It’s already the end of the year and 2011 seemed to fly by. This is the time of year to reflect on what’s happened in the past 12 months but to also look ahead to the future. I’ve been writing the Thoughtful Eats and Bites Nearby columns for nearly a year now and have had a blast. I hope you enjoyed reading my articles as much as I had researching (it involved a lot of eating!) and writing them.

Looking back on Thoughtful Eats, I’m amazed to see how many different types of recipes I tackled. More than I would have done on my own. My favorites include the Wheat Nut pancakes, inspired by Bickfords, Loaded Nachos, Comforting Minestrone, Easter Cupcakes, my refreshing flavored Limeades and Lemonades and the Severed Finger Cookies and Mud and Worm Cupcakes I made for Halloween. Writing the Bites Nearby restaurant profile column took me all over Woburn (Burlington, Arlington, and Winchester too!) trying the different cuisines and menus that our local restaurants had to offer. I had a blast visiting some of my new favorites including Beacon Grille, B.good, Bittersweet, Lanna Thai Diner, Sea Dog, Masa and The Restaurant’s new The BAR.

Now on the very last day of 2011, I leave you with 4 very simple Champagne Cocktails that will liven up our New Year’s Eve bash.  And what better way is there to ring in the New Year than with some Champagne?  

And a Pear-y New Year Champagne Cocktail – Add a teaspoon of purreed pear to the bottom of your flute and fill with champagne. You can also do 1 part pear nectar and 4 parts champagne as well.

Peach Raspberry Sparkling Sangria – To a small pitcher, add half of a bag of frozen peaches, half of a bag of frozen raspberries and 4 tablespoons of sugar. Stir then add a bottle of chilled champagne and stir. Serve immediately making sure to add some raspberries and peaches to each glass.

Grapefruit Sparkling Champagne – To a small pitcher, add 2 cups of ruby red grapefruit juice, 4 heaping tablespoons of sugar and one bottle of chilled champagne. You can serve the drink with a lemon or grapefruit rind twist. If you want to make this by the glass, do 1 part juice, 4 parts champagne and a sprinkle of sugar.

Champagne Fizz – Need something stronger than just champagne? How about champagne and gin?! In a cocktail shaker add 2 jiggers of gin, a few squeezes of lemon juice, a teaspoon of sugar and ice cubes. Shake shake shake then strain into a glass and top off with champagne

Enjoy these responsibly!