Martini Madness 3: The Minty Marshmallow

It's almost New Year's Eve!
Are you ready for our third installment of Martini Madness?!

Today we have an original concoction.
We call it...

The Minty Marshmallow!

1.5 oz. Marshmallow Vodka*
1.5 oz. Peppermint Mocha creamer
.5 oz. Buttershots

* We used Pinnacle, but Smirnoff makes a delicious "Fluffed Marshmallow," too.

Shake in a Boston shaker with a little crushed ice.
This is perfect as a cocktail over the rocks, too.

For a little extra chocolate love,
you could line the glass like with did in The Perfect Pumpkin Martini.

Check out our whole series.

Martini Madness #1 - The Perfect Pumpkin Martini
Martini Madness #2 - The Gingerbread Martini
Martini Madness #3 - The Minty Marshmallow

Linking up to:

What Was in Your Stocking? Here's What I Got...

Folks know that I'm a vintage loving gal.
And, while I adore many true vintage pieces,
I also have a penchant for retro reproductions.

And, of course, chocolate doesn't stink...

Dear husband surprised me with vintage style candies in my Christmas stocking!

What did you get in yours?
Press the purple button below and share :)

Our Christmas Message To You!

Dear friends,
Well, it's upon us.
It's Christmas - what many of us have been longing for.

With the new year approaching I got to thinking about the past year.
It's been a good one.

Our blog has undergone design changes.
And, we've clarified our mission!

At Cooking at Cafe D we are frugal with the pennies - lavish with the love.
Providing tasty meals and decor tips - with a focus on the family.

And, we created categories for you, like "How Tasty" and "How Organized" and lined them all up in the sidebar.

Many folks connected with us on our facebook page, twitter, and it's been wonderful sharing pins with you on pinterest!

We tried our hand at homemade ravioli and found it good. (But, it wasn't quick as easy as when we tried spaetzle. Somehow we managed to announce the colors for our new kitchen - yet never posted it. D'oh! (Adding to my to do list..)

We survived a Chicago Snowpocaclypse. We started our Featured Artist Friday with interviews and giveaways. Gosh, how I adore those artists! (We haven't had one of those for a while. Keep an eye out next year, you just never know!)

Oh, and speaking of Giveaways, we were excited and honored to host a dress giveaway from the wonderful folks at Shabby Apple.

Our Friday FREE-FOR-ALL! has given YOU a chance to shine - showing us your recipes, decor & craft tutorials and even teachable moments. I just love featuring your work!

Together, we learned 25 ways to wear a scarf and a quick tip on how to be sure your email address is easy to find when you comment.

In October, we began our 31 Day Series 31 Minutes to a More Organized Life. (This series changed my life. Really. Not only did it make me buckle down and write each day, it also made me realize how much I really want to share with you - and learn from you, too.)

Our first couple of drinks were featured in Martini Madness - and we've got more in the wings for you!

And, we rounded things off with our Christmas Home Tour 2011 so you could see our handmade and vintage ornaments...and our faux mantle :)

Looking back has made me MORE EXCITED THAN EVER to have you here. And, I can't wait to bring many more tips and recipes to you in 2012.

From our family to yours,
May God Bless you.
Have a very merry Christmas!



Linking up to:

5 Minute Danishes with recipe!

At Christmas, I look for quick and easy recipes.
Here's one of my favorites - a warm treat filled with your favorite sweets.

Our 5 Minute Crescent Kolachkies are a hit every time.
You can find the simple recipe there.

It's Friday.
Usually we hold our Friday FREE-FOR-ALL!.
We're taking the day off to make pastitsio and baklava.

Want more inspiration?
Check out our How Tasty section in the sidebar
or one of our many other categories.

What are YOUR easy Go-To appetizers or snacks?
Click the blue button below and tell us in the comments!

We Have a WInner! (Was it You?!)

We have a...Winner!

This lovely Boogie Woogie dress will soon be on it's way to...

Kelly D. Saver! *ding* *ding*

(I honestly thought that was the name of a fun website offering frugal fare.
Apparently it's a real name. How cool is that?!)

Kelly, I've sent you an e-mail so we can get your pertinent info.

Don't forget!
Just for our readers -
Use coupon code CafeD10off and
Get 10% off your Shabby Apple order right now!

(As they say on TV - It's for a limited time, don't delay.)

5 Quick and Easy Holiday Centerpieces!

Today is the last day to enter our giveaway.
Don't miss it!

Hopefully, by now all of your mantles are decorated -
whether real or faux.
And, *fingers-crossed* your stockings are hung,
with brown-paper packages laying under your tree.

Before you tuck away into your pumpkin or gingerbread martinis
I wonder...

Have you planned your holiday centerpiece?
There's still time!
Here are some simple tricks.

I dunno about you, but I pulled out our vintage Christmas plates
with the matching glasses only to discover I had no centerpiece planned.

Do you Pinterest?
It's so easy to get ideas there!

These Cinnamon Stick Candles Holders take only a glue gun.
Cassie, from Hi Sugarplum, has a trick..
Glue the sticks to each other, instead of the glass!

Donna, from FunkyJunk, reminds us that
anything we love can take center stage.
Here she uses vintage bottles and her twiggy garland
to raise the spirits of her stairway.
The same technique could easily be used for your centerpiece!

Silver, pewter, fruit, burlap -
anything that makes us smile can be our focus.
Carol at Raised in Cotton uses pomegranates which are perfect for Christmas!

Lastly, these simple burlap vases from Jason Home make me grin.
I'll be making a set of these before the weekend.
(They won't be as pretty as Jason's, though!)

What's your simple go-to for centerpieces?
Click the blue bar below...
Share your ticks in our comments.

21 Last Minute Gifts - Free Shipping - Tax Deductible!

This year, someone on our list is getting a gift from Heifer International.
(Shh, don't tell. They don't know yet!)

Why do I love Heifer?
(And, why do I write about them year after year.)

Easy-breazy last minute gifts! Free shipping! Tax deductible!
You can give someone a FLOCK OF CHICKS!

Seriously, I love Heifer because...
They help families help themselves.
They blend 3 concepts:

"Teaching a Man to Fish for Himself"
"Paying it Forward" and
"They Tell 2 Friends..."

(If you recognize the commercial,
press the purple button and tell me in comments.)

You see, each recipient of a goat, or lamb, or honeybees...
Feeds his family with the product...
Milk, cheese, money from wool, honey, wax, etc.

THEN - AND THIS IS IMPORTANT -
Each Heifer family agrees to Pass on the Gift of
An animal offspring and training to another family in need...
Who then promise... to pass it along...and along...


The Heifer International Gift Catalog is amazing!

We have someone in our family,
who will really like this gift.
How about you?

Is there someone on your list who:
Has everything?
Wants nothing.
Would give you this shirt off their back?

Here's a video which tells a little about the organization.
And, if you DO decide to give a Heifer Gift this year,
please press the purple button below and
let us know in the comments so we can celebrate with you!