Hanging with the Boys

I know I'll always be a red wine lover, but a little variety in a girl's beverage repertoire never hurt anyone. I concocted this bourbon drink last night, and I must say I was pretty pleased. As opposed to vodka or rum, there's just something about drinking bourbon or whiskey that makes me feel like I can hang with the boys* (Even if my mixers are pink and Italian... about as girly as it gets.) 

2 oz. bourbon

2 oz. cranberry juice

top with San Pellegrino Aranciata (orange)

& serve over ice

I'm still working on a name for this lovely libation, but at the moment I'm thinking something along the lines of "Winter Sunset." Truth be told, I'm still wrapped up in the scene that unfolded before me as we sipped on the front porch...

[you can't even make up stuff like this]

*No need to worry, you'll never catch this girl guzzling beer with the boys. 

("Because I'm a lady, that's why!")

Shameless Saturday

Hi cupcakes! Happy Saturday! After a bit of a whirlwind week, I am so looking forward to relaxing this weekend. Taylor is visiting and I think I've roped him into spending a majority of our time baking cookies. (It doesn't take much convincing as long as peanut butter and chocolate are involved.) I hope you're having a sweet weekend too! Until next time...


Hey! It's ok...


...if the bulk of your Christmas shopping takes place on Christmas Eve


...to believe that ordering a side salad somehow counteracts the buffalo wings/potato skins/cheeseburger & fries. (Somehow it always seems to settle the score.)


...if Christmas turns you into an absolute Cookie Monster.  [Seriously guys, I made 5 batches Thursday night. (recipes to come!)]

[C is for Cookie. Or Caitlin.]

Wanted

I walked in the kitchen this morning to find the littlest one's Christmas list suggestions. It made me laugh, (let's be honest, that's my response to most anything he does...) In case you can't read it, the explanation at the bottom says:

"The hilighted are "big" gifts that are pricier than others. They are also desired the most. (5,6, and 7 are interchangeable) 9-10 are cheapest and really wanted. Money is also acceptable."

He has a habit of leaving funny little notes, which is perfectly fine with me. They always bring a smile to my face.

Crock Pot Candy

Hi love doves... Are you having a happy day? It is a beautiful (albeit chilly) morning here in the Bluegrass State! The weekend has been loads of fun, and I plan on soaking up the rest of this precious time with my sweet grandparents. Speaking of sweet, yesterday we made a sweet little treat that I couldn't resist passing along. Usually making candy is so labor-intensive, but this crock pot candy is anything but that. "Just set it, and forget it!" (infomercial reference? Duh) Helpful hint: make sure your crock pot is big enough! As you can see, ours was a tight squeeze!!

Guilt-free Friday!

Happy Friday, mes amis! I'm finally feeling better and just in time... this afternoon I'm off to Kentucky for a few days to visit my grandparents! (And there's nothing worse than being sick on a plane) It is my last "big" trip of 2011, and it is so hard for me to believe that this year is coming to a close! But for now, I will enjoy this weekend... dinners at the country club and countless hours of baking. It's the life. Hope your weekend is delightful, and if you haven't talked to your grandparents in a while, give them a call. I'm sure they would be thrilled to hear from you. Until next time...


Hey! It's ok...


... if your dash is lit up like a Christmas tree... maintenance required light, low fuel light, etc. (Oh Daddy...)


... if you're not really into sports. But competitive cooking shows? It's on... (Current fave: Next Iron Chef, but Chopped and Top Chef are perennial favorites.)


... if you can use every holiday to justify the consumption of red wine. Christmas? Festive. Valentines Day? Romantic. Independence Day? Patriotic.

[cheers]

Set

Hi kittens... how are you today? I seem to have come down with a bit of a cold. It has left me feeling overwhelmingly lethargic these past few days, wanting to spend every free minute lounging around in my comfies, catching up on Mad Men and watching competitive cooking shows on demand [thug life.] Whenever I have a cold, I feel like Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail. My brain just seems so fuzzy...

You know what I really want? New pajamas. Which is handy because we always get to open some on Christmas Eve. I usually opt for festive pants and a comfy tee, but this year I'm all about pajama sets (I'm blaming Mad Men... those men have the best pajamas. Or Meg, she rocks a pajama set in Y.G.M. Yes, I just abbrev'd.) Here are a few favorites, and adding a monogram is a must. (I much prefer a diamond monogram, that curly, girly one is too cliche for my taste.)

[J. Crew, L.L. Bean, Ralph Lauren]

If you're married and you really want to be cute, you should scoop up some of these mens-inspired pajamas and get them monogrammed with your husband's initials... How romantic dreamy. :)

Elf Day

Hello little elves, did you have a festive weekend? I most certainly did. Saturday afternoon I dashed off to Wilmington so Taylor and I could celebrate the 3rd annual Elf Day!* We attended a handmade holiday craft show, picked out a tree, and grabbed dinner with Taylor's brother & his girlfriend at a new restaurant in town. It was so much fun! 

The remainder of the evening was spent with friends baking homemade ornaments and trimming the tree, making Oreo bark and listening to all the best Christmas music. It was absolute perfection...

The ornaments were made by mixing cinnamon and applesauce, and then baking the cut-outs for 2 hours. [i.e. olfactory heaven, seriously, the whole house smelled like cinnamon-Christmas-wonderland] I love how rustic and old-fashioned they look, so I plan on making a batch for my tree this afternoon.


The bark was ridiculously easy (only 2 ingredients!) and absolutely delicious.


*Elf Day is day each year dedicated to doing all things Christmas. The first Elf Day we bought presents, wrapped gifts, and ate ice cream for dinner. Last year, I made a roasted tomato tart and attended a festive party with my girlfriends.  

[Elf Day 2009]