Tree Trimming on a French Friday

Sweet & Spicy Cocktail Pecans

Especially this time of year I love to have tasty treats before dinner, it seems as if we always have a little something to do before. Tonight it was testing the lights for the big tree in our den.  Lights for this tree are always a bit of a conversation. Color & bulb size are discussed beyond reason - so long story short we are trying something different this year - warm white C5 bulbs with strands of C3 green and C3 red (if you even understand the bulb size lingo you are my friend for life).  For a little tree trimming inspiration I whipped up a batch of Christmas Princes (not to be confused with Christmas Princesses) and French Fridays with Dorie's sweet and spicy nuts.  I choose pecans and they turned out very yummy.  The kitchen smelled wonderful - so I would definitely recommend throwing these together right before guests arrive.  The recipe is very similar to the Ritz Carlton's Spiced Pecans I posted in October.  Both would be wonderful hostess gifts. 

Another holiday Champagne treat...

Christmas Prince
1 bottle Champagne
3 cups Grapefruit Juice
1 cup Ginger ale
1 cup fresh raspberries

In a pitcher add the champagne, then juice, and finally ginger ale, allowing each layer to sit for a minute before adding the next.  Top off with raspberries.  You can also mix up individually & these make nice brunch drinks.

This treat came about on one of my favorite Christmas Eve's - it was my nephew's first Christmas. My husband & I had been asked to help his parents get ready for Santa's first visit after a big dinner at my parents.  My husband through together a punch and hence we have the Christmas Prince (the names are just silly & meant to be so).  Champagne cocktails are so versatile & many of our creations have literally come from throwing together what was in the fridge.  
Side note the Christmas Princess was named such because she is definitely a lighter cocktail due to the type of juices.  Hope you enjoy!!!

Kitchen Reveal & Christmas Princess Cocktail

I love this idea - Penny from Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen has proclaimed December 1st as the "Kitchen Reveal Day"!!!  So without further ado - here is my kitchen:

View from the Fridge - our kitchen and breakfast room.  And yes that is Beauregard wearing a jacket.

My sink, prep space & little "communication corner".  Did you know Julia Child even had a "communication corner" in her kitchen.  My tiny TV is on a lazy Susan - so it can be seen from almost every angle.

View into the kitchen from the back door, our laundry room is to the left & has a sliding door to block it off when needed

My predominant prep space - so much easier right next to the stove

View from the laundry room

Sorry the pictures are so dark - we had some massive storms last night & I couldn't find the correct balance.

Now for a holiday treat...

Christmas Princess 
1 bottle of champagne
1 bottle of cranberry, pomegranate juice
Frozen cranberries

You can do an entire punch bowl or prepare per glass.  Regardless the proportions are the same 2 counts champagne to 1 count juice.  Pour the champagne & then the juice and serve with frozen berries. 
I often use the Diet Ocean Spray Cranberry Pomegranate Juice Cocktail.  It is even easier if you use the split bottles (small bottles which are 1/4th the size of a regular bottle of champagne).  Hope you enjoy!!!

Gameday Margaritas

In honor of the start of football season & to kick off the Labor Day weekend I am sharing the recipe for my favorite margarita.  This is not a fruity, girlie cocktail.  This is a drink all the guys and girls will love.

Gameday Margaritas, by Brad (these will knock you on your buttums)
1 can of frozen margarita starter
1 can dark rum (using the same can from the mix)
1 can of water
1 beer, can be a light or full calorie just not a dark or heavy variety

Pour all over a pitcher of ice and blend (you can also mix lightly  & let it sit for a bit for an over the rocks option). Serve with limes and salt. The beer takes the tart out the mix and really finishes the drink off. Brad also suggests tasting it after adding about 3/4 of the beer to see if the whole can is necessary.  Trust me you will know.  Enjoy.

Cheers for Sugar Baby Watermelons

This little sugar baby watermelon was delicious. It arrived the week of the Fourth & unfortunately got "lost" in the back of our fridge. It was "found" Tuesday night, amazing how that happens. Anyway, I suppose it was meant to be because I could not imagine it being any better. It actually changed my opinion of this fruit. We enjoyed it as dessert Tuesday & Wednesday, but by Thursday I got creative & made the little treat to the right.

Super simple - only a few shakes of ice, watermelon pulp, & a jig of citrus vodka. Served in a chilled glass with a twist of lemon. It was nice end to a hot summer day!