Usually I would post a boozy punch, but there have been loads of reasons why we need a punch with no booze recently. Mostly because I have children who feel the need to participate in every party. It would be so much easier if they didn’t think I was cool. We’ll get there soon - my 10 year old is already starting to be embarrassed by me.

If you aren’t looking for a booze free situation, then add 1 cup of whiskey and 1 teaspoon of bitters. Cheers!

GINGER CHRISTMAS PUNCH

4 cups orange juice

1 cup pomegranate juice

1 bottle DRY Sparkling Ginger

Mix everything together in a punch bowl or a pitcher and serve iced.

Whenever we host a fun dinner night we make sure there is a fun 'mock-tail' for the children.  {full disclosure :: my children get a glass of tonic or a chocolate milk-tail almost nightly}  

For St. Patrick's Day I kicked things up a notch with lemon sorbet and fizzy soda.  If your child is like Pearl and is not a fan of bubbles in their drink, then regular juice works too.  

A cookie cutter shamrock apple looked adorable but also subbed as an impromptu appetizer.  

Buy the Shamrock Cookie Cutter on Etsy

{here's a hot tip  ::  a shot of Citron Vodka is AWESOME in this for a grown up version}

I'm not sure why it struck me as so surprising that Shirley Temple passed away this week.  But it did. I felt profoundly affected by her passing.  Maybe it's because she has always been such an iconic figure, or maybe it's because Pearl has recently discovered Shirley Temple movies.  

In honor of this day, that is all about love and caring, and beauty - nothing seems more appropriate than the drink named for the darling little girl who brought joy in a dark time and continues to inspire little girls.  

I haven't told Pearl that Shirley Temple has died.  It seems unnecessary.  Pearl believes that fairies live in the woods, that princesses live in castles and fly on carpets, and that Shirley Temple is a tiny little girl who tap dances.  I believe that Shirley Temple deserves to live amongst the fairies and the princesses because that's the kind of magic she carries.  

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day.