I bought three bags of cranberries today. I’m not even then biggest cranberry lover, but when it’s accompanied with orange the flavors really pop. I’m beginning to prepare for thanksgiving by making a little bit each day until I travel back home to Houston to see my family. Today I made my cranberry sauce:

Orange Cranberry Sauce:

• 1/2 c water
• 1/2 c orange juice
• 12 oz cranberries
• 1 c + 3T granulated sugar
• Zest of one orange

Combine everything in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Allow to cool; Serve Chilled.

I also made myself a cranberry orange spritzer by mixing 1/4 cranberry juice (straight, not a cocktail), 1/4 orange juice, and 1/2 club soda.

It’s getting cold in the ATX! I know most of you have been cold for a month or two by now, but we’re finally getting it here in Texas. Good thing it will only last a few months! I always pull out my mom’s wassail (cider) recipe around this time of year, because it reminds me of winter.

Mom’s Wassail

• 2 -32oz bottles of Apple Juice or Cider
• 1 Can of Frozen Orange Juice
• 1/2 C Brown Sugar
• 1 T Allspice
• 1 T Nutmeg
• 1 T Cinnamon
• 2 Large Oranges, Sliced
• 10-20 Whole Cloves
• 6-8 Cinnamon Sticks

Combine everything in a large pot. Squeeze the juice out of the orange slices before throwing those in the pot. simmer for an hour, and strain. You can store this for up to a week in the fridge, but make sure to stir before re-heating, as all the spices will settle at the bottom. Enjoy, and stay warm, y’all!