Tuesday To-Do #43: A Toast to Finishes and Holiday Sangria

A very warm holiday hello to you all!
Really.  A too-warm hello.  Bah humbug
on this horrible, unseasonably warm weather.
At least it's fun for golf.
Maybe I should try some outdoor sewing
like I did in late spring last year?

Amazingly, it's again time to join in
--one last time [for me] this year!--

I have finishes to share!


Hudson Valley Palisades is quilted!
I'd still like to get the binding on it by Christmas
but with no deadline, I'm not going to push.


And next, my grandson's quilt is completed!


J's Construction Crew


I made matching pillowcases for both quilts.


These, along with ALL the other gifts, are wrapped and
under the tree!   Christmas miracles abound!

And lastly, I want to share a great sangria recipe that's a
 little miraculous--I finally found one that I really like!
In fact, my whole family likes it so you could say
7 out of 7 people gave it thumbs up.  Maybe I can save
someone else out there all the trouble and waste I've
gone to in researching sangria recipes.
And I'll also save you the humbling I received
by telling you a little story:
Hubs and I feel like we know at least a little about wine.
Well, hubs does; I tend to forget most of what I learn
these days.  If you put my fabric shopping up against
his wine shopping, he might even beat me--ha!
Anyhoo, in I walked to our favorite store and set about
looking for "Lambrusco" in what I thought were good
spots until I finally gave up and asked.
You know what it is?  
Riunite.  Plain ol' Riunite.
(Thank you, Food&Wine mag for making me look clueless
 because you were too snooty to just write "Riunite".)
And now, every time I write or say Lambrusco, it's with
fake, snooty flair...and then I laugh.  But all that aside,
when you're at the store, buy two.  You'll want to double it
and if you're going to be embarrassed, it's best to get it
over with all in one shot, right?  <wink>
We polished one batch off before dinner was even over.

Notes:
~I found persimmons at Trader Joe's.
~Use POM brand pomegranate juice.  It's pricey but it
makes all the difference.  (Trader Joe's doesn't cut it.)
~Unless it's a whiskey/bourbon, I do not like ice
watering down my drink so I omitted it.
Just chill everything and you're good to go.
~I failed to buy pears the first time so I used apples.
It was still super yummy.
~No sewing recommended after that second glass!

Sparkling Citrus-Pomegranate Sangria

1/2 c sugar
1/2 c water
Pinch of fine sea salt
3 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
3 c 100% pomegranate  juice (ie, POM)
3/4 c brandy
1 small Anjou pear, cored & thinly sliced
1 small orange, cut into 1/4" slices and quartered
1 small lime, cut cross-wise into 1/4" slices
1/2 c pomegranate arils
1 (750ml) bottle Lambrusco, divided

Combine sugar, 1/2 c water, cinnamon sticks, sea salt
in a small pan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring
occasionally, until the cinnamon is infused--about 5 mins.
Remove from heat and let mixture steep as it cools, about
1 hour.  Remove and discard cinnamon sticks.

Whisk together pomegranate juice, brandy, and 1/4 c
cinnamon syrup in a large pitcher.  Stir in pear, persimmon,
orange, lime, and pomegranate arils.  Chill until flavors
combine--at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours.

Stir about 2 1/2 c Lambrusco <snort> into chilled
pomegranate juice mixture.  Divide sangria with fruit
evenly among [opt ice-filled] glasses. Top each with
about 1 tablespoon of remaining Lambrusco.
Serve immediately.
Sláinte!  Salut!  Prost!  Cheers!

A couple housekeeping notes:
I've been doing my best to keep up on all you to-do'ers!
I just haven't had time for much commenting but
I'm hoping this changes after the holidays.
Also, I do reply to every comment to my posts;
if you do not receive a reply, it's likely you
are a no-reply blogger.  I would love to visit
if you are up for changing that!

Merry Christmas and happy quilting!
See ya next year!

Comments

Both quilts are wonderful! Well done on finishing the gifts right in time!
Thanks for the recipe, and the story ;))
Merry Christmas!
Your finished quilts are wonderful, and I love that you made the kids matching pillowcases, too! The sangria recipe sounds yummy. I haven't tried making that, although we are wine drinkers here at our house, too. Have a wonderful holiday, Cheree!
Ivani said…
Two gorgeous quilt and with matching pillowcases, so smart!
Love reading the story and thanks for the Sangria receipe.
Merry Christmas, Cheree and Happy New Year!
chrisknits said…
I LOVE the quilts!!! I might have to use that 2nd style for fabric I don't want to cut up small. Have you thought about freezing some of the wine and using them as ice cubes?
Needledmom said…
Oh yay! The quilts are finished, gifts are wrapped and you’re ready for family time. It doesn’t get better than that. Your quilts look beautiful. Thanks for the Sangria recipe and story. Wishing you a blessed Christmas.

I am told that Blogger has made me a no reply blogger and I have been trying to change that. I even changed my email, but just in case, it is needledmom at gmail dot com.
Linda said…
Hudson Valley Palisades is stunning! What will you bind it with? Congrats on getting everything wrapped and under the tree, and ugh on the weather. We are supposed to break high temps on Christmas day - yuck.
Haha on the Lambrusco "snort"! "Riunite on ice, that's nice!" - do you remember that old commercial? Your sangria looks wonderful, and would you believe I've never had any? I'll save your recipe in case I try it sometime.
Thank you for linking to To Do Tuesday and have a Merry Christmas!
Bonnie said…
Congrats on getting the construction quilt done and wrapped before Christmas —or even before the night betfore. That’s great. I thought we had another week of December, ie, another to do Tuesday. Maybe I didn’t read her post carefully enough. Have a lovely holiday and thanks for the Sangria recipe.
Mary said…
You had me at holiday sangria. I might have to try your recipe sometime. Your grandson’s quilt is so striking. I think he’s going to love it. Happy Holidays!
eileen said…
Great quilt for your grandson, love the colors and all those flying geese!
Looks interesting the sangria recipe, although a bit sweet for me!
Happy holidays!!