Sangria

It's finally warm enough to get into some sangria.







My Sangria Recipe:
Step one is to secure a designated driver! It goes down smooth but packs a big punch.

1/4 c fresh lemon juice
1/3 c orange juice
1/2 c simple syrup
1/2 c Poire William
1/2 c dark rum
1 bottle dry red or white wine
1 lemon cut into rounds
1 lime cut into rounds
1 orange cut into rounds
1 apple cut into half moons
20 maraschino cherries (reserve syrup)

Let marinate.

Add 2 cups club soda just before serving. Add splashes of maraschino cherry syrup to sweeten to taste.

We've tried this recipe with both red and white wine. We intend to continue to make lots in the future to keep the debate alive about which tastes better.

Add a lot of ice before serving. This recipe is intentionally strong to compensate for all the ice you should add. You ARE serving it outside on a sunny day, yes?

Last day of Chess Club

I'm rather proud of my bunch for sticking through chess this year. My kids are awesome at a lot of things, but chess is not one of them. It's just as important to learn how to lose gracefully as it is to learn how to win. Most importantly, we have a learned to fight through something challenging. While I am just starting to see glimmers of strategy and the ability to hold your ground mentally in my kids, the season ends. We head back to our comfort zone on the court, in the kitchen, across the ice, and on the field, but we have learned to try something new and have learned to grow strong in the shadow of defeats.

A wish to be a cake designer...

If I were to write a series of picture books about an indomitable little girl with a penchant for purple tulle and pink organza, the heroine would have to be none other than Sydney Lane. Equal parts Pippi Longstocking and Eloise, I will be proud to say I knew her before she was famous. Never one to shy from an adventure, the birthday girl wanted to try her hand at cake design. The result is delightful. If only it were not so fleeting--this firm grasp of whimsy all little girls possess.

Leprechauns Visit

Each year, during the days leading up to St. Patrick's Day, our local leprechauns visit us often. The mischievous visitors play a lot of pranks on us. Usually they start with simple little green pranks. They like to turn milk green, resulting in delighted squeals from the children, as the green liquid pours out of the carton at breakfast. More green food surprises ensue, green applesauce in lunch boxes, and green juice at snack. Finally they run through the house dropping little gifts off for my Irish lass and laddie. I like to plan their visits when the kids are engrossed in something in another room. Then I scream and yell and make a lot of foot stomping noises and slam doors. "You guys!!! Come quick!!! A leprechaun is in the house!!" Just be prepared to field a hundred questions about what leprechauns look like.

Leprechaun footprints: Use washable brown paint.

Ignore the Groundhog

I love to start spring early by forcing branches. First forsythia, then I'll move on to apple next week.

Wishing all a prosperous new year!

The year of the rabbit has arrived!

Mushmellows

My little peanut adores marshmallows. Which are made of corn syrup, food starch, preservatives, and artificial flavors. So I decided to knock his socks off and make some homemade for him. Here's the recipe:

1. Dissolve 3 envelopes of gelatin in 1/2 cup of cold water and set aside.
2. Grease a 9x13 glass dish with oil and place a piece of parchment on bottom. Grease parchment.
3. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon salt with 1/2 cup water, Boil to soft ball stage.
4. While sugar syrup is heating, bring 2 large egg whites with 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to stiff peaks on a stand mixer.
** you may need to take sugar off heat if it's reached the right temperature or slow the whipping of the whites. The idea is to time it so the sugar and whites are ready at the same time**
5. Take the sugar syrup off the heat and gently stir in gelatin. It will fizz and bubble. With the mixer on the lowest speed, very carefully pour the hot syrup down the side of the mixer bowl, into the whites.
6. Whip until fluffly and cooled, about ten minutes.
7. Spread marshmallow into prepared dish. Grease a sheet of parchment yo place over the top. Let stand over night, or until set.
8. Remove parchment and sprinkle confectioners sugar over top. Spread with clen fingers to cover top. Use paring knife to loosen edges and sprinkle more confectioners sugar into sides. Invert and peel off bottom parchment and again sprinkle with confectioners sugar. Place marshmallow sheet on cutting board and cut out shapes. Roll shapes into confectioners sugar to coat.


T-rex and a heart: