In an effort to bolster my Christmas cheer I have been sampling (over the last two days) the cocktails I will be serving at the multiple family gatherings (I am hosting) this weekend.

First, the pomegranate martini should only be drank with a full stomach of food--whoaaaa nelly it got me when I was not expecting. Tasty though, very tasty!

POMETINI
1/2 oz. Pomegranate Schnapps
1 oz citrus vodka
splash of sprite or lemonade
shake and pour in chilled martini glass

Tonight I am being held hostage in the kitchen-- first by need, second by the high school Christmas party that is happening in my downstairs rec room, so I figured good time to sample cocktail number two, the White Christmas (with 58* Midwestern winter temperatures this is as white as Christmas is going to get). My dear friend Lucy's chocolate chunk pecan cookie bars are turning out to be a wonderful compliment to my "White Christmas".

WHITE CHRISTMAS
This sweet cocktail can be used as a dessert, too. Though similar to regular eggnog, the white chocolate liqueur makes this drink even more decadent. Serve with cookies or a simple dark chocolate poundcake for a rich ending to the evening (or in my case the beginning, middle and end).

4 ounces eggnog (homemade or commercially prepared) 1/2 ounce white chocolate liqueur 1 ounce Southern Comfort
Directions: Mix all the ingredients and serve straight up in a snifter.
Servings: 1 cocktail.

So I raise my glass to all my family and friends wishing you all a blessed and Merry Christmas!

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Alee, Liz and Mary's party was a success. Let me just say at the high school parties I went to there was never food available! My ole' high school friend came over tonight to keep me company-- we decided we should have been in the band they have respectable parties with not only a smorgasborg of food but, games, karokee, poker, Twister, etc, etc...

Everything is cleaned up, at nearly 1am I am crawling into my bed to wake in the morning to holiday chores.