I worked until 11:30p last night.
And I went to the dentist for a filling. And I didn’t get the prep done that I had planned for the catering gig this weekend.
This was well-deserved:
What had happened was…
I was wrapping up my work when I saw Rufus’ blog post titled “Christmas in a Glass.” My curiosity was piqued and 5 minutes later I was making myself a reward-in-a-glass. The only change I made was to use unsweetened almond milk rather than heavy cream.
Next time you need a little something to take the edge off of the holidays, I do recommend this deliciousness commonly known as a Brandy Alexander. Don’t skip the nutmeg.
An addtional recommendation is making a midnight snack of cereal in the same glass. Without rinsing it.
Raise your hand if you think I’m even more weird now!
____________________________________________________________________________________
One thing I did get done was a MASSIVE trip to the Dekalb Farmer’s Market. Cooking will begin in earnest tomorrow. In the meantime, check out my weaponry groceries:
This isn’t everything I need for a party of 40, but it is a big portion.
On the menu:
- White Bean Rosemary Dip
- Baked Brie with a Pecan-Bourbon Glaze
- Grape and Blue Cheese Truffles
- Rosemary Bread
- Endive Boats with Pomegranate, Pumpkin, and Champagne Vinaigrette
- Apple Sausage Chestnut Stuffing in Phyllo
- Pesto Chicken Wraps
- Pumpkin Fudge
- These Champagne and these Red Wine Balls
Can I pull it off? You’ll have to keep reading to see. Don’t you love a cliff-hanger?
***
I fell victim to the craziness and missed a workout for the first time in I don’t know how long. It was a good steak.
Are you staying on track this holiday season?
What is your favorite holiday drink? (Other than eggnog ’cause I don’t like it 
)
43 comments
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Matt @ The Athlete's Plate
December 15, 2011 at 8:24 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Grape and bleu cheese truffles? Mmmm…
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:13 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
For real. I’ll post the recipe.
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
December 15, 2011 at 8:29 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I would totally come and help you eat… I mean, cook…
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:13 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
At this point I will fly you down! The taste-testing is overwhelming.
Heather @ girlyeverafter
December 15, 2011 at 8:36 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m a fan of good hot cider during the holidays. Any other time I don’t care for it, but it’s on my favs list. Good luck w/ cooking;)
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean
December 15, 2011 at 8:38 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
omg i freakin love you for putting your cereal in that glass
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:14 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Cheers, my friend!
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family
December 15, 2011 at 9:28 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
A catering…I totally think you can pull it off. While drinking a couple of those “Christmas in a cup” you should breeze through it just fine
I don’t have a favorite holiday drink…more of an equal opportunity drinker (I drink with no seasonal conformities).
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:15 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Here’s to not conforming!
Runblondie26
December 15, 2011 at 9:31 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What an exciting opportunity! The menu sounds amazing. You’re a master at coming up with new flavor combos.
Too bad a trip to the Dekalb Farmer’s Market only happens once in a blue moon for us. Love that place.
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:16 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Have you ever been to the Buford Market? It’s apparently even more awesome. That may be a treat to myself next week.
Runblondie26
December 20, 2011 at 8:55 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Argh, don’t tell me it’s awesome! That’s even further for us than Dekalb. We live on the wrong side of town for just about everything but our jobs
The Forest Park Farmer’s market is pretty lame.
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family
December 15, 2011 at 9:39 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
No favorite holiday drinks for me. I am an equal opportunity drinker…my drinks know no seasonal boundaries.
I think you will do fantastic with your catering gig…a very tall order, but best of luck with all of it.
Corey @ Learning Patience
December 15, 2011 at 9:44 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You can do it Laura…the menu sounds delicious! The drink sounds um….interesting. My favorite Christmas drink is Hot chocolate spiked with Bailys and frangelico – YUMMY!
xoxo from Trinidad
Heather @ Better With Veggies
December 15, 2011 at 10:01 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Is it weird that I don’t think you’re weird?! =) I love the idea of Brandy Alexander followed by cereal in that glass, sounds delish! My favorite drink right now is Hot Maple-Nut Bourbon, more wintery than Christmasy, but I think it counts for both.
Good luck with all that cooking – the menu looks great!
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:17 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Whaaaat?! Please post that drink recipe.
Heather @ Better With Veggies
December 16, 2011 at 9:01 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hahah – it’s from October actually. Here’s the link: http://betterwithveggies.com/2011/10/veganizeit-clam-free-chowdah-and-hot-maple-nut-bourbon-veganmofo/
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 4:23 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing.
Lee
December 15, 2011 at 10:03 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My favorite drink is hot apple cider with some rum.
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:18 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Have you had hot buttered rum? That’s pretty tasty too.
Tiff
December 15, 2011 at 10:59 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oooo look at all the goodies! You scored some goods at the market. My fav holiday drink is a good Christmas ale or champagne. I drink champagne all the time, but it still feels festive!
Greg
December 15, 2011 at 11:07 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh that dip sounds awesome! Sounds like it’s going to be a great party. I think you now hold the record for the quickest time someone’s tried one of our recipes! Thanks for sharing.
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:19 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Ha! Call it perfect timing. I’m forever indebted.
Errign
December 15, 2011 at 11:11 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m so glad we’re in agreement about the nastiness that is ‘nog. My favorite holiday drink is a peppermint hot chocolate (with either peppermint syrup or schnapps). It has to be good hot chocolate though, not Swiss Miss or whatever!
Maggie @ kitchie coo
December 15, 2011 at 11:20 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Laura, I cannot wait to hear all about your catering gig! So excited for you, and what a great menu you have planned! Are you doing it all yourself or do you have little helpers?
And the drink? Totally deserved, you probably should have had two.
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:19 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you! I’m doing it all myself. Hence the drinking. LOL!
Kiri W.
December 15, 2011 at 11:34 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That is one gargantuan famer’s market haul! Wow!
I hear you – my day is shaping up in a way that might require some serious help with the Chritsmas spirit…
Christin@purplebirdblog
December 15, 2011 at 12:30 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Um, I’ll be right over, k? Everything on that list sounds super fab, and I have complete faith that you are going to rock it the eff out!!
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:20 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You keep threatening… I can’t wait until you pop up in ATL!
Thank you for the encouragement.
Carol @ Lucky Zucca
December 15, 2011 at 1:13 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Can you make that a party of 41 please? Thanks! I think my favorite holiday drink is cider! YUM!
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:21 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Come on! If you don’t have plans you are so welcome to join.
sportsglutton
December 15, 2011 at 6:04 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Where’s my invited to this party????
Alayna @ Thyme Bombe
December 15, 2011 at 8:58 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I actually think the cereal in your unwashed Brandy Alexander cup sounds fantastic. I love boozy coffee drinks this time of year, particularly a good irish coffee or one with chestnut liqueur. Good luck on all your food prep, you’ll make it happen!
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:22 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I don’t believe I’ve had chestnut liqueur… sounds awesome. Do they have it at Intermezzo?
Alayna @ Thyme Bombe
December 16, 2011 at 10:55 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think they did. I know they had coffee drinks with chestnut syrup in them, but I think there was an alcoholic version too. The chestnut liqueurs I’ve heard of are Marrone and Chesnique. Chestnut is becoming one of my very favorite cold weather flavors.
Hannah
December 15, 2011 at 9:34 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Darling, ever night I use the same bowl for chocolate, then dinner, then sweet cereal, then oatbran with peanut butter, then chips, then…. it all ends up in the same place in the end, so why not from the same bowl too?
Laura
December 16, 2011 at 12:22 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yesssss! That’s just my style.
Baker Street
December 16, 2011 at 2:00 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh yes, please! I would like your christmas in a glass right now very much.
Parsley Sage
December 16, 2011 at 7:04 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Weird? I think not, my friend. Uber-genius? ABSOLUTELY! I love your cereal idea. Well done!
…I’m all into whether or not you pull this thing off now so you better let us know! I’m sure you’ll be fine though. You’re like the super-organizer-puller-offer.
Shannon from Healthiful Balance
December 16, 2011 at 10:58 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yes, I’m trying to stay on track this holiday season!
My favorite holiday drink is tee or hot chocolate.. 
Hayley @ Oat Couture
December 17, 2011 at 3:34 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Somehow I missed this post but can you pull it off?! HELL YEYAHHH!! Your superwoman you can do anything!! Menu sounds amazing! Such a cool gig! Sending you lots of luck and positive thoughts for it to go as smoothly as possible!!
And my fave christmas drink is a toss up between mulled wine and hot apple cider, predictable I know! 
Laura
December 18, 2011 at 9:59 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you so much! It went really, really well.
I’ll raise a glass of cider your way this week!
Melissa
December 18, 2011 at 10:40 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Laura,
WOW! you have really blown me away.
I hope all went well.