Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Happy Hour Link Party - #1

Welcome to the first ever Henrietta's House Happy Hour link party!!  I'm so excited to be hosting happy hour.  Now let's kick back and have a cocktail...


This first happy hour is inspired by my Mother-in-Law.  She has a really cool Pink Elephants cocktail shaker and shot glass.  Then my mom found the matching tray on eBay.  Love eBay!!




According to Wikipedia, seeing pink elephants has been around for quite awhile.


"Seeing pink elephants" is a euphemism for drunken hallucination, caused by alcoholic hallucinosis or delirium tremens. The first recorded use of the term is by Jack London in 1913, who describes one sort of alcoholic in the autobiographical John Barleycorn as "the man whom we all know, stupid, unimaginative, whose brain is bitten numbly by numb maggots; who walks generously with wide-spread, tentative legs, falls frequently in the gutter, and who sees, in the extremity of his ecstasy, blue mice and pink elephants. He is the type that gives rise to the jokes in the funny papers."


That's kind of harsh!!


I whipped up some great pink lemonade martinis.  I found some really great recipes at Pink Lemonade Gal.


And how about some appetizers? 


These martini chicken skewers are perfect for happy hour - no plates needed!  Here is the recipe:


1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup dry vermouth
1/4 cup pimento-stuffed green olives, finely chopped
3 shallots, sliced (about 3 oz.)
3 cloves garlic, halved
2 teaspoons snipped fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1 tablespoon finely shredded lemon peel
4 teaspoons olive oil
30 6-inch wooden skewers
30-60 pimento-stuffed green olives


Cut chicken into 2 x 1/2 inch pieces (about 30 total). Place chicken pieces in a self-sealing plastic bag set in a medium bowl; set aside.  Combine vermouth, chopped olives, shallots, garlic, thyme, lemon peel, and oil in a small mixing bowl.  Pour over chicken; close bag.  Marinate in refrigerator for 4 hours.  Soak wooded skewers in water at least 30 minutes before grilling or broiling.


Drain chicken, discard marinade.  On each skewer thread one chicken strip, leaving room to place an olive or two before serving.


To grill, place chicken skewers on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink, turning once.  To broil, place skewers on the unheated rack of a broiler pan.  Broil 4 to 5 inches from the heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink, turning once.  Remove from grill; thread one or two olives onto the end of each skewer.  If desired, serve in martini glasses.  Makes about 30.


Mom let me borrow her vintage 1970s nut/mint bowls.  How about some pink Whoppers??


These are classic licorice candies that work great with our theme.




Now for the party!  Link up below. Can't wait....

11 comments:

  1. Thanks for inviting me to your fun party! I have joined you with my Cranberry Cordial recipe :) Enjoy!

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  2. Congratulations, Jennifer on your first Happy Hour hosted by Henrietta's House.
    If I had a blog, I would be joining your party.
    I'm looking forward to dropping in on all of the other Happy Hours.
    Cheers!
    Mom

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  3. Whoops1 I meant to say my Red Raspberry Cordial! The original recipe called for cranberries, but I like it with raspberries the best! :)

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  4. Jenny and Cindy,
    Thanks for your super sweet comments on my blog, and for hosting such a fun party! I absolutely love the pink elephants - looked like such fun, too!
    Jenny, I also like that we have the same name and are married to men with the same names:)
    Can't wait to see everyone's happy hour posts
    Your new friend,
    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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  5. PS. Also just noticed the platter your appetizers are served on -- love it!

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  6. Your Happy Hour is great, so much fun! I love the pink elephant theme, I used to have glass stir sticks with the elephants on them:@)

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  7. This is great!!! You had me at the words "Happy Hour" and all the pink elephant fun! I've seen a pink elephant or two in my day! :-) What a great idea to do a Happy Hour link party! We have lots of cocktail parties here, so I look forward to joining in on the fun! Looking forward to seeing you for future Happy Hours!

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  8. What a fun table! The vintage pink elephant barware is fabulous! I love that you added pink candies to the Happy Hour offerings!

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  9. Alycia -- not sure if you'll see this, but I can't seem to comment on your blog. Am I doing something wrong?

    Can't wait for the next happy hour party :)

    Jenny

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  10. Your pink elephant barware is a real treasure...and so much fun. Thank you for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay

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  11. What a cute linky party! I enjoyed your Pink Elephant post! I will try to join in your party. How fun.

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