{ Mock Champagne }

Well, we did it! 

Woohoo!!

We made it through Christmas!

I'm not sure how exactly I, personally, did it, with being sick for several days, but I did!

And everyone was happy! 

It was crazy and hectic, but, it was worth it.

This year, the Bean, age 15, was more excited for Christmas than I've seen him in at least 5 years. I'm not sure why. I think, probably because he didn't know what he was getting. He knew a couple things, but the bulk of gifts were a mystery to him. 

He'd get done on the floor nightly and shake his presents. He'd ask me daily if he could open his gifts.

Me: "Sure!"

Bean: "REALLY???"

Me: "You bet!"

<pause>

"On Christmas!".

Bean: grumble grumble grumble

His favorite gifts were a new camera, Dishonored (video game), a Corduroy Blazer, and the Tenth Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver.

My favorite moment from Christmas, however, came on Christmas Eve. We'd just gotten back from Christmas Eve service, and I let him open a box containing a pair of Mickey Mouse PJ bottoms and Arthur Christmas on DVD. Earlier in the day he'd gotten a fox eared hat I had a girl make for him. He was walking around in those PJs and his fox hat, popping popcorn for the movie, and he looks over and says to me:

"This has already been a great Christmas!".

Melt.

Mickey PJs, Fox hat, Popcorn, watching Arthur Christmas. And, yes, cell phone and Kindle.
Teenagers!

So, our Christmas was pretty great. Hope yours was too!

Last New Year's Eve, I posted a mocktail called New Year Rising. 

It was a big hit, so I'm making another this year.

Last year I wanted to make Mock Champagne, but, oops, didn't buy the right stuff. So, this year would definitely have Mock Champagne.

It's SO easy. So. so. so easy.

2 ingredients & embellishment.

Let's start with the embellies.

First, let's pretend this photo isn't blurry, kay?

Kay.

Dip the rims of your glasses in corn syrup.

Then dip that into sugar crystals. This is my most favorite look. It's simply all the leftover colors poured into one container. You can also mix it up if you don't have leftovers. I think it's the prettiest :)

Ta Da! Pretty!

Once the drink is done, I like to pop a few frozen grapes in there as well.

My decoration was made from a swizzle stick, metallic curling ribbon, and tape!

Then add the bubbly!

Honestly, I've never tasted champagne in my life, so I have no idea if this tastes ANYTHING like it. I highly doubt it, but it's fruity and fizzy, and I quite like it. And did I mention.. it's SO easy!

 Be safe on New Year's Eve &

Happy 2013!
May it be blessed & beautiful.

Tina

Mock Champagne

recipe adapted by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

1- 64 Ounce bottle of White Grape Juice, chilled

1- 2 liter of Ginger Ale, chilled

Pour together.

The end!

Add frozen grapes (or other fresh or frozen fruit) and decor if you wish.

*this is a very common mocktail. I adapted the measurements for ease of making.

{ Wassail }

I'm sure you've all heard the song, Here We Come A Wassailing, but do you know what wassailing is?

Singing carols, right? 

Yes. 

Well, kinda.

Wassail (Wah-sail), first began, many eons ago as a greeting to others or as a toast. People would lift a mug of warm cider and say, "Waes hael!". Wassail (Waes hael) is an Anglo-Saxon phrase meaning, "be thou hale", modern translation: "be in good health".

Wassailing began as a celebration the west of England in the cider-producing counties. It was a celebration to waken the cider trees to ensure a good harvest in the Autumn. They would sing songs to the trees, shout, play drums, and generally just make a lot of noise to scare away evil spirits.

The Wassail Queen would be lifted into the branches where she would lay cider soaked toast as an offering.

Traditional Wassail was made of Mulled Ale, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, nutmeg, curdled cream, and sugar.

Um. No and thanks.

This is an easy, modern Wassail.

As much as I love the legend, lore, and romance of Olde England, I'll pass on the eggy, curdled creamy, gonna get me drunky drink.

This will make your house smell AMAZING. AH-MAZE-ING.

*
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wassailing,
So fair to be seen:

Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too,
And God bless you and send you,
A happy New Year,
And God send you,
A happy new year.

*

Happiest of Christmases to you and yours! Thanks so much for reading my blog!
I wish you a holiday filled with magic and dreams come true.

~Tina

Wassail Punch

recipe by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

1 Cup apple cider
1 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
2 cinnamon sticks*
4 whole cloves*
pinch of ground nutmeg

2 (or more) Tablespoons of brown sugar, depending on taste

Apple, orange, & lemon slices

*you can use ground cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon) & ground cloves (just a pinch). You might want to drain it through cheesecloth before serving, however, or you will have all of the spices swirling around in your drink.

Add the cider, juice, and water to a pot. Add in spices & chopped fruit.

for this size recipe, you will only need a couple slices of each. Make sure there are no seeds.

Simmer on low for 1-2 hours

The sugar content is really decided by personal taste. Some ciders & orange juices are more tart than others, requiring more sugar. Taste and decide on sugar for yourself at this point.

Remove fruit & whole spices.

Serve warm.

**you can also add alcohol, I believe it's brandy,

but you might want to look that up.


This recipe is easily doubled/tripled, etc.