Pomegranate Kiwi Bellinis

Hi friends. I hope you've had a lovely Christmas.

I'm still in Missouri, where I've been hanging out with the cutest grandpa in the world, eating too many cookies, snuggling with my hubby, and playing in the snow.

So. much. snow.

I love it, although I must admit I'm kind of a wuss when it comes to windchill temperatures in the negative twenties. This southern girl is just not cut out for that kind of cold.

These few days between Christmas and New Year's are sort of strange, aren't they?  There's the anticipation for the new year and the promise it brings. Some to-do lists and resolutions for things we'll do better. or differently.

(Maybe you want to add kiwis soaked in vodka to that list….and pomegranates)

However, if you're lucky enough to be able to spend some time at home, there also may be some movement in the opposite direction.  I think we all regress to a certain extent when we go home--our grown-up roles slip a little bit and we recede back into that person we were growing up in our parents home.  (A little neediness, or teenage moodiness, perhaps?)

For me, at least, there's also nostalgia for Christmases past. This year that was exacerbated by the fact that we watched some home videos featuring my now deceased grandparents.  Their faces and voices felt so familiar and yet its been ten years since we celebrated Christmas with both of them.

I think I also felt wistful about the fact that every year I'm moving farther and farther away from my childhood Christmases and closer to adult Christmases (hopefully someday with kids of my own).  Time is kind of a crazy thing, right? Check out this video.

But, New Year's is a time to celebrate, and I made this bubbly fruity drink to help us toast to 2014 and everything it will bring. (I'm hoping that will include a dog, a summer job, and a vacation to Colorado.)

You could use any kind of bubbly wine that you like, but prosecco is my personal favorite. The pomegranate juice is sweet, but not too sweet, and the vodka infused kiwis pack just the right amount of oomph.

You'll need a spoon at the end to get at all that boozy fruit.

Wishing you a lovely New Year's, friends!

Pomegranate Kiwi Bellinis

Ingredients:
1 bottle Prosecco
2/3 cup vodka
4 kiwis, peeled and sliced
1 pomegranate, seeds removed
1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice

Directions: 
Place sliced kiwi in jar or bowl. Pour vodka over kiwi and refrigerate for anywhere from 1 to 24 hours.

To assemble drinks, combine kiwi/vodka mixture, pomegranate seeds, and pomegranate juice in a large pitcher. Pour desired amount into 5-6 glasses. Top with prosecco and enjoy!