That's the Spirit

Holiday Entertaining
As seen in “That’s the Spirit" with Clare Jackson in Main Street Magazine

It is that time of year again where we are having friends and family over for some seasonal cheer. There are some must haves in the “Liquor Cabinet” to ensure that you have a little something something for everyone. Here is how you take care of the who’s who of the guests you will be hosting.

The father in law; A great single malt - golden smooth nectar of the Scottish Gods. Pour this one in a proper glass and don’t spare a glug or two. Neat or on the rocks this gem is a slow sipper letting it warm your throat and belly on those cold holiday nights. Add a Montecristo #2 and you may reach a deep brotherhood with the senior male outlaw.
I recommend a 12 year old Macallan for the company and the 18 year old for your own private stash.

Mommy Dearest (hers not yours); A classic structured Merlot with lush ripe red and black cherry notes. Make sure you have ample supply as you know once she starts it can be a runaway train. Supporting local producers is where it is at. If you want to make it special and have a little tale to tell take a drive down to Niagara on the Lake and bring home a hidden gem not found at the LCBO. I recommend Henry of Pelham, Cave Spring Cellars or Inniskillin.

The Neighbour; An easy drinking Pinot Grigio is the best way to keep them snow blowing your driveway in the dead of winter or bringing over that steaming apple pie.
This white beauty chilled just right is the wine everyone will love. It is easy to drink, refreshing and works well with light small nibbles. I recommend Konzelmann’s‘Winemaker’s Collection’ Reserve Pinot Grigio 2007. Price is good and the wine is great! You might want to buy a case…or two.

The Core or Safety Net; well we all know that the Boss may drop by or cousins or friends that only come by during the holidays. Here is what you need to make sure you have them “all covered”;
A classic vodka-Grey Goose is a good bet.
Spiced Rum- Let the Captain loose in a rum and egg nog.
Beer- one import and one local…great time to try something new and out there.
Gin – for that one “friend” who wants a gin martini. I like Tanqueray.
Dark Rum – gotta have it for those who like it with cola and a lime.
Bailey’s – a creamy finish over ice.
Grand Marnier – a classic liqueur that will warm your soul – if you haven’t already sold it!
Champagne – to kick that old year in the ass and kiss the newborn year hello!

Enjoy the Holidays and be brave enough to stop a friend from getting behind the wheel when they have had too much fun.

The She Spot: Happy Holidays!

‘Tis the Season to Be Naughty
Cathy Broadbent
“The She Spot!”

Well, the cold is upon us, even those last die hard shorts wearers have had no choice but to finally succumb to the cold, hard facts. Speaking of cold and hard, this is also the time of year that we start to come down with afflictions, such as the dreaded Nippleitis. Thank goodness for padded bras, otherwise we’d all be walking around with the high beams on! Yup, that’s winter in Canada, a bunch of women running around with nippleitis and men running around with shrinkage. I think the people who can honestly say they love winter, are in the minority. I am proud to be Canadian, there’s nowhere else I’d rather call home and I consider myself lucky to have been born here, but when that damp cold gets into my bones and chills me from the inside out, my mind starts to fantasize about moving to a tropical island in the sun somewhere; just for the winter.

On the other hand, there’s nothing like being inside on a cold dark winter’s night, in front of a crackling fireplace, cuddling with the one you love. Taking a walk on a crisp winter night when there’s a full moon making the freshly fallen snow sparkle like diamonds can also be so romantic.

I love the crunch of the snow under my feet with every step. The key is to be dressed appropriately, if you’re too cold, it takes all the fun out of it. Yes, it’s not so bad if you can somehow manage to be warm when you are outside in the winter, but as far as I’m concerned, if we only had two days of snow for the whole winter, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I’d be happy.

The best thing about winter in my opinion is Christmas. This year I plan on being really good so Santa will come to my house. I’ve got it all planned out. When he gets here, I’ll be waiting with a nice hot cup of Hot Chocolate Butternut for him, (see recipe below), and I’ll invite him to sit by the fire with me. I’m going to show him that sometimes it’s nice to be naughty. I’ll be the Ho in his “ho ho ho,” dressed up like Santa’s naughty little helper. I want to make Kris Kringle tingle.

First I’ll roast his chestnuts with a fiery hot strip tease. Then Santa will get overheated, and start to remove his suit. I’ll unwrap his package, polish his Christmas balls, and suck on his candy cane. I’ll ride him like a reindeer and taste his sweet egg-nog. This Christmas, Santa will be naughty. Afterwards, I’ll make Santa and I a couple of Frosty Noggins, (see recipe below), to help him cool off. I’ll have a little talk with Santa about some ideas I have for toys he can make in his workshop for us women. Kids aren’t the only ones who want toys for Christmas. We probably have more fun playing with our new toys than the kids do! The novelty doesn’t wear off either; we play with them until they wear out and die! After our chat, Santa will be off on his way to spread more joy around the world.

I can’t wait for Christmas this year! This will be the first Christmas that I can say yes with absolute certainty when someone asks me if Santa came!

Hot Chocolate Butternut
Ingredients
2 oz Butterscotch Schnapps
½ oz Amaretto
5 oz Hot Chocolate
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a mug and stir well. Garnish with a layer of whipped cream and serve.

Frosty Noggin
Ingredients
1 ½ oz Rum
¾ oz Crème de Cacao
3 oz Egg Nog
3 Cups Vanilla Ice Cream
Directions
Blend ingredients until smooth, pour into parfait glass, top with whipped cream. Decorate with a few drops of Crème de Menthe.

Best Holiday Outfit

Choosing the Best Holiday Outfit
By Louise Kana For Main Street Magazine (MSM)

2009

The problem isn't being comfortable in your skin: Instead, the challenge is simply finding wearable, modern clothes to fit your lifestyle, budget and figure.

Pros may tout fashion now as being ageless, but that's no consolation when you have to pick through racks of miniskirts and low-rise jeans to find styles you love.

Keeping up with trends can be even more difficult because many fashion magazines ignore women over a certain age.

Designers and magazines show styles on youthful models, but realistic merchants know not everyone sports taut forearms and flat tummies. In fact the average woman is a size 14, far from the zero on the cat walk showing the latest designer label.

Practically any fashion trend can be adapted if you know some general guidelines.

Quick tips to keep your holiday outfit current-Let the very young think (mistakenly) that dressing sexy means you have to bare every body part. Instead, you can show your sensuality with luxury fabrics (silk, leather, cashmere, fur) and rich colors (wine, chocolate, plum, champagne and midnight).

Watch your handbag: it is usually a dead giveaway to age. Have some fun with your handbag choice by trying lively colors (red, denim) and different shapes. The key here is to find a bag in a good proportion to your size. Shoulder bags that fit under the armpit (not too tiny or too bulky)
Use accessories to create maximum impact. Costume jewellery expert Isabelle Bryman suggests looking at your accessories in new ways: wearing pearls as a belt or a dress clip on a beret.

Don'ts
Don't wear baggy, shapeless clothes.
Don't wear ditsy and fussy prints like tiny floral.
Don't wear overdone, fussy styles or details (gold buttons, gold trim, etc.). They are terrible no matter the age.
Don't wear your skirts too short.
Don't overdo the glitz! Despite the fact that maximalism is in right now, you don't want to look like the Christmas tree! You want to go to the Christmas Party!

Movies

As seen in the September Issue of Main Street Magazine (MSM)

An adult evening ‘in’ can be just the thing on a rainy night, whether by yourself or with some pals, all you need are the right ingredients. 1. Snack Foods- you know the kind, popcorn, chips, chocolate and loads of ice cream and loaded nachos! (hey even healthy needs a break once-in-awhile!) 2. Strawberry Daiquiris, beer or other adult beverages of choice. 3. Favourite PJ’s! Comfy is a must! And finally… 4. Some great movies.

Below is a list of some of our favourites, for the girlies for the guys, and Laughing out Loud!

For the Girls:
Titanic: Have some tissue handy for the scene of when the cry of “Jack! Come back!” you know it gets us every time! Plus, it stars eye candy Leonardo DiCaprio.

The Notebook: Did you get goose bumps during Noah and Allie’s love scene on the dock?

Dirty Dancing: Any movie that is still popular more than 20 years later is definitely a keeper!

When Harry Met Sally: Who knew faking an orgasm could lead to this kind of success?

A Walk To Remember: Shane West is Mandy Moore’s angel in this tear-jerker but heavy flick-not to mention Shane is oh so easy on the eyes!

For the Guys:
The Godfather & The Godfather: Part II : Isn’t this in everyone’s home movie collection?

Mad Max/The Road Warrior: This movie comes in the top guy movie’s list over and over. Is it the brutal revenge or the car chases that keeps the guys coming back?

Fight Club: "First rule of Fight Club: You do not talk about Fight Club."

Office Space: Most fantasize about tying their boss to a chair and forcing him/her to watch it. Remember this great line; "It's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care."

James Bond: You can’t go wrong with a James Bond movie. Right guys?

Laugh Out Loud (LOL):
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective; Remember the scene where Jim Carrey is dressed in a tutu and pretending to be mentally ill?

American Pie: "Well, we'll just tell your mother that uh…that uh…we ate it all!" Who will forget the hilarious scene when Jim Levinstein (Jason Biggs) is caught by his father (Eugene Levy) while making out with a warm, freshly-baked apple pie on the kitchen counter.

Austin Powers in Goldmember: the hilariously vulgar shadow-play or puppetry scene in the Sick Bay of Dr. Evil's (Mike Myers) submarine lair is a true classic of LOL hilarity!

Blazing Saddles: From beginning to end you laugh! This film is packed with political incorrectness!

Death Becomes Her: How can you not laugh out loud when Madeline's (Meryl Streep) head is rotated 180 (and later 360) degrees, and her shocked cry: "My ass! I can see my ass!"