Grand Marnier

I just finished my second batch of Grand Marnier!  And I am glad to announce it came out perfectly.
I did some research on the intranet to see if I could find some recipes...which I did not really like either very much.  One had you zest the oranges into a jar, add the brandy and the sugar, then shake it every day for 2 weeks.  I did 2 jars of that kind, one I left for a month, and it turned out much better than just 2 weeks.

The second recipe that I tried was to cut up the orange and put it in the brandy, then add simple syrup after 2 weeks...That one was so bad, I just threw it out!

So here is what I decided to do:
750 ml Brandy (whatever brand you want...I don't know much about it, so I just got a top shelf on sale)
6-8 oranges

I pealed the oranges trying to make sure all the pith (white stuff) was gone. Then I put them into a tight jar together for about a month.

After that, I made a simple syrup with 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup water, let it cool completely and add to brandy mixture.
Here is a photo from the first and second batches:



the second batch is much clearer.




Second batch, clear and smooth.



First batch tastes good, but very cloudy.



You can put it in the freezer to keep it cold.  Makes the most amazing margaritas or just plain as an aperitif.

My Thought Process

You know when you are thinking something and you wonder "how did I ever start thinking about this"?
Here is mine last night when I was laying in bed trying to go to sleep...

Some "extended family" members have developed this saying, which we repeat every night at bed time:
Sweet Dreams, Happy Rabbits,
One Pump of Soap,
No Scary Spiders...

I was thinking of that saying, when the Itsy Bitsy Spider came into my head...
Then it hit me, this is not just a child's nursery rhyme, it is a metaphor for life...and to think I grew up thinking that it was just about an icky spider, and always wondering why does he have to come back?

Then I started to think...well it is literal for spiders.
I am the rain that many a times came to wash the spider out...
And here is the water spout...

Soooo, after I walked away, did the 'sun' come out for the spider, and it climbed up the water spout? And was it so angry with me it decided to have little spider babies to celebrate it's triumphant rise to the top again?

Am I the reason for the proliferation of the daddy long leg species in my house?  Sweet dreams...

Oh, I forgot to mention that this post is much more exciting if you read it with a British accent.

The Metamorphosis of a Blog

I never thought I would ever blog...seemed so egotistical at the time...to talk about myself, things I like, things I am doing and then force my friends (even my son) to read it...sounds so desperate...but I have to admit that I enjoy it very much.

The idea of me blogging began with my Etsy shop. They continue to tell you that if you have a blog or some sort of social networking tool for people to get to know you, you will sell much more...didn't work for me. But I gave it a try. I spoke about what I was working on...the creative process (which for me is more of a journey that begins in my head and evolves along the way...how can you explain it?) which quite frankly I bored myself to death, so why would others want to read it!

Then due to health reasons, I closed both of my Etsy shops.

So then I am back to the beginning of talking about myself...Sophisticated Hipster...so, let me explain that.  It was the name of my shop chosen mostly because it was the first thing to pop into my head.  For me it embodies the idea of some one getting older, but still wanting to stay in fashion or explore who they are now and not being afraid of being that person...a metamorphosis to middle age, still wanting to be hip and cool, but not look too young for your age thus a sophisticated hipster!

Then I closed the shop...kept the name because I like it. changed the blog around to try and represent more of me and who I am.  And now I am free to talk about whatever I want! The rest of you are free to read whenever you want...except of course my family, I will still coerce you into diligently following and commenting...

And here is where I would like to give a shout out to my loyal reader in Tunisia who has stayed through the metamorphosis of this blog...Thanks

Reading the news and seeing images of Tunisia in turmoil, I thought I would post some nice photos I found on the world wide web.



So you can picture where Tunisia is.



Well, I have written what it seems is enough about this subject...and will return soon rambling about various things I love or hate, but I will make sure that it as entertaining as possible.

What about you? Do you have a blog, and what do you use it for? Soap box, family photos, creative outlet?
let me know your there...comment below.