Substance of Living

Egg Nog Martini The funniest thing about this delicious drink is that it is a basic Egg Nog served in a Martini glass!  Then again, anything served in stemware always tastes better and looks so much more sophisticated.  Don't you think? Egg Nog Martini 1 oz. Vanilla Vodka 3/4 to 1 oz. Almond Flavored Liqueur 2 to 2 1/2 oz. Prepared Egg Nog Combine ingredients over ice and shake.  Strain into a chilled Martini Glass.  Dust with nutmeg, cinnamon, or try pumpkin-pie spice. Serves: 1 P.S.,  I made these martinis with prepared dairy-free egg nog.  Have a wonderful holiday season! Please share me with your friends! Please forward this post to your friends or better yet share on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.  THANKS!  Your comments and help in spreading the news about this site is ALWAYS appreciated!  Be sure to sign up to receive future articles delivered directly to your inbox. ↑ Grab this Headline An...

source Talk about a huge breast! Tying the legs together keeps the inside moist. It's Cool Whip time! If I don't undo my pants, I'll burst! That's one terrific spread! I'm in the mood for a little dark meat. Are you ready for seconds yet? It's a little dry; do you still want to eat it? Just wait your turn; you'll get some! Don't play with your meat. Just spread the legs open and stuff it in. Do you think you'll be able to handle all these people at once? I didn't expect everyone to come at once! You still have a little bit on your chin. How long will it take after you stick it in? You'll know it's ready when it pops up! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! ... And now back to our regularly scheduled posts...   P.S., I received this email from a lovely "Winter Texan" and thought it was too cute not to share. Please share me with your friends! ...

I'm not technically a Southerner but I've lived in the Carolinas longer than anywhere else.  So, I think it is about time for me to start incorporating some southern traditions into my family. Appetizers Long before I moved to the sunny southern states, I fell head-over-heals with pickled watermelon rind.  That's where we will begin this  Southern Thanksgiving Menu . Pickled Watermelon Rind Main Dish Fried Turkey seems to be everywhere now.  Years ago, when I first heard about it, I thought how odd to not cook a turkey in the oven.  Here we are today and deep fryers can be found in the grocery stores. Best Ever Fried Turkey Side Dish My dad makes the absolute BEST stuffing ever!  (I have to say that since that was all I ever knew growing up and have tried to emulate it since).  I remember my first cornbread stuffing and although it was different from what I knew, it certainly was delicious. Cornbread Sausage Stuffing Regardles...

The Inaugural High Tea Party committee (me and my good friend) met and brought to order our second meeting and hopefully to finalize our plans. Well, finalization was not in the order for the day. The first thing on the agenda was to look at the invitee list.  Wholly Moley!  We had over 20 potential guests that we thought from the overall list would respond favorably.  Oh my goodness, that was way more than either one of us could properly host in our homes. However, knowing the ladies in the neighborhood, we thought we would be able to successfully get together for a tea on a quarterly basis. Step back and punt. First, we went online to see if there were any "official" tea houses within an hour's drive from the neighborhood.  Then we started making phone calls.  We are in the south and for some reason, there aren't many tea drinkers.  There are a TON of coffee places.  We did talk to one gentleman whose restaurant is not a tea house nor has ...

Last week we started changing gears from candy and goblins to thinking about Thanksgiving.  We thought about what decorations could be carried over, started making our guest list, and looking at what we already had on hand. This week we are going to delve into our to-do list a little further. Thinking about Thanksgiving this Week: Are you going to cook, order, or have catered the main dish or entire meal? Place your Order Contact Caterer Measure Oven, Pan, Platter Preferred Cooking Method - Bake, Fry, Grill Invite Guests - During the RSVP, if a guest offers to bring a dish, accept the offer - it's one less item for you to handle (you reserve the right to make the same dish) Keep a running RSVP / Dish list Purchase, Rent, Borrow, Clean or Polish Dinner Plates, Dessert Plates, Glasses, Wine Glasses, Coffee Cups, Silverware, Napkins, Linens, Serving Dishes and Utensils Measure Table or configure Table Arrangements This table is made up of 3 se parate tables...

A good friend and I have decided to host an Inaugural High Tea for the neighborhood ladies.  We would like to have this tea in the beginning of November but not necessarily fall or holiday themed. We spent an afternoon brainstorming and this is what we have come up with so far. Tea Party Sandwiches and Cupcakes Notes: Name for the group? Do we want a theme so we can continue hosting future teas? Invitations Hand Written Printed Out on Pretty Paper Purchased Menu Scones Soup Delicate Sandwiches Cake / Tart Tea - Are tea bags permissible? Lemon / Milk / Sugar Cubes Table How many?  One big one or a few smaller ones? Table Cloth(s) - make? Napkins - make? Ribbons on Chairs Decorations Tie a ribbon around each chair ( I really like the idea of using white towels (as seen in the photo) or strips of fabric over the chairs and then tulle and ribbon bow ties around the backs of the chairs) Calling Cards Place Cards Party Favors ...

Children have the most fun at parties so why not make their drinks fun too!   Fete a Fete  starts us off with some drinks, not exactly sure what is in them but let's say different juices or funky powdered drinks, in beakers and black straws giving us a mad scientist theme.  If you're ever looking for exquisite or unique party ideas, this is the go-to place.  Every detail is captured. Beaker Beverages Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.  has mixed us up one scary looking drink.  Orange soda and ice cream - I can handle.  Now add in gelatin and WOW! this is a totally different creature. Igor-Ade Wes Martin of The Cooking Channel came up with this (lower calorie) version of the root beer float and the chocolate worm cake. Cemetery Slime Punch Jacqueline at Purple Chocolat Home must have brought back some "fresh" water from her last vacation.  Now, I've heard of bringing home shells and other souvenirs but have to say not water. ...

Halloween isn't even over and we need to start thinking about Thanksgiving.  This is the time of year that everything passes by so quickly and staying on top of things can be daunting. Being prepared is one way to enjoy all the festivities. Things to be thinking about right now for Thanksgiving: Guest List Who will be invited? How many guests? Invitations Phone Mail (Handmade, Handwritten, Purchased) Online e-invitations ( evite , punchbowl , PurpleTrail ) Type of Dinner Buffet Style Formal Sit-Down (How many tables and chairs are needed?  Formal Table Setting Traditional foods or family favorites prepared for Thanksgiving Start compiling recipes Dishes / Silverware / Glasses Paper / Plastic Mix and Match Need to order replacements ? Mix and Match Table Setting Linens Paper Napkins Cloth Napkins Table Cloth(s) Serving Dishes Decorations Can any of your Halloween or Fall decorations carry over into November? That's i...

I might have to have another party so I can serve up these delectable delicacies.  Who wouldn't want to eat things that crawl or control our bodily functions? I wonder if Megan was ever on one of those reality shows where the contestants have to eat bugs.  These stuffed cockroaches will be the hit of the party. Stuffed Cockroaches (Goat Cheese Filled Dates) Have you checked out Examiner for halloween tips?  Joanie Pimentel with Sunset Magazine came up with these creepy deviled eggs.   Spooky Spider Eggs Nikki of Canary Girl is serving up some deliciously gross intestines.  Would you like yours savory or sweet? Intestines In case the cockroaches, spiders and intestines weren't enough to get you hungry, how about a little slice of brain by KiffaKitty . Brain Cake I'm so sorry!  I couldn't help myself.  When I came across this last one, it seemed to fit in with the other body organs. Bleading Heart Brie In all seriousn...

Easy and inexpensive Halloween decorations that can be done in a day is in order since we're actually running out of month.  A few of these ideas can easily transition into Thanksgiving decorations as well. Starting us out is an outdoor mesh ribbon that is done in black and orange but if fall colors were used (gold, brown, maroon, orange) this easy bow could transition through November.  If you don't have a light on the side of the house, tying this to the mailbox or a light post would look really nice. Mesh Ribbon Bow You might not have 10 or 20 milk or water jugs lying around but even a couple would work.  These really are adorable ghosts and what better way to light the path for party goers or trick-or-treaters? Milk Jug Ghosts Chris Barnes came up with this beautiful light piece.  It is a flameless candle with twigs and brown ribbon.  This would be beautiful for an outdoor party this fall.  This is another project that is super simple ...