Happy Holidays - Explore Big Sky

Fun
PeoPLe on
THe STreeT
WHaT aRe yOu DOing FOR neW
yeaR’S eVe?
KrIstIna WHItloW
Ennis
I’m probably going to bed early because hopefully
it’ll be a long week full of avalanche control (with
Moonlight Basin ski patrol).
marK DaVIDson
Big Sky
Skiing at midnight. I want to be the first person on
the slopes in 2011.
sally PatrIcK
Big Sky
The Progressive Nordic Ski Party. We start at
the mountain and end in the meadow, stopping
at two hot tubs, three bars, and a couple houses
along the way.
lIla sHuman
South Carolina
Celebrating my birthday. I’m turning six on January
1. We might open a couple presents with my parents.
Holiday fun facts
This year, the White House
Christmas Tree came from
the Blackrock district of
the Bridger-Teton national
forest in Wyoming. The 67
ft. englemann spruce may
have been logged for plywood
or attacked by treekilling
beetles, but instead
a forest Service employee
spotted the tree, and this is
the first time ever the Capitol
Christmas tree is from
Wyoming.
The first president to
decorate the white house
Christmas tree in the
united States was franklin
Pierce.
“it’s a Wonderful Life”
appears on Tv more
often than any other
holiday movie.
rudolph was actually
created by montgomery
Ward, a housewares
seller, in the late 1930’s
for a holiday promotion.
The rest is history.
if you received all of
the gifts in the song “The
Twelve days of Christmas,”
you would receive
364 gifts.
Holly berries are poisonous.
Contrary to common
belief, poinsettia plants are
non-toxic.
more diamonds are sold
around Christmas than any
other time of the year.
“auld Lang Syne” is an old
Scottish song that was first
written down in the 1700s.
a translation of the words
is “We’ll drink a cup of
kindness yet for times
gone by.”
christmas-celebrations.
com/trivia/html
dailyyonder.com
howstuffworks.com
Big Sky Weekly
Host a festive new year’s Party
aS TOLD TO aBBie DigeL
Pam Flach, owner of By Word of Mouth Restaurant
and Catering in Big Sky, shares her tips and tricks
for throwing a fabulous New Years party.
drink:
Keep your guests hydrated and not sorry they came
the next day by leaving out a clear pitcher of water
with lemon slices.
Set up a self-serve cocktail table. Fill a small tin
tub with holiday beers or get a portable keg from
your local brewery filled with seasonal brew. For
wine, keep it simple. Choose a red blend to please
all your guests. Place Pinot Gris or Sauvignon
Blanc in an ice bucket, and put all-purpose wine
glasses next to the wine.
make-ahead martinis:
Infused vodka is fun, and the options are limitless.
Use pineapple, pear, lemons or cranberries. Let the
fruit sit in a cheaper variety of vodka a few days
before the party to infuse the fruit flavor. Place
infused vodka and fresh fruit in a pretty, clear
pitcher. Don’t forget to put out a good bottle of
vodka to please the purists.
Leave out a small bucket of ice, a few cocktail shakers,
glasses and garnish (lemon peels, olives). Stuff
olives with blue cheese or garlic if you are feeling
ambitious. A small bottle of your favorite hot sauce
will add a kick to martinis, as well.
food:
Finger food is best to keep the chatter going. Try
these easy appetizers.
escalantes
Stuff dates with almonds. Wrap each with half slice
of raw bacon, secure with a toothpick, and put in
oven-proof pan. Drizzle with soy sauce. Cover with
foil, bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake
for 10 more minutes to brown tops. Make ahead of
time and warm up just before guests arrive.
oven-browned shrimp
Put raw shrimp on greased or parchment covered
pan. Sprinkle a light dusting of chili powder and
dried dill on both sides. Drizzle with olive oil and
bake at 350 five minutes on each side. Serve at
room temperature with a flavored aioli (spice added
to mayonnaise) and lemon wedges. Add a bowl
to the buffet table for discarded shrimp tails and
tooth picks.
Round off the buffet table with selections of
artisanal cheese and crackers. Garnish with fruit. A
small vegetable crudités tray with colored peppers,
al dente asparagus, carrot sticks, and other seasonal
vegetables is a nice addition.
Dessert
You can’t do it all, so visit your local bakery and
choose brownies, bars etc. Cut desserts into small
squares and sprinkle with powder sugar.
gueST arrivaL:
Hand out flutes of Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine)
as guests arrive. This beverage is readily available,
affordable, light, and something fun and different.
Drop a few frozen cranberries in the champagne
flute and drink up. This is a festive way to greet
guests and put everyone at ease.
Want to party without the prep? Call By Word of
Mouth and they will cater your event.
(406) 995- 2992 bigskycatering.com
December 24, 2010 39