Festival of LIGHTS lit the NIGHT!!!

Jake and I love our friends, and we have fun friends!!! Our cookie exchange party after the Festival of Lights Parade in Palm Springs was a BLAST -- gonna make it an annual tradition for sure!!!

So before I get to work on my promised Bison Kabobs... here's a little photo journal from last night's party!

Do I look excited? Or is it just my overwhelming SWANKINESS - SEE ALL THE PICS AFTER THE JUMP!!!

Something savory to offset all the cookies

But before the party started we had to enjoy the parade, so here are a few parade pictures...

Palms Springs High Marching Band - Jake's picture of the night!

Big Soldier... these scare Jake's Aunt Janie!

Of course you have to include the iconic Palm Springs Riviera bus

Not sure what this was, but it's a very cool picture!

This picture was funnier in person, he waddled when he walked - or was he a she?

And then of course the finale, as seen from our loft balcony...

Santa

What I think is funny about this picture, is the bright reindeer and dark Santa... this is SO Palm Springs: The reindeer all lit and sparkley - especially Rudolph, whom we all know is gay!

Then after the parade - cookies, cookies, cookies!!!

The SHOW Stopper!!!

If you ever meet Jake's Aunt Janie, ask her how long it took for her to get to the biggest cookie on the bottom of the tree!

All these yummy home made cookies!!!

Mark's Eggnog Macaroons!!!

And of course, it wouldn't be a holiday party without my scratch eggnog... Colin said it was the best he's ever had!!!

Eggnog ready for assembly

OH,  and the savory something - Sundried Tomato, with Caramelized Shallots on Goat/Cream Cheese Spread - will be posted later in the week, it's a GREAT party appetizer!

AND NOW IT'S BACK TO BISON KABOBS!!! STAY TUNED...