Sunday, January 6, 2013

NYE Under the Sea

I will be the first to admit it; after all of that holiday merry making, I have lost a bit of steam.  So many parties, so many treats, so many lights and presents and music and fireworks - I'M POOPED!  In actual fact, it is a great state to find oneself; the pure exhaustion that comes from an abundance of good friends and happy times reminds me just how fortunate I am.

For the majority of my years on this planet, I have spent New Year's Eve snuggled deep under the covers of my bed, either watching a classic movie or, more likely, fast asleep.  Counting sheep rather than counting down always seemed a satisfactory way to ring in the new year and invariably I awoke refreshed and ready to watch that spectacle of floral fantasy, The Rose Parade.  The last few years have broken me of my hibernation habit; instead of sleeping, I have, like the rest of the world, actually participated in parties.  As it turns out, I have so thoroughly enjoyed greeting the dawn of a new year with friends, that now I can't imagine doing it any other way.


Our most recent December 31 celebration found us at the charming home of our friends, Damien and Allison, for their annual New Year's Eve festivities.  This year the merriment had an official theme, "King Neptune's Under the Sea Ball."  Most people know better than to give me a theme because once I'm committed, I'm like a dog with a bone.

A lobster Jell-O mold.
It was brought to my attention that it could be interpreted as something
other than a lobster but I assure you, a lobster it most certainly is.
As much as I LOVE Jell-O, I had never made an actual Jell-O mold;
There is plenty of room for improvement, but I was thrilled
 that it actually worked!

Release the Kraken!
I also made a dip that incorporated an idea I had seen online - a bell
pepper (capsicum for you non-Yankee types) octopus.

The evening's entertainment included the musical stylings of that siren of song, and one of our most favorite people, the inimitable Janet Klein.

If you've never had the opportunity to hear Janet sing, do yourself a favor
and look her up, tout suite!  She was accompanied on piano by the amazing
 musician, and regular Parlor Boy, the uber-talented Randy Woltz.

As if Janet wasn't enough, we even got to hear from another of our favorite songstresses, Amber Foxx!   And just because we are the biggest hams who won't let an opportunity to sing go unsung, Mary and I joined the music making with a few tunes as well.  There was a gift exchange where an original Little Orphan Annie decoder pin, a 1920's Niagara Falls scrapbook, and 1930's beauty products were among the coveted, and oft-stolen, items.  There was even a best-dressed contest and while Mary won, I will happily take full credit for her ensemble.

The under-the-sea theme allowed Mary a second chance
 to wear the mermaid costume I made for her sideshow freak
 birthday party
.  After making many, many outfits that get
but a single use, I have become satisfied when every item
 finds at least a second chance to make its way out of
 the abyss that is her closet.

Music, gifts, and costumes may have been the highlights but, as per usual, pure hijinks filled the bulk of our party time. 

Party in the powder room!

Janell & Emily won the gold medal in the bathtub bobsled.

Amber makes like Tippi Hedren in The Birds.

Emily got in on the act too.
I think this is Amber's homage to Hitchcock's cameo in every film???

Right before we broke out into Cole Porter's "Friendship."

When graced with an invitation, I always do my best to live up to the part of worthy and worthwhile guest - if only to counterbalance my juvenile shenanigans.  For the countdown, I came prepared with a celebratory arsenal (toys, silly string, party poppers, etc.) that included:

Glow-in-the-dark tridents ( I told you I always try to team with the theme)

Horns as beautifully modeled by the
devastatingly-deco Katherine.
and noisemakers.
Benny & Jenn demonstrating the sound
of one hand clapping.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Thanks to our hosts, we learned firsthand that it is indeed quite lovely "bobbing along on the bottom of the beautiful, briny sea."  We hope your New Year's Eve went just as swimmingly as ours!

"The Beautiful Briny Sea" from Disney's Bedknobs & Broomsticks


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

17 comments:

  1. I'm so jealous! What fun!!! It looks like everyone had a simply mah-velous time ~ all of the pix are great! It almost looks like an old shipboard party or a fantabulous cocktail party aboard a wooden yacht. Happy, happy New Year!!

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    1. Thanks RS! We had a great time - my favorite part is always the shenanigans including my premature 11:58 countdown!!!

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  2. Happy New Year! This looks like the perfect way to celebrate NYE! I do love a good house party, and I also love that jello (which, upon glancing at it on FB last week, I also thought it was something other than a lobster....*ahem*...). Funnily enough, I always go out for NYE, but this year we decided to stay at home and get cozy on the sofa. I think this means that NYE 2013 will have to be an even bigger celebration that usual! :)

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    1. Hahahahaha!!! It honestly never occurred to me that my lobster was dirty - until people kept mentioning that the lobster looked like more than a lobster. I was just so happy that it came out of the mold in one piece that I couldn't think of anything else!

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  3. It looked like so much fun, I hope you have a great New Year!

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    1. Thank you! Happy New Year to you and yours as well!

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  4. wow that looks like fun! And I know what you mean about being beat after the holidays- Mod Betty spent her NYE snuggled under the covers and texted Retro Roadhusband a Happy New Year at midnight (as he played guitar for unappreciating drunkies :-))

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    1. Yeah, I am almost too tired to go on adventures - ALMOST! I can't help myself but go and explore including a place that you recommended. I spent the night with drunkies too - fortunately, they were happy-go-lucky and very appreciative. Hahahaha!

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  5. Oh my I hope you are going to VLV 16 so that I can meet and have a party with you! You really are a man about details.

    HRF

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    1. We're planning on it. I guess I had better get on the stick with all of my plans! Hope to see you there!

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    2. I hope there is also a feature from VLV 16 called "What Mary Wore - Made by Wacky Tacky". Because I already know everything would be amazing.

      HRF

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  6. Replies
    1. It was a lot of fun. But you know how great house parties can be!

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  7. That was a "swimmingly" grand time! You captured some great moments on film, too.

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    1. Wasn't it fun?! It was so lovely to hang out with you guys! Your dress was beautiful and it is my opinion that the LOA decoder pin was the best gift of the night - the mop notwithstanding!

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  8. such a great theme! i really love that shell crown!

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    1. I forgot to take a picture of the cool centerpiece that hung from the ceiling above the dining table; it was paper lanterns with swirling, paper tails that looked like jelly fish - really cool! Emily's crown was awesome!

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