If you know me , you know I am frugal and curious. I also like to partake of an alcohol based beverage on a frequent basis.

For any or all of those reasons, I have been experimenting with alcohol infusions.

In the past , I have made home made limoncello , kahlua and lemon creme, hot chipotle pineapple rum and (horrible) home made wine.

(a few recipes to follow)

This week I have 3 new ideas.

1. Jalapeno vodka , pretty self explanatory, just sliced jalapenos and put in a wide mouth mason jar full of vodka. I used this mixed in with a peach/pineapple vodka and topped with diet seven up. It only takes a day or so to have the flavor and heat of the peppers. Use only a dash of this.

2. At new year we really enjoyed Fireball whiskey. I have made my version using another mason jar of Canadian whiskey, about 7 atomic fireball candies ( from 7/11 store) and about 2 tablespoons of agave. Shake well.

3. Pineapple chunks (syrup drained off) soaked in rum and chilled. Perfect to bite on whilst poolside.

 

My home made wine was a youtube mess. I bought Welchs’ grape juice, added the sugar and yeast (I used bread yeast which was probably my biggest mistake, should have used proper wine yeast). Watched and tended it over two weeks, but was left with a yeasty tasting bad wine. Still, I bottled it and who knows if it will be better in a few weeks? 

My kahlua is a big success however, and makes up half of my favorite cocktail, a Brave Bull.

1 part tequila

1 1/2 kahlua

lime wedge, squeezed into liquid

serve over crushed ice

A couple will make you think you are invincible (like a brave bull)!

 

Every christmas I make a peppermint vodka using the same mason jar technique , adding vodka and starlight mints , shake daily for a week and use for chocolate mint martinis. My mother can testify as to their Christmas Cheer ( we have the photos of a snoring Grandma with the paper Christmas cracker hat over one eye after 2 of them)

 

My Kahlua recipe

12 cups double strength brewed coffee

1 bottle vodka

2 lbs dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

2 tablespoons hazelnut syrup

Method: heat coffee and sugar in a large pot and bring to a simmer , simmer for about 60 minutes. 

Allow to cool to at least room temperature and add the other ingredients. This is important as the alcohol doesn’t “like” to be hot.

Pour into clean bottles, label and enjoy.

 

My next experiment is to make hard apple cider from local apple orchard juice.

 

Cheers!!

 

At my make up table.

On the big chair by our bed (pic is a little dark)

In my messy craft closet.

 

 

But mostly I am to be found at the kitchen sink or in the laundry room.

Never do I get peace to make a telephone call, use the bathroom, take a bath or watch a movie uninterrupted.

Older moms tell me these are the moments to cherish as they grow up so fast…well they better hurry up as I want more quiet moments to myself.

Ask me again in 10 years and I’ll be a blubbering wreck that they want nothing to do with me, I know.

You know the situation , you are at a works function and the CEO comes over to give a courtesy greeting. She says something that is regarding a current political issue, and you have no idea what she is talking about. What to do? If you agree you could be wrong, in her eyes, and if you laugh nervously you look like an idiot. Shuffling away , mumbling about going to the toilet doesn’t improve the chance of a promotion.

Not understanding can lead to embarrassment or discomfort and that in turn knocks our confidence. I have been put in this place on many occasions, surgeons or administrators chatting to me in the break room when all I wanted to do was eat my sandwich and read my kindle. My head was down when they came in…but oh hello, I need to tell you something.

My action as a younger person was to look like an idiot and just nod or smile, now as I grow older (and basically have stopped worrying about how people regard me) I stop the person and either tell them I am unfamiliar with their musings or ask them a question. Never rude to them, and I try to show interest, after all the conversation will only last until one of us has to leave.

To know , or not to know, is not a failing. We cannot all have the same degree of schooling or enthusiasm over a particular matter.

Recently I was having a video conversation with a wonderful older gent and he said something (I still cannot pronounce it) which I didn’t recognize. When I asked him what that was, he repeated it and then I must have looked blankly back at him as he repeated it even louder! I gave up and asked him what it meant and given the definition, I was familiar with the subject, just not the title given to it. Bear in mind, this man has to be the best read , most intelligent man in the world, and sadly I am not. (You know who you are xx)

The next time you are conversing with someone on a topic you are passionate about, either ask the person at the beginning of the subject if they are familiar with it , not if they like it, ( just throw it out there) and if they start nodding quietly or giggling like a nervous schoolgirl, talk about the weather until another willing listener happens upon you.

One last note. If you want to lessen your chances of disastrous yappings , try reading a newspaper at least every few days and the chance that you may know a little on the subject (or can steer it in a different direction) will be heightened. In this day and age , the internet is a click away and looking something up is a cinch.

So, how about that rain we had last night….?