Happy 2012!

What does New Years mean to you?

Celebrate quietly at home? 

How about any family traditions? Ours goes back many generations; one must have herring on New Years Eve, it brings good luck! 

Or do you go out and celebrate?

 Here is the recipe for a celebratory cocktail "Ice Wine Martini". In case you are not familiar, ice wine is from grapes harvested after a hard frost, picked frozen, they are a heavy concentration of sweetness.

Ice Wine Martini

10 seedless green grapes, plus 2 halved grapes for garnish
2 ounces of Ice Wine (I like Inniskillin)
2 ounces vodka, preferably Ciroc
Ice

In a blender puree the 10 grapes with ice wine and vodka. Pour the puree through a strainer, into an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain agin into a large chilled martini glass, garnish with the grape halves. "Heavenly!"

Wearing a classic black dress? How about some adornment? Carla Fox is a blog friend from the Pacific Northwest and a jewelry designer. Her "Art and Adornments"  are one-of-a-kind necklaces and headpieces. The following examples are in the Geneva, Il shop currently. Carla can also be found at her ETSY site. 

And the last order of business is announcing the winner of the "World of Department Stores" book, the immensely talented Pamela Terry of 'The House of Edward' blog. Pamela is a magical wordsmith, her stories, life and inspiration is a favorite. Enjoy Pamela!

May all of yours come true............

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for visiting 5th and State blog. Your support and comments mean the world to me........

Much love
Debra