Thick Spiced Rum Coquito (Puerto Rican Eggnog)
NOT A SINGLE ONE OF YOU BOTHERED TO TELL ME ABOUT PUERTO RICAN EGGNOG SO WE’RE IN A FIGHT. Except we’re not because I wanna tell YOU about Puerto Rican eggnog so we have to make up. Have you ever had coquito?!
Brooklinen provided me with a set of their Classic Hardcore Sheet Bundle for free to review, but my opinions are always my own.
Pumpkin Pie Monkey Bread
Four years ago, I had just moved into my new apartment in Cornelius, North Carolina, and made my first recipe in my new kitchen: German Chocolate Cheesecake. Today, I’m surrounded by boxes in varying states of unpackedness in my new apartment in San Diego (La Mesa, to be more specific), California, and I just made my first recipe in my new kitchen: Pumpkin Pie Monkey Bread! Most of my apartment is still in disarray, but I’m eager to share with you the ONE room I’ve finished, my bedroom. I’m super proud of how cute it turned out! I always love when people post tours of their newly decorated spaces, so I thought you might like to see mine.
Spoon-Up Homemade Eggnog
Who even am I, you guys? Just this past week, I’ve taken up a craft, put up two items that could be considered Christmas decor in my apartment, and made homemade eggnog for the first time. I’m basically Martha Stewart now. Except for the multimillion dollar empire. Whatev.
One of the things I love about the middle school where I teach is that the students learn how to be entrepreneurs by running their own business. We have dedicated time every week called Marketplace where they produce and price inventory they will sell at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday. We raise chickens and bees to sell eggs and honey, make pottery, produce a literary journal, and create a whole host of crafts to sell. I’m in charge of the literary journal, since I’ve never had a crafting bone in my body — until now!
Peach Cobbler Pastry Braid
I wrote this post as part of the Plugrá Butter Brigade. Thanks, Plugrá, for sponsoring this post and for making my favorite butter! I use Plugrá in pastries, especially, since its low moisture content ensures a flakier texture.
My 8th year students are completing a project to deepen their service passions this year. “Projects” in my class aren’t just projects; they’re journeys designed by the students themselves within a supportive framework I provide. Some of the kids have taken off. Their path was smooth and they fell right into the service fit for them. N.S. continued work she had already begun serving at her dance studio, where she was inspired daily. I.P. created bluebird habitats on our campus last year and decided it was a natural segue to rebuild our beekeeping program this year.
For many kids, though, it’s been a challenge. This is far from disappointing to me: this is exactly what I expect and prep them for. We call the inevitable obstacles during their project work “mountains and moats.” They require collaboration, problem solving, analysis — the very skills I want them to develop. This is where learning happens. My job is to support kids as they learn how to react responsibly to these situations. The unexpected part this year is that I’m facing plenty of mountains and moats myself.
Pam’s Icebox Cookies
I did something kind of Christmassy? I participated in a virtual cookie swap hosted by Julie of White Lights on Wednesday and friends! You trade recipes with another blogger and then bake up their recipe to photograph and share.
