Hi Dear Friends
It is 6:36 pm here in the shadow of Table Mountain. I have had a day of prepping for my book club's Christmas function and am quite footsore and tired. I am hosting eleven gals on Thursday eve for a eight course tasting menu!!! The house is looking festive and a bit tosy turvy. You know that look, when you are putting up decorations, laying tables and there are boxes of décor and stuff strewn everywhere ....
So, here I am at my desk with a glass of wine, the sun is still up and the temperature is soaring!
Our monthly "By Invitation Only" theme, which Tina From The Enchanted Home choose for us, is to host a December Cocktail Party. As per usual, our glam lady Marsha, from Splenderosa will be hosting us. So hop on over and take a look at what all the other gorgeous ladies are up to...
Christmas holidays for us means sun, sea and sand!!!! We avoid the kitchen like the plague if at all possible!!!! So, in keeping with that I have decided to keep it cool....
This enchanting garden will be the ideal setting for a festive outdoor soiree....
Music will be provided by the abundant bird life and from indoors all the Christmas Carols will waft out on the evening breeze....just to tickle the ears....and you may burst into a spontaneous "Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer" if you get swept away with the Christmas spirit....
To start, I have decided on these Blackberry Prosecco Popsicles to bring the temperature down a bit...
Cocktails will include.... Champagne Peach Bellini, Minty Mojitos, Tropical Ice Tea Punch, Orange Sherbet Mimosa and of course Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Champagne....
I have opted to wear this red number with my favourite open heels....they will probably be kicked of soon enough...
An ice block mounted with prawns and a spicy dipping sauce is enough to keep those taste buds in a perpetual state of anticipation of what's to come....
Figs wrapped in Parma Ham...
Summer melon encased with slivers of smoked Salmon....
Tuna Tartare and refreshing cucumber....
Lobster rolls...
Terrine of Rainbow Beets....
Spicy Asian Meatballs....
For Dessert..... Blackberry Cabernet Sorbet....
Heat or no heat, we absolutely have to have chocolate!!! So, how about these Mudslide Truffles served in shot glasses....
Summer fruit abounds, and so sugared peaches and cream is a must!!!
The heat is on, so I am heading over to grab a glass of bubbly....to toast each and every one of our fabulous bloggers who contribute monthly to our festive "By Invitation Only" event! A Big Thank you to Marsha for hosting us all at the glamorous Splenderosa . Please head on over to join the party!!!
I would like to which each and every one of you a wonderful month of holidays. Amidst the flurry of parties, shopping, cooking and all things festive, let us remember the Reason for the Season and all those less fortunate than us...
So dear friends..... Keep Calm and Love Christmas!!!!
Live Well
Veronica
xxxx
Please regale me with a comment down below...I am all ears....
Please also visit my Pinterest board for all photo credits and to see what else I had in mind to eat, drink and wear....
Oh Veronica, I have to say that of all of the amazing parties that Tina and Marsha launched, yours made me the most hungry! I am ready to hop on a plane to travel south to see you! This makes me think that we have the same taste in food. I would be a rotten guest at your party. You know, the greedy one that is hovering as soon as a new dish is served? ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the inspiration and a very Merry Holidays to you!
Lovely, Lovely, Lovely! Wonderful images - and the food.....Oh my - just delicious!!!! Water is running in my mouth!
ReplyDeleteWish you a lovely Pre-Christmas time at your end of the world, dear Veronica, stay and "keep calm"; and when I'll have something "sparkling" in my hands I'll think of you!
CHEERS!
Warmest greeting from the Périgord, karin
Great food and drink, so beautifully presented. Although what's spicier, the shrimp or that dress!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour party sounds wonderful, Veronica...such style and the most beautiful food...I will come hungry :)
ReplyDeleteYou will look sensational in your red dress...thank you for popping by today and your lovely comment...wishing you a very happy festive season xx
Today I have been on several Christmas parties but your buffet is definitively the best. :-) I am really enjoying your pictures. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo exciting to see a Summer Christmas! This looks so very elegant, so very deliciously summery and so very Christmassy. What a glorious garden, too. Like Heather, you will find me loitering by the buffet table, or following the waiters around, trying each delicious morsel.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the most gorgeous Christmas, Virginia
Oh my goodness Veronica ….. your cocktails and canapes look wonderful …… I really have to have a popsicle or five, RIGHT NOW !!!!! ….. and, seafood is my favourite, so hand over those prawns !!
ReplyDeleteI love your post for our BIO subject this month….. I just hope that my invitation is in the post !!!! XXXX
I am very late to the party as I was at the dentist's office for several hours this afternoon, go back again on Friday. Thank you so much for posting in our final 2013 post. It was very important to me, and I think almost everyone arrived on the scene. Summer time. Well, what am I saying, it's 79 here right now. But over the weekend it will in the low 40's so we never know what to expect. Merry Christmas !!!!!
ReplyDeleteVeronica... the food you have featured is incredible... amazing tastings...
ReplyDeleteWonderful... xv
Lovely images presented by you. Your party sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteInkshed