Weekend Recap

Friday night, the hot dog urge overtook us and we met at Huckleberry's for some of their delicious hotdogs served on garlic Texas Toast. I got mine with baked beans.



So delicious.

Saturday morning, I was off to the Farmer's Market again for more chocolate milk and some eggs. I had a small chocolate "chug" and a small tomato and goat cheese quiche.



When I got home, I went with Josh to the Frist because he had to write a paper. We saw the Impressionism exhibit, and they also had a few pieces from Chihuly... I am so bummed we missed it at Cheekwood.




(I need a haircut so bad... I am also going to get it colored the next time I get it cut. Greys begone!)






It was so overcast when we went in.






This was really the only impressive Chihuly thing that they had. The rest of the glass pieces didn't really move me, but I did love his paintings.






It was beautiful and sunny when we left.



Yesterday (Sunday) I FINISHED ALL OF OUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING! I am so proud to have it all done this early. I did the majority of it online, but went out to get a few things - stocking stuffers and gift cards, bows, etc. But it's ALL DONE. I just have to wait for it all to arrive on my doorstep so I can wrap it. We're not going to Ohio this year and I am debating how early to send the gifts and baked goods up there.

I also started two more batches of strawberry vodka yeasterday.


Just a couple more batches to go... maybe another strawberry and two more pear. Each jar makes enough for two gift bottles. Infusing is so much fun. I can't wait to try different things next year - I have a white wine recipe that looks interesting, and also some brandies.

Finished vodkas!

The first round of vodka infusions were a success. Now we just need to make more! We haven't ordered the cute bottles for them yet, so for now they are still in jars.

Red Hot Vodka


Pear vodka:


I added some simple syrup and served this one over ice to my appreciative husband:


Strawberry Vodka:


Here's what the strawberries looked like after a week of hanging out in a jar of vodka:


It's very good - we just gave it a taste, haven't yet had it mixed in a drink. Hopefully soon! This one would also probably be good over ice with some simple syrup, but I think I'm going to mix it with lemonade.

Red Hot Vodka!

Today is tasting day for this Jalapeno vodka I am infusing for my friend LeAnn to use in her Bloody Marys. It only needs 2-3 days to infuse. Tomorrow we get to taste test the pear vodka and see if it needs an extra two days, and Sunday the strawberry vodka will be ready!

I ordered these two books yesterday for more inspiration:

I'm very excited to get some more ideas and get cracking on homemade xmas gifts!

And today I am wearing new pants which is very exciting! They fit! All of my fall/winter clothes were on their last legs (some long past their expiration) last year, but I just couldn't afford anything new. Josh promised me I could get some new clothes this year if I just stuck it out last year. So I did, and I have a few new things right now and more on the way. Very excited and appreciative.

Infused Vodkas

The book I mentioned in my last post had some recipes for infusing vodka, so we decided to try two of them out. We get to sample them on Sunday, and if they turn out, then I think we'll be making more for Christmas gifts...

#1 (and by far the easiest) Strawberry Infusion.

Cut the tops off of a bunch of strawberries (I think we used an 8 oz. package?). Slice them in half. Put in clean jar or other container with tight fitting lid. Cover with two cups of vodka. Put lid on tightly. Store in cool, dark place for 7 days, giving it a good shake every other day. After 7 days, strain solids out with mesh strainer, but give everything in strainer a good smoosh for some extra oomph in your wodka. Repackage in clean jar. Drink. (I think this would be good mixed with lemonade, but I love lemonade and vodka anyway).



#2 Pear/Vanilla/Cinnamon infusion.

Peel, core and chop three ripe pears into 2 inch chunks.



Throw in a saucepan with a half cup (I think) of sugar, a broken cinnamon stick and one vanilla bean. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, until it's all nice and mushy and blended.



When it cools down, transfer to clean jar and cover with 2 cups of vodka.



Allow to sit in cool dark place for 5-7 days, giving it a shake every couple of days. Try it on the 5th day to see if it needs extra two days. Use same straining method mentioned in Strawberry Infusion recipe. Serve cold or over ice.