Halloween Frenzy and a Maple Old Fashioned

October 28, 2015

The Minxes are absolutely, completely, stone-cold nuts about Halloween. It’s by far and away their favorite holiday; in fact, Miss D. has been pining for Halloween since mid-July. What kind of kid wants summer to hurry up and be over so she can focus on Halloween? I like Halloween just fine, but I’ve never wanted to squash summer to get there. That’s pretty hard core, if you ask me.

I’m not going to reveal their costumes yet–you’re going to have to wait for photographs–but I can assure you that Miss M. is not dressing up like a bitch this year. More’s the pity.

 

 

thekitchwitch-batwitch

 

This weekend, we had Mama and Daddy up for Sunday lunch to celebrate his 81st birthday. Happy birthday, Daddy-o! I even cooked pot roast for the occasion, which is a dicey proposition, because for some reason, I’ve never been able to master the humble pot roast. I’ve tried at least four times in the past and managed to bungle it. Gah! You’d think I’d give up, but I just can’t, because Daddy loves pot roast and I want to get it right for him. Look for an upcoming post on this year’s endeavor.

We were having lunch and reminiscing about Halloweens past, and I lamented that in Colorado, the weather often doesn’t cooperate on October 31st. I’d say about 50% of the time it’s cold, or windy, or rainy, or even snowy.  The girls are old enough now that they don’t throw a tantrum about donning coats over their costumes, but still, if you wait in gleeful anticipation for months for All Hallow’s Eve, it’s kind of a buzzkill if the weather’s so bad that you can’t enjoy hours of trick-or-treating.

Mama laughed and said, “Hey, Colorado weather is paradise compared to North Dakota at the end of October. Do you remember? It was always wretched out there.”

I do remember, vaguely, although I missed quite a few years of trick-or-treating in those early days. I always seemed to come down with some affliction on Halloween, whether it be a stomach bug or bronchitis or even pneumonia one year. It was a bummer for me, but Mama was secretly grateful; if I was sick, it gave her an excuse to hire a babysitter to haul my sister through the frigid neighborhood while she played nursemaid.

She deserved the rest, because she almost always sewed/crafted our costumes herself, and she didn’t mess around. She did a wonderful job. Look what she could do with a couple of old sheets!

IMG

I am the least skilled seamstress in the world and I suckity-suck at anything remotely crafty, so the girls have to settle for the costume store offerings. Sorry, girls.

The past couple of years, D. has wanted to trick-or-treat with her group of friends, and I understand. Luckily, my husband is thrilled to take Miss M. out, no matter the weather, and he’s sturdy and hardy of character. God forbid M. have to settle for me, with my poor circulation and wimpy disposition. The Mozz-man and I are happy to cuddle in and answer the doorbell and parcel out candy to visiting goblins.

My husband is rewarded for his efforts with a nice, strong cocktail upon his return. This year, I’m treating him to the perfect fall libation–a maple-infused old fashioned. It’s strong, spicy, a little sweet. Just like him.

 

 

P1060015

 

 

Maple-Infused Old Fashioned

makes 1

 

2 ounces bourbon (I like a kind of spicy one like Bulleit)

2 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice

1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

1 tablespoon grade B maple syrup

1-2 dashes bitters (I used orange bitters)

orange or grapefruit slice for garnish

 

Combine all ingredients except garnish in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for a minute until icy cold. Serve in a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with orange or grapefruit slice.

I hope you readers have a fabulous, festive and safe Halloween. So far, the forecast is looking good for us–it could be a little chilly by the time the sun sets, but we’ll take it!  Besides, it gives us an excuse to warm up with a nice cocktail in hand.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Camille Brightsmith October 28, 2015 at 7:52 am

OMG YUM!!!!! I will come take the girls trick or treating if you make me one!!!!!

Reply

Dana Talusani October 28, 2015 at 11:01 am

Ha! If you take my kids trick or treating, I’d maybe even make you two :) xoxo

Reply

Arnebya October 29, 2015 at 12:52 pm

I have officially started to dislike maple, even the smell of it. Make me something else when I visit, please.

Reply

Ayala October 30, 2015 at 6:02 am

Happy Birthday to your daddy and Happy Halloween !

Reply

Kel November 2, 2015 at 10:39 am

I have sympathy for you in the pot roast debacles, but I have to breathe a sigh of relief. If someone who is as good a cook as you can’t master it, it makes me feel a smidgen better about my own dismal failures. I’ve tried everything I can think of and I still manage to mess it up every time.

Happy Halloween, though! =)

Reply

S in AK November 2, 2015 at 1:18 pm

Know what you mean about the weather, jelly bean. FTR, you made the cutest witch, ever. What a sweet photo of you and your sister! If I flew down there, would you make me an old-fashioned? ; )

Reply

Cancel reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: