Jump starting again

For the past six months or so I've been trying to find "me" again. I have sent my oldest off to college leaving my youngest and hubby at home with me. Not that my oldest going off to college has freed up any more time in my life, but I want to find my "happiness" - things and activities and people that put a smile on my face, a lift in my spirit, a lift in my step. I have "out grown" the mommy competition and want to engage quality time with people and activities that put "happiness" in my days. So moving forward posts may look a little different - more than just party planning. No worries there will continue to be a fair amount! So here goes:

I started reconnecting with gals from my sorority days. A girls trip was planned and I took a leap and said I would join. Some of (MOST of) these gals I hadn't seen in decades but had "friend-ed" on fb. I am so glad I went on the trip! I rediscovered people that I made "happiness" with! By the pool soaking up the sunshine we talked about EVERYTHING! Fitness (a couple of gals were getting back into the dating scene) was a topic everybody contributed. Some were back to running 5K's or swimming at the local rec center, but my contribution was my hot yoga practice.

I L-O-V-E my yoga studio (Core Power)! I love the heat and humidity. I love the relaxation. I love the variety of classes! I love my instructors! Yoga makes me happy. But when I can't get to the studio I practice at home. So I'm sharing in this post some of my "go-to's" for when I can't "get there":

health.com has popular demos
doyogawithme.com adds new FREE videos often
yogaglo.com has quick to lengthy classes
gaia.com has great "kick-start" your day sessions

I love these sites because of the short sessions I can fit into my hectic days - remember just because I'm "down" a kid at home I didn't gain any more time? So there you have it - a "happiness" post for the new jump start of the blog. I hope you too will enjoy this post and find your happiness.

New Year's

My favorite local liquor store put these basket ideas together for the holidays. I believe they are genius ideas for New Year's hostess gifts!

• Mason Jar Cocktails 
• Bloody Mary Baskets
• Colorado Mule
• Mama's Mimosa
• Irish/Kentucky Coffee Basket
• Fireball Funfest

Cornerstar Wine & Liquor

15405 E Briarwood Cir, Unit C  |  Aurora, CO 80016
(303) 360-WINE (9463)  |  CstarTeam@cstarwal.com

CornerstarWineAndLiquor.com

Mon-Thurs: 9am - 10pm | Fri-Sat: 9am - 11pm | Sun: 9am - 9pm

Reindeer "Food"

I have been making/creating reindeer "food" for twelve years now. All you need is glitter and uncooked oatmeal. I usually use about two cups of uncooked oatmeal and a quarter cup of glitter. Mix it in a bowl and let the kids sprinkle it all over the driveway and street in front of our house. The oats are for the reindeer and the glitter is for guiding their landing. It takes about 2 minutes to make but the conversation amongst the kids is one to treasure. I assure you a tradition will be born!

Last minute

• Make sure you have serving ware clean, marked with a sticky note, and ready to go.
• Have club soda on hand for any sill hazards.
• Have at least 5 appetizer servings fore each guest.
• One side dish for every four guests.
• One serving of dessert for each guest.
• Two alcoholic drinks per guest.
• Three non alcoholic drinks per guest.
• Party favors wrapped and ready at the door for goodbyes! 

And don't forget cookies and milk for the big guy as well as a carrot or two for his reindeer. Merry Christmas.

Cocktail Glass Charms

I came across a GREAT idea for beverage glass charms for your parties to go along with your signature cocktails... We don't always have enough charms for those pretty glasses for the party, but this idea is way inexpensive and easy to pick up on your next errand run. Silly Bands! Get the littler ones to put on the stems of the glasses you're using. Match them to your party theme - they come in all kinds of styles! I assure you will have a conversation piece too. 

Signature Cocktails

I have figured out a great way to save some moola when hosting parties... Signature Cocktails! Instead of having a completely stocked bar at your next party, come up with a signature cocktail. This keeps your liquor shopping list to a minimal. Come up with something that represents you - the hostess! I assure you that you'll be the talk of the town after your party!

Homemade Christmas Keepsakes

I get crafty around the holidays. Don't misunderstand me, I don't have any more time than the next gal this time of year, I just can't help myself. Last year I found "jeweled" holiday words that you stick on "things". I bought a couple of each words thinking I would use them in the kids' scrapbooks. I got busy as most mommies do and forgot about them. I came across them the other day and was inspired! So I headed out to my local craft store and bought some wooden frames of various sizes along with a a few pre-cut mat boards. Once I got home, I stuck the jeweled holiday word on one of the outside edges of the frame, mounted our holiday picture of the family, and put it all in the frame. It cost about $3.50 all together and looks like a million bucks! It would make a great gift for family but I plan to use it as a holiday decoration for years to come.