Wednesday, December 31, 2025

THE LITTLES ARE GROWN ENOUGH TO CELEBRATE NEW YEARS BUT.....

I REMEMBER-I REMEMBER-I REMEMBER 

 We never really had

fussy eaters in this

family.

They would eat just about

anything put in

front of them.

However, it was
ALWAYS
fun to do a little
SOMETHING SPECIAL
for them for the
Holidays.

The "tradition",
according to the
Bible of Lulu
(when she was 9 years old),
was that every
New Year's Eve they
came to our house to
EAT and then they
got to spend the night,
while Mom and Dad
went out to celebrate.

What?
How did THAT get started?
I guess I was 
EVEN THEN
TOO OLD
to go out to celebrate!
sigh...

Anyway, It was always
best to be prepared for the
LITTLE DARLINGS
with some special snacks.

How about a
Snowman Cheese Ball
to start the night off?
Betty Crocker recipe is here.

Hmmmm..what else did I do?
Leave those
kids alone with me and I
will serve them
SHOTS!
Shots like everyone else had
on New Years!
That'll teach them.

Okay-
Maybe I DID tone it down
a bit.
How about
THIS kind of shot?
I call it
Tomato Soup Shooters!
You find the instructions at Rachel Hollis's site.

And, of course, we must have a few
Ants on a log
(raisins on cream cheese filled celery)
They loved those, too.

Apples cored, sliced sideways,
and topped with peanut butter,
or nutella,
and sprinkled with granola were also a hit.
So..a few snacks,
a few laughs,
a few games,

and a shot of Tequilla

and those kids had a
GREAT
New Year's Eve....

okay...just kidding about
the Tequilla.

sigh... ?
Maybe one for me?
Somedays I wish I drank!

Enjoy your own
New Year's Eve
and I will see you soon!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

your photo name

24 comments:

Cheryl Kimbley said...

What a fun food night that will be. Great ideas. Happy New Year

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Fun nibblies! Love the tomato soup shooters in particular! Wishing you and yours a wonderful New Year, Diana!

Shari Burke said...

Before you know it, those kids will be making those munchies for their own kids. Time sure flies, doesn't it? Enjoy the last hours of 2025 and Bill and I wish you all the best in 2026!

Kay G. said...

Oh Diana, what a great Nana you must be! Those kids have always been so lucky. Happy New Year, my friend. You are such a dear, sweet, funny woman. I am firmly in your fan club! xx

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year! Looking forward to another year of your fun posts! AnnMarie

Cecilia said...

Oh fun times! Happy New Year, Diana. May this coming year be full of joy and good health. Thank you for always providing a laugh. See you in the new year!

Junkchiccottage said...

Happy New Year my friend. Praying for 2026 to be healthier and happy. Hugs. Kris

HappyK said...

Great food ideas. Love the snowman!! Not much going on here New Years Eve, just another day. :)
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and blessed New Year.

HIBISCUS HOUSE said...

I love it! Remember some of the posts you did at this time and how little the little ones were! My goodness we've watched ours grow up to be wonderful youths! Such fun you've given them over the years they haven't and will never forget! Love ya, Dolly

Tom said...

...Diana, stay strong, warm, well and merry in the New Year. Thanks for all of your love and concern for Liza, you are a special soul!!!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

what wonderful memories for you! Kids and good food can't be beat. I remember mine ate a lot!..Happy New Year's Eve!

Janie Junebug said...

Adorable snacks and sweet memories! Happy New Year!

Love,
Janie

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Wonderful snacks to keep kiddos entertained. Wishing you a healthy happy New Year. Xo

racheld said...

What a WHOPPIN' Heapin' Helpin' of HAPPY this ice-clad morning!! It was SO lovely to see your name on my address book, and I'm so glad you caught that lifelong love of TRAINS reference. We bought our house here in '98 because of one neighbor, the grandeur of one majestic TREE, and that I can hear trains three blocks away, anytime day or night. Realtors touting granites and pizza kitchens and en suites might just do a little research on a client's secret joys and happy memories, when they take someone to SHOW.

And the promise of all that wonderful energy in the house for the night---Heaven. Our littlest are from 4--14 and live far away, and our one local is a Senior this year, with her own social calendar. We did have our usual marvelous Christmas Eve together, as we have since she was born, and they go to her Mom's Side for the actual holidays---we've always been very flexible.

One line of your post today, I have uttered at the strangest times, the most interesting times, the darkest ones, from time to time in my life----when we're settling into an evening of fun, or just relaxing in that lovely interval betwixt a nice meal together and dishes, or when the third hand of ROOK is heralding GO HOME---I say "I wish I Drank," usually only mentally, but sometimes I say that also about smoking---a little Muriel quietly fragrant at the Monopoly table, whilst I hem in your property---just a comfy, fleeting thought now and then.

Thank you for your sweet attendance on my sketchy attention to LAWN TEA all these years---I'm getting better, and your faithful, kind messages are some of my loveliest blessings. A VERY Happy New Year to YOU, Faraway Friend, and all good things in this fresh, bright year to come.

Carla from The River said...

Happy New Year my dear friend.
Snow, snow and more snow here in the Northwoods. ;-) We are up to 12 inches in the latest storm.

MadSnapper n Beau said...

all the food looks wonderful, I choose the shooters and the cornbread without jelly. the kids do seem to grow up overnight for sure.

Anonymous said...

Wishing you all the best in the new year ~
Love and hugs ~
bobbie

Tete said...

Happy New Year! I remember you having the littles...it can't be that long ago.

Mevely317 said...

Forget the adults' fare, I'd rather join your littles and enjoy one of those tomato soup shots. Brilliant!

Ginny Hartzler said...

It's a wonder they didn't beg to come to your house every night!!

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Gee, can I come to your house for New Year's Eve? It sounds like SO MUCH FUN!! We never do anything that fun on New Years! Mostly we just go to bed and when we wake up it's a new year! LOL. I love your food ideas. They are good enough for grown ups, if you ask me! Happy New Year!!

Bill said...

Happy New Year, Diana. May it be filled with lots of happiness, love and health.

Chatty Crone said...

Happy New Year to you and the food looks great.

This N That said...

You are such a clever one....Happy New Year to you my friend!!!