Tidings of Comfort and Joy

A couple of years ago, my parents went to this Christmas party at work. They raved over how good the punch. My mother, who doesn't drink often, commented she was having a second glass of this punch before she noticed that it was spiked. I asked for the recipe and asked what it was called. Holiday punch was the answer. I didn't think that was a very creative name for it. So I came up with the name of 'Comfort and Joy' since I made it for the holidays and it had Southern Comfort.

This is a very smooth drink with good flavor.

Comfort and Joy

6 oz. thawed frozen lemonade concentrate

6 oz. thawed frozen orange juice concentrate

6 oz lemon juice

750 ml Southern Comfort

Grenadine for color

2 2 liters of Sprite, 7-Up or Sierra Mist

Mix together and serve.

Dessert Tastings

At the winter dinner party I had, there were several desserts that I fixed in small portions.

Holiday Happenings

So moving into a new home finally gives me a chance to entertain. I must say, the whole concept was a little daunting. I wanted not only to have a dinner party but one with a holiday theme. Since the dinner party was last week at the beginning of December, I didn't want Christmas to look overdone. So instead of having a Christmas theme, instead I stayed with a snowflake silver and white theme. This is the result.

The center piece consists of the following:

Decorative Pot (found at Marshall's)

Twigs from the woods by my house spray painted silver

Silver snowflake ornaments (Target)

Antique chandelier crystals

Handmade Quilled Snowflakes (twirled paper)

The tablecloth was from Walmart (about $5 per yard)

The candles were leftovers from my sisters wedding on glass candle stands. Around the base is wrapped glass ornaments filled with silver and white tinsel (the really cheap kind) and left over tinsel.