Fall

Sunday Snapshots: Workin’, Halloween Prep, and Mamma Bear Magazine

October 16, 2016 No Comments Fall

The past few weekends have been filled to the brim with fun Fall-like activities. This weekend, like last week and all of next week, has been pretty much work, work, and more work. Thankfully, I really like my job.

Even with all the work I did have a little time to enjoy some of my favorite fall traditions and read through the newest issue of Mamma Bear Magazine.

Fall Favorite: Fall Foods

Basically every chance I get I am now roasting all of my favorite Fall foods. I haven’t had a ton of time to cook recently and I really didn’t have time to cook this meal (which took upwards of two hours) BUT, man… I really wanted some tasty Fall foods. It is simply comforting. I roasted up some butternut squash and then made a puree out of it. I served it along side sautéed bok choy, roasted sweet potatoes, and roasted yellow peppers. The main course was a smoked gouda and apple stuffed roasted chicken. It was GOOOOD.

Fall Favorite: Halloween Prep

I might enjoy the prepping for Halloween as much as I love the holiday itself. It is all kind of wrapped up in one for me. This year I am doing a comic book themed Halloween party and family costume. I was fortunate enough to get to partner with local thrift store Deseret Industries to pick out some items to help create my costumes. Look forward to seeing posts on how I created my comic book themed costume from items found while thrifting.

A Well Crafted Party featured in Mamma Bear Magazine

My favorite part of this whole weekend was receiving my copy of Mamma Bear Magazine in the mail! It is chock full of great articles on motherhood and beyond. I am excited to share that I wrote a little article for the magazine titled, “The Art of a Stress Free Party.” This gorgeous magazine is available for purchase at www.mommabearmag.com.

How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun?

A Well Crafted Pantry

Saturday Spirits: Favorite Fall Cocktails

September 10, 2016 No Comments A Well Crafted Pantry

I know that I just shared my favorite summer batch cocktails last week… but, suddenly, it feels like Fall! There is just something about Fall that makes me happy at the very simple joys in life such as drinking a warm cup of creamy coffee with a crisp chill in the air. The inherent cheer of Fall for me is undoubtedly influenced, at least in part, by idea of the return of all my favorite fall cocktails. While I tend to lean towards gin or fruity, sweet concoctions during the Spring and Summer months, as the air gets cooler and the leaves begin to change I suddenly crave bourbon and more complex, rich flavors.

My Favorite Fall Cocktails

Below are some of the cocktails I’ve shared on my blog that just really hit the spot during the Fall months. Some of them may even run into winter, but I can drink them anytime the weather hits below 70!

Amaretto Sour

I’ve always believed drinking a good Amaretto Sour felt like enjoying a really great make-out-session. Don’t believe me? Make one and find out!

Salted Caramel Apple Hot Toddy

The colder it gets outside the more I love to cuddle up with a good blanket and a hot drink. Teas, coffees, ciders… I have no favorites. Hot Toddy’s tend to be on a regular rotation at my house when the temps get cooler. This rendition blends in some of my favorite fall flavors with a classic.

Classic Manhattan

Speaking of classics… a Classic Manhattan is one of my top five Fall night cap beverages. A classic cocktail is a great way to give a nod to the past as you celebrate the future. Perfect for Fall!

Pear Apple Sangria

I had a really difficult time figuring out the name for this drink. It is similar to a punch, but I made it in singles. Sort of a sangria, but I don’t know many sangrias with bourbon in them. So, name it whatever you want… but, it is a tasty fall beverage!

Greek Martini

I could possibly drink a greek martini every night if it weren’t a tad unhealthy to do nightly. I love the salty flavor of the greek olive juice paired with vodka. I’ll go more towards a classic martini or a martini with a twist in the hotter months. But, as soon as the cooler weather hits, hand me a dirty greek martini!

Old Irish Whiskey Cocktail

Before reading Savory Cocktails by Greg Henry (affiliate link) I probably never would have thought to include cloves in a cocktail. The smokey deliciousness of cloves pairs ever so nicely with the orange and whiskey flavors of this cocktail.

These are just a few of my favorite fall cocktails. I can’t wait to come up with more fun fall flavors to share!

What is your favorite fall cocktail?

A Well Crafted Pantry

Saturday Spirits: Pear & Apple Cider Sangria

October 18, 2014 No Comments A Well Crafted Pantry

I had a really difficult time figuring out the name for this drink. It is similar to a punch, but I made it in singles. Sort of a sangria, but I don’t know many sangrias with bourbon in them. So, name it whatever you want… but, it is a tasty fall beverage!

Every year it begins to really feel like Fall to me when I get to attend the local Pear and Apple festival at the Portland Nursery. I load up on apples and pears and incorporate them in EVERYTHING until I run out. One year I bought 60 lbs of apples and pears and ended up making a ton of apple sauce, apple butter, apple pies, and many apple desserts. This year I knew that my kitchen time would be limited so I didn’t indulge quite as much as I’d have liked to… but, we did enjoy the Hard Apple Cider tasting and came home with a 20 lbs of apples and pears as well as a few delicious ciders and wines.

A few of those purchases are featured in this drink. I’m hoping that you are able to find these brands because they are fantastic, but if not then I’d suggest looking at the flavor profile and finding something similar near you. This drink is totally worth it.

Ingredients:

(Makes 1 Beverage– Though, you can multiple by 4 easily to make a pitcher!)

1 1/4 oz Bourbon (I used Buffalo Trace)
2 oz Pear Wine (I used Bull Run Pear Wine )
3 oz Hard Apple Cider ( I used Shilling Oak Aged Cider )
Squeeze of 1 large lemon slice
Sliced, ripe pears (I used Anjou pears and had about 4-5 slices per glass)
Glass with ice

Directions:

Fill a glass with ice, putting in slices of pear along the way
Fill glass with Bourbon, Pear Wine, and Hard Apple Cider
Give it a stir and enjoy!

Don’t forget to eat those tasty pears once your drink is gone!

About Shilling Oak Aged Cider: The hard cider is finished in 100% NW Oak. It has a smokey cinnamon flavor profile with clove and vanilla. It would be considered a semi-dry cider. There is a bit of the apple taste still there, but not nearly as sweet as some ciders.

About Bull Run Pear Wine: The Bull Run Pear wine is from Oregon! It is a sweet ice wine. I’d say this is a nice sweet, smooth dessert wine without the punch of a brandy. Loved it.