Watching Rachael Ray

So, it’s practically New Years Eve - what are your plans? Since my long ago days of bar hopping, and years of being the Designated NYE Driver because I was pregnant or nursing five years running, I’ve spent far more NYE’s at home with the kids then anything else. This year, one daughter won’t be here, she’ll be with a friend, so it’ll just be me and the other two - unless, of course, he decides to party with his friends, too, which will make it just me and the Pup.

We don’t normally do anything fancy - the kids stay up till midnight (I, a night owl, have spawned three little night owls. Go figure!) and we watch the ball drop on TV - at least twice, depending on the time zones. We make noise, and then I make them all get to bed. I KNOW! the EXCITEMENT is hard to imagine, isn’t it?

New Years Day is usually spent down at mom’s munching on something deliciously edible, and watching football with Papa, until he allows us to watch some movie or another until we all head home again. It’s a long walk, after all - we live two whole houses away!

If you, however, are just realizing you’re going to have folks over, and are without an idea of what to fix and serve to the hordes descending on your house thanks to your hubby telling everyone in the supermarket “SURE! Come on over!” (What, only my hubby did that?!) - as usual, it’s Rachael Ray to the rescue!

Check out the Last Minute Lady’s blog on what she does for friends and family New Years Day, or plan enough drinks of different tastes and varieties to get the folks so soused they don’t realize all the food is missing… Or you can go traditional with some NYE recipes that’ll make their mouths water and ensure they return time and time again - from appetizers, to breads and salads, to main courses, to deserts… and for those folks who end up sleeping on your couch and floor because their car was too drunk to drive (…again, what? was my car the only one that over indulged on holidays past?! I was the PICTURE of virtuous behavior, of course - but my CAR…) there’s even a menu for NYD Breakfast/Brunch.

So - have a good celebration, drink responsibly, drive only if you haven’t drunk, enjoy the time spent with friends and family! I’ll see you back here with misc. posts until the new shows start up again on the 6th!