How To Make a Perfect Bloody Mary....

What is Football Saturday with out a perfect Bloody Mary?

It's a "must have" y'all.

So, to make our weekend even better, my sweet niece Ally and her friends were here for the game.

I love girls fresh out of college.

There is just something so special about that age.  They are finding their way, they are over all that college stuff, they are growing into young business women, and they still like to have a good time!

The good times just aren't as frequent right out of college.

They've learned how to sleep!

But, this was their weekend to just act like college kids again.

And, I promptly called them at 8 a.m. and told them I had breakfast ready....

hum.  Thinking that was about 3 hours after they went to bed.

I needed them to taste my Bloody Mary's.

So, here's what cha need:

That would be, V-8 juice, Zing Zang BM mix, Fresh horseradish, Worcester sauce, Tabasco, limes, and black pepper

oh, and Vodka

Mix up the two containers of tomato juice

Then add 1 1/2 tsp horseradish (horseradish is found near the cheese section in the cooler part of the grocery, FYI)

Ad 1 1/2 tsp. Worcester, 1 tsp. Tabasco, and sprinkle some black pepper.

invite the girls over!

....use the leftovers from the mini kabobs I made, as a garnish...

be sure and fry up a strip of bacon to put in with it!

(add a cute straw)

and go to the game with three sweet men.

two of the finest men I've ever known right there.

The game was perty ugly, and it may be a really long season.

but, we were thankfully able to pull out the "W"!

have a great day y'all!

kb

Are You Ready For Some FOOTBALL?

Well, duh!

Has every man in your life been like a kid at Christmas time?

Roll Tide Y'all.

I am giddy.

and I'm not even a man.

I don't think.

So, last night was the real start to our football season.

For the University of Alabama it starts in Atlanta.

Friends drive over, guys play golf, girls go shoppin.

Atlanta is truly a crazy city right now.

I mean ka.ra.z.

Last night we did hors d'oeuvres on the rooftop.

It was a beautiful night to sit around the pool and chat, and of course eat.

I'll post those little antipasti kabobs down below.

They were the perfect lil somewhat healthy addition to tailgatin food!

and then the annual dinner at Capitol Grille.

(you have to follow tradition if you're an Alabama fan)

the truth according to Dr. Truelove (yes, that's his real name)

he "truly loves" Alabama football.

arf, arf,,,

Are these two not the cutest couple you have ever seen?

and these?

and her?

We tried really hard to get this guy's attention.....

but all he did was just stare at us.....and stare at us.....and stare at us.

So, here we go with another WINNING season for the U of A!

have fun!

kb

Mini Antipasti kabobs

Thread a baby tomato, mini artichoke heart, 2 pitted kalamata olives, 2 lil mini mozzarella balls, a folded up pastrami circle, and a green olive on to a med. size kabob stick.

Mix together this:

1/4 c. balsalmic vinegar

3/4 c. EVOO

2 cloves of smashed garlic

1 tsp. greek seasoning

pour that over the top

Stick in the fridge and let it marinate all day long!

(these also taste great stuck in a bloody mary...with a fried piece of bacon)!

yummy.

You Can Paint!

For the last two nights, I have had the honour of teaching 11 lovely ladies how I paint!

I have taught classes before, but as of late have made the decision to have at least one paint party per month.

This is the first one I had in Atlanta.

We had a beautiful hostess, MaryAnn, who opened her home to us.

No one knew each other!

Can you believe that?  So for the 6 hours we all spent together, not only is everyone an aspiring artist, they are now new friends!

How fun is that?

Unfortunately the first night, I had forgotten my camera chip so I don't have pics, but this is what the paintings looked like after the first night (three hours)

Everything was coming up angels!!!!

and

I love that all the paintings had taken on a personality of their own.  And their owners!

Now.  We started off the class last night looking at our paintings.  I wanted the ladies to carefully study their completely dry works of art!

Then we did a little thing that I called "Show and Fix"

This is where everyone brought their masterpiece up to the front of the class and the class collectively   discussed what we needed to do to the painting.

I love, love, loved this!  I learn SO much about what people see in a painting, and which direction I personally should go when painting my own paintings!

and, the class was so gracious and all handled constructive criticism like pros!

I was SO proud of them

 they all told me what they were worried about in their painting and together we fixed it!

Not sure what I'm pointing out here but that's an awful face!! haha!

this is the way you learn!

 taking a "bonding" break!

Finishing the painting.  Yikes!!!

yep, we covered that painting all up!

and then we wiped it down.

revealing some amazing paintings!

Can you believe these???

This was the best class EVER!!!

Thank you ladies for making my last two nights so special!!!

*if you are interested in a paint party, please contact me at kbdr@aol.com

Have a great day y'all!

kb

How to Celebrate a Mermaid's 6th Birthday!

Evey is officially a "Mermaid"

yes.  I'm serious!

For her 6th birthday celebration, her dream in life has finally come true!

She wanted that mermaid tail SO bad, and she finally grew it.

I'll post directions on how to make below!

but first...the pics!

 she worked that tail y'all

Check out Evey's BRILLIANT idea for party favors!  Cheap and creative.  Evey came up with the idea, and Jordan made it happen.  (that's fish food attached)

(although they may end up being a #lifelesson for some of those little girls) if you know what I mean ;)

there were a few that missed the party....

that's the cutest lil butt I've ever seen.

she taunted us for an hour walking that ledge

I think it is safe to say that Evey's birthday was a huge success and she is officially a "Mermaid"!

Mermaid tail:

First you need a fin.  We got Evey's at Sports Authority,

but I found this one about 10.00 cheaper

http://www.swimoutlet.com/ProductDetails.asp?subscribe=Y&ProductCode=7351&gclid=CMSM346mrsACFQQQ7AodumcAbA

Jordan made Evey lie down on top of a roll of paper with the fin on and she traced her body.  Then Evey and I took that pattern to Hancocks and found a Lycra fabric that she loved and that matched her swimsuit top.   (MUST be Lycra)

Then I just cut the fabric from the pattern that she traced from the waist down.  Right sides together, I sewed both sides and then sewed about 4" in on the tail leaving an opening to put the tail in.  This was like putting on a pair of full length Spanx so it's pretty tough to put on, but trust me...like everyone who has endured wiggling into a pair of Spanx, it's worth it.

Once you get your Mermaid "Spanx" on, you put the fin on, pulling the fabric over the sides of the tail and the fabric just magically stayed in place!

Probably the easiest thing I've ever done.  And I'm serious.

Have a wonderful day all you "Mermaid wannabes"!!!

kb