Thirsty Thursday: French Vanilla Eggnog

For today's Thirsty Thursday, I wanted to give you a twist on the seasonal favorite, eggnog. I'm not the biggest fan of eggnog myself, so I don't have a tried-and-true personal recipe. Instead, I'm leaning on my old friend The Food Network for this one.

3 cups milk
6 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp nutmeg
4 oz brandy
4 oz rum
2 oz creme de cacao
3 cups French Vanilla ice cream, melted

Begin by whisking the milk, sugar, and nutmeg in a pitcher or bowl. Whisk in the 3 liquors. Finally, add the melted ice cream.

You can find this recipe among the "50 Holiday Drinks" on the Food Network's page, here. I'd still like to find an eggnog recipe I like. I'm going to try this one, for sure. If you've got a go-to recipe you'd like me to try, feel free to send it! Enjoy!

*SJ*

Follow Friday: Another Foodie

I was perusing Twitter this afternoon, and stumbled upon another foodie blog, Bakers Royale. I started reading, and WHOA! was I blown away! Naomi is the Chef-in-Chief at Bakers Royale. She shares her own successes and not-so-successes in the kitchen, as well as reviews of other food bloggers' recipes.

I was going through some of her recent posts, and there was one that really impressed me. Naomi posted a tutorial on "How to Make Homemade Chocolate Dessert Cups" as part of her Basic Baking Series. Believe it or not, they are relatively easy to make, and will make a great impression at your holiday gathering. She even included a recipe for her Pumpkin Caramel Mousse as an idea of how to fill your dessert cups.

Be sure to check out Naomi and her creations. And let me know if you think there's someone I should be following!

*SJ*

Thirsty Thursday: Maple Butter Kiss

I found this recipe on the Food Network website, and decided I probably ought to try it. It sounds festive and tasty. The Maple Butter Kiss combines my very favorite - VODKA! - with butterscotch and maple syrup. I ask you: what could be tastier?!

• 1.5 oz vodka
• .5 oz butterscotch schnapps
• .25 oz real maple syrup
• 1 oz half-and-half
• Fresh ground nutmeg

Pour all liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with fresh ground nutmeg.

Enjoy!

*SJ*

Christmas Menu Planning

Well folks, I think I've really done it this time. After much careful planning (read: panicking bc Christmas is 10 days away!) I believe I have come up with my Christmas menu. This will be my first year preparing a "real" Christmas feast, and I'm very excited!

I have a semi-picky eater to cook for, which means no mushrooms, no black olives, no avocado. I am VERY picky, so that also rules out turkey, fish & all other forms of seafood. What we have managed to agree on, however, are the following:

• Apricot Pork Tenderloin
• My Mom's (and quickly becoming MY) Famous Cheesy Potatoes
• Green Been Bundles
• Wilted Spinach Salad with Warm Apple Cider and Bacon Vinaigrette

I'll share with you today the recipe I found for the tenderloin. Of course, as almost always, this one comes from Allrecipes.com.

Apricot Pork Tenderloin

• 2 lbs pork tenderloin
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tsp ground thyme
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 (18 oz) jar apricot preserves
• 2 Tbsp honey, or to taste
• 1/4 cup dry sherry

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Spread butter all over the pork tenderloin. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Combine garlic powder, apricot preserves, honey, and sherry in a seperate bowl.

3. Roast the pork in a preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. Remove the pork from the oven and brush with the apricot sauce. Return the pork to the oven. Continue roasting, basting ocassionally with the remaining sauce, until the pork is no longer pink in the center, about 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees.

I'm really looking forward to trying these new recipes. So far, The Boy has liked everything I've cooked for him. I hope I can continue the trend. What new recipes are you trying out for Christmas? Any old stand-bys you're including? Share a recipe!

*SJ*

Happiness

This has been such a trying year for me, in so many ways. I've had to adjust to changes in my personal life, my professional life, and my financial status, just to name a few.

I've struggled a lot more than I've been willing to admit until now, but I've made it through. Every day I am learning new things and finding new ways to be happy. Here are a few things that are making me happy right now:

*Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Starbucks
*Waking up next to someone I love
*My new phone - the HTC Evo - that's smarter than I am
*Girlfriends, and Girls Nights Out
*Two-steppin'
*Making plans for the future
*Being loved for the real me
*Discovering that I'm a decent cook after all

What are some things that make you happy?

*SJ*

Sunday Fun Day!

Hangin' with my crew @ Texas 12 Man Jam tonight. Tune in tomorrow for your regularly scheduled programming!

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Follow Me as I Follow...Someone Else

Today I wanted to talk about a wonderful hostess, entertainer and author I have recently discovered. Her name is Sandy Coughlin, and she has written the book The Reluctant Entertainer. Sandy discusses all aspects of entertaining on her blog, from preparation, invites, and menu planning to the execution of the party.

What I love about Sandy is that she places the emphasis on family, friends, and fellowship. The party is just the avenue used to create lasting memories with people we love and cherish. Right now, I am devouring her series 31 Days to Stress-Free Entertaining. I've only read through Day 9, but so far I'm loving her ideas, her inspiration, and her reassurance that people don't care what kind of china they're eating off of!

Sandy has a giveaway on her blog today, which she is co-hosting with The Hip Hostess. You could win a copy of Sandy's book The Reluctant Entertainer, as well as an adorable apron from The Hip Hostess.com You have to hurry, though! The giveaway closes at midnight. Check out Sandy's blog post here for all the details. Happy Entertaining!

*SJ*