Today has begun as it often does for me - with a cup of hot spiced Chai. I've been hooked on this delicious tea ever since I was introduced to iced Chai about seven years ago. At that time, there weren't any commercial brands available on the grocery shelves but I spoiled myself from time to time at Starbucks or other gourmet coffee shops. In recent years, it seems that every tea manufacturer has at least one blend of my favourite tea available, and so my cupboards are full of various brands which were purchased in pursuit of the tastiest one. It turns out that they're all pretty much the same, so lately I'm sticking with the widely available Lipton's. With a bit of honey and a splash of vanilla, its milky smoothness is the perfect morning alternative to coffee.There have been other mornings this winter when tea or coffee were not the first sips of the day, and I thank blame Frank for that. This winter has been a cold and snowy one, and despite subtle signs of spring, it's not quite over yet. There have been mornings with windchills of -25 Celsius (-13 Fahrenheit), and though layers of clothing sure do help keep us warm on the outside, a little something extra is occasionally desired required for the inside. So we've been known to fill a small, pocket-sized bottle with experimental mixtures, perfect for sipping while out walking early or late in the day. Frank claims that I "hog all of the belly-warmer," that my sips are actually gulps, and that his mini-bottle usually lasts him three ventures into the woods when he's alone. The bottle only holds 100ml (just over 3 ounces), so I suppose anything more that a lip-wetting would make a significant dent in it. Besides, it's his own stroke of brilliance fault for even introducing me to the concept of drinking alcohol in the morning.
Of course these sweet mixtures are not exclusive to morning and evening strolls into the woods. They're just as delectable served on ice in a tumbler, and we frequently enjoy sipping on one during the course of an evening while preparing dinner, playing cribbage or while watching a movie. Part of the fun is in the guessing. One of us will mix the two, or sometimes three ingredients, and the other will try to guess which components have made up the flavour-du-jour. Usually, it takes several sips before we can determine what it is.
Occasionally one or the other of us has mentioned that we really should keep track of the combinations that work. So far, neither of us have - at least not in writing. They're worth the effort though, so I'm going to share some of the better concoctions that Frank and I have discovered, and taken the liberty of naming. A ratio of fifty-fifty works well for most of them, but you may want to go heavier on the flavour you like best.
Peppermint Pattie: Peppermint Schnapps and Creme de Cacao combined in such a way that you'd swear you just bit into a Peppermint Pattie or a Junior Mint - very refreshing!
Jäger-Schläger: A combination of Goldschläger - cinnamon liqueur with the real flakes of gold and Jägermeister - a sort of fortified tonic. Even better if you replace the Goldschläger with the stronger-tasting Fireball (a flavoured corn whisky shooter).
Hot Pepper: A spicy mixture of Fireball and Peppermint Schnapps. Wait for the burn!
Pepperetto: A delicious marriage of Peppermint Schnapps (yes, it shows up in a lot of our drinks) and Amaretto. This one is my personal favouite.
Black Forest Cacao: Creme de Cacao blended with Cherry Whisky. You'll have to imagine the whipped cream.
Sambucca Sizzle: Combine Fireball with the mild, black licorice flavour of Sambucca for a surprisingly yummy taste.
Also delicious in combination with many of the above, and with each other are: French Kiss (vanilla flavoured), Orange Brandy (tastes the same as Grand Marnier, but is much less expensive), Drambuie, coffee-flavoured liqueur such as Bolivar and peach-flavoured Southern Comfort.
If you experiment with any of these mixtures, I'm sure you'll come up with something you'll love. Pour yourself a drink and come join me on a late-day walk as seen through my eyes and my camera - enhanced only slightly by the glow of a sip or two.
Please click each of the photos for their larger images.
After walking through an open, windy field, we entered this lovely cedar grove at dusk. It was rewarding to take a break and bask in the warmth of the setting sun.
The early evening sun lends its glow to the creek which winds its way through most of the walking path.
Though the water runs swiftly, the air is still cold enough to form ice clusters on the wet branches and rocks.
This tree stump seemed to glow in the light of the setting sun.
A sign of spring! Frank told me about these tiny bugs the previous day when he first noticed them on the surface of the snow. A bit of Googling and I learned they were Winter Stoneflies. Apparently they come out of the creek in the early spring sunshine, feed on vegetation, mate and lay their eggs back into the creek. It took a macro photograph to reveal that they actually have wings.
We also saw this snow spider.
Inevitably, whenever I tried to photograph subsequent bug sightings, SOMEBODY came running to trample the surrounding snow, burying them in the process. But who couldn't forgive this adorable snow-covered face?
Back at my park, Frank spotted this cardinal perched on a branch. Only a hint of his typical bright red shows up in the dusky light.
I took a few shots of the setting sun as it lit up the tree branches. I couldn't decide which one to post, so I've included them all.
The park was on fire with golden sunshine.
Fiery colours light up the branches.
Trees reach out and cast their shadows in the late day light.
The lake reflects the warmth of the colourful sky.
The sky's colours deepen over the rooftops. It's time to go home for a drink.