Wasn't it just Summer?

My house has been decorated since before Thanksgiving.

I have baked and wrapped and shopped.

We have driven around looking at lights (many, many times).
The doors have been opened on the Advent house.

We've made paper snowflakes and angels and cotton ball snowmen.

And yet...

It still snuck up on me!
How does that happen?
I found myself the other night turning to my husband and saying,

"Wasn't it just summer?"

It went too fast!

Anyone else feel that way?
Anyone? Anyone?

Well, if you are finding yourself doing some scrambling for any last minute gifts for friends and neighbors, let me offer you an idea that I tried this year.

I always see those beautiful jars of Mulling Spices at the specialty kitchen stores but they tend to be kind of pricey. And we LOVE our Mulled Cider around here, so I thought I would try my hand at making it myself this year.

It was very simple...

Now, there are many different variations of this but I did the one that was the least labor intensive.

You need:

Whole Nutmeg

Whole Cloves

Whole Allspice

Cinnamon Sticks

Cheesecloth

Put the nutmeg and the cinnamon sticks in plastic bag and lightly mash them with a hammer or mallet. You still want them to be in fairly big chunks. Cut squares of cheesecloth and make sure they are at least 2 layers thick. Pour some of the mashed nutmeg and cinnamon sticks into the middle of the square and then add 2 Tablespoons of cloves and allspice.

Tie up the ends of the cheesecloth and wrap with twine or ribbon.

Add a simple tag and you have a nice little gift!
On the back I wrote "Place in a simmering pot of Apple Juice for a delicious, aromatic beverage."

I even tried them myself when we had a party the other night and had folks say that it was the best Mulled Cider they had ever tried.

I think it was because the spices were so fresh.

Or maybe it was just the extra love that went into it!

Hope you are all enjoying this week!
Vanessa