On the sixth day...

...we planned our New Year's Eve party (just a little last minute). It will just be family...brothers and their families, my mom, and aunt and uncle, but, hey, if you're in the neighborhood, stop by. You'll know our house by the fireworks being set off all night -- that's Doug's fun.

There is a variety of beer and wine in the fridge, and Brandy Slushes in the freezer (yum). The lineup for eats is all appetizers, which sounds rather paltry, but by 8 or 9 p.m. we'll need to bundle up for a walk. Every year we stand around and nibble until we can't nibble another bite.

The lineup is:

My favorite antipasto platter. Every year it's a little different, but always delicious. Tonight it will be heavy on the mushrooms, green olives and fresh mozzarella, but we'll have meats and artichokes as well.

Skyline chili dip. Maybe you know my family has a thing for Skyline Chili. It can only get better with more cheese and chips.

Sauerkraut Meatballs (shhhh...don't tell the kids they have sauerkraut in them). My mom is bringing these and she assures me that they do not taste like sauerkraut.

Angie's brand kettle corn. Everything doesn't have to be homemade. This is a nice light treat, slightly sweet. Yum.

Market District Red Pepper Hummus with pita chips -- another cheat, found in the deli at Giant Eagle. It's so yummy there's no need to go homemade on this one.

Chipped beef cheeseball served with good quality crackers. My aunt brings this to every event and it goes like wild fire. Weird I know, but I think it has something to do with the dried beef. Men love it.

And one bonus (it was supposed to be six for the sixth day), because it's so good, my brother's Spinach, Artichoke, Crab and Bacon Dip. Mmmmm.

So, I'm off, to clean and decorate, and a quick run to the store (of course). Happy, happy New Year, my friends.