Monthly Archives: December 2010

Vodka: favorite past time

21 December 2010

Ok, so you all know I love cooking, inventing, and creating all sorts of things, but honestly, my hobby of infusing vodkas is my absolute favorite.  I love how making tiny adjustments can make a huge difference in flavor…and yet, no matter what you do, it’s kinda hard to screw something up.  I do believe that the only vodka that I’ve made that was undrinkable was the Rose Hip Vodka…it tasted like perfume!  Pah-Tooooo-EEE. YUCK!

It stands to reason, therefore, that today is the beginning of one of my favorite weeks of the year: vodka filtering (and sampling) – and lord almighty, I was NOT disappointed.

This is my third year of honing my skill, but I’m still learning.  We had a rather small harvest of fruits this year, so I have been crossing my fingers that the few concoctions I have had steeping will turn out!  I’ve got the quince filtering overnight, and if it tastes as good as it smells, it’s going to be DIVINE!  I haven’t tried the Green Walnut that has been sitting since June, and I’m not sure I want to…it smells a bit like tar or maybe it’s ipecac (at least what I imagine ipecac to smell like!).  We’ll see. We’ll see.

Now I just need to find a the right moment to sample them all.  It seems like a waste to have a tasting alone!  I have a variety of bottles set for maturing (they’ll be the best NEXT year, if I can manage to hold off that long!), but the Pumpkin and Hazelnut from 2008 should have matured to perfection.  As far as what I’ve filtered so far, I think the Spiced-Blackberry and the Spiced Blueberry will be spectacular sippers.  Now to find someone to come over and help me decide!!!!

Christmas Lampshades

20 December 2010

Glancing over to our tree as I sat by the fire, I had a little “moment,” and enjoyed one of the touches I almost always use for any holiday decor: lampshade ornaments.  I love that such a simple, easy, and quick detail has such an impact to the rest of the room!  Simply choose an ornament that you like (preferably flat), give it a loop with some fishing wire, then tie it onto the spokes of the lampshade: way easier than pie!

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