December 29, 2010
Atholl Brose
Royal Scots Fusiliers Recipe for Athol Brose
Athol Brose is a mixture of oatmeal brose, honey, Scotch whisky and Drambuie. Legend has it that the Duke of Athol overcame his enemies, during a Highland rebellion in 1745, by filling their well with this intoxicating mixture. Athol Brose is traditionally served in Scotland on New Year’s Eve to the first guests crossing the threshold of the host’s home, hence its other name, First Footing. Cream is an optional addition, particularly for festive occasions.
For 6:
9 oz. oatmeal brose
3 oz. heather honey
9 oz. Scotch whisky
3 oz. Drambuie
3 oz. light cream
Cheescloth for straining the brose
Prepare the brose by steeping one cup of oatmeal in three cups cold water and 3 oz. honey, then straining the liquid through cheesecloth. Mix the oatmeal, water and honey together thoroughly in a jug. Cover with a cloth and allow to sit at room temperature for 36 hours.
Mix the Scotch and Drambuie in well with a silver spoon and let rest for several hours. After letting it rest, this drink should be consumed in the one sitting. It is not recommended to keep any until the following day.
When ready to serve, add the cream. It is best served at room temperature. Drambuie is a liqueur compounded from Scotch whisky, heather honey and herbs by a secret formula belonging to the Mackinnon family near Edinburgh. The formula is said to been given to an early Mackinnon by Bonnie Prince Charlie as a reward for helping him escape to France. Drambuie is a corruption of the Gaelic, An Dram Buidbeach, meaning “the drink that satisfies”.
Happy New Year to All…. which will surely be the case after a few cups of Atholl.
Categories: flavor of the week.
Tags: food, holidays, recipe
December 28, 2010
Back at my desk after a whirlwind of flying paper, light sabre fighting, family toasts and delightful dinners. While taking a break to eat a truffle… I came across this excellent letterpress calendar. I’m particularly fond of June.
via www.letterpress-calendar.com
New years plans? I’ll be sharing a recipe for Atholl Brose – traditionally served in Scotland on New Year’s Eve to the first guests crossing the threshold of the host’s home, hence its other name, First Footing.
You need a 36 hour head start, so check back.
Categories: it's graphic.
Tags: graphic design, holidays, Print Media
December 22, 2010
The streets are full of busy shoppers and people rushing to complete holiday errands. Fort Street is a great spot to find parking, get away from the crowds and get some fresh air.
Check out Relish Home Furnishings near the corner of Fort and Cook for gorgeous ornaments, or perhaps a unique pillow or vase or one of these lanterns will help round out your list.
Pop over to Charmaines Past and Present for an antique toy or teacup. Enjoy poking through history and make sure to pat the golden retriever on your way out.
Not Just Pretty for modern organic clothing or their line of organic skin and hair products by John Masters Organics – organic and Canadian!
Moving closer to town, Island Blue Print is a great place for inspiration. In addition to art supplies, they carry a nice selection of journals and daytimers for creative types. Love their decorative papers and pen selection!
Great hostess gifts can be found at Plenty and Choux Choux Charcouterie. At Choux Choux Charcuterie find housemade pates, sausages and smoked and cured meats. Pick up a cheese platter for your party or some imported food as a luxurious gift for the foodie on your list. Plenty Epicurean Pantry has a wild array of packaged food items and a fabulous wall of spices.
You’ve worked hard. Round it all out with a grilled cheese and a sweet from the Dutch Bakery. I recommend the piping hot soup and the mocha points.
Happy rushing.
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Categories: locals only.
Tags: fashion, holidays, home, victoria bc
December 20, 2010
It’s Christmas Week! We’re down to the wire. Time to start nailing down what serve those pesky house guests. This is both easy to make and easy on the eyes. A festive addition to your Christmas day brunch and it keeps well. Star anise is available at most supermarkets. If you get stuck, you can count on Plenty on Fort Street.
Citrus Anise Salad
Citrus Salad with Star Anise Syrup
Active time: 25 min
Start to finish: 45 min
Ingredients:
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
3 whole star anise
5 large ruby red or pink grapefruit
4 blood (or regular) oranges
Dissolve sugar in water in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring. Add star anise and simmer 5 minutes. Let stand off heat 30 minutes.
Cut peel from fruit with a sharp knife. Cut segments free from membranes into a bowl – or slice them as I did. Squeeze juice from membranes into bowl.
Add syrup with star anise to fruit and juice and stir gently. Remove star anise before serving if desired.
Can be made 1 day ahead.
From Gourmet, December 2008
Categories: flavor of the week.
Tags: food, holidays, recipe
December 15, 2010
via http://shop.vardagen.com/
Does anybody know the history of the “ugly sweater party”? At what point was “ugly” defined in the world of sweater design? Is it possible that the sweaters we are wearing now will show up 15 years later at said party? Pressing questions.
What’s better than sporting an ugly sweater this season, is having a back up ugly t-shirt underneath. And these, well I don’t think they’re ugly at all. Have a look at the Vardagen shop.
Categories: it's graphic.
Tags: fashion, graphic design, holidays
December 10, 2010
‘Tis the season for online shopping. Yes, shop local whenever possible, but crossing items off your Christmas shopping list from your mobile works.
48-hour sale events with the world’s top fashion, accessories, beauty, kids and home brands. Each day, HauteLook offers discounts of 50 to 75% off. Membership is free, ordering is easy and my items have arrived as expected (and even better than expected!) on my doorstep while I tap away at my keyboard.
A few items up for grabs today:
via www.hautelook.com
Categories: eye candy.
Tags: deals, holidays, trends, Web Site Design
December 6, 2010
Admiring Donna Hay’s online store for its down-under style. Cohesive, modern, delicate… yummy! Her new book “fast, fresh, simple” is out now.
I’ve had my first major online shopping success! Amazon, sure. Restoration Hardware, JCrew, yes and yes. But a website offering limited time sales of hugely discounted designer items? New to me! What are your online shopping hotspots? I’ll let you in on my revelation soon.
Christmas pudding, Keep Glam & Rock On poster, shopping list pad, apron | via www.donnahay.com.au
Categories: bits & bytes.
Tags: books, colour, Design, food, holidays, Web Site Design
December 3, 2010
The 2011 Calendars are here! 12 months of ocean views from around the world in a modern, subtle format. Use the space below each month to add special dates. The cover sheet can be cut and used as a new year greeting postcard.
Order online or email me info@bethcampbellcreative.com.
2011 Calendar, 12 months of ocean views
Categories: newsflash.
Tags: beth campbell creative store, graphic design, holidays, home, Print Media, travel
November 24, 2010
I have 2 sets of 6 holiday cards left! Email me if you want to get your hands on a set of cards with 6 unique designs and festive phrases on the front:
“warm holiday wishes” / “catch me if you can!” / “hurray for rudolf!” / “meet me under the mistletoe” / “season’s greetings” / “ring out the old, cheers in the new”.
Reduced to $10 for a set of 6 – email me info@bethcampbellcreative.com or leave a comment here by clicking in the bubble top right, then enter your info below.
ALSO – COMING SOON! 2001 calendars! A great gift or hostess gift at $11 + tax. Stalk the online shop.
Calendars coming soon! | 2 sets of cards left!
Categories: newsflash.
Tags: beth campbell creative store, deals, graphic design, holidays, photography, Print Media, victoria bc
July 2, 2010
Red and white, crisp and not too sweet. Perfect for a summer day. Let’s pretend Canada Day wasn’t 14 degrees and raining shall we?
from www.southernliving.com
Cava Sangria
Yield: Makes 4 1/4 cups
mint leaves
1 bottle sparkling wine, chilled
3/4 cup white grape juice, chilled
1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/4 cup orange liqueur
* Garnish: fresh sugar cane sticks
Preparation
1. Press mint leaves against sides of a large pitcher with back of a wooden spoon to release flavors. Stir in sparkling wine and next 3 ingredients. Serve immediately over ice.
Categories: happy hour.
Tags: holidays, recipe
June 21, 2010
Happy first day of SUMMER! Time to start making your to-do list. Ready when you are Mother Nature. Glamping (glamorous camping) is on mine.
from www.thegak.com, near Hope in Treasure Mountain
from www.soulecreeklodge.com, Port Renfrew BC
from www.outathewoods.com, near Cranbrook BC
from www.sakinawlakelodge.com, Pender Harbour BC
from www.rockwatersecretcoveresort.com, Halfmoon Bay BC
Categories: on the road.
Tags: architecture, environment, green design, holidays, travel
December 31, 2009
Happy New Year!
Categories: locals only.
Tags: holidays, photography, victoria bc
December 22, 2009
Last minute wrapping emergency? Got a few old magazines hanging around? Turn a magazine page into a bow! I love that you can choose a less traditional colour palette and turn an old idea into a new one.
magazine gift bow instructions
Cut a magazine page lengthwise into 9 strips, 3/4″ wide.
Leave 3 of the strips full length.
Cut 1″ off 3 of the strips.
Cut 2″ inches off 2 of the strips.
Cut the last strip down to 3 1/2″.
Twist each strip to form a double loop and adhere it in the center. Shape the last, little short strip into a circle and secure it.
Place the 3 longest pieces on top of each other, spacing them evenly as you layer and securing as you go. I used a dab of glue stick and it worked like a charm. Add the next two groups of pieces in the same fashion. Final step, stick the loop into the center.
Use old maps, charts, paper bags… and get that wrapping finished! At least if the present’s not so hot, you can at least brag about making the bow.
Categories: artsy.
Tags: DIY, holidays, package design
December 21, 2009
While I get caught up in the Christmas rush, here is a teaser for tomorrow’s tutorial. Love this Recycled Gift Bag from Chinchilla Media spotted on Design Sponge.
Categories: artsy.
Tags: DIY, environment, green design, holidays, package design
December 16, 2009
Evite
I’ve received a few questions lately regarding sending event invitations by email. Although I can create an customized image for you to sendl, if you want to track responses and allow comments, you can’t beat the free online resources available. You’ve probably seen
Evite.
Ahh… Evite. Full of ads, it starts with an email about a party with no information about the party, and then it leads you to a garish custom web page. It can be frustrating when you’re en route to the party and need internet access to check the address.
MyPunchbowl leaves guests a pretty informative email, but neglects to include the event location and is visually cluttered. Similar is AnyVite. A mod option is Crusher. A new invite status column in the Edit Guest List page shows you the status of each invitee’s invitation. You can even broadcast live updates from the party. If your party is cool enough to bother with that, please invite me.
Manvite
For the fellas out there, you must check out Manvite. Invite options include “drink beer”, “cougar hunting”, and “go see ninja assassin”. The home page looks promising, but once you take a few steps in it looks like it falls apart. Try it out and let me know how it works. I would imagine it probably doesn’t include directions and forgets to send the email.
You can tell instantly from Pingg’s home page that you are in safer style territory. The initial email covers all the necessary info, and you don’t even need to view the event web page if you don’t want to. This is my pick. So get goin’ and send those holiday invites!
Pingg
Categories: bits & bytes.
Tags: Design, evites, holidays, Social Media
December 1, 2009
December is here.
Let’s not get too excited with decorations or Christmas music just yet, but I’m thinking about what will greet my friends and family on my front door this year.
Inspiration from Design Sponge, Country Living, Apartment Therapy, Living Etc and House Beautiful.
Categories: in the house.
Tags: holidays, home, inspiration
