Tis the Season

Had some friend over this weekend for the iron bowl, and made a batch of eggnog from scratch. We all thought it turned out pretty damn good. So by request, here it is.It can be done entirely in a blender, so there are no whisks or beaters or rubber spatulas or stove tops needed. It yields two healthy servings, so you can easily multiply it to serve more. It doesn't use a ton of heavy cream, so it’s fairly light. In other words, it’s practically perfect.

2 large eggs
3 oz (by volume) granulated sugar
½ tsp freshly-grated nutmeg
2 oz brandy
2 oz spiced rum
6 oz whole milk
4 oz heavy cream

Beat eggs in blender for one minute on medium speed. Slowly add sugar and blend for one additional minute. With blender still running, add nutmeg, brandy, rum, milk and cream until combined. Chill thoroughly to allow flavors to combine and serve in a chilled wine glass.Enjoy and happy holidays.

The final Countdown

What started with a few beers and led to a long intoxicated conversation with a friend, gave me a six month long idea on how to once again escape the states. Now, with a work visa, 25 lbs of gear, a $1,500 40 hr. plane ticket, and a drunken thought, I'm going to tramp my way across New Zealand.

With the help of many volunteers, the Te Araroa Trust and the NZ Department of Conservation (DoC) the grand opening of the Te Araroa trail is set for Dec. 3, 2011. The Te Araroa (The Long Pathway) is a continuous 3,000 km walking track from Cape Reinga to Bluff. . Enroute it explores New Zealand’s tombolos, volcanoes, mountain ranges, rivers, lakes and valleys.

So now the count down is ticking away. Three weeks till I'm staring into the vast Tasman Sea at the Capes light house with only one direction to go, south.