Now that November is here, the weather is turning cooler and all the stores are starting to string up twinkling lights, bringing on dancing Santa Clauses and Christmas trees — wait — what?
Is it just me, or has the world gone crazy? Have we completely forgotten that greatest of gluttonous holidays — Thanksgiving? How can we skip right over the giant turkey, the stuffing, the family, the football? Well, to all these festivity rushers who want to skip right to Christmas, let me offer one more reason to take time to be thankful for Thanksgiving.
Though beer might be the traditional beverage to accompany the start of the extended weekend that is Thanksgiving break for most of us, why not try something a little different this year?
In the past, I’ve offered up cocktail recipes with lemonade, juice, wine and Champagne, but this month, let me suggest one with beer. But far from the red eyes and Irish car bombs that may come to mind when one hears “beer cocktail,” this drink is not for chugging. It can be enjoyed sip by sip in between first downs and turkey legs. I hope this cocktail can help us slow down, enjoy the day and keep from rushing through the season too quickly.
The Gobbler 4 ounces wheat beer ½ ounce Grey Goose L’Orange vodka ½ ounce Licor 43 ½ ounce Frangelico ½ ounce Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Splash fresh lemon juice Dash bitters Cinnamon sugar (to rim the glass)
In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine Grey Goose L’Orange, Licor 43, Frangelico, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, lemon juice and bitters. Pour into a chilled martini or wine glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar. Add beer slowly, and stir gently with a spoon or decorative stir. Garnish with an orange slice.
Great Southern Restaurant Group, 600 S. Barracks St., 470-0003 or www.goodgrits.com.
When guys hear the words “baby shower,” they picture a circle of woman sitting around oohing and ahhing over tiny outfits and rattles as they discuss labor tales.While they are not far from wrong, there have been some serious changes and modernizations in this type of gathering. More and more mothers- and fathers-to-be are throwing co-ed baby showers and creating parties that both of the expecting parents can enjoy. Planning a co-ed baby shower is easy and fun.
This co-ed baby shower party features Stewart's Fountain Classic sodas paired with a wedding almond cake with butter cream icing, and wedding almond cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes and red velvet cupcakes with butter cream icing by Oh Snap! Cupcakes and Gourmet Bakery. (Katie King/kking@pnj.com)
First things first. If you are planning a shower for a friend, talk to the mommy-to-be and see if she wants to make the shower co-ed. If she agrees, speak with her parents and make a guest list of couples and friends they want to invite. Once you know how many people to plan for, you can start working on the menu.
Local haunts hit big screen in indie flick Film directed by Washington grad
Trieste Kelly Dunn in a still from Brett Haley's movie "The New Year," which features several scenes at Cordova Lanes. (Special to the News Journal)
TROY MOON • TMOON@PNJ.COM • The Pensacola News Journal • JANUARY 7, 2011
Brett Haley lives in Brooklyn, but when it came to making his breakout feature film, the Washington High School graduate — Class of 2001 — looked to more familiar turf.
“I wanted it to be a little bit of a love letter to my hometown,” said Haley, 27, who filmed much of “The New Year” at Cordova Lanes in Pensacola. “It’s fun to see the places you grew up in or still visit in a film. Besides, if I tried to shoot at a bowling alley in Brooklyn, I couldn’t shoot one day for $8,000.”
That $8,000 covered the entire budget for “The New Year,” which debuts locally today at Gulf Breeze Cinema 4 in Gulf Breeze.
It has been screened at more than a dozen national film festivals, and won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the Sarasota Film Festival in April — the first time the public saw the film.
“I didn’t even think it had a chance,” Haley said. “It was pretty overwhelming.”
Haley, who has been making movies since he was a preteen, said he also chose Pensacola to shoot his film because he knew he would receive support. Local actors worked for free. Establishments such as Cordova Lanes, the Fish House, Seville Quarter, Pensacola Beach and other local spots didn’t charge a fee for the use of their facilities. (more…)
I have been planning parties for many years, and a few months ago, I felt guilty when I realized I had never planned a special birthday party for my fiancé. I told him that this year, his 25th birthday was going to be amazing! He laughed and said, “Sounds great! Too bad I turned 25 last year.”
David Suhor with ShamaLamaGram! at The Fish House. (Katie King/kking@pnj.com)
Needless to say, I had completely forgotten, and to make up for it, I already am planning his 30th birthday.
Although I can’t help you remember all those special dates, I can offer tips to make those celebrations extra special when you do. Here are a few ideas from three milestone birthdays I have planned. I hope you can take a few ideas and incorporate them in your own special someone’s birthday.
To date, my ultimate favorite birthday party would have to be a coworker’s 50th birthday party that I planned with friends last year. Some of these ideas are perfect for small gatherings at lunchtime (so that guests can make it back to work if needed).
To start, our friend’s wife sent us a great photo of him and we made poster-size signs with the blown-up photo. On the top we printed “Happy 50th Birthday” and on the bottom printed, “In lieu of gifts, please give HUGS.” This provided a nice laugh for all of us, considering that our friend, at first glance, is one of the most intimidating men you could ever come across. The signs were hung in the front of our restaurant and in the elevators of the main office. When our friend arrived at work at the crack of dawn, he already knew what kind of day he was in for! (more…)
Baked oysters is just one of the great recipes you can find on our website.
The Grits Girl explores the Who, What and Huh? — of cooking this holiday season.
It’s that time of year again. The holiday season. Most folks get in a real panic over what to serve. The Grits Girl keeps it simple. I orderto go.
Some people like to make holiday dinners fancy. I’ve seen these recipes with highfalutin’ names, usually in French or Latin. Personally, the Grits Girl doesn’t recommend trying something too complicated if family is coming over. Especially your momma. This has not worked out well for me in the past, and my mother loves to tell everyone about the peanut butter and green beans.
The Fish House Deck Bar was packed for the Thanksgiving Eve edition of Girls' Night Out Photo Credit: Alex Williams/GoPensacola.com
Our good friends at GoPensacola.com came out to record the magic that is Girls’ Night Out on the Fish House Deck Bar! Check out all the fun after the jump.
Our friends at Eater National always have our attention. Especially when they use words like Deep-Fried, Turkey Disaster Videos! Check out their latest installment just in time for the big day. Who knows the life watching it might save might be your own!Tomorrow’s Thanksgiving, and a whole bunch of people are going to just toss a frozen turkey willy-nilly into a deepfryer, film the exploding fireball that results and post it on YouTube. (For which we, of course, are very thankful.) Most likely, you’re doing it wrong and should probably stick the bird in the oven. Word to the wise: if you absolutely must fry a turkey, defrost it completely and make sure to dry it inside and out before dunking it in oil.
