Apple & Cinnamon Bourbon Hot Toddy

It’s raining outside. Remember all of those complaints about how it was November and I still had a sweat-stache? Well, now those complaints are replaced with the fact that my lawn has turned into a bog, and how much my golden retriever is into mud. She’s like really really into it. This isn’t great for me. It’s also not great for her once she realizes that she’s going to be met with the cold side of a hose before she’s allowed to gallop her fancy-ass inside.

This rain also means it’s gosh-darn cozy. As a first in our little family, we purchased and mounted an entire evergreen tree in our living room before the first of December. We strung lights as the rain thwacked at the windows. We reminisced about all of the ornaments we put onto the tree. We paused when we realized how many ornaments we have are cat themed. Also, how many framed photograph ornaments of ones dog is too many? I made soup out of the leftover thanksgiving turkey and the broth that I made from the bones in my new pressure cooker. We ate pie recklessly by the fire, like a couple of Bears seeking calories before hibernation. Christmas carols happened. Then, I bought a poinsettia. Then a garland. We hung an advent calendar. I’m thinking about stringing lights in our archways. Let’s just say it all escalated quickly. And, in a fit of holiday cheer and  couch snuggling… between viewings of The Holiday and In Bruges we drank these hot toddies. We kept repeating the phrase “Toddy with a hot-body” and chuckling a lot. I don’t even know. It felt right. […]

Maple, Bourbon & Spice Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Apples

Oh, so you thought you might be able to get through this whole Thanksgiving season without me putting bourbon in something? Nope. You thought wrong. I can’t help myself. At least we’re throwing it onto some veggies, right? It’s only polite to get our vegetables a little bit drunk, and we’re nothing if not proper hosts.

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Sour Green Apple, Ginger & Vodka Spritzer

Thanksgiving is a little more than a week away.

By now you’re probably trying to finalize which method you’re going to use to cook your turkey. Perhaps spatchcock-ing? Perhaps deep frying? Maybe an adventure in Turducken-ing? The world is your oyster turkey tail.

There are lots of decisions to be made. Like, are you going to put bacon in your brussel sprouts? You probably should. Or, is it a good move to make your own pie crust? If you have the time, I totally vote yes. Or, should you sit your cranky Aunt Millie next to your cousin’s new boyfriend who curses like a sailor? Probably. Do you mess with the way your Italian grandmother insists on arranging the peppers on her requisite antipasto plate? NEVER. Don’t touch that. She’ll smack your fingers with a spoon. I know this from experience. Do you still allow the relative who can’t remember to refrigerate anything to bring a mayonnaise-based dip? Yikes. Who doesn’t love a gamble? So many decisions. […]

Dark Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars With Sea Salt {Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free}

Hey, friends! You’re in for a treat today. Get it? Puns. I’ve put dark chocolate all up in some pumpkin and we’re calling it dessert. Do you want to make these for Thanksgiving? Maybe, YES. Peter (the sweet-tooth-toting-husband of mine) is here to say nice things about my baking. Someone is trying to get some major brownie pumpkin-bar points. I just love him. Enjoy!

Failure is a subjective and lovely term. There have been several occasions where my lovely wife, who you all get to hang out with almost every day, claimed she failed — that she could do better. These pumpkin bars are one such lovely “failure.”

My wife is extremely thorough, and I daresay a perfectionist. The recipes she brings you are vetted with dedication, and anything not up to snuff gets tossed out like my daily recommendations to eat breakfast for every meal. I’m the number one fan of my ideas getting tossed out, because if you’ve spent any time around here — you’ll know the variety and quality of food that emerges from our kitchen is absolutely to die for and I wouldn’t have it any other way. […]