish cream liqueur
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla vodka
• Chocolate syrup, optional

Directions

• Fill a mixing glass or tumbler three-fourths full with ice. Add the Amaretto, Irish cream liqueur and vodka; stir until condensation forms on outside of glass.
• Drizzle chocolate syrup on the inside of two chilled cocktail glasses if desired. Strain Amaretto mixture into glasses. Serve immediately. Yield: 2 servings.

The Festive Sparkler

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Drink, any flavor, chilled
• 2 ounces sparkling water
• Lime wedge, garnish

Directions

• Fill a tall glass with ice. Add cranberry juice drink. Top with sparkling water. Garnish with a lime wedge. Yield: 1 serving. 

via Taste of Home Recipes

Pomegranate and Cranberry Bellinis

Servings: Serves 8–12
Ingredients
Simple syrup:
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
Bellinis:
• 1 cup ice
• 1 1/2 cups simple syrup
• 1 1/4 cups pomegranate juice chilled
• 1 cup cranberry juice chilled
• 1 750 ml bottle Prosecco chilled
• 2 limes thinly sliced
• 1 bunch fresh mint for garnish
• 1/2 cup (2 1/2 ounces) pomegranate seeds for garnish
Directions
To make simple syrup: In a saucepan, combine water with sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved. Take pan off heat and allow syrup to cool.To make Bellinis: Place ice in a 6- to 8-cup capacity punch bowl. Add simple syrup, pomegranate juice, and cranberry juice. Stir well. Slowly pour in Prosecco. Garnish with lime slices, mint sprigs, and pomegranate seeds, and serve. As an alternative to serving in a punch bowl, make Bellini mixture in a 6- to 8-cup pitcher. Divide pomegranate seeds between 12 champagne flutes, add 1 slice of lime and 1 sprig of mint to each glass, and pour Bellini mixture into each. 



Fresh Mint Margaritas


Servings: Serves 4
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 4 cups crushed ice
• 1 1/2 cups good-quality tequila
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 8 limes)
• 1 cup Triple Sec
Directions
In the bottom of a large (2-quart) pitcher, crush together mint and salt, pressing with the back of a wooden spoon. Add ice. Add tequila, lime juice, and Triple Sec, stirring vigorously. Serve in short tumblers or wineglasses.
via Oprah
I love a good drink...I'll have to try one of these recipes! 
My favorite drink is Sprite Zero, Tito's Vodka & Lime :)
and I'm also a Budlight girl!
If you'd like to share one of your special drink recipes email me & I'll post!
Cheers! 
xoxo's Nancy

{ New Years Party...? }

As always PB is soo inspiring!

Cheers!

Nancy

via  Potterybarn

{Christmas Eve & Day at The Carey's}

meet Bailey, he adopted us 6 months ago!

we just LOVE him!

 mom & my sissy

mom, dad, my sugar bear, niece & nephews

caught taking a skewer b/f it was time for dinner... 

the living room looked like a tornado went thru it but, how much fun to watch the kids open presents and see the joy on their lil faces every time they opened up a new gift!

 my sweet girl finally fell asleep..her goal was to stay up and meet Santa!

she left a bunuelo, carrots, peanut butter chocolate chex mix & cup of milk

Hope today was filled with lots of fun memories!

{Gingerbread Houses Part 2 & Merry Christmas!}

Wishing you All a Very Merry Christmas!  

May you all have a Blessed Day with Family & Friends!

Wrapping paper I made after watching a show on tv...wax paper, freezer paper & yarn.  

added glitter to this one....

love this vintage inspired paper

and the finished Custom Gingerbread Houses!

xoxo's Nancy

{Gingerbread Houses Part 1}

I just adore gingerbread houses...when I saw this cute kit with 5 mini gingerbread houses I couldn't resist...I had a brilliant idea & thought {wouldn't it be a fun family project & tradition?}~should be easy right? well, I lost all patience trying to glue together, they kept falling apart...uggh, I'm sure is was 100% my fault due to not following directions...

The sugar glue never got to the right consistency.

So, my sweet girl decided she was the right girl for the job!

 Here is how they are suppose to turn out....

I helped with these...good right? 

these are the 2 she did all by herself! I love the how creative she is &  put the windows on top of the house, kinda like skylights! 

I think they look just fabulous!

We are going to decorate tonight...this will definitely be the FUN part!

stay tuned for part 2!

xoxo's Nancy

{tis the season to be jolly fa la la la la la..la la la...}

JOLLY can't even describe HOW excited I am about my early Christmas present...

ready ready...

I

got 

a new macbook pro!!!!

woohoo I'm just soo excited I just can't hide it!! {corny I know...lol}

hubby Santa thinks  I've been a very good girl this year!! 

He is SO right! 

so, I've put together on my new mac

lil bits of the Christmas joy in and around our home.....

Christmas list to Sanata! it's a long one!!

getting teachers gifts ready....

packaged and ready to be delivered...

friends gifts

Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday's from Our home to Yours!

xoxo's Nancy