Rehearsal Dinner

Here are some photos from my Nephew's rehearsal dinner that I designed and coordinated at the Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara on Thursday. I was going for a sunset/rustic look with rafia accents and centerpices with red, orange and yellow gerba daises. It was outside on the roof in an area called the Rooftop Perch. It has a 360 degree view of Santa Barbara. It was sooo windy up there, though. It finally died down about the time dinner was served. Whew! My wish tree had to be put under wraps till it was calmer.

The wish tree before & after. & of course my little boy.
It was a beautiful, fun night before the big day!

Enjoy,

Mr & Mrs. Joyeux with the Pacific behind us

Off to Santa Barbara

The Four Season's Biltmore Hotel, Santa Barbara

Today, my whole family is in Santa Barbara to see my son walk down the aisle as a ring bearer at his Uncle Kev's wedding at the Four Season Biltmore. Well, actually, my only nephew {four years ago I did become an Aunt to two more when I married Mr, Joyeux} is getting married today and Connor is the ring bearer. {They are letting him carry the real rings!}

I get to sit back and enjoy the show as a guest. It might be hard to do since I am used to watching out for everything and anything. I think I can manage though, since it is a five diamond resort. I will share photos next week.

Congratulations Kev & Kris! Have fun in Costa Rica & good luck at UC Hastings Kev!

Happy Reading,

Today I am just

Auntie

Beverage Monday.

Summer Lovin'

photo from gourmetsleuth.com

Hot Summer Night

• 1 shot gin
• 1 shot triple sec
• 2 shots apple juice
• lemon twist

Mix equal parts gin and triple sec in Cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a highball glass with ice, pour apple juice over mix. Add twist of lemon and serve.

Lazy Summer Day

• 2 oz Grey Goose® L'Orange vodka
• 2 oz Barenjager® honey liqueur
• thinly sliced oranges

Pour both ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Strain and pour into a highball glass and garnish with an orange slices.

Summer Fling

• 2 oz Bacardi® Peach Red rum
• 1 oz Parton Citronage or triple sec
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 1 splash cranberry juice
• 1 squirt soda

Fill shaker with ice and add liquor and juices, shake vigorously and pour into 3/4 of a pint glass filled with ice. Top with Squirt and stir.

Cheers,

The above recipes from Drink Mixer.

Exotic Honeymoon?

Victoria Falls in Africa

Are you wanting to honeymoon in a remote, exotic location? Do you know if you might need immunizations before you go? What about yellow fever or malaria? Is there a chance you might get it where you are going?

There is this great clinic in Pasadena, CA called The Healthy Traveler Clinic. Their website also has lots of info on how to travel & stay healthy, too. Plus, they have a travel resource area to help you find links to passport agencies, embassy's and all kinds of other travel related sites.

Happy Reading,

Beverage Monday

Today on Beverage Monday we are featuring Iron Horse's 2005 Wedding Cuvee. Iron Horse Vineyards is located in California.

From their webiite..."It is a Blanc de Noirs, made from predominately Pinot Noir. It has a beautiful, pale-peach hue. Rich and creamy, like pure strawberries and cream, this is without doubt the most romantic of Sparklings."

It also has various accolades. A beautiful and special addition to your wedding. It costs $35.00 a bottle.

Cheers,

Beverage Monday

Welcome to June. Here are a couple of June cocktails and a Gloom cocktail because here in Southern California we usually suffer from June Gloom!

June Bug
3/4 oz creme de bananes

3/4 oz peach schnapps

3/4 oz Midori® melon liqueur

Pineapple juice

Cranberry juice

Pour the 1st three ingredients in the order listed into a Collins/Tall glass filled with ice. Top with equal parts juice. Stir and serve

June Sparkle
3 1/2 oz Champagne

1/2 oz strawberry liqueur

1 oz pineapple juice

Pour all ingredients in the order listed into a champagne flute. Garnish with a sugar-dipped strawberry, and serve.

Gloom Chaser
3/4 oz Curacao orange liqueur

3/4 oz Grand Marnier® orange liqueur

3/4 oz grenadine syrup

3/4 oz lemon juice

Pour all ingredients into a cocktails shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.

Cheers,

The sun was drawn by me using Paint!

Beverage Monday

~Cinco de Mayo~

Today we are featuring Margaritas for Cinco de Mayo, which by the way is my son's birthday. He is turning 5 tomorrow. The balloon is from his last birthday party. I usually buy one since they make a 'special' balloon just for his birthday. Anyways. let's celebrate the Battle of Puebla with some great food and even better drinks.

Classic Margarita

• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce Cointreau
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Salt for garnish

Combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Moisten rim of Margarita glass with lime juice or water. Holding glass upside down, dip rim into salt. Shake and strain drink into glass and serve.

Frozen Passion Margarita

• 3/4 oz Alize® Gold Passion liqueur
• 3/4 oz 1800® Tequila
• 3/4 oz triple sec
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 3/4 cup cracked ice

Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend. Strain into a margarita glass rimmed with coarse salt, garnish with a wheel of lime, and serve.

OC Margarita

• 1 1/2 oz Sauza® Conmemorativo tequila
• 3/4 oz orange cognac liqueur
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 1/2 oz sweet and sour mix

Pour the tequila, orange cognac and triple sec on the rocks in a tall salt-rimmed margarita glass. Add sour mix to taste. Serve

Cheers,

Recipes courtesy of DrinksMixer.com.