You Down With OPD??? Yeah - You Know Me

I have OPD (Obsessive Photoshoot Disorder).  I fully admit it.  And, admitting it is the first step, right!??!?!?!  I don't know what the other 11 steps are because I have never gotten that far...  But, I definitely have OPD.  There are three major 'habits' that one needs to have to flourish with OPD.  1)  Create a Pinterest board dedicated to adorable photo sessions and spend hours and hours of time pinning these awesome ideas.  2)  Find a photographer that can handle your neurosis.  This can be tricky...  You want the photographer to not only be talented, BUT also be able to understand your OPD without reporting you for photoshoot abuse to CPS.  3)  You need lots and lots of frames.  Frames in every corner of your house.  But, not just plain ass frames - frames that are in 'season' with your photoshoots.  You are probably thinking that I am crazy and rich.  Who can afford tons of photoshoots and holiday frames all over their home for every season!??!?!?!  This crazy bitch.  I AM crazy.  Very true.  But, not rich...  Many photographers offer 'mini sessions' for reasonable prices - just find one that is both fairly priced and willing to appropriately deal with your OPD.  My photographer made the fatal mistake of giving me both her cell number and added me as a friend on Facebook.  I bet that she regrets these decisions often.  She regularly gets my ideas months in advance of the actual photoshoot and probably thinks - "File that under crazy...  Check."  After you get your amazing photos back, you will need frames...  This is where I come in!  Retail stores love, love, love to charge ridiculous prices for a 'holiday frame' that has a limp bow glued to it.  Forget that - make your own!  I don't mean take a wood shop class to MAKE a frame - I mean buy a frame and slap some holiday stuff on it!

Go to Dollar Tree OR Hobby Lobby (HL's frames are ALWAYS 50% off), and buy a frame!  The above frames all have 'pre-made' wired bows on them with ornaments or bling of some sort hot glued in the center of them!

The above frames either have ornaments hot glued to them OR floral picks minus the stems on them! Some of these frames were literally $1 and some were even found in the deeply discounted aisle at Hobby Lobby.  Who cares if the frame has a chip on it - not only does it give the frame character, but you can also hot glue an item over the said flaw!?!??!!?  Trust me - people will be in awe of your holiday frame collections, and they do not EVER have to know that they were all dirt cheap!  Speaking of being mesmerized, it's time to learn how to make Par-tay Nog!

Par-tay Nog is not just any kind of egg nog - it is my Mimi and Pampa's recipe.  It was, then, passed along to my Mom.  What it is pertinent to know is that my grandparents live in Louisiana and raised their children there...  If you know nothing about Louisiana, you know that no other state creates a week long holiday around a party.  They do not take their parties or booze lightly - if you are old enough to put your quarter on the bar, you can drink; they have drive-thru daiquiri huts that consider a 'closed container' duct tape over the straw; it is perfectly acceptable to drink at brunch, lunch, and dinner every day of the week; learning to drive drunk there is not frowned upon, it is an art.  SO, trust me, when I tell you - Par-tay Nog is not to be taken lightly in any way, shape, form, or fashion.  You serve it knowing that your guests will probably feel numb in their extremities after they consume it!  Here's the recipe (serves 30):

 Ingredients

24 eggs, separated
2 cups of sugar
1 quart of bourbon
1 pint of brandy
1 quart heavy cream
2 quarts of milk
1 quart of vanilla ice cream

Beat the egg yolks and sugar until thick. Add the bourbon and brandy and stir thoroughly. The liquor "cooks" the eggs.  Add the cream and milk and continue whipping...  Break up the ice cream and add it in.  Beat the egg whites until stiff and fold them in... Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving it.  Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg before serving it to your guests!  Cheers!