Happy New Year!

I invited some friends over to celebrate bringing in the New Year with me, and decided to do something fun, festive and really different. In a spare bedroom, I set up the dining table low to the ground, with sofa cushions strewn around for us to sit on. The week before I made about 16 string lamps of various sizes, some of which were filled with strings of twinkle lights. Add curled ribbon for streamers and I had the festive look I wanted. For a table cloth, I was inspired to use a bright tangerine silk sari with silver embroidery. Everything in this setting, with the exception of the lamps and the food, came from thrift shops:

For making string lamps, you can find many instructions on the internet, one that I liked is here from Crafty Nest:

http://www.craftynest.com/2009/03/hemp-pendant-lamps/.

Be forewarned though - the process is fun but messy, and may take a few tries to get the string to stay properly on the balloon, but once you get it down, it's very easy. Then be sure to let them dry very well, at least 2 days. Popping the balloon inside is the fun part!

I suspended the string lamps from the ceiling using these Command mini hooks which can be found at Home Depot or art supply shops like Michael's or Blick Art Supplies. They use a pressure sensitive double backed tape that adheres the hook to your surface, in this case the ceiling. Be sure to follow instructions carefully for optimal results.

Our menu this evening was Prosecco sparkling wine served with Spanakopita, the Greek spinach and cheese filled pastry, along with roast chicken and vegetables. Here is a recipe for Spanakopita referenced from the Food Network:

Spanakopita (Spinach Triangles or Pie)

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 pounds spinach, washed and drained
• 1 bunch scallions, white and green parts, chopped
• 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 pound feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 to 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 pound filo pastry sheets

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large saute pan, add half of the spinach and saute until spinach wilts, tossing with tongs, about 2 minutes. Remove spinach and squeeze out excess liquid, then chop roughly. Repeat with remaining spinach, using 1 more tablespoon of olive oil. Pour off any liquid from the pan, and add remaining olive oil. Add scallions and saute until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the spinach to the scallions, along with the parsley, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove from heat to cool. (This part can be done ahead and kept refrigerated).

Stir the feta and as much beaten egg to moisten the cooled spinach mixture.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush a baking sheet with some of the melted butter.

Unroll the filo dough on a flat surface and keep it covered with waxed paper and a damp towel so it doesn't dry out and become brittle. Using a sharp knife, cut the filo into 3 by 11 inch strips, and recover with the towel. Use a pastry brush to brush a strip of filo with melted butter. Place a small spoonful of spinach filling 1 inch from the end of the pastry. Fold the end over the filling to form a triangle, then continue to fold up the strip in triangles, like folding up a flag. Continue with remaining strips of dough, placing filled triangles on the baking sheet and keeping them covered with a towel until all are ready to bake.

Brush the triangles lightly with butter, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Serve hot. (These may be frozen before baking, layering waxed paper between layers of triangles to keep them from sticking. Bake frozen triangles an extra 10 minutes.)

Variation: Butter a 9 by 13 inch baking pan, and spread 6 sheets of filo, brushing each with butter, on the bottom. Spoon the spinach filling over the filo, then cover with 6 more sheets of filo, buttering each sheet. Score the top 3 sheets with a sharp knife. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until top is golden, let stand 15 minutes, then cut into squares and serve warm.

We all had a wonderful time reminiscing about the past year, and making plans for 2012. Here's wishing all of us health, happiness and prosperity, and lots of love to share with good friends.

And...how was your New Year celebration? Have any thrift store makeovers you want to share? Just respond in the comments section, and I'll post them!