It’s so hard to believe that my two week vacation has come to an end. I sat at my computer today and organized a million photos into folders and smiled as I opened each and every one of them. 2010 was a big year for me. I accomplished a lot professionally and grew so much as a blogger. I went beyond my comfort zone and started documenting recipes, food findings, cooking classes, restaurant outings with friends, vacations and life events. I could not be happier with the changes I have made.
My friend Steph from Arizona came to visit for for a few days and I wanted to make sure we celebrated New Year’s Eve in style. I decided to host a small gathering. My inner event planner switched into high gear and plans went into motion.
Happy New Year decorations replaced Christmas decor…
Plastic champagne glasses were assembled and staged…
New Year’s babies were purchased at the Galt Flea Market…
… and placed into glass containers with noise makers/horns and other New Year’s Eve decorations.
Metal star confetti was placed just right…
Lights illuminated more glass jars filled with confetti, horns, noise makers, etc.
The card table was set up…
A fake martini was made for the photo shoot…
Thank you Hilly, Steph and Josh for teaching me how to play Texas hold ’em… I swear it was beginner’s luck 😉
Snacks were set out…
Food was prepared…
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies were made…
Snickerdoodles were plated – my favorite…
Good ol’ fashioned brownies…
Homemade chocolate/apricot filled cookies from the Statue of Deede…
and more cookies from Deede’s kitchen…
Hot corn dip – courtesy of Emeril Lagasse (my girlfriend Andrea turned me on to this stuff)…
The corn dip is very addicting and was a party hit…
Meatballs in BBQ sauce with a secret grape jelly ingredient – courtesy of Kristen…
Mini Crescent Dogs and spicy mustard for dipping… We also had veggies and dill dip, taquitos (Thanks Aaron) and homemade guacamole (Thanks Michelle and Marissa).
Cocktail options for the drinkers…
Sparkling cider for non-drinkers and the midnight toast…
Good times indeed. Happy New Year wishes to all of you. Let’s hope that 2011 brings us good health and happy times with family and friends.
Cheers!
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Um… yeah… thanks for rubbing in what an awesome party you had without me! So wish I could have been there to ring in the New Year with y’all. 🙂
Best wishes to everybody for a great 2011!
Author
Awww, you were missed D2! I even offered Hilly a shot of Jägermeister in your honor 🙂 Happy New Year!
Ask Foo…I was whining all night about how I wished my Davey-Joe was there. It was sad and pathetic. They had to douse me in booze. Yep, all cause of you.
😉
Wow. What an awesome party. You have outdone yourself again.
Happy 2011.
Author
Thanks Marty – we also went to Rio City Cafe (Hilly, Steph and I) and we talked about you and your visit! Hope you had a fabulous New Year’s Eve and best wishes for 2011 and what it brings.
Thank you again for an amazing New Years Eve celebration! From the food to Rock Band to poker to the decorations, everything was perfect. I feel so blessed that I got to ring in the new year with people who all enrich my life in some way, whether I know them well or just as acquaintances.
I’m glad to learn, even after being all BFF for all these years, that you and I share the favorite love for the same cookie….mmmm, snickerdoodle!
LOVE the decorations! So fun and creative!
this looks like it was an incredible amount of fun! The decorations were absolutely beautiful! The photos are really great!
I love the stacked Rolo’s! LOL Little gold pyramids of caramelly/chocolately goodness!
Yay for New Year parties. Yay for good friends. Yay for Rolo’s.
Yay for 2011. May this be a fantastic year for all of us.
CP
Happy New Year’s honey……………looks like you did it again in a big way. Nice looking decorations and party……….glad you had such a good time with your friends.
Let’s hope that this new year will be a good one for us all………
Love and Hugs, Mommers
Awesome! We had a blast. Thanks for the great party and the friendship throughout the years. You guys are a blast. I was looking at your blog last week and reading all your posts. It’s great to see your personal progress through the year and all the events that we get to enjoy with you two. Here’s to the new adventures during 2011.
Thanks to our hostess with the mostest! It was a fun evening with yummy treats and awesome company. Best wishes to all in 2011!
Aww – I love the little babies!
That’s gotta be the weirdest sentence I’ve ever typed.
Anyway, Happy 2011!
Wait, what the hell is a New Years baby?!?!?!
Mahvelous pics – love the martini and poker chip shots! I want a dirrrrrrrrrty martini now! 🙂
Thanks again for being such a great hostess while I was there! I really enjoyed my stay. Very relaxing! Can’t beat sitting around in pjs just chatting the day away, shopping at Khol’s and learning the “must haves” at Trader Joe’s.
The party was an absolute blast! Who knew I would be so good at Rock Band – lol! You have a awesome group of friends and it was great meeting everyone. I hope I get to hang out with them again sometime.
Here’s to a great year and great friendship!
I was wondering where you disappeared too!
glad you rang in the New Year awesomely! and to an amazing 2011!
What a fun evening! You girls all look beautiful!
[…] Every day should feel different from the day before or holy hell, we are not doing it right! I spent New Years Eve with an amazing group of people and all I could think of was, “wow, I am so lucky to be here”. For once, my mind […]