Holiday Cocktail Creation

 

A friend had a party last week that involved a cocktail pot-luck. She and her husband provided the basic alcohols and mixers, but asked guests to bring a recipe for a unique cocktail and any specialty ingredients associated with said concoction. This marked the Dabbler's first foray into drink mixology. My creation? The Cappucini (I debated whether to call it a Capputini, but determining that the 'ch' sound is essential to the espresso element of the drink, settled on a tini-less moniker).

And here's the recipe:

1 oz. vanilla flavored vodka
1 oz. espresso, room temperature or cooled
1 oz. half and half (and for dieters, regular milk should suffice)

Shake over ice in a cocktail mixer, pour, and top with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Optional: add a swirl of chocolate syrup into the shaker before mixing and this will yield...you guessed it, a Mochacini!

Additionally, it occurred to me after the fact that a touch of Kahlua or Creme de Cacao might make for a slightly smoother (or sweeter) blend, though this theory remains untested. But as mixed above, you will find yourself both getting drunk and staying awake in no time at all. For those of us who avoid drinking beverages with any sort of egg component, consider it a nog alternative.

Enjoy, and happy holidays!

The Garage Project

 

Uninspired Edition

For some reason I have not been compelled to post anything on my blog as of late (though I am pondering an entry regarding how a Jew might decorate for the holidays without looking like a gentile).

But some of you have been asking about the garage, and since progress has been swift (thanks to our efficient contractor Olive), the project will be complete if I wait much longer to show you photos. I wouldn't want to rob anybody of the pleasure that comes with tracking the stages of a minor construction endeavor, so below you'll find pictures covering the last few weeks. Advance apologies for the short entry, but the muse has abandoned the Dabbler for the time being.




















Above: Olive with a day laborer she picked up at the Home Depot at Wilton and Sunset on 11/21. Olive was concerned the house wouldn't get framed, but she whipped labradoodle Diego into shape and the two made strides.




















Above: Compassionate boss Olive gives Diego a water break even though he is non-union.















Above: This is what the garage looked like on November 28th, at dusk.















Above: This is the garage on December 7th. What a difference a week or so makes.





















Above: Bathroom, 11/28




















Above: Bathroom, 12/7, complete with pocket door and installed bathtub.

Now, I must leave you to brush up on my grammar, as tomorrow I embark on my new volunteer job as a writing tutor at 826LA. If only I could remember the difference between who and whom I would feel so much more comfortable...