New Years

Michael and I went down to the beach house for New Years and the girls went to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  The beach was great, we got some work done but also had a super relaxing night.  Michael decided to be a creative bartender and made a run punch based on a Charles Dickens recipe from the mid-1800's.  Here is the original recipe

"Peel into a very common basin (which may be broken in case of accident, without damage to the owner's peace or pocket) the rinds of three lemons, cut very thin and with as little as possible of the white coating between the peel and the fruit, attached. Add a double handful of lump sugar (good measure [although Dickens had rather small hands]), a pint of good old rum, and a large wine-glass of good old brandy‹if it be not a large claret glass, say two. Set this on fire, by filling a warm silver spoon with the spirit, lighting the contents at a wax taper, and pouring them gently in. Let it burn three or four minutes at least, stirring it from time to time. Then extinguish it by covering the basin with a tray, which will immediately put out the flame. Then squeeze in the juice of the three lemons, and add a quart of boiling water. Stir the whole well, cover it up for five minutes, and stir again."

Fortunately we had a more modern interpretation to follow and it turned out much better than we expected.  However, the key part for Michael was the direction to "set this on fire".  Our first attempt was unsuccessful, but second try went better and Michael was satisfied once we had fire.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!