December 19, 2008
Dalkeith, ON

Word up from Sweetlandish Siberia and the frozen glacial fields of Ontario farm heaven. It's a balmy minus 18 degrees Celsius (That's zero Fahrenheit my precious Americanos) BEFORE windchill, and dropping! Just in from a trip to town for supplies, hauled some wood and am now snuggling by the fire, waiting for the mother of all storms to hit tonight. Lyndell and I have perfected the recipe for hot toddies which I'm calling "Appley Snickets" in honour of the secret ingredient (cider!) and the omnipresence of true Lemony goodness. Try it at home, kittens:

Pour as much apple cider as you can dream of drinking in a big pot. Add pileloads of shredded and pressed ginger. Then, squeeze in the juice of one giant lemon ... or two. Bring to a boil then simmer gently for so long as you can stand not drinking it. When it's strong, strain out ginger then add the aqua vitae of your choice (whiskey is GOOD!) Drink and enjoy while it cures everything that's ever been wrong with you in your life.

And when you're done ... midnight snowshoe mission, anyone?

x
K