Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you have a wonderful day filled with family, friends and turkey. If you are travelling be safe. If you are cooking, I hope it all turns out well. Here is my twist on cranberries. Enjoy!

• 1 12 oz bag cranberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup apple cider
• ground ginger to taste (I add a dash or two to keep things interesting)

Throw everything in a pot together and bring to a boil stirring a few times along the way. Once the berries start to pop you are done. Serve chilled.

FYI, the cider adds some sweet to this recipe, but not as much as the missing 1/2 cup sugar. If you like sweet cranberries instead of tart add another 1/4 sugar.

Just In Time…

What is it about the holidays? I mean seriously, every year I am sick on either Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years. Some years I have been sick on all three! Monday a cold sideswiped me from out of nowhere. Ick. I should be feeling ok for Turkey day, but I am going to sound raspy which some people think is sexy, I just think is hurty. The upside of this particular year is that I finally made the leap and got raw honey. Where have you been all my life?! My doc, an acupuncturist and MD, suggested a few spoonfuls to help with my cough. No chaser. I haven’t worked up to a few spoonfuls yet, but one seems to help my poor throat when it is feeling especially bad. I have been using it in my tea as well for good measure. Tonight I think I will try a remedy my sister swears by. Hot water, raw honey, lemon and lime.

Felt For Your Keys

This little felt guy keeps your keys company. Tee hee. I love it!

Bunny Bowling

This bunny bowling set is way too cute. I am not a sewer but I have a feeling this could be a knit item…

Missed It By That Much

As I was appreciating the beautiful pottery pieces created by the very talented Whitney Smith, I missed an opportunity to get in on a drawing for one of her adorble bird bowls by 7 minutes. If only I hadn’t been sucked in by the pretty pictures it is possible I could own a piece. Sigh.

What to do With All Those Plastic Bags

Many of us have at least started to make the switch from throwaway plastic bags to reusable bags (I especially like the carry case for this one.) Although I have gotten a lot better about remember to always have a bag with me I still have what seems like a never-ending supply of those plastic bags overflowing in my kitchen. There are only so many trashcans in my house in need of a liner. This year some of them will become a surprisingly beautiful topper to my homemade gifts. Thanks for the great tutorial, Ez! via

Time To Get Crafty

Like it or not, the holiday time is upon us. Tis the time to make gifts. This year in addition to a charitable donation my loved ones can expect a handmade something from me. What is that going to be? I have no idea. I am running out of time to decide though. Luckily there are many many links to help me figure something out. And if I am on your list this year, consider a donation to your favorite charity or making me a little something.

Cup Cake

Sometimes you just really want dessert. Tonight was one of those nights and we didn’t have anything. Or so we thought. I saw this recipe for chocolate cake in 10 minutes and figured, what the heck. It was delicious. Chocolaty and quick. Yum yum. Mine didn’t turn out quite as nice as this one, but I think it is because we didn’t give it the full set time.

Who Needs a Gym Membership?

Not me! These past few days, despite the chill in the air, I have been walking to a further subway stop to get home. The walk home for me would be about 2 hours and while it might be nice in Manhattan and over the Brooklyn Bridge, after that, it would get not so nice. Maybe once the weather is nicer and we have more daylight. For now, I compromise. I have been walking with a friend part of the way and then listening to tunes for the rest of the way. It is much nicer than hopping directly on the subway to fight my way home. I am finding I a lot more energy to get things done when I get home. Last night I prepared dinner for last night and tonight! So tonight I made some chai tea to take with me to work tomorrow. If this keeps up who knows what I might accomplish!

Chai

Winter is upon us here in the Big Apple. Winds are whipping through the canyons making the walk to and from the protection of indoors unpleasant and making a hot beverage all the more necessary. I drink coffee, but sometimes I am looking for something a little different to help warm me. Tea is ok but add a few spices and some milk and now you are talking! I found this wonderful recipe for chai tea on The Omnomicon. The pictures will walk you through all the steps. I am going to skip the part where you put it on ice, but the biscuits sound like a good idea.