Beef Jerky Update

I know I declared this an epic fail, however, the husband has asked that I amend that statement. He’s been eating the jerky since Monday and told me it has continued to improve. I tasted it last night and honestly, he’s kind of right. We dissected our process last night and I think we’re going to give it another shot. Seriously, all this for dried meat…

Friday Cocktails: Cranberry Amaretto Kiss

 

from Deliciously Organic

 

Recipe and photo from Deliciously Organic:

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Cranberry-Amaretto Kiss

This drink is a bit tart and a bit sweet. You can adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more orange juice or whole cane sugar to the recipe.
Adapted from Epicurious. Serves 8

1/4 cup organic whole cane sugar or sucanat
2 cups unsweetened cranberry juice
1 cup vodka (I prefer Kanon organic vodka)
1/2 cup amaretto
1/2 cup fresh orange juice

Whisk whole cane sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Mix cranberry juice, vodka, amaretto, orange juice, and 6 tablespoons sugar syrup in a pitcher and stir. Chill in the refrigerator and serve cold.

 

Happy Friday!!!

Attempt at Beef Jerky= Epic Failure

So I tried my hand at the home-made beef jerky that I posted a couple of weeks ago. Let me first say that the Food Addicts did a great job and their tutorial rocks. Let me then say that I do not rock at following directions. I’m not 100% sure what exactly I did wrong per say, but I definitely made some mistakes. On the plus side, I did learn how to make BBQ sauce because that’s what the marinade turned into. The beef I bought was questionable at best. If you’re going to try this, maybe don’t buy the cheapest crap you can find.

The actual dehydrating part went OK except that the smell of the questionable meat mixed with the super thick BBQ sauce made me sick and I spent yesterday wondering if my hair smelled like dried beef.

So, the first attempt was not so hot. That’s OK, we’re not all made to make our of beef jerky.

Daily Inspiration: 11.30.10

 

from Skull Swap

 

The wind in LA is killing me. Between having the heater on at night and the wind blowing every piece of pollen, dust and general sneeze triggers up my nose every day, I’m in hell. I would like to join this little dog and wrap myself up. Kind of looks like Daisy, like she’s ready to be worshiped.

 

Pretty, Pretty, Paper

These are so amazing they make me want to get married all over again. Or open a store paper store. Or become a graphic designer. You get the idea, they’re amazing.

 

from Mae Mae Paperie

This couple must be very cool. Also goes to show that wedding stuff doesn’t always have to be girly and sweet. Drool over the rest of their work here.

 

Thanksgiving Wrap Up

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving and have fully recovered for the tryptophan coma. Now that’s its over I’m happy to report that my first Thanksgiving went smashingly. Nothing burned, I didn’t get drunk, I went to bed at 10pm. I did eat waaayyyy too much and the left overs are killing me, but what can you do? Thank god for elastic waist pants.

The guys. It was nice having all men. They eat a lot and don’t mind if you have to excuse yourself to put on “fat pants” in the middle of dinner.

 

Thanksgiving Table

I wanted to share the table. Notice the four plates? That’s cause this year our first Thanksgiving will be small. I was worried that it would be sad not being with family or lonely only having four people but I can happily report that none of that is true. Traditions are nice, but new traditions can be a good thing and family can be a broad term. As I type this, I’m still in pajamas, smelling turkey and watching trashy TV. The husband is playing chess against the computer. Two of his closest friends are coming over later and we’ll eat too much, drink too much and collapse. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Pj’s and trashy TV might have to be a new tradition. So, this year I hope you all are finding new traditions of your own and enjoying time the people who you consider “family”.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Xoxo, J.S.