By Sandy Holthaus
My daughter Zoe and her partner Quiller are visiting us from New Zealand this month. It’s fun to see them both and catch up on their travel stories. Quiller is from Prince Edward Island. They recently spent some time in Thailand playing with monkeys and tasting the local foods. Now they plan to travel to New York to sell Christmas trees for the holiday season. An interesting game they play is called “What are the odds?” It’s played like this; you can challenge the other to try an odd food or do something crazy by saying “What are the odds you will eat this or drink that or do this?” The other person picks the odds and then you count to three and say a number that falls within the range of numbers. If you both say the same number the challenger has to take the challenge. In my day I think this was called “Rock, Paper, Scissors” but I like this version better.
For example: What are the odds I would eat a piece of chocolate? 1–10 what are the odds I would eat a chocolate-covered ant? 1 to 100. What are the odds I would run to the mailbox in bare feet? 1 to 1,000. What are the odds I would do the dishes? 1 to 10. It’s simple but you have to be prepared to face the consequences if you win or lose the odds. I lost while drinking a Caesar (Canadian Bloody Mary). Have you ever chugged a bloody Mary? Too spicy for me.
This of all the fun we could have if everyone played “What are the odds”? What are the odds my husband will make dinner tonight? What are the odds I will eat zucchini muffins for breakfast? What are the odds I can get a free tank of gas at Lantto’s?
The truth is that I will miss Zoe and Quiller. It’s been a really nice visit. They bring a lot of laughter into the house. What are the odds I will make it to New Zealand for a visit next year? Hopefully a done deal. I like those odds.
“When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.” Elon Musk
Caesar Cocktail
1 teaspoon celery salt
½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon steak seasoning
¼ oz. lime juice (from about 1/2
a lime), and more for coating
the rim of the glass
2 oz. vodka
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
2 dashes hot sauce
4 oz .Mott’s Clamato
A pickled vegetable (green beans are popular), for garnish. Blend the celery salt, garlic salt and steak seasoning. Dip the rim of a pint glass or Mason jar in lime juice, then dip it in the spice mix to create a spiced rim.
Add the vodka to the glass. Fill with ice. Add the Worcestershire and hot sauces, and the lime juice. Fill glass with Clamato. Stir briefly, about five seconds. Garnish with a pickled vegetable of your choice.
Apple Cider Hot Toddy
10 oz. apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
8 whole cloves
1-1/2 Tablespoon honey
4 oz. honey whiskey, or whiskey of
choice
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
In a saucepot, combine apple cider, cinnamon, star anise, and cloves. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cover with a lid. Allow spices to steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain spices. Stir in honey to dissolve. Add whiskey and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Add more honey according to taste, if desired. Serve with sliced apples, sliced lemons, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.
Spiked Hot Chocolate
2 oz. Drambuie
9 oz. hot milk
3 oz. hot cocoa mix
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
In a saucepan combine all ingredients and warm over medium heat. Stir slowly until simmering. Serve hot, garnished with miniature marshmallows if desired.