Weddings, Whiskey, and WIPs: How I've spent the last 2 weeks + a recipe for a Walnut Infused Old Fashioned
Qué pasa, calabazas?
How's your October going? It has been an insanely busy 2 weeks for the hubby and me. We were privileged to attend the weddings of two fabulous couples in different parts of the US, and while they were magical, fun, and just SO wonderful, I am exhausted. But it was worth it as the trips were full of family and friends, really good whiskey (and a lot of it), and of course, I brought along a yarn project or two.
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En route to Sedona and wearing a Two of Wands Design
Car Knitting on the way to Sedona!
During the last weekend of September, our wedding travels took us to Sedona, Arizona and a stunning 26,000 acre ranch (I know, holy shit.) where the bride and groom said "I do." If you've never been to Sedona, book your flight ASAP. I did not mind at all that the hotel was almost 2 hours from the Phoenix airport because the views were drop dead gorgeous.
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These did not work.
WAK - Oak Creek Canyon
The hubz and I drove up to see the views from different canyons (love the hair right? Tried out some new curlers. My hair was too long for them sadly so I rocked this look in vain). I've been working (not very diligently) on the We Are Knitters Slushies Top and between car knitting and relaxing with the views, I made some good progress!
Getting ready to head to the Orme Ranch! Congrats Katie and Dave!!!! Im wearing my Peekaboo Bodysuit by Knitoriousknits
For this western ranch wedding, I also got to wear my Peek-a-boo bodysuit by Taylor of Knitoriousknits. I was really excited to pair it with a tulle skirt and live out my cowgirl/ballerina dreams for the night. Between the bus bourbon (judge not ye teetotalers), wine, scotch, and shots, it was a hella good time celebrating with our DC Fam. We don't get to see each other very often, but when we do, we make it count.
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Knitting. NYC. Fall 2018. Hubby takes good pics.
After 4 days of rest and recovery, Steve and I were off again, this time in the other direction to NYC for a wedding at the NYC Botanical Gardens (aaaaahmazing). This was my first time in New York City since the Sophmore Year Blackhawk Spanish Club field trip (shout out to Mrs. Oravitz if you're reading this!!!!) in the early 2000s. After about 5 minutes in the city, I had decided: NYC has way too many fucking people. I've known I'm not a city girl for quite some time now, but holy shitballs, that place is bonkers. After seeing me fight panic and anxiety attacks, the husband took me to Central Park where we spent several hours (and about 8 miles) walking around. As a good instagram husband does, he got some really cool shots of me knitting around the park.
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Knitwalking. Look out NYC!
I was a little surprised to get so many stares and points with my knitwalking. I mean, I saw a guy shitting by a tree at 3pm, but whatever. Knitting is badass, don't care what you say! I also made GREAT progress on a test knit I'm doing for Taylor of Knitoriousknits (yes, it was her pattern for the bodysuit I wore to the previous wedding. I makercrush on her hard. Don't make it weird.).
Once we left the park it was back into the fuckery of Times Square where we spent a pretty fan-flipping-tastic evening at the wedding rehearsal dinner. The amazing couple and their fams invited the bridal party (my hubz was a groomsmen) to Bo Beeps, a super swanky speakeasy, and here I met the other love of my life, the bartender Dean. He crafted an Old Fashioned infused with walnut bitters and orange that was worthy of a sonnet. I lost count after my 3rd (5th) glass, but I know it must have been the best whiskey cocktail I've ever had. I knew I would need to try to recreate this at home. And while it's not exactly the same (Dean, you are a genius and true master craftsman), I'm pretty damned pleased with my results. If you'd like to make on of your own, here's the recipe.
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Walnut and Orange Old Fashioned
Add .........some bourbon. 2 oz is for pussies. Shhhhhhhh.
To make this libation, you'll need:
*Bourbon (I used Four Roses as it's what I had on hand, but a high-rye bourbon like Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare would balance out the sweetness well).
*Brown Sugar
*Orange
*Black Walnut Bitters - (ummm, hard as shit to find in Orlando. I ended up ordering it off of Amazon. Fee Brothers seems to be the highest rated.)
Once you've got your goods together, take a small peel from the orange and give your glass a rim job ;) to bring out the oil.
Place the peel in the bottom of the glass and add approximately a teaspoon of brown sugar.
Throw 3-5 dashes of the walnut bitters on top of the brown sugar and use a spoon/fork/muddler to make a paste.
Add the bourbon. Technically a 2 oz pour is what is recommended, but you do you, boo.
Annnnnnd you are done! Enjoy!
Add a whiskey stone if you've got it or ice and stir the drink around for a bit to get it cold.
Sláinte! Enjoy your little taste of heaven.
At the NYC Botanical Gardens celebrating Marne and Dan!
The wedding went beautifully at the Botanical Gardens and we had a blast! I spent the next day exploring the LYS (local yarn shops for you non-fiber enthusiasts) of the Upper East and West sides of Manhattan. A huge shout out to the amazing Annie and Company Needlepoint and Knitting and also to Knitty City!!!!!!
All in all, it's been an amazing two weeks. A huge thank you to Katie and Dave and Marne and Dan for including us in your special days. We love you!!!!
And the fun isn't over yet, muchachos! October is just gearing up. I'll be headed home to the Beav (yup) for a week to show my JAX friends my hometown and celebrate fall (no such thing in Florida). Then it's off to Nashville for our traditional Momma/Daughter/Shit show weekend with our Beav Girls to kill our livers. I'll also be posting some new projects I've been working on as well as adding a few fall/winter items to my Rows and Rosé shop. Make sure you check it out on Etsy!
Thanks for playing along friends!
Ciao!
Chelsea