Cranberry Sangria

This year I thought I was really on top of things, and then it happened.

Christmas totally snuck up on me!

I don't know if it was because Thanksgiving was so late, but I feel like it is way too soon for the holiday to be upon us.  How is it only 3 days away?

I'm thinking this whole working thing is really starting to get in the way of my personal life.  Too bad I only have, oh, about 40 more years to go.

Speaking of work, last weekend I hosted a brunch with my girlfriends from my first job out of college.  Hard to believe that was almost 9 years ago already!  We try to get together at least once a year around the holidays, and if possible once in the summer.

The weather was, shall we say festive... a pretty dusting of snow, that held off enough to allow for their safe travel from New York and North Jersey.  We enjoyed a nice spread of coffee cake, pumpkin muffins, quiche, maple-coated bacon, and chopped greek salad.  Not to mention cranberry sangria.

I'm not a big drinker but I am usually a sucker for  a good margarita, and a good glass of sangria.  I like that this one had cranberry for the holiday.  Not too sweet or heavy, but it will still put a little jingle in your bells.

I totally could have used a glass (or three) of this a few weeks ago, when I was trying to get a photo of Mini for our family Christmas card.

This child does not sit still - not for one second.  True definition of "Ants in the Pants."

I need one of those high-speed cameras just to have a prayer of getting a shot that is not a complete blur.

Somehow I managed to capture a few gems - but it certainly wasn't easy!

In any event, amidst all the craziness that often accompanies this season, I hope you can take some time to relax (preferably, with a glass of cranberry sangria.)  Whatever you do - please, please, please just enjoy your holidays!!

Cranberry Sangria

• 1 bottle (750mL) dry red wine
• 1 C. cranberry juice
• 1 C. orange juice
• 1/4 C. brandy
• 1/3 C. Triple Sec
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 lime, thinly sliced
• 1/3 C. fresh cranberries, some crushed

Combine all liquid ingredients in a large glass pitcher.  Add fruit.  Chill 2-8 hours before serving.

Recipe Adapted from the Editors of Publications International, Ltd..  "Cranberry Sangría"  31 August 2006.  HowStuffWorks.com.

Triple Citrus Margarita

Ok so as some of you may have noticed, V&B is now on Twitter.

Which is probably no big deal to you, but for me... huge.

You see, I don't tweet.  Or at least I didn't until last week.  Because I know nothing about it. 

And to be honest, I still don't really get it.  But I'm learning.

I signed up and then I was like.... ok now what?

I had to actually utilize the help section to see what I was supposed to even be doing.

I had to actually Google things like "RT" and "#FF" to see what those abbreviations meant.

Sad, I know.

My husband has a running comment about my blogging habits, where if I am on the computer for a while he'll ask if I'm 'vittling and bitting.'

Well last week I think I spent more time twittling than vittling.

Maybe it's karma for making fun of my dad, who for many years did not understand how to text message.

(FYI, he got over it, and now he goes crazy with the texts - "Enjoy ur weekendz, love 2 u both" was a text he sent to me & Mr. V last week.  Umm... what?)

Or maybe it's karma for laughing hysterically at my grandmother Yaya Vittles, who was about to open a large box from her children at Christmas and actually prayed "Please, Lord, don't let it be a computer - I'm too old to learn anything new."  (It was a CD player, not a computer).

And here I am...puzzled over Twitter.

Karma's a b*#$@^ isn't it?

At times like these, what really helps soothe the nerves is a nice adult beverage.

I'm actually not much of a drinker, however I am a sucker for margaritas.  One night a few weeks ago we were out with some friends and the margarita I ordered came with an orange slice in it.

It was delicious.

So when I found a margarita recipe a few days later that had not only a splash of OJ but also limoncello in it (why do you think I had limoncello available to make my strawberry shortcakes??) I was definitely intrigued.

I had to pick up a few items from the store, but I couldn't wait to make it.  And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. 

I tweaked the recipe to my taste, but the limoncello & orange juice are definitely a nice twist.  And although Mr. V doesn't typically like mixed drinks, he was surprised at how good this was.

A couple of these and... Twitter who?

Triple Citrus Margarita

• 3 oz. fresh lime juice (about 3 medium limes)
• 2 oz. limoncello
• 3 oz. triple sec
• 1/2 C. 100% agave tequila
• splash orange juice
• 1 to 2 t. agave nectar (optional)
• salt & lime zest of 1 lime, for garnishing rim of glasses (optional)

Set out two serving glasses.  If using zest, zest one of the limes and mix zest with salt on a small plate.  Cut a slice from the lime, and slit segment horizontally- place over rim of one of the glasses, and run around the edge.  Dip rim of glass into salt & zest mixture.  Repeat with other glass.

Place ice in cocktail shaker.  Add fresh lime juice, limoncello, triple sec, tequila, agave nectar (if using) and orange juice and shake to combine.   Serve in glasses straight up (or on the rocks), garnished with orange and/or lime slices if desired.  Serves 2.

Recipe Inspired by Gourmantine