Thursday, December 23, 2010

nothing says Christmas like eggnog and ribbon

I got it into my head to try making homemade eggnog this year, so I contacted the three people I know of who have made eggnog before, and all three pointed me to this recipe.  I was making it for my little sister's Sub-for-Santa party, so in the interest of feeding teenagers  I went the cooked route and substituted a little (2 tsp) imitation rum extract for the bourbon.  Jeff's recommendation to allow 1 egg per person when figuring out quantities for the recipe was spot-on. I also warmed my egg whites in a glass bowl over simmering water before beating them so they were raised to a "safe" temperature as well.   However, since the "foam" was not terrifically popular with my audience, I think next time I'll just make peppermint meringues with the whites and serve them on the side.

eggnogness

Have you ever tried homemade eggnog?  You'll never go back.

Also - I've had requests to see the bows I've been cranking out this Christmas.  I thought about making a video - but there's no one but me to hold the camera.

Supplies: wrapped present, scissors, and lots of ribbon.  It needs to be double-faced and preferably wire-edged.  Also optional is some fine gauge wire. (If you want to re-use your bow I recommend the wire)

bow supplies

Begin with a piece of ribbon cut and tied in a square knot around your package.

prepared present

1.) Allow a tail for your bow, then fold/pinch the ribbon between your fingers.

step 1

2.)  twist the lead of your ribbon 180 degrees, and keep the twist of the ribbon within the part of the ribbon you are pinching.

step 2

3.)  fold over a loop of your ribbon proportionate to the size of bow you want and then bring the ribbon back into your pinch and twist again.

step 3

4.)  repeat this process until you have at least 5 loops on each side of your pinch.  Make sure you finish with a tail on the opposite side of the pinch from your initial tail.

step 4

5.)  at this point you can wrap and twist your fine gauge wire around your pinch, Or you can just tie a knot or double knot around your pinch with the ribbon already on  your present.

step 5

step 5

6.)  Cut all your tails into inverted V's by folding them in half then cutting on an angle.

step 6

step 6

7.)  Now you preen.  Adjust and poof your loops around until they resemble a dome shape.  Crush each loop a little for a fuller, crinkled effect.

step 7

8.)  If you practice that at least 10 times you will find you can do it fast enough to justify prettying up lots of presents this way.  (and anything else that needs a bow - like my wreaths... and these bows are the base of most corsages.)

And now you know.....

3 comments:

hairyshoefairy said...

The bow is lovely. It makes me want to pull out all the gifts I wrapped last night and put bows on all of them. I'd need to get some wired ribbon, though. And hooray for home-made egg nog.

--jeff * said...

thanks for endorsing the pleasures of homemade nog on here. now it'll finally get the wide exposure it deserves. : )

The Perry family said...

thanks for sharing, I'll have to try both!

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