What a crazy couple of days it has been. The weather has just been nuts! Rain, sleet, snow, cold, warm, REALLY cold. I guess winter has finally really arrived.

My little Georgia Peaches are settling in nicely. Dumplin’ seems just fine with the cold, but was a little miffed when his first full day home had to be spent inside because of the ice. He enjoyed himself yesterday though…lots of visitors! Tito seems to like the name Bixby, he was a Crosby at a previous home and he responds to Bixby better than Crosby or Tito for us so hey? why not…whatever makes the little man happy! He is finding his place in the pecking order, and on the furniture. He has claimed the ottoman in the living room as his personal dog bed, it is just the right size for a snuggly little dog.

Here is Dumplin’ this morning, just finished his breakfast and was ready for some lovin’s!

Have a great day! And if you made the cinnamon cordial in this post, now is the time to strain and bottle! Just pour the cordial through a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth into a clean 1 quart jar or 4 cup measuring cup. Here is a secret…
Go out and buy a pair of cheap knee highs or panty hose. I know it sounds odd, but they are the BEST for straining cordials. Just cut off a nice big chuck of hose, place it over the mouth of your jar and rubber band it tight around the rim. Now pour slowly through the hose into the measuring cup or your clean jar. All the solids stay in the hose and you are left with a clear, delightful cordial! Now just pop off the hose and toss in the trash voila! No fuss, no muss and if you get lots of cordial out of a pair of panty hose too!

My neighboring blogger Nicki of www.nickisnook.com mentioned that time got the best of her and she didn’t have the time to get the 30 day cordials made for gift giving this year. Never fear! I found a quick version that passes the taste test!

Now, you know this is not normally my way of doing things. I am food purist to the highest power, but even I need a shortcut here and there and this one, well, it just rocks. I wasn’t going to share, but it is too good to keep to myself.

You’ll need to head to Wegman’s or Tom’s gifts for coffee syrups. Get the very best you can afford because they really have a better flavor. Here is what you need to do…

For each fifth of your cordial…

1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 cup of 100 proof vodka
1/2 cup brandy
3/4 cup of your flavored syrup

Combine your syrup, vodka and brandy in a 1 quart jar. Next, make a simple syrup by heating your sugar and water in a sauce pan. Let that simple syrup cool to just barely warm and add it to your liquor/flavored syrup. Close your jar tightly and give it a gentle shake to combine. There! You have a lovely cordial. We have tried:

hazelnut
blueberry
raspberry
cherry
cinnamon

Some you may want to chill, others not. It is a taste preference really. This recipe is also a GREAT one to keep in mind when last minute guest come for dinner. Make a quick version, stash it in the freezer and pour atop ice cream, or drizzle over your pie. SO GOOD!

I hope you’ll have fun experimenting with this quick and easy recipe this holiday season and spread some cheer to family and friends.

Colleen
The Farm at Nanticoke Creek
www.farmatnaticokecreek.com