PenguinCraft

Well hello, didn't see you there.

I'd started to write a blog post the other day about a delicious recipe for Hot Toddies that I made, and an equally delicious recipe for Corn Chowder that I made the same day. (It was nice and cozy that day. I got distracted though.....waaay distracted.

I'm taking a new tack with my life I think. I'd done months of research and writing and planning for jobs I could do to get myself out of my current work situation. I finally hit on a great idea. I have Etsy to thank. I kept trying to think of ways I could work from home, something I could make and sell to the general populous seemed like the ideal situation. The problem was, what do I make? I spend a lot of time crafting items....lots of them.... of various kinds. It occurred to me that maybe I shouldn't be choosing what to sell to people.....maybe THEY should be choosing for me. So I've opened a shop on Etsy. I've posted a number of different types and styles of things that I make. Starting with the ones that seem to be the most well-received as gifts at Christmas. It's taken work, and research, and will continue to be an uphill battle for a little while, but this is what I like to do, so why not do it.

So, today includes no photos, but there will now be a new section on my blog where you'll get to see items from my Etsy shop.

You can find me there at PenguinCraft

Warm nights by the not-fire

So the other day it was coooold out and I was craving warm food. I was flipping through recipe books looking for something warm and delicious and stumbled across a recipe for Hot Toddies. Now for all you non-English folks (english heritage not english speaking.....or maybe ALSO english speaking....but if you don't speak english how are you reading this???) a "Hot Toddy" is a wonderful, creamy, rum based drink designed to warm you up on cold nights (believe me this works). This recipe is adapted from "Company's Coming - The Rookie Cook" book

I also made a delicious corn chowder, but that will be for the next post.

Hot Toddies
Ingredients:

For a batch of mix you'll need:
4 cups vanilla ice cream (splurge on the good stuff, no cheaping out)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups icing sugar
1 cup butter (real butter, softened...or melted like mine was)
1 tbsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice

For each drink you'll need:
1 1/2 - 2 oz of rum (pick your favourite smooth light rum)
boiling water

Toddy Mix Directions
1. Mix all the mix ingredients in a BIG bowl. (See my pictures for the hilarity of making a big mess in a small bowl....it DID all fit in the bowl once I mixed it, so I'm not entirely an idiot).

Sugars and Butter

Ice Cream Goes IN

Delicious Spices Are Added

2. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Stir it again before using because it will separate. (If you'd like it to separate less, add a fake egg to the mix using Pane Riso powder and water, do NOT use real eggs).

See! It All Fits!

Hot Toddy Drinks Directions

1. For each drink put 3 tbsps of mix in a large mug, add 1 shot (1 1/2-2oz) rum and fill mug with boiling water to taste.

2. Stay warm.