Droughts and Fasting

My first few days of the challenge have been interesting. I've tried some interesting new foods (the kind of things that my sponsored child in Ghana would eat), cut down on portion sizes for certain meals, and tried to focus on plainer/more natural/cheaper foods. In addition to the diet changes I've changed up my working habits somewhat. Instead of starting an evening of cleaning offices by turning on podcasts, I play soothing Gregorian chants and try to concentrate on prayer. I struggle with my thoughts constantly straying, but I feel better just for shutting off the constant barrage of information and letting myself think. 

Ideas happen to come to you when you think, and one idea that came to me recently concerned the drought that has been plaguing Northwest Arkansas (the whole Midwest, actually) for several months. Record high temperatures for weeks on end, no rainfall, the sun beating down like a hammer and cloudless skies laughing cruelly in our faces--it's been a time of testing. This summer has taught us several important things:

Spring Has Sprung!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everybody! I don't know if there's an early spring where you are, but here in Northwest Arkansas it feels like the middle of April already. I think last year at about this time we were under a few feet of snow....

Here are a few photos to celebrate the new season; there's plenty of green going on here! 

Snow!

I just wanted everyone to know that we have six whole inches of snow! This is no small feat for Arkansas. I can't remember the last time we had this much! We'll be sledding all day today, no doubt about it.

What do all of you fine followers do when the snow piles up? Do you stay inside with mugs of hot cocoa? Make a snowman? Take pictures? Clip your toenails?

The End of an Era...

It's official. The Christmas season is over. The Valentine's Day candy is out on the shelves. Gone are the exquisite gingerbread, peppermint, and mocha holiday coffee creamers, gone are the bright reds and greens on every end-cap. Santa has left the dairy section. The most dreaded result of this catastrophe? Eggnog is no more! As you can see from the picture, I've drained the dregs of the last of our eggnog stash, and am getting pretty desperate. 

But really, there's no need to go into post-nog-depression, there is hope! Even if Wal-mart refuses to give us the nectar of life year-round, we can fend for ourselves creating something truly spectacular--homemade eggnog. Yes, don't freak out, it can be done. I've found a highly rated recipe on Recipezaar.com, and am posting it here. Hopefully it will bring a little "spice" into your otherwise dull, colorless, eggnog-free January.


(By the way, the recipe's author says that it's great without the alcohol, a good thing for teetotalers like me!)

Traditional Eggnog

Recipe #15340 | 25 min | 25 min prep | 

20 Cups (change servings and units)

Ingredients

• 12 large egg whites
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 12 egg yolks
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 7 cups whole milk
• 2 cups light rum
• 1 cup whiskey (rye or scotch)
• 1 dash nutmeg

Directions

1. 
   

   1

   You will need 3 medium to large bowls.
2. 
   

   2

   In the first bowl beat egg whites until they start to thicken.
3. 
   

   3

   Add 1 cup sugar, beat until thick.
4. 
   

   4

   In the second bowl: Beat egg yolks and salt until thick.
5. 
   

   5

   Combine beaten egg whites with yolks and beat until mixed and thick.
6. 
   

   6

   In a third large bowl beat cream until it starts to thicken.
7. 
   

   7

   Add 2 tbsp sugar & vanilla to the beaten cream.
8. 
   

   8

   Add milk, rum & whiskey beating continually (for non alcoholic eggnog omit the alcohol and add artificial rum flavoring doing it a tsp at a time until you achieve the desired taste).
9. 
   

   9

   Combine all the ingredients, and chill.
10. 
    

    10

    Serve with a garnish of a sprinkle of nutmeg on top of each glass.

Link to recipe on Recipezaar