The Smell of Autumn in the Air
by Colleen B. |
November 18, 2010 11:46 AM |
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Colleen B.
Location:
Alliance, NE
Favorite Flavor:
French Vanilla - this week. I am always changing my mind, so many flavors to choose from.
How do you have fun (hobbies, sports, vacations, etc.)?
Run and spend time with my family.
If you could travel back in time, what era would you live in?
Late 1800s.
What’s your favorite meal? Do you cook?
I love to cook and bake. My favorite meal is anything homemade - can't beat it.
What holiday do you most look forward to, and why?
I love Christmas - it makes me feel like a child again.
Autumn is my favorite season of all. I love watching the changing of the leaves from a vibrant green to brilliant golds, reds and browns. The best part of fall leaves is waiting until they have all fallen and you can crunch through them. I am smiling as I am writing this. It makes me feel like a child again.
My family also waits for this time of year to arrive because it inspires me to cook and bake all the time. They look on with anticipation to see what I will be "whipping" up next. I love filling our house with the scents of spices and aromas of food being created.
One recipe I love to make and enjoy myself is Chai Tea. After the house is quiet, and the boys are put to sleep. It is great to have a little "me" time. I love sitting down with a steaming mug of Chai mix I created. The sweet smell of the spices and velvety texture on my tongue is so relaxing.
The best part about this mix is it makes a great gift for the holidays. I make extra when I create a batch to have on hand. I put the mix in glass jars and decorate them with seasonal ribbons and bows and include the instructions and recipe. That way when I am invited to a Thanksgiving gathering or a Christmas party, I always have something homemade to bring along.
Go ahead try my “Chai Tea” recipe below and find some "me" time during the busy holiday season to enjoy.
- 1 cup COFFEE-MATE Original Powder
- 1 ¼ cups COFFEE-MATE French Vanilla Powder
- 1 Cup nonfat dry milk powder
- 2 ½ cups white sugar
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened instant tea (decaf if you don't want the caffeine)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
Combine all the ingredients into a large bowl. Place the mixture into a blender and mix until it is a fine powder. If you do not blend it into a fine powder - when the mix is used it will be grainy and the flavors will not incorporate properly. Use two rounded tablespoons of mix in an 8oz mug of hot water. If you like Chai Tea richer - add some scalded milk to the mug before the hot water.
After making myself a cup, I put up my feet, warm in slippers, and sip on the steaming mug of Chai Tea... yum. What a great way to end my busy day. It allows me to drift off to the happy times I know we will have over the busy holiday season ahead. I love this time of year, experiencing it through the eyes of my children with COFFEE-MATE in hand.