Hot Buttered Rum

So we're at Winflo and I saw a Hot Toddy on the cocktail list. I've never been much of a whiskey girl, so I asked for a hot "something other than whiskey" toddy. The bartender happily obliged and was excited to get to mixing. He came back with a delightful concoction of dark rum, kahlua, hot water, lemon, and a tiny cube of butter slowly melting on top.

I closed my eyes and delightfully inhaled the different aromas as the steam warmed my face. It was scrumptious before I even took my first sip. So you can imagine how much better it went from there...

The drink reminded me of the first time we were introduced to Hot Buttered Rum. It was at Henry's bar, housed in the Harbor View Hotel on Martha's Vineyard. The hotel said they do their version with spiced rum, butterscotch schnapps, and some hot water.

Everyone seems to have their own take on how to make the hot drink. Google recipes for Hot Buttered Rum and most recipes start with an infused butter. But let's be honest, who has the time and patience for that.

Yes, it's a total calorie splurge since Hot Buttered Rum is rum and butter, but once in a while it just hits the spot. Here's my simple, easy make-at-home recipe:

Glass Carafe and Cup

I always enjoy having water on the bedside table.

Practical and pretty.

LBJ National Park, Home on the Range

On this Presidents' Day, we visit the home of the 36th President, Lyndon B. Johnson, also known as the Texas White House. The Texas White House is located in Johnson City, which as you may have guessed, was founded by ancestors of Lyndon Johnson.

 

President Johnson had many early memories growing up in his aunt and uncle's house, so later he purchased the property to preserve and relive all of his childhood memories.

The house is full of the Johnsons' personal items, one of which being his hat collection with most hats safely stored in their original boxes. He was a Texan after all...

He was a man that took pride in his clothing and accessories. As such, here's a little Presidential guy humor, guidance for the next time you need to order a pair of pants.

So LBJ somehow convinced Mrs. Johnson that they needed to install a pool, for health purposes, so he could swim laps. But it was more common than not to see Mr. Johnson planting a big ole belly flop off the diving board.

Instead of a guestbook, the Johnsons would have visitors sign their name in stone. Pretty cool.

Winter at The Greenbrier

Though its most popular in the summer, I love The Greenbrier in the winter.

The Greenbrier truly is a trip back in time to the ways of old. Let's take a ride in a two horse open sleigh... 

Nestled in between West Virginia's mountainous state parks, the views are spectacular.

The golf course, Old White, covered in a blanket of white snow

Rain or shine, warm or cold, the original 1778 spring still flows wildly in its rotunda.

Not really a day for tennis...

A Booth made for Two

It's been cold and snowy on the East Coast.

If you're in DC, it's the perfect time to snuggle up in the Martin's two-seater.

Burt's Bees Hand Salve

I don't know about you, but come wintertime, my hands are sad. They're cold, and dry, and crying for help. They're looking for salvation. And this winter I think I have finally found it - Burt's Bees Hand Salve.

Picadillo Dip

 It's that time of year again… Superbowl Sunday! And while others patiently await in anticipation for the football game itself, I am perched on the edge of my seat to put together a plethora of eats for the occasion. This year, my star player will be a Picadillo Dip.

Ingredients

2 large onions, finely chopped

2 Tablespoons butter, or bacon grease*

2 lbs. ground beef

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons ground cloves

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons sugar

2 10-oz cans of Rotel tomatoes and green chilies

1 cup of raisins

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted**

Salt to taste

Dinner at Texas French Bread

It started as a bakery with an after hours underground dining club. Now open to more than just close family and friends, dinner at Texas French Bread is an ever-changing joyous experience.

With a menu that rotates weekly, it's printed, popped up on the chalkboard, and uploaded online in a surprisingly timely manner.

Dinner options change based on ingredients sourced from nearby farms, but don't worry they keep it nice and simple. There's usually a beef, a pork, a chicken, a pasta, and loads upon loads of veggies - plenty to please all.

Here was the menu for the week of January 25th:

Always a good idea to start with the mussels and order up a side of the frites!

This week's market salad featured a pickled watermelon radish, ever so refreshing. 

The Ravioli of the Season remains a staple on the menu that customers just can't live without. To many a dismay, it is served as an appetizer, but order up two and make it an entree! Here we have spinach with ricotta, chèvre, and peashoots.

The beef short rib of course fell right off the bone. It was perfect. I just wish it were Kosher to order two!

Brunch at Cipollina

Italian fare with a bistro vibe, Cipollina is a favorite hidden gem for those in the Clarksville area of Austin. The menu is of course seasonal, with a chef ready to give anything and everything a try. And boy, do they get creative...

Today let's talk brunch, starting with the Pork Belly Benedict (pictured below with the hollandaise on the side). A healthy portion of pork and a perfectly poached egg atop a classic Texas biscuit. Toss on a tomato and you can't get much better than that.

There's the Frittata filled with seasonally fresh vegetables, a touch of cheese, and served right up in the cast-iron skillet. It's filling, healthy, and delicious!

A side of fruit? More like a big ole bowl! Definitely a generous portion and sliced to perfection.

Paraduxx, or Pair of Ducks

I mean, how cute is this bottle of wine?!

Added bonus: it's a really good tasting Red.

Matzo Ball Soup

It's cold season in more ways than one. And one of the best cures for the cold is chicken noodle soup, or some version thereof. I still have yet to get my hands on my Grandma's chicken noodle soup recipe, but in the meantime, I came across a close comp - Bubbe's Famous Matzoh Ball Soup. 

Ingredients

1 store-bought Rotisserie Chicken

16 cups of water

6 carrots, washed and peeled

6 stalks of celery, washed

1 onion, peeled

3 parsnips, washed and peeled

1 Bay leaf

2 Tablespoons of Salt

1 cup Matzo Meal

3 eggs

3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

1/4 teaspoon of pepper

Important - cook and prep time will make this just shy of a 6-hour process, but it is so well worth it! Plus, most of that time is just letting the liquid do its own thing, so find a good movie to hunker down on the couch in between steps.

Rome, Italy

The ancient city of Rome... A power house rich with history.

ROME BY DAY

The Colosseum

Looking up and around you hear the roaring of the spectators, feel the courage of the gladiators, and you yourself feel small. 

The Ruins

Sure you can buy a pass to tour the Roman Forum, but what really amazes me is that Roman ruins can be seen just walking down the street. They are all around the Eternal City. It's amazing that the ancient architecture has been able to be preserved. They just don't make 'em like they used to…

One of the many angels lining the Ponte Sant'Angelo with a view of St. Peter's and Vatican City.