This has been a great Christmas. Proof again, though, of the consequences of asking for something for Christmas. I told my mother I'd like a nice box of chocolates--something she could easily order from a catalogue; she's eighty-one years old--and I now have seven boxes of chocolates: four from my mother, three from my brother and his wife.
I bought my son a guitar and some teach-yourself materials and a couple of songbooks to start him out: John Denver and Bob Dylan. He surprised me with a thing of beauty: a Japanese tea set from a specialty store in an upscale mall. (Again this month he won about $300 playing poker; his friends and I all benefited.)
We've had some fun in the kitchen again this year. Mike requested ham for Christmas, baked a la Alton Brown, so we made a fine mess crushing ginger snaps and spraying bourbon from a small spray bottle otherwise used when ironing clothes.
I had picked up a bottle of Virginia Gentleman bourbon for the recipe, which is fairly cheap and tastes fine to me. To be honest, I can't tell the difference between this and twelve-year-old scotch. I asked Mike to pour a little of the bourbon into the spray bottle, and he proceeded to fill it, remarking as he did so that he had tried Virginia Gentleman bourbon and didn't like it. Nothing about this statement surprised me. VG is apparently "The Drink" of the student body at UVA (another thing they don't tell parents at Orientation), and all such beverages are an acquired taste.
Mike had poured several ounces of bourbon into the spray bottle, and only a tablespoon or so was required to coat the ham. When I suggested we pour the rest back into the bottle he balked and said "Just pour yourself a drink." I did pour it into a glass later in the evening, but I was sorely tempted to sit in front of the TV and spray bourbon directly into my mouth.
Hey Liz, I thought of you often during the day--hope you're having a good time in Flagstaff.
we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Ma'am!!!!!!!
best wishes from strong blueeyed blondes of nordic folks
my cousin wishes to marry your son when she grow up... she lives in europe... her name's Marianna she's 17 yrs old next month... she <3 your son 2,5 years... I thought I'd let you know, pls beware.
regards,
jonas
That Christmas ham sounds maaahhhvelous! Yeah, Flagstaff was great: snow Christmas night, so it was technically a white Christmas. Smoked turkey in my early-Christmas-present smoker *yumm*. If it traveled well, I'd send you some. :) Glad you had a good holiday -- and best to you for a happy new year!
Liz D.
Speaking of bourbon, I should send you the Most Amazing Eggnog recipie (even if you don't normally like eggnog; it's NOTHING like the stuff in stores.) It's a ton of work, but tastes amazing.
Liz
I want that recipe! Post it! :-D
Okay Mary, you asked for it...
"Nana's Eggnog" obstensibly from VT 1850
This makes a kettle-full of nog! And I heartily recommend an electric mixer.
13 eggs
1.5 cups sugar
nutmeg, cinnamon, chinese 5-spice (optional; to taste ... we used lots of cinnamon)
7/8 quart good bourbon
6-7 oz white rum
1/2 cup apricot brandy
5 cups (i.e. 5 half-pints) whipping cream
3/4 quart whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Separate eggs into two large bowls. Set aside egg whites to get to room temperature while...
Beat yolks for 15 minutes. Then, slowly add sugar and spices. Beat another 15 minutes. (Mixture will look like butter.)
Slowly (take 5 minutes) add the bourbon, rum and brandy to the yolk mixture. Set it aside.
Take the bowl of egg whites. Beat the whites into soft peaks. Fold the beaten whites into the yolk mixture. Add the milk.
Clean out the bowl you just emptied, and put in the whipping cream and vanilla. Whip the cream into soft peaks. Fold whipping cream into the main egg mixture.
If you're in a freezing climate, put it on the doorstep overnight to let the flavors mellow. It will separate, but can easily be remixed once it thaws a bit. Otherwise, put it in the freezer overnight.
This stuff comes out like alcoholic Cool Whip, and is VERY rich! But it'll sure make your holiday merry... so enjoy!
Liz