This November has been a very stressful one at casa del Davidson. Our apartment was in need of some unexpected repairs which required us to have to pack up everything we owned within a week. This included my office and the home bar. I found it very hard to stay motivated whilst living out of storage boxes and felt this was a good time for a mental vacation.

With everything going on at home I was not looking forward to Thanksgiving. Normally I love Thanksgiving. I love cooking for my family and I’m all about chowing down on all the awesome foods I’ve been waiting all year for. Thankfully my understanding family took care of everything. Our buffet was loaded with every side dish imaginable. The most delicious turkey – thanks to my kick ass sister. And there were more desserts than we knew what to do with. It was awesome!

While the food was great, the best part was being surrounded by our family. I’m very lucky in that both my Hubby’s family and mine get along well. One might say a little too well. If our mother’s got along any better they’d be reenacting scenes from Thelma and Louise. The amount of fun these two have when they’re together have me constantly checking my bank account to make sure I have the inevitable bail money. Seriously, our Thanksgiving couldn’t have been more a love fest.

And isn’t that what the holidays are about? Bringing together family and friends and celebrating the time we have together. The world has gone mad and we don’t know what our future may hold.

I spent most of November riddled with anxiety and feeling sorry for myself. It took 5 hours with my family sharing stories and laughing at each other’s hijinks to really put things in perspective. I’ll admit that those good spirits may have had some help from Miss Cocktail Crafty. Since I couldn’t cook I decided to supply the booze. What else would you expect?

I had a homemade cider station with brandy and whipped cream. I finally got up the courage to make Egg Nog for the first time (I’ll provide that recipe in the upcoming weeks). I also made a Holiday Sangria with cranberries and rosemary (recipe below). It was a hit.

During this holiday season I hope you keep those you love close and remember to enjoy those small moments joy.

Cheers!

- Nikki

Holiday Sangria

Ingredients:

• 3 bottles of Spanish Red Wine

• 1 bottle of Brandy

• 1 cup Cranberry Rosemary Syrup with cranberries (see below)

• 1/2 bottle of Club Soda (optional)

• 1/2 cup citrus juice

• 1-2 cups of sliced Oranges, Lemons, and Limes

• 4 sprigs of rosemary

1. Combine ingredients in a large container.
2. Refridgerate overnight.
3. Serve with ice.

Cranberry Rosemary Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1 cup filtered water

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup cranberries

• 2 sprigs rosemary

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Reduce heat.
3. Stir in sugar. Stir until sugar has dissolved.
4. Add cranberries. When cranberries began to pot, remove from heat.
5. Add rosemary and allow to cool.
6. Once syrup has cooled remove rosemary.

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