Two Cents Worth
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And now the fun begins!
You know you love it. With all the griping, whining, moaning and complaining, you know you love Christmas. Even with the sour looks, grumpy comments, weary displays and bah humbugs you express, you know you love it. You are not fooling me one bit.
Have all of the supplies I need to start my baking. A friend who went with me to find the specialty ingredients and flours asked if I didn’t have a recipe that required ordinary flour. Since I don’t have many gifts to buy and no recipients who expect anything expensive I feel I can share some of my special, new and exciting baking. It’s fun.
I have also stocked up my bar. I rarely drink so when I go to the liquor store I have to depend on the experts. The woman who helped me this week was excellent in guiding me to the right kind of purchases to impress any guest. I may not drink but I want to put together a good bar.
After telling her I didn’t like any wine but wanted wine that an aficionado would be delighted to drink she talked me through it. I am not convinced everyone who says they know wine actually does but I am sure my selections will satisfy.
Since developing a taste for bourbon - neat, I thought my next attempt should be scotch. I asked a devotee, what would be a good kind to buy. With enthusiasm he explained a bit about the drink and suggested a brand. I came to the liquor store with that in hand. The attendant explained the difference between single malt and blended and pointed out the best brands one of which was what my friend has suggested. That stuff is expensive and since I am a beginner scotch drinker I got a small bottle.
At home I looked up the proper way to handle scotch. There is a definite way to drink it, as any scotch drinker will tell you. Don’t have a proper, tulip-shaped glass but figured what I had would have to do. I swirled and sniffed deeply. And again several times. Not sure if I detected the peatiness, fruitiness, caramel or whatever but it smelled pretty good. I then took a tiny sip and allowed it to coat my tongue, swishing it over the inside of my mouth before allowing it to go down my throat. I coughed and my eyes watered. It’s powerful stuff. I waited a bit and did it again and this time didn’t cough. Don’t know what I tasted because it kind burned my mouth and throat. I added three drops of water and allowed it to mellow a bit as per instructions and found that to be a less intense experience.
Don’t expect I will become a scotch drinker but it should impress anyone who comes to my bar, right?
I cheaped out on the vodka getting only the second-best brand because most folks put it in orange juice anyway.
As I was leaving the store with my box of booze the expert told me the white wine had to be chilled, the red at room temperature but to uncork the red wine about an hour before serving.
Cookies and booze what more could anyone want for Christmas, right?