Last weekend I was in the Napa Valley, sipping wine in the warm sunshine and enjoying every second of that glorious place. Have you been? Entering this weekend I am in the sunshine, yes. But warm? Nope. Not at all. The last few mornings I've been scrapping ice of the car windows and shaking my head when I read the temperature of 21 degrees. Huh? What's up Portland?! How's the weather where you are? Let's get going with our Virtual Girls Night Out and never mind the weather.
To participate In The Virtual GNO: Enjoy this post! ;-> For our weekly Friday night blog party all you need to make this party complete is a beverage of your choice (cocktail recipe below for inspiration) and your fuzzy slippers! If you choose to participate with the meme and/or game leave your blog link for guests to visit you! I started this blog party in 2008 and bloggers have been virtually partying ever since. Visit your fellow party guests - say "Happy VGNO!!!" Share the blog game/meme/question on your site to play along.
Time For Some Tunes!
(Latest favorite :->)
Ben Howard "Keep Your Head Up"
Time For A Cocktail!
Ingredients
t |
2 stick(s) cinnamon
12 whole cloves
4 cup(s) dry red wine
2 can(s) (6-ounces) frozen cranberry concentrate
2 2/3 cup(s) water
1/2 cup(s) mild honey, or to taste
1 cup(s) crème de cassis
1 orange, sliced into thin crecents
Directions
Make spice packet: Pinch open cardamom pods to release seeds and place them on a piece of cheesecloth or paper coffee filter. Add cinnamon and cloves and tie with string to make a pouch.
Heat the punch: Pour wine, cranberry concentrate, water, and honey into a 6-quart saucepan or crockpot. Submerse spice packet in the liquid and heat (don't boil). Let punch steep for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours.
To serve: Remove and discard spice pouch. Add crème de cassis and divide punch among cups. Float orange slices in cups. Serve warm.
Yes please! Cheers!
Time For a Party Game!
Since we have special celebrations upon us that focus on food, time for:
Thanksgiving Me A Stomach Ache!
- Name a food you didn't like as a child at Thanksgiving but like to eat now:
- Have you ever claimed to be allergic to a food just to get out of eating it? If so, what was it?
- Baked goodies are a staple for holiday dining however not all of us have the gift. Have you tried to make a holiday dessert only to discover you forgot and/or added too much of an ingredient? Do tell!
Answer 1 or all 3 of these questions on your blog, or leave a comment below :->

Thank you for visiting and joining in our weekly Friday night party, the Virtual Girls Night Out. Cheers!