Happy New Year’s Eve, 2013!!!

Baby, its COLD outside!

We've had snow off & on for days now.

 

The trees have a thick blanket of snow on their branches.

Our Christmas wreath is covered in the white stuff!

Just look at that dreary, grey sky.

It is very slippery outside, too.

Not much light shining through these lanterns!

There is ice on the windows & sidewalks...

it is very treacherous to walk,

even with my "FUGGS"...

Ms. C. informed me that is what 

they call faux UGG boots.
That kid cracks me up!  LOL 

So we're staying inside, 

nice & safe & cozy by the fireplace,

on New Year's Eve, this year.

"Amateurs Night" as my hubby calls it. 

 I've prepared a cheese & cracker platter

along with some crab puffs as our

appetizers to go with champagne.

The crab puffs are REALLY easy...
just open the box & bake!

source

 I have freshly steamed lobsters ordered

from our local store, for our dinner.

All I have to do is melt the butter &

get out the cracking tools!

Frozen cranberries will help to keep the champagne chilled.

 We prefer Asti Spumanti for such special celebrations...

or just "Asti" as it is referred to lately.

I have some pretty bottle stoppers to help retain

some of the fizz while we slowly sip,

because, as you know, you'll NEVER

get that cork back into the bottle! 

 

A single soft pink rose, 

representing 

"Love, Gratitude & Appreciation"

 adds to the ambiance.

Did you know that the different colors

of roses have different meanings?

Proflowers.com has a long list of the

various colors & their meanings.

 

I've heard it said that if you have 3 of anything,

then you've got a *collection* going.

I guess I have a collection of bottle stoppers

started, then. 

Last year, one of my birthday gifts,

 from my beautiful daughter was this

black velvet & silver case, containing

an intricately carved bottle stopper 

with 3 onyx stones & 2 sparkling chips.

I don't think they're real diamonds

but they sure are pretty!

 

  

Another birthday gift from my step-daughter

was this Oleg Cassini crystal bottle stopper,

etched with the initial of both my first & last name.

My husband bought us the crystal heart shaped stopper,

as an anniversary gift one year...

we were married on Valentines Day,

so *hearts* are very significant & sentimental

 symbols for us. 

 I'm so very grateful to be able to share a 

hug & a kiss & a toast 

for one more

  "Happy New Year" together!

The older we get,

the more we cherish

just one more day.

 

I hope each of you has a wonderfully happy &

more importantly, HEALTHY

New Year!

Thank you for all your wonderful comments & 

for sharing bits & pieces of your lives & 

the world where you live.

I've enjoyed your visits immensely &

hope to continue to visit with you

in 2014.

I'm linking to Cuisine Kathleen's 

"Lets Dish" party,

Marty's A Stroll Thru Life for "Inspire Me"

Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for

"Tablescape Thursday" &
Michael Lee's Foodie Friday at
Rattlebridge Farm &

The Tablescaper for "Seasonal Sundays".

Thank you, Ladies, for a really fun & educational year

of blog parties.

You're the BEST!!