Silver Bells + Tom and Jerrys

This years' coffee table display was created using silver plated shells (I have had them for years!) pretty mercury glass balls, a sea glass ornament gift and accompanied by my fave pink and glitter murex shell ornaments.

The sea shells and aqua sea glass were mostly collected on our California Beaches (my pockets are always stuffed with something I have found...), our festive look was complete with a string of pearls and a treasured snow globe from Tom's mom. 

....And maybe a Tom and Jerry's yummy holiday cocktail!

Tom and I had our Christmas dinner this week before we get ready to head north to spend the holidays with our families in the Pacific Northwest. Tom was the master chef of a fabulously wonderful prime rib dinner, with goat cheese twice baked potatoes and delish Ina Garten roasted carrots.(YUM!)

Then we toasted the season in Half Moon Bay, with warm and toasty Tom and Jerry toddies in my grandmother's vintage gold rimmed cups. I have packed and repacked these little darling cups more times than I can remember, but this is the first time I have ever actually used them.

Made me so happy, and I think it would have made her very happy too.

Tom and Jerry's:

There are a ton of recipes out there to whip these up, but we took a short-cut on ours and then added the whipped cream and cinnamon sticks to make them extra special. We recommend Sailor Jerry's Spiced Rum and Trader Vic's Tom and Jerry Mix - both were excellent and can be found easily at your favorite local store.

Here's a few links to recipes if you'd like to make them without buying the mix:

All Recipes - Tom and Jerry Cocktails

Esquire Magazine - Tom and Jerry (has a fun little history lesson!)

Epicurious - Tom and Jerry