Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year’s Eve, 2013!!!

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Baby, its COLD outside!
We've had snow off & on for days now.
 
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The trees have a thick blanket of snow on their branches.

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Our Christmas wreath is covered in the white stuff!


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Just look at that dreary, grey sky.
It is very slippery outside, too.


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Not much light shining through these lanterns!


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icey gazebo


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 


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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. 

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 I've prepared a cheese & cracker platter
along with some crab puffs as our
appetizers to go with champagne.


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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!

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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.

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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! 

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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.

 

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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. 


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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!
 
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Another birthday gift from my step-daughter
was this Oleg Cassini crystal bottle stopper,


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

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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. 

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 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"
"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!!

42 comments:

  1. Another lovely blog post as only you can do, Rett! Pink has always been my favorite rose color too......gorgeous! Have a Happy New Year, my friend. Hugs to you both!

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    1. Thank you, Carol...Happy New Year {{HUGS}} to you & Bob! Stay HEALTHY!!

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  2. Looks like you have a very nice (and tasty) evening planned Rett! Enjoy yourself and I hope everything thaws for you soon! Happy New Year, wishing you all the best in 2014:@)

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    1. Thank you, Lynn & Happy New Year to you & your gang, as well.
      I'm looking forward to Spring already. Only 2 more months of this weather...sigh.

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  3. I love your cozy, romantic New Year's for the two of you, Rett. My hubby used to call it "amateur's night", too. I just look forward to getting through the year of "firsts".
    I did enjoy seeing all your beautiful snowy pics. It made me long for Ohio.
    Happy 2014 to you and your sweetie. Enjoy your time together as you ring in the new year. xo

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    1. Kitty, I was thinking of you & how difficult this first New Year's Eve will be without your sweet hubby. {{{HUGS}}} His passing has made me appreciate so much more. I hope that 2014 will be easier for you & the pain of his loss will be replaced with warm memories of all the happy times you had together.

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    2. Thank you, Rett, for your warm thoughts and kind words. All these "firsts" are so difficult, but something we all go through. I'm looking forward to making it through this next year and on to 2015. Thank goodness for family and friends and those darling granchildren that bring such laughter and joy!

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  4. Gorgeous setting. I love this idea. Thanks so much for linking to Inspire me and I wish you a very Blessed and Happy New Year. Hugs, Marty

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  5. Rett, wishing you a wonderful New Year. your special just for two setting is so cozy and special.
    I didn't realize how much I am missing having snow, it might be cold and slippery but it just fits this time of year. making for a winter wonderland.
    Nonie

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    1. Nonie, I'll GLADLY send you some of our snow! There are winter storm warnings up for tomorrow & Thursday with much more snow predicted. Oh joy!

      Hurry up, Spring!!!

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  6. A lovely post, Rett. We'll be celebrating just the two of us this year, too. With a crackling fire, the tree lights glowing, and a delicious dinner - that I'd better get cracking with.
    Wishing you and yours a very healthy and happy 2014.

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    1. Thank you, Lorrie! Happy New Year to you guys, too!!

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  7. We have a gentle evening planned. I am beat!

    Love your snow and loved this post.

    Happy New Year, Rett!

    xo

    Sheila

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  8. You know how to make an occasion special, Rett! Beautiful meal, beautiful table, beautiful rose...I liked hearing about the "FUGGS!" That's a hoot! Happy New Year!

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  9. Happy New Year! Everything is just lovely even if it is too cold and frozen to go somewhere. We are at home too. We never like to be on the roads on New Year's Eve anyway.

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  10. Happy New Year, Rett, enjoy all these special moments that you make for your sweetie and you. Thanks for sharing the moment with us.

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  11. Great post Rett. Love all your bottle stoppers they are stunning. Your coffee table looks so pretty with your glasses and treats and the beautiful pink rose.
    Happy New Year.
    Mary

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  12. Lovely way to celebrate New Years. Sitting with your loved one by the fire with a special filled tray. Love your pretty vignette. Happy New Year to you.

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  13. Such a beautiful post. Happy New Year.
    Lillian

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  14. Happy new year, Rett! Same crazy weather here. Wishing us all a milder January! Beautiful post :)

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  15. Rett, There is no better way to usher the New Year in than to sip something bubbly with your hubby in front of the fire! I know you're probably sick of snow, but it's such a rare commodity and goes as quickly as it comes here so it's magical to us! Wishing you and your hubby a Warm, Cozy and Happy New Year!

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  16. Oh I love this! It all looks so very romantic,and I'm a hopeless romantic.

    You know, I have one very utilitarian bottle stopper. You made me want to get at least one beautiful one... or a collection. Ha!

    Happy New Year to you!

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  17. Lovely fireside table! A perfect evening, for sure...

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  18. I had to laugh, when I read what your husband calls New Year's Eve! My husband describes it the very same way - we avoid going out, because of all of the "amateurs on the road" - lol! Love the whole post - your celebration, your beautiful bottle stoppers and all of the snow. I have not seen snow like that, since - well, never!!! I live in the middle of Georgia and we very rarely get any at all!!! Hope you have a wonderful 2014, Rett!!

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  19. What an elegant table. You're right, champagne corks will never fit in the bottle again. We don't have stoppers, so no choice but to finish it off! I had my first lobster tail in years, wow was it good! We are deep in snow here too. Happy New Year!

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  20. Rett, love the quote! Burr, that's a lot of snow. We stayed in NY Eve too, but then we always do that. It's been years since we ventured out for a New Year's Eve party or even dinner. We enjoyed our quiet evening by a cozy fire and dinner here at home.
    Your celebration looks very elegant.. Thanks for sharing the beauty and Happy New Year!

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  21. Rett, This is a wonderful way to bring the New Year in with the person you love. Such a lovely romantic setting. New Years blessings to you and your family.

    Candy

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  22. ahhh, you really know how to celebrate a holiday, dear one. Your photos are wonderful....
    xoxo

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  23. A beautiful New Year's Eve celebration for the two of you....every detail speaks of an amazing love story. Glad that you stayed in off of all the slippery ice. Thanks for inviting us for a peek, and Happy New Year! Cherry Kay

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  24. Oh, that looks really cold and makes me want to stay home too and cuddle up by a fire! I love the picture of the snowed over lantern and the ice looking out at the gazebo! Wow! I hope you had a wonderful evening and I hope 2014 brings you great joy and prosperity!

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  25. Looks like a wonderful celebration.Thanks for celebrating the New Year at Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  26. Lovely photography and and wonderful celebration. Happy new year!

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  27. What a beautiful New Year's Eve celebration you shared with your husband. It's such a treasure to ring in the new year with your special someone. Hope you enjoy a wonderful 2014.

    I'd like to invite you to a new link party, called Happy Tuesday. We're sharing anything that makes us happy - we want to spread good vibes and positivity throughout blogland. You can find out more info at the link below. I hope you'll come and join us!

    http://holidays-at-the-harris-home.blogspot.com/p/happy-tuesdays.html

    Thanks,
    Jenny

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  28. Happy New Year to you and your family, Rett. I hope 2014 will be a healthy and happy year for us all.

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  29. Looks like it was a lovely celebration. We stayed in too, went out for a late lunch after grocery shopping! Now that I know you are collecting bottle stoppers I will keep my eyes open. The only cap I need is the plastic screw cap to my Diet Sierra Mist, lol! I do have a few for dh's red wine. They are popular wedding favors here. I have a few with beach balls too, good old CTS, :). Good health to you and the doc. I have Fuggs too, lol! Hope I don't have to wear them too often! A balmy 33 here, as long as it is above freezing, I am happy!
    Have a great weekend!

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  30. Your choice of a pink rose is so appropriate, Rett. Like you, I appreciate and am grateful for every New Year celebrated with my husband. We are both so lucky, aren't we!? To have our fellows and to KNOW that we're lucky! Happy New Year to you, my friend.

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  31. Back by to say that Mr. Sweet makes handmade knives.....and hot brands and freeze brands for branding cattle, horses and etc.

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    1. I didn't know that, BJ!! Thanks for replying to my question.
      You should show off some of his handy work...I would LOVE to see it. My older brother (who died on my birthday) was very much into collecting beautifully handcarved knives.

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  32. Stopping back by, Rett, to wish my birthday twin a Happy Day tomorrow. Hope you have something fun planned. ;-)

    Happy, Happy, dear friend! ~ Sarah

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  33. Rett, Happy belated New Year! Wonderful photos. Here from my new blog. Saying hello!

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I read them all & each one is so very special to me & I try really hard to return the visit!

fondly,
~Rett~