It’s Christmas Time!

Growing up in sunny Santa Barbara, California meant there were no white Christmases. I can remember more than a few Christmas afternoons, where I was running around outside, barefoot, wearing a t-shirt and shorts. I still live in So Cal, but now I’m closer to the mountains, so we at least get chilly nights. And, on those nights I love to curl up with a warm blanket, my sockmonkey slippers, and a warm mug of something delicious. Today I’ll be sharing a couple of my favorite Christmas-Time beverages:

Pine-Apple Spice

2 cups organic, unfiltered apple juice
2 cups pineapple juice
2 Tbsp. mulling spice

Cut a length of cheesecloth  to the size of a sheet of paper.
Fold it in half,.  Add the mulling spice and tie it up tight. (Here’s an example of tying up a bundle for boiling)
Place in pot; add juices. Cover and heat to boiling.
Turn down heat and simmer 2 hours.
Serve warm. If you choose to make this in the crock pot on a low setting – your house will smell like Christmas!

Hot Almondy Milk

2 Tbsp. Almond Syrup (*recipe below)
1 mug of organic milk

Heat the milk in a pan (or if you’re in a hurry, go ahead and use the microwave. I’ll turn my back and pretend not to notice).
Stir in the almond syrup and prepared to give a broad grin, followed by a surprised, “Mmmmmmm!”. It’ so simple, yet so very delicious!

*Almond Syrup
1 cup drinking water
1 cup granulated sugar
2-3 teaspoons almond extract

Boil water and sugar in pan, stirring occasionally.
Let cool.  Add almond extract and stir. Using a funnel, carefully pour into glass jar, making sure not to drip any syrup (you don’t want to have sugary edges on your jar, or the lid will be nearly impossible to remove!) Make sure that the jar’s lid is on tight!
This will keep in your refrigerator up to 6 weeks.

This week at work, we’ve chosen names and are playing the Secret Santa game.

I have the best Secret Santa, ever. I mean, how perfectly does this person know me?! Not only is it a sockmonkey, but it holds my beloved coffee… AND there are two handles, which means it’s all that much more difficult to spill. Yes, I’m clumsy.  In any sense, I love this! So, Secret Santa, if you’re reading this blog  (which I believe you do), you are awesome and I adore you.

Well, I hope you enjoy your Christmas, wherever you spend it, and maybe these two toasty beverages can be part of your family get-togethers. =0)

And as always, I like to leave you with a little giggle before I go.  Here’s a great scene from Will Ferrell’s “Elf”.  PS: Smiling’s my favorite too!