Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Hot Apple Cider for One ♥

 
 
I'll never forget the first time I made my husband this hot apple cider.  It was a few years ago and I had just discovered how easy it was to prepare at home.  Literally just heat up cider, add a few spices, a splash of OJ, and a cinnamon stick. That's it. Up until then I had only gotten hot cider when we went apple picking or occasionally at a restaurant as treat.  It had never occurred to me that I could make it at home. It's so delicious on a cold, damp, Fall day. ♥
 
One Sunday Rob was watching a football game and I offered him some cider.  To my delight he said yes.  I prepared it for him and put it an a fancy mug with a cinnamon stick.  "Enjoy!" I said as I left the room.  A little while later when I came back to collect the cup I noticed the cinnamon stick was gone.... I asked how he liked the cider and he said it was really good, but he didn't care for the cookie! OMG - he ate the cinnamon stick!!! Has anyone ever eaten a cinnamon stick??? I didn't think it was possible???  When I told him that he wasn't supposed to actually EAT the cinnamon stick he said "good, because it tasted terrible".  True story ♥
 
Every Fall, as soon as the cider hits the market I buy it.  I love heating it at night, curling up on the couch with a cozy blanket, and sipping a big mug of it.  Last week I put some in a thermos and brought it to work. It was raining that day and the cider (and cinnamon) made my day so much better.  For me this is a Fall staple.  For some reason it only appeals to me in October & November. 
 
 
 
All I do is take a cup of cider (I measure it in the mug I'm going to drink it in first, then dump it into a little sauce pan) and heat it with a splash of OJ, a few dashes of cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg, and (of course) a cinnamon stick.  Let it come to a boil then shut off the heat.  Stir it up until all the spices absorb and carefully pour it back into the mug.  If you desire you could also add a little something "extra" like brandy or bourbon and turn it into a hot toddy.  This is really nice on coooold nights.  You will sleep like a baby ♥
 
 
 
 
I've been nursing a cold all week and this cider, along with my mom's chicken soup are the only things that are making me feel better.  Leftover Halloween candy is helping too : )
 
Earlier this week I was feeling crafty and started dipping pinecones in melted candle wax to make ornaments.  I'm all done except for hot gluing bows on top.  I had to stop because I got sick, but hopefully I'll finish them up this week and I'll post a DIY.  They came out really cute and are getting me into a holiday mood!
 
 
 
 
I can't believe it's already November.  Thanksgiving is three weeks away!  I just booked tickets for a Polar Express train ride in December and next weekend I'm going away overnight with my Mom on our annual "girls only/Christmas shopping/craft fair/Yankee Candle extravaganza".  Every November we go up to the Yankee Candle Village in Deerfield, MA.  It's about 3 hours from here.  We shop like crazy and then the next morning we go to a huge Christmas Craft Fair in Springfield, MA.  By the time we are through the car is jammed with presents and smells like a giant Christmas tree!  We drink tea, eat chocolate covered apples in the car, and tell funny stories.  We've been doing this for over 10 years and it's one of my favorite weekends of the year! (read about last year's trip here).  Have you started thinking about the holidays yet? It's not too soon, right?  
 
Hope you all are having a wonderful week.  Autumn is going by so fast....xo
 

7 comments:

  1. Oh, Danielle, what a lovely post! You have got me smiling this morning with the story about your husband eating the cinnamon stick! The poor guy!
    Last year, I made Susan's recipe for hot apple cider and I loved it. I like how you make the apple cider just for one person It sounds so simple and delicious! I hope your cold is gone by now.
    Your annual mother/daughter overnight shopping trip sounds like SOOO much fun! I wish I could go too! I love Yankee candles, Christmas craft fairs, and everything about it! Enjoy all the magic of the holidays and precious time with your mom! xo

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  2. Oh no! Here we are, so much alike, once again. Every year my Mom, my 2 sisters & I go on a girls only Christmas shopping trip. We start out early...go to breakfast, lunch & dinner. We have a blast, shopping, laughing & eating!

    Would you believe I've never tried hot cider before? I may just give this a try. So funny about the cinnamon stick! lol

    I hope you feel better soon!

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  3. Hi Danielle, You are going to Love Susan's New book, A Fine Romance!
    Lynnie

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  4. that cracked me up!! That cinnamon stick must have been so spicy!! Awww. But at least it makes for a funny story?

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  5. This is such a dreamy blog post! I love reading about you and your mums annual trip..it sounds so exciting! We are feeling very festive here and just cannot wait to get the decorations out : )

    Gemma x

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  6. Well, it's not often that I have a good, long laugh over a blog post, but this was wonderful! Such a funny story to remember for a long time to come! :) Found your blog via Susan Branch's tweet. :) I'm glad to have found you and am sure I will drop by again!

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  7. Btw, you can visit me at http://golightlyplace.blogspot.com!

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