Raise Your Glass

Since today is the official "Champagne Holiday" I thought I would share a few ways to say "Cheers" in different languages. 

Some cool champagne glasses I would like :)

Cheers in Different Languages

Country	Toast	Meaning
China	Ganbei	Dry glass
England	Cheers	Cheers
France	A votre santé (son-tay)	To your health
Germany	Prosit (pro-zit)	Here's to you
Ireland	Slainte	Cheers
Israel	L'chaim (la-hi-um)	To life
Italy	Salute (sah-loo-tay)	To your health
Korea	Konbai (kun-buy)	Bottoms up
Mexico	Salud (sah-lood)	Good health
Poland	Na zdrowie (zdrov-yeh)	To your health
Romania	Noroc!	Good Luck
Russia	Будем здоровы! (Budem zdorovy)	Let's stay healthy
Serbia	Zivio! Ziveli!	Let's live long
Hawaii	Okole Maluna!	Bottoms Up

Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Years!

Cheers to 2011!

Christmas Card Display

Another reason I love the holidays....Christmas cards!

One more use for the mini shelves I built for our kitchen...

A great place to display Christmas cards

Cheers!

Happy Everything to Everyone!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Kwanzaa!

Happy Everything to Everyone!

Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!

Christmas Is All Around, C'Mon and Let It Snow

Nothing gets me into the Christmas spirit like a good Christmas movie.  Actually, I lied there are a lot of things that get me into the Christmas spirit, but anywho here are a few of my favorite holiday movies:

Love Actually

"Love Actually is all around"

The Holiday

 "It's Christmas Eve and we are going to go celebrate being young and being alive"

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

"Is your house on fire, Clark?"

No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights. 

Elf

"First we'll make snow angels for two hours, then we'll go ice skating, then we'll eat an entire roll of Toll House cookie dough as fast as we can, and then to finish, we'll snuggle!"

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Santa, don't forget the Grinch. I know he's mean and hairy and smelly, and his hands are cold and clammy, but I think he's kinda... sweet.

SWEET... You think he's sweet?

Cute kid, bad judge of character. 

The Family Stone

"Don't dilly-dally there, pretty lady. We're all gonna be down here talking about you."

What are some of your favorite holiday movies?  I know there are a lot more out there.

Cheers!

My Little Parkasso

I think I may have a little artist on my hands.  Parker loves to paint, color, sculpt...  I let him paint in our bathroom, where I can strip him down to his diaper and contain him in a small room where he can't get into too much trouble.  He usually draws in the kitchen in his high chair or on his easel, which is perfect for when I'm trying to prepare a meal or clean up after one.  His favorite things to draw right now are m&m's and footballs. 

Working on his painting

His Masterpiece!  

Parker's sweet easel that I scored at a garage sale for $12!

Hard at work

Cheers!

O Christmas Tree

I love Christmas!  Have I mentioned that before?  My mom gets me an ornament every year for Christmas, usually its one that is symbolic to something that has happened to me that year and its always something I look forward to getting.  It's always fun to get them out every year, they bring back many wonderful memories.  It has been fun watching Parker this year with the tree.  I have a couple horse ornaments that he loves and one with a cat; two of his favorite things right now.  It's definitely a tradition I will continue for Parker.  

Our Christmas Tree

All my ornaments

This has always been one of my favorites, one of my "First Christmas" ornaments
1981

Another "First Christmas" Ornament
1981

A car for the year I got my drivers license
1996

The year I joined Kappa
1999

Ice Skates I got for Chris to remember the Christmas we spent in the ER after he cut his chin playing hockey
2007

Looking for something to do with all your old corks?  Make a Cork Reindeer
Gift from my friend Travis

One of Parker's "First Christmas" Ornaments
2008

Space Needle to remember our time in Seattle

Mele Kalikimaka - We got this one in Maui this year
Whenever I hear "Mele Kalikimaka" it always reminds me of Christmas Vacation when he's dreaming about his pool :)

Cheers!

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

One of my favorite magazines is House Beautiful.  They had 101 Party Do's and Don'ts in their Entertaining Issue last month.  And since December is usually filled with lots of parties, I thought I would share a few of my favorites.

1.  "The host's mood sets the tone."  Emily Eerdmans, Emilyevanseerdmans.com
2.  "Have a stiff drink before anyone arrives.  If you are having fun, everyone will have fun."  Miles Redd, Designer
3.  "Always start with an empty dishwasher."  Chesie Breen, Founder, clovermag.com
4.  "You should always have a cold bottle of bubbly stashed in your refrigerator in case friends drop by, and a bottle of something sparkly for nondrinkers."  Christopher Hirsheimer, Co-founder, Canal House Cooking
5.  "Don't be afraid to throw a party because you think it will cost too much.  You can have a good time for $10 with a bottle of wine and a bag of nuts."  Thomas Jayne, Designer
6.  "Get everything ready the day before."  Suzanne Kasler, Designer
7.  "Glamorous informality is the name of the game.  Dress up, even if you are serving hot dogs!"  Simon Doonan, Creative Director Barney's New York
8.  "If you don't have time to create your own playlist, log on to Pandora.com."  Erin Olson, houseofturquoise.com
9.  "Don't use assigned seating -- allow guests to mingle and let the evening evolve organically."  Deborah Lloyd, Co-President and Creative Director, Kate Spade New York
10.  "Don't wait for late guests.  People resent being hungry."  Isaac Mizrahi, Fashion Designer
11.  "Don't leave without saying good-bye to the host."  Kathryn M. Ireland, Designer

Happy Champagne Thursday!

Cheers!