The Best Kind of Cheer

Eggnog Martini

There’s no way around it. This time of year is hectic for all of us. I mean that in a “non-stop list of things that need to be done to make your life festive” kind of way.

Evenings and weekends have become a blur of shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating (inside and out) and organizing gifts for teachers and caregivers. The day-to-day parts of life don’t go anywhere either–the laundry, grocery shopping, meal preparation and chauffeuring services–they all need to be taken care of as well.

I guess that I’ve given you a hint to what my weekend was like. It was jam-packed, but I must admit it was fun-filled as well. One of the more unusual tasks was the time I spent assembling and altering a very special costume. You see, I’m on a first name basis with Fritz from the play Beauty and the Beast put on by a group of young people in our neighbourhood.

Behind the scenes with Fritz from Beauty and the Beast and her younger sister.

But all that costume prep was well worth it because it was a very special and memorable production. You can see for yourself. Here’s Fritz in action:

Fritz (far left-hand side) in action during a Beauty and the Beast performance.

So obviously there are some rewards to all of this work. But, there’s another reward that I look forward to at the end of a long day . . . the holiday cocktail.

It’s the best kind of cheer, isn’t it? My new favourite holiday cocktail is an Eggnog Martini. I love eggnog, but I’m not a huge fan of rum and eggnog. Made with Amaretto and Vodka, this martini is a great alternative. My husband and I had these while we trimmed the tree last week, and then again tonight after we returned home from the big performance. I think it’ll become a holiday tradition for years to come.

Hope that you can find time to put up your feet, relax and enjoy the best kind of cheer.

Eggnog Martini

Adapted from Single Minded Women

• 1 ounce Amaretto
• 3/4 ounce Vodka
• 3.5 ounce eggnog
• pinch of nutmeg

Add ice, eggnog, vodka and Amaretto to a martini shaker. Shake for a minute. Pour into martini glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Makes 1. Repeat as many times as necessary.

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