It's winter and everything that goes with it could be good or bad. I choose good. It's white (but cold) and can give one a sense of peace. God knows when you wake up in the early morning after a good snow it is really really quite and peaceful. You know even things not so pretty on a normal day to day basis appears to be beautiful. Let's not yet think about what it's going to be like when it starts to melt. Ick! By the way I took this photo when I went snow shoeing. It was beautiful!
I know I haven't posted anything new for some time but it has been a busy time. I've been selling more than ever on my Etsy site http://www.artsielady.etsy.com. Now, I have a marketing department (me), a billing department (yup, that would be me again), a collection department (damn skippy, pay up! me again), customer service department (did I say "service"??) and a shipping department. If you could hear me you would hear me change my voice a la the Exorcist for each task depending on my mood. I do have a production department as well but that person has been AWOL. Sheesh.
Another thing that kept me away for a short while was a visit by my high school friend. I haven't seen her since just after high school and trust me people, that was a long time ago. She was in town for business and we spent as much time as possible together. It was very cool we didn't miss a beat. It was like we never had time separate us. She and her co-worker Corinne live in Waianae Hawaii. Go Sea Riders! So you can imagine the weather shock to their systems! June (my classmate) refused to even look at the snow coming down all the while screaming "no, I'm not looking I have to get home tomorrow". June....did you think that was going to stop the snow. I took pleasure in their experience here in Bend. The weather (uh huh, it was cold!) the festive holiday lights in the Old Downtown the eh hem.......gambling! Here in Oregon we have the pleasure of Indian Casinos, however none are close by. HOWEVER, most taverns have Vegas style gambling machines. We had a blast! Did we win?? I'm not sayin'.
Man, gotta tell you it brought me back to da good ol' days in Waianae. We did get a chance to catch up about a lot of my classmates. What they're up to, kids, where they live and what they're doing. Very coolamis!!! I expect we'll be planning a trip back home to Hawaii and NO tourist stuff...that's for the tourist. For sure we'll be staying with June and her husband and ohhhhh I can smell the ocean and feel the warmth of the sun now. Locals rock!
That brings me to it ain't warm here and more snow is a comin'!!! So for all of you out there who are dealing with the cold weather. Snuggle up by the fireplace with your better half (I imagine that could be your best friend....the dog silly) hahaha and have yourself a nice mug of hot buttered rum. Mmmmmmm Yummy! Here's a recipe.
Oh, and by the way if you need a cool mug for that hot buttered rum that is beautifully handcrafted, go to http://www.etsymudteam.craft-sense.com. You may find something you just have to have!!
Hot Buttered Rum
Batter
1/2 C unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
1 1/3 C firmly packed brown sugar
1 Pint vanilla ice cream, softened
1 t ground nutmeg
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground cardamom
1/2 t vanilla
Coctail (per serving)
2 T frozen batter
3/4 C boiling water
1 1/4 ounces rum (2 T plus 1 1/2 t)
1 Pat butter
To make batter: Combine butter, brown sugar, ice cream, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla with electric mixer to create a smooth batter. Pour mixture into a plastic container with lid and seal. Place in the freezer.
To make cocktail:For each cocktail, place 2 T of the frozen batter in a mug and add 3/4 cup of boiling water. Add rum and stir until the batter is melted. Garnish with pat of butter and a pinch of mace. ENJOY!!!
