Silver Bells and Silver Shells

This years' coffee table display was created using silver plated shells (I have had them for years!) pretty mercury glass balls, a sea glass ornament gift and accompanied by my fave pink and glitter murex shell ornaments.

The shells and aqua sea glass were mostly collected on our California Beaches (my pockets are always stuffed with something I have found...), our look was complete with a string of pearls and a treasured snow globe.

....And maybe a Tom and Jerry's yummy holiday cocktail!

Tom and I had our Christmas dinner last week before we headed up north to spend the holidays with our family in the Pacific Northwest. Tom was the master chef of a fabulously wonderful prime rib dinner, with goat cheese twice baked potatoes and delish Ina Garten roasted carrots. (Thanks Serena for my new cook book!)

Then we toasted the season with hot Tom and Jerry toddies in my grandmother's vintage gold rimmed cups.  I have packed and repacked these little darling cups more times than I can remember, but this is the first time I have ever actually used them.

Made me so happy, and I think it would have made her very happy too.

Tom and Jerry's:
There are a ton of recipes out there to whip these up, but we took a short-cut on ours and then added the whipped cream and cinnamon sticks to make them extra special. We recommend Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum and Trader Vic's Tom and Jerry Mix - both were excellent and can be found easily.

Here's a few links to recipes if you'd like to make them without buying the mix:

All Recipes - Tom and Jerry Cocktails

Esquire Magazine - Tom and Jerry (has a fun little history lesson!)

Epicurious - Tom and Jerry

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve!

Friday Night Candy Cane Cocktails

These were so yummy - we might have even had two!  After all, we had to celebrate our hard work decorating the Christmas tree....

2 oz. Vodka

2 oz. Peppermint Schnapps

2 oz. Whipped Cream Vodka

Ice

Crushed Candy Canes for Glass Decorating

Candy Canes for Garnishment

Step 1: Crush Candy Canes and roll martini glass edges to decorate (can be a bit tricky!)

Step 2: Pour Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps, and Whipped Cream Vodka over ice into your martini shaker.  Shake well, and pour carefully into decorated martini glasses.

Step 3: Add Candy Canes 

Step 4: Enjoy with someone special!

 

Snicker Doodles for Santa Claws

Trying something new this year for our Santa cookies. Snicker Doodle cookies loaded with white chocolate chips!  

Yum.

Ingredients:

1 Cup Margarine (2 sticks)
1 1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 3/4 cups of flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 package white chocolate chips (or to your liking)

Cinnamon and Sugar Mixture for rolling cookies:
1/8 cup sugar
1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

1. Cream together margarine, sugar and eggs.  Add in vanilla, mix well
2. Mix dry ingredients together and then mix into margarine mixture
3. Fold in white chocolate chips
4. Put cookie dough into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to make the cookies easier to roll
5. Roll cookies into cinnamon and sugar mix and place on cookies sheet about 2 inches apart.
6. Bake for 10-11 minutes



7. Wait for Santa Claws! (Claus)

P.S.

Crab Mixing Bowl

Seashell Pitcher from our Sea and Shore Collection: