I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions. They always have felt artificial to me until a friend described their process of using them for goal setting. That made sense but I don’t let much grass grow underneath my feet so if I see a resolution need, I reengineer to meet it regardless of the time of year.
Last year I started off with a post titled ‘‘Does This Blog Make My Butt Look Big (and other New Year’s Reflections)?’ realizing the perils of sitting to write and preparing so many foods ‘for print’, of course consuming them along the way. My commitment for a daily ‘blog walk’ with my trusty, albeit low endurance, English Bulldog was fun though not lasting regularly more than the middle of January when I undoubtedly became distracted with other things.
This year rather than committing to a specific exercise regime I will instead predict a bulk of it will be found in the wintery months care of the Xbox 360 Kinect’s ‘Just Dance 3’. After all a girl never knows when she’ll be in a pedestrian hollow and a Flash Mob will break out. One would not want to be caught flatfooted without her urban dance moves intact.
More than looking ahead I found myself dreamily recalling the events of the last year. It was a truly incredible year with so many unforeseen people and events taking place. The happenings ranged from breathtakingly exciting to unbelievably tragic, all reminding me to drink in each day as medicine, appreciating whatever may unfold. I learned so much from those around me and have been graced by some beautiful people who whisper my soul’s language and make my spirit dance.
This was folded up in my Christmas stocking this year. One of Santa’s elves, though one living under my roof, who really should not be old enough to use a computer let alone have mastered PowerPoint. One of life’s more simple yet shiny moments for me this holiday, getting this!
I am a person that never likes to set goals too strictly for fear of something greater than I can imagine not having a window to climb aboard. I love the mystery life brings as unpredictable as it can be. I have loved the chance to share my thoughts, food, drink and photography with all of you and thank you for the magic you have brought to my life. I do not know what this year holds for all of us but believe it will be full of wondrous things. Wishing you all you dream for this year!
To toast the occasion I have found a little vintage potion (please forgive me, one of the holiday break activities in my household was watching all the Harry Potter movies back to back; it was like immersion therapy leaving me regretting I must manually complete my housework sans wand). Often champagne punch or cocktails are designed to extend one’s champagne (actually usually ‘sparkling wine’ since unless it is produced in the Champagne region of France it technically is not considered ‘champagne’). This rather is designed to flatter and heighten it with the company of worthy spirit mates of cognac and orange liqueur. I toast to you today anticipating a wonderful 2012 for all!
CHAMPAGNE CUP
The original recipe suggests making this into a punch and then serving. I opted to mix it up and serve individual glasses. Several garnishes were stipulated originally leaving me with the visual of them all combined delivering a jungle-like experience with the tippler struggling to find the cocktail. I’d say ‘pick and choose’ as you see fit.
Serves: 4 (about 1 cup each)
Ingredients:
· ¼ cup orange liqueur
· ¼ cup cognac
· 1 tablespoon honey
· 6 mint leaves, crushed
· 1 bottle dry ‘champagne’ or sparkling wine, chilled
· Garnish options: orange slices, lemon slices, cucumber slices, mint sprigs
1. Combine orange liqueur, cognac, honey and mint leaves in a chilled punch bowl; cover and refrigerate until cold.
2. Stir in the champagne/sparkling wine and ice cubes into cognac mixture. If desiring to fill glasses instead, combine the champagne/sparkling wine with the cognac mixture and pour it over glasses filled with ice. Garnish and serve.
Adapted from recipe originating in Sphere (1976)
ping says
Happy New Year! I Love Your Blog! 😀
One happy household … esp after these. I'm definite I won't/can't stop at 1 cup! *hic* Thish reshipe ish way too schmall ..
Intuitive Eggplant says
I’m more of the goal-setting than resolutions type too. That stocking stuffer is priceless 🙂 And this cocktail may be just what I’ll have to cap off my New Year’s Day (sadly, no mint in the house). Sorry I haven’t commented in a while, but cheers to you for 2012 and thanks for your inspiring posts and glimpses of the Colorado I miss so much.
All That I'm Eating says
I'm quite glad we don't live closer to each other, with all these cocktail recipes and booze flowing around it would be a marvel if we were ever sober. I hope you had a lovely Christmas, here's to 2012 *cheers*
Eliotseats says
What a wise little elf you have! Love this cocktail. Here's to a great 2012!
Carolyn says
I love the beautiful glasses you have this cocktail in! And I love your blog too. But you already knew that 😉
The Mom Chef says
Happy New Year, my friend! It's a little tough for me to get back into sitting at the computer for very long with Dudette still home, but I had to sneak away for a minute to say hi to you.
Like you, I'm not a fan of resolutions made on a specific day. Heck, I can't even manage to keep the ones I make while thinking upon life before getting out of bed for that same day ends.
The best I think I can do is attempt to use more 'healthy' magazines this year and to shy away from the heavily loaded ones (aka, Paula Deen). She's just not good for my butt.
Looking forward to the journey we'll share in 2012.
Magic of Spice says
I do not really do resolutions, perhaps because I hate to fail, lol 🙂
I love this little drink, and those cups are great! A very happy 2012 to you!
Stephanie says
This drink looks wonderful! Happy New Year!
Elyse @The Cultural Dish says
Oh this drink looks delicious! Love the flavors! Happy New Year!
celiacasaurus.com says
mmmmmm…I love festive drink recipes, and this one looks fabulous! I love, love, love the note you received in your stocking. Those are the moments we live for, aren't they. Happy New Year!!!
Lizzy Do says
Mmmmm…looks like a delicious way to usher in the new year! And I certainly hope you'll be sharing a video when you master those urban dance moves (you made me giggle!).
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} says
Cheers to the New Year Toni! A sparkling drink to accompany the urban dance moves 🙂
how to keep champagne fizzy says
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog.
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