Friday Happy Hour: Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve! The evening when sparkling wine flows! We certainly wish you the very happiest in 2011, and we're pleased to bring you several tempting drinks you can use to toast in the new year!

Our first drink is the appropriately named Champagne Cocktail:

This simple drink offers just enough complexity with the flavor of the bitters and orange twist to make it very satisfying. Also, the sugar helps accentuate the bubbles! Next, we have a slight variation on this drink:

A kick, indeed! A little more "oomph," huh? Along the same lines, the French 75 is a classic drink made with sparkling wine:

And here is another version of this drink, along with something they're calling a "French 90" which is very much like the brandy version we saw above:

Maybe it's not unfair to say that sparkling wine is kind of like bacon -- everything is better with it. Here we have a drink that's one of Rogers Park Retro's favorite, but with a sparkle:

Of course, you can have your sparkling wine by itself, too! Anyway you have it, we hope your new year sparkles!

December 30 in Chicago history

The Iroquois Fire disaster, which resulted in the deaths of over 600 people, happened on December 30, 1903.

Wednesday's Food Section: What are you doing New Year's Eve?

Or, we should ask, what are you serving New Year's Eve? An assortment of light snacks are always a hit! We'd like to present you an array of options:

This worked for those 50s housewives, and it will work for you! Or, if you'd like to take an exotic twist, how about the following:

Delicious! Another interesting idea:

Also, we have some other suggestions for finger foods:

Yum! And ....

Double yum!

Sporty!

Hmmm ... well, use your judgment on this one.

Sounds good! And always keep in mind this sage advice:

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A classic from Marshall Field's -- Frango mints! Thankfully, we still have these! Perfect for everyone on your list!

Friday Happy Hour: It's a Wonderful Life

Happy Christmas Eve! From this classic Christmas movie, enjoy this scene where George and Clarence visit Martini's bar. Truth be told, Clarence has some interesting ideas for his order. Instead of getting his order, he's merely derided. At least, in the end (spoiler alert!), he gets his wings. Merry Christmas!

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One word: gorgeous!

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Okay, when all else fails, you can always get Dad a tie. He'll thank you very much. (Oh, and thanks for putting off Dad's gift until the last minute!)

Wednesday's Food Section: medley of desserts

Here are two tempting dessert options for the family gathering this Christmas! Just as visually appealing as they are delicious, how can you go wrong? Dive in! You're a hit!

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The only thing that makes a kid happier than Christmas morning is getting pajamas! How cute!

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Bedtime is playtime!

December 20 in Chicago history

Mayor Richard J. Daley dies suddenly of a heart attack on December 20, 1976.

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These handbags are stylish! But, nobody wants a cane for Christmas (even when you call it a "handsome walking stick").

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Mr. Junior Executive! Or is that an early version of Harry Potter?

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Technicolor! It's so now!

Friday Happy Hour: a Christmas feast

This is what we've been waiting for! We have our egg nog, our hot toddy, and so many other treats!

Dig in! Cheers!

December 17 in Chicago history

Ground is broken for the State Street subway at Chicago and State on December 17, 1938.

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Ready for a night at the Playboy mansion! Or -- err -- we mean, looking good for Christmas morning as the kids open up their presents! (we love the golden slippers, too)

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Whether you're looking for ideas on how to protect your salon hairdo from the wind or you're planning to make your hajj this year, Marshall Field's has you covered!

Wednesday's Food Section: Plum Pudding

Chances are that the only two people you've ever seen try to make one of these puddings were your 98 year old grandmother or Martha Stewart. These Christmas puddings are very Victorian, "Christmas Carol" type affairs. Darned if it doesn't look good, though. Oh, and we're witholding any commentary on the "creamy hard sauce."

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Perfect for going from the office, to the opera, to the disco! You've come a long way, baby!

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For the man in your life, look no further than right here to keep him warm this winter, and looking stylish all day long and in bed, too!

December 13 in Rogers Park history

Philip Rogers, the first white settler in the area that would later be called Rogers Park (and after whom Rogers Park is named!) dies on December 13, 1856.

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So modest .... yet, so seductive! This must be where the old saying began, "coffee, tea, or me?"

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This is how to look demure, yet beguiling! A timeless look and attitude for all of us girls.

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Don't forget your bedding and bath items! Make your house a home, especially on these cold winter nights!

Friday Happy Hour: Christmas giving

For this Friday's post, since the Christmas shopping countdown is well underway, we thought we'd suggest some ideas for your happy hour, as well as gift ideas! This is a chance for you to show some original creativity. Our first suggestion is an bottle of infused bourbon, which you can do yourself:

This one is simple to pull off. Simply get a bottle of bourbon and infuse it with (i.e., dissolve) three candy canes. This is a gift that both you and the recipient can enjoy, and it gives a whole new meaning to "Merry Christmas!" Further, as you can see, there are a number of interesting ways this favorite gift can be served. However, if you're still looking for ideas, how about this:

This would be an ideal gift to bring to any hostess at your local holiday party. It would be even more ideal to bite into one or more of them as quickly as possible!

Of course, failing these homemade gifts, it's never in poor taste to simply give a bottle of the favorite of everyone on your list. Just don't put off the Christmas shopping too long! Cheers!

December 10 in Illinois history

December 10 is Jane Addams Day, a day to be observed throughout the state to remember her and teach about her great accomplishments, compassion, and social conscience.

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"Flourishes" is an understatement! Girl, you're going to turn heads!

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For those casual weekends, slip out of your sleepwear, throw on something comfortable, toss on your poncho (and, if it's cold, maybe your nice, furry cap) and run out for some errands or shopping! If you need to, you can dress it up with some nice accessories! You're a modern girl now!

Wednesday's Food Section: Fruit Cake!

Fruit Cake. Enough said. Get started!

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On this lunar landscape, these ladies are setting new standards for fashion. Talk about swinging on the moon!

Remember Pearl Harbor!

"December 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan ... There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territories, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces -- with the unbounded determination of our people -- we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God." -- Franklin Roosevelt, in his address to Congress on December 8, 1941.