Glimmer in the New Year

We hope everyone had wonderful holidays this season!!! It's almost time to ring in the New Year!  2012 is on our heels!!

Plans to be made, resolutions to begin and a new beginning for all.  Whether you're out on the town or snuggled up at home with family and friends it's time to reflect on 2011 to make 2012 the best yet!


This year if you're staying home make it the best time by bringing the ambiance to you minus the herds of people!  It's simple and easy with just some appetizers to throw in the oven, pop open a chilled bottle of champagne, light the candles and watch the ball begin its descent at 11:59pm!

Let's get out the list and check it twice for all the essentials!

1.  Gourmet Appetizers from Rastellli Direct:

Spanakopita

Brie & Raspberry in Phyllo

Chicken Pineapple  Brochette

Crispy Asparagus w/ Asiago Cheese

2.  Candle Light by Pink Zebra:

A great way to personalize your New Years is by creating your own scent with all natural Soy.  I found a unique company that allows you to use your senses and create scents...  (Click on a photo to have more fun!)

Creating your scents with sprinkles is fun and you can enjoy doing this with your family and friends making it a New Years activity...

                  

3.  That Good Old Traditional Bubbly Champagne:

Now since we're staying in we splurged on one of our favorites Paul Goerg Cuvee Lady... It's a french champagne blend of three grapes (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier) with an aroma like Granny Smith Apples...

  

         
New Year's Eve is now complete!  Sit back, relax and enjoy!!!!

Have a very Happy New Year and see you in 2012!

Just Wing It

Crispy, Spicy, Mild, Honey or BBQ'd....... Chicken wings.....  A must have accompaniment to a sports game....  Fantasy teams, foam fingers, body painting, the ceremonial victory dance and yes wings....   The staple of the perfect Sunday afternoon or Monday night spirited game. A time the men digress into cave-like behavior, grunting and groaning, jumping and dancing all for a leather ball being chased around a field.  The only time they will get up at 3am to pack the vehicle full of the necessities for the ritual tailgating... A word I have yet to understand or find the right meaning for.   Tailgating - the art of eating and drinking in a parking lot... Hmmmmm.... 

I will admit to my occasional afternoon of sitting in a chair with a beverage in hand in a parking lot full of cars.... I may not understand it fully, but it has been quite entertaining.  Observations have shown that the game itself is not the competition but it is the items on the grill, the most decorated vehicle or costumes adorned that are of utmost importance.  Holding a foam finger high in the air with the flames raging at the tip... Yes you are on fire!   That was a grill you were standing near!  No, not fear of being burned but cheers for running in between cars chanting your teams name with a flaming foam tip.... but wait... a feeling of warmth reaches the hand and the foam finger now a fist goes flying through the air to land in a bucket of ice..... A moment of silence.. they hear the sizzle.....then cheers and more beers!

In the spirit of the competition, wing recipes flood the lot.... But who has the winning recipe?  Look no further because if you Just Wing It, you might Win It!  It's the Madden Challenge for the quest of the Wing King... or Queen in my case..

It might very well be I was the first Wing Queen and it is my duty to pass on the foam finger to the next in line....Beware the the fame is glorious and the duties are endless for you will be in charge of wings for the next year to come....

Spanish Smoked Paprika Wings

4 Tsp. ground cumin

2 Tsp. granulated garlic

2 Tsp. dried marjoram crushed

2 Tsp. Spanish smoked paprika

2 Tsp. Salt

4 lbs. chicken wing pieces

4 Tbls. olive oil

Preheat oven 425.  Mix together the spices in a small bowl.  Rinse the chicken pieces and pat dry.  Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken.  Pour the olive oil onto a baking sheet and spread it all around.  Roll the chicken pieces in the oil until lightly coated on all sides, then arrange in a single layer without touching.

Bake 20 mins. then flip the pieces and bake 20 to 25 mins.  They should be crisp and golden.