Tag Your Pics

This is a really late post, but I still wanted to share it anyway.  I made these this past holiday season.  These are all pictures that I've took, I doctored them up a little using pic monkey, and made them into gift tags.  This was my alternative to traditional holiday cards.  I added 2-3 on each gift, and it made the wrapping look so much more festive!  I went a little crazy making these, I still have a lot left over.  I figured that since not all of them are holiday pictures, I can use them throughout the year for different things.  It was very simple, I had them printed up as wallet sized at Costco, so you get 4 on a sheet.  Very practical on the wallet! 

I love the creativity that people come up with for their holiday cards, I got a lot of great ones this year!  Do you make holiday cards?  How do you keep it fresh and fun?

Traditions

New year's is always filled with a lot of different traditions.  May it be for religious, personal, spiritual, or cultural, we follow certain traditions to prepare ourselves for yet another year.  Amongst the numerous traditions that we do before every new year, here are a few that I would like to share.

Mochi making is one of them that we do to prepare for the new year.  If you noticed, I said making, not pounding!  We cheat! We have a machine that kneads and beats our rice into mochi. We make the mochi a couple days prior to New Year's eve.  We make about 20 sets and give them to the different relatives for them to take home and put up in their houses.

This is what it looks like when it first comes out of the machine.  Unfortunately, I didn't take pics before or during the kneading process! :( 

This is what it looks like after you mold it into little mounds!  A set is 2 pieces stacked on top of each other.  The bottom is a little larger than the top piece.  Then it is topped off with either a tangerine or an orange.

This mochi is just for decoration.  It is not for consumption.  It is put up before the New Year as an offering to our ancestors as a sign of appreciation and thanking them for protecting the family.

Usually you put the tangerine on top of the smaller mochi, but since the tangerine is big we put it on the side.

 

 

Another tradition is to put up a Kadomatsu, which is an arrangement of pine branches and bamboo tied together with a straw rope decoration.  

 

 

We put up the pine & bamboo branches, this is a little different than the real tradition.  You put this up on both sides of your gate or entrance to your house.  The pine tree symbolizes longevity.

We also make sushi on New Years eve.  We make about 30 rolls and eat some that night, then save the rest for New Years day and give it away to people that come over.  

Here are a few other traditions we practice!

We EAT!

We pop firecrackers to chase away the evil!

We DRINK!

We toast and BANZAI, to welcome the NEW YEAR!

HAPPY 2013!

May the year bring only good things our way!

These are just a few of the traditions that I do every year.  What do you do to prepare for the new year?!  Do you have family traditions?

Cheers!

Wishing all of you a SAFE and HAPPY New year! Looking forward to seeing what 2013 has in store! 2012, wasn't the greatest of years for me, as I was tested with a lot of trials and life challenges! I have learned a lot about myself and grown a lot within this year.  I can honestly say, that I having this blog and being a part of the blogging world has really opened me up to seeing things in a different perspective.  Thank you for all of your support and I hope to continue on this blogging journey!  2013 I am coming for you! 

CHEERS! To a great year in 2013!

Loves Happy Hour!

 POMOSA! 

Pomegranate Juice & Champagne!!! I need to try this!!

 Alcoholic Ice!! 

The smartest idea ever!!  I'll have to find a different type of bags to fill, but the concept behind it is genius!  Great for parties, premake the ice and have it ready to go! Makes it way easier to spike the punch!! haha!

 Chocolate Flavored infused strawberries! 

 Another awesome idea!! Soak strawberries in a container of chocolate flavored vodka for a day or so, then dip them in chocolate! OMG, my mouth is watering just typing this out!

 Bloody Mary jello shots!

This sounds interesting.  I can't even begin to think how you make Bloody Mary jello?? 

Refer to the recipe and instructions here.

 Margarita Bombs!

I'll admit that I do watch the Jersey Shore here and there, and I often see them drinking these and have thought to myself, those look so good!  

As you sip, you pull the Corona out so the glass fills with beer! Cool!

 Vodka Slushies!

This just sounds good! It's originated from Chef Emeril Lagasse, so you know it must be delish!

It's so easy too, check it out here.  This recipe is cranberry and orange, but I'm sure that you can easily change the flavors to your liking!

 Margarita Shots in Limes!

I like this idea, because you don't have to worry about shot glasses!  Just juice the limes, pour the shots and salt the rims! It's also very cute looking!

Sake Champagne Mojitos!

These look so refreshing! I love a good mojito and I love sake!! Find out how to make it here.

Since the New Year is right around the weekend! I figured that this weeks pinspirations be about the drinks!  I'm sure some of these would taste awesome as virgin drinks too!  For you non-drinkers out there, try these without the alcohol!  For me, I love a good drink!♥These are some interesting drinks that I found on pinterest!  They all seem somewhat easy, and believe me I will be giving them all a try!;)  I am slowly preparing for the New Year, cleaning, cooking, visiting, making resolutions and of course crafting!  How do you prepare for the New Year? What do you like to drink! 

xoxo