Hot Spiced Cider and War Eagle!

Before I share my spiced cider recipe, I just have to give a big WAR EAGLE to my Auburn Tigers!   What a game last night between Auburn and Alabama…the biggest state rival of the year.    After our dismal year last year, we have come so far and now have a chance to win against Missouri next weekend in Atlanta.     We partied at my daughter’s house and there is always a mixed group as her husband is an Alabama fan and he had his crowd there and we also had a lot of Auburn fans.    The one thing we all agreed on was all the good food!

My son in law had set up a TV out on the patio under a tent…later he made a fire in the fire pit so we could stay warm

These girls could care less about watching the game!   (Granddaughter Taylor in gray top and shorts(!); her cousin in pink and their friend in orange top)

The guys set up the table with a blue tarp (only a man!) for the shrimp boil we had

Jordan-Hare stadium packed….and the weather was gorgeous!

A couple of years ago we took the “big kids” and grandkids to The Lodge in Calloway Gardens for the Fantasy In Lights show.   The Lodge served the most delicious spiced cider in a large silver urn set up in the lobby every day.    I’m not a coffee drinker so I always love it when I find a good hot drink for the winter and this one is fabulous.   I found this recipe on line and it is identical to the one served at The Lodge.   

HOT SPICED CIDER

• 1/2 gallon apple cider (the original recipe called for 1 gallon but I have a small crock pot and since it’s just the two of us, I didn’t need to make a huge amount)

• 1 cup brown sugar, or more to taste (I used about 2 cups since I like my cider sweet)

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 1 orange slice

Pour apple cider in crock pot.    Add sugar and stir.    Put the cloves in a tea ball and add to pot.    Layer the cinnamon sticks and orange slices on top.    Cover and simmer on high, stirring occasionally.    Once hot, turn on low to keep warm. 

 

Oh my gosh, this stuff is soooo good.   I made my first batch for Thanksgiving and there was none left by Friday morning.   

It looks like a lot of you have either started your Christmas decorating or even finished.    I got some stuff out of the storage building this morning and there’s more in the attic but I’ll have to wait on my husband to get the stuff down for me.    He’s out today putting up Christmas lights and some other decorations for some of his “little old lady friends”…..there are a few older ladies who don’t have anyone to help them get their Christmas stuff out so he always goes over and helps them out….I think that’s so sweet.     So I’ll have to wait for him to get around to helping me!

Can you believe it’s December 1st?   Neither can I!