Four Things from A Very Murray Christmas

a-very-murray-christmas-open

Each year I set aside one day during the third week in December to catch up, buy those last few Christmas gifts, and add some final decorating touches before our annual Cocktails & Carols soirée. Today is that day and when I’m at home, I can promise you that A Very Murray Christmas will be playing the background. To say I was giddy the first time we watched it would be an understatement. If you’ve seen in or plan to, here are a few fun notes/facts to save you from the post-Netflix google rabbit hole!

Bemelmans Bar

A snapshot from our last visit to Bemelmans Bar | Hannah & Husband

Bemelmans Bar, located on the first floor of The Carlyle, has kicked off more than one magical evening for us in New York City. I’m particular to this bar for a few reasons but the main one is the incredible artwork that covers every inch of the place down to the lampshades.

Ludwig  his wife Madeleine (source)

Ludwig his wife Madeleine (source)

The murals were painted by Ludwig Bemelmans, best-known for his Madeline series, in exchange for lodging when he and his family lived at the Carlyle for a year and a half. My very favorite scene in the bar depicts winter in Central Park complete with snowing and ice skating. Bemelmans hand is unmistakable.

a-very-murray-christmas-bemelmans-bar

While I would argue that A Very Murray Christmas is best enjoyed while sipping champagne, here’s another idea. Maya Rudolph refers to her drink as a “soiled kimono,” and being the cocktail hour devotees that we are, we needed to know what that was.

The Soiled Kimono cocktail from A Very Murray Christmas | Hannah & Husband

The drink is a reference to one of the original writers and creators on SNL: Michael O’Donoghue. It’s a cocktail referenced in one of his “Mr. Mike’s Least-Loved Bedtime Tales,” and when Bill Murray announced his death on stage at SNL, he toasted with a Soiled Kimono. The drink is meant to be garnished with a butterfly but Maya’s is garnished with olives. To each his own.

The Soiled Kimono

Mix 23 glass costly French champagne

With 13 glass Japanese plum wine

recipe from season 3 episode 8 transcript

A Very Murray Christmas | Hannah & Husband

He’s the taxi driver.

If you spent the first half of the movie looking at the bartender (& his fabulous hair) wondering, “Why do I know that guy?” It’s because David Johansen played the taxi driver in Bill Murray’s other holiday hit circa 1988: Scrooged.

A Very Murray Christmas | Hannah & Husband

 

Real Life Conversations Between Hannah & Husband

Me: */gasp/* This is what the inside of my brain looks like.

Husband: Everyone is wearing either red or sparkly, and there’s a bari sax playing.

Me: And George Clooney serving cocktails.

A Very Murray Christmas | Hannah & Husband

Obviously I will be needing everything Miley is wearing. And silver glitter reindeer antlers.

Alright, I’m off to run errands. If you’ve seen A Very Murray Christmas: Did you love it as much as I did?

Rosemary Cider

This post and the recipe for Rosemary Cider originally appeared on January 8, 2013. As I was sipping cider this week, I couldn’t resist sharing it again. Enjoy! 

It should come as no surprise that one of my favorite tasty discoveries this season came in the form of a cocktail. Although, it may surprise you to know that this particular concoction is alcohol-free. (But don’t worry, I came up with a little drunkiepoo version just in case that’s your thing!)

To give credit where credit is due, I actually first had cider with rosemary with one of Dale’s fried pies, which, if you’re a local, is also a must-try!

Rosemary Cider from Secrets of a Belle

Ingredients:

Apple Cider (I’ve found Simply Apple is also quite delish!)
sprig of rosemary
Knob Creek (if desired)

– – – – – – – – – – –

Fill a jar with apple cider.
Add a sprig of rosemary and seal.
Let mixture sit in the fridge for a couple of days.

Drink cold, or heat it up and add a little bourbon! Equally perfect for extra chilly walks in the park or snuggling on the couch with a good book.

Speaking of books…

illustration by Donald Chaffin for the first US edition of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox

illustration by Donald Chaffin for the first US edition of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox

This illustration may or may not have prompted this post and my recent download of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox. Have you ever read it?

Homemade Blueberry Soda

Homemade Blueberry Soda | Hannah & Husband

Put this on your list of simple pleasures: sipping homemade blueberry soda on the front porch in the late afternoon sun.

Sipping sodas used to be a more glamorous pastime as exhibited by Marion the Librarian's hat. Don't you love The Music Man?

Sipping sodas used to be a more glamorous pastime as exhibited by Marion the librarian’s hat.

For months now, Husband has been experimenting at the bar with fresh fruit sodas, and I am relishing my job as official taster. So when an influx of blueberries showed up at our house a couple weeks ago, we decided blueberry soda was a must-have.

Homemade Blueberry Soda | Hannah & Husband

You’ll Need…

1 pint blueberries, fresh or frozen
a quarter cup sugar
water
club soda

First, he made a very simple syrup. To 1 pint blueberries, he added a heaping quarter cup of sugar in a heavy bottomed pot. Then, he filled the pot with water until it covered the berries and simmered on super low heat. Eventually the berries broke down and a syrup formed.

Homemade Blueberry Soda | Hannah & Husband

When it had cooked to a syrup-consistency, he let it cool and then used a strainer to catch the berries as the syrup fell into the jar.

That’s it! Just put a few Tablespoons in a pretty glass and top with club soda! You can store the rest of the blueberry soda syrup in the fridge for a few weeks.

Homemade Blueberry Soda | Hannah & Husband

Homemade Blueberry Soda | Hannah & Husband

This post was done in partnership with Darby Smart. See those flutes in the picture above? I etched them myself in about 30 minutes using the “Etch: Your Own Glassware” project from Darby Smart. The idea is simple: You choose a DIY project from Darby Smart’s ever-growing list, and you’ll receive a box in the mail containing all the supplies and instructions (with pictures) that you need to complete the project. This one even came with a practice flute just in case. So heads’ up DIY friends, you’re all getting Darby Smart gifts for your birthday!

Hello, Gorgeous!

If you’re a new reader, “Hello, Gorgeous!” posts are a round-up of beautiful, random links that are making me smile this week. Enjoy!

Mint Juleps | Secrets of a Belle

Read:

This article made me laugh out loud. If you have experienced Brooklyn as an observer over the past year and a half, you will love reading “How I Became a Hipster” in this week’s New York Times.

Listen:

The first thing I wanted to share is an episode of Fresh Air with one of my very favorite authors, David Sedaris. In it, he talks about journaling which I found particularly interesting. Also, I’m putting his new book, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls, on my Kindle for a little weekend reading.

Listen Part II:

Have you heard the soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann’s new Great Gatsby? It’s incredible and also makes it very apparent that this version of Fitzgerald’s classic is going to be very Baz–i.e. a super modern telling of a well-known story set to a surprising soundtrack. Want to hear it now? Click over to NPR music. 

Walt Disney Doing Funny Things

Look:

I recently came across this tumblr called: Walt Disney Doing Funny Things. Given that, in real life, I am completely obsessed with Mr. Disney, I cannot stop clicking over to this little happy spot for a laugh.

Drink:

Mint Juleps, of course! I’m sure it goes without saying because, in the South, Derby Day is basically a regional holiday. We get dressed up, we gather with friends, and we make lots of cocktails. This week, over on Made + Remade my friend Deanne & I posted on the 2 Derby Day essentials: Mint Juleps & Derby hats!

Wear:

Need a little inspiration for your headwear? I’ve got you covered. Here are a few of the hats I’ve pinned throughout the year in preparation for Derby Day…

derby-hats-secretsofabelle

What else have you seen around the interwebs this week that you’ve just *loved*? Do tell!

 

 

Super Happy, Fun Times with the Slaughters

Tennessee Roadtrip

Do you ever have one of those weeks that makes you look back and say, “Wait… what just happened?” We’ve basically had that kind of week. So, just for fun, let’s play a little catch-up.

Last week, I got in a wreck. (I’m totally fine–no worries!)

New Rides

The next day, Husband found me a new bike. It’s a Hollywood Cruiser that I have affectionately named Betsy Schwinn.

The day after that, we bought our very first new car: a Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI. I now have a car that is not only gorgeous and comfortable but will hold large canvases, groceries, and my dog all at the same time. I am in love!

On Friday, we drove to Nashville to see Tower of Power live at the War Memorial Auditorium. ToP is Husband’s favorite band, and he has been trying to see them in person for about 15 years. They did not disappoint. We danced our way, along with Bestie and lots of middle-agers with hair reaching to Jesus, through an incredible show! If you aren’t familiar with them, here’s a little taste…

On Saturday, we drove south to Chattanooga where we heard some gorgeous music performed by the best high schoolers in the state–the stop was a carry over from  Husband’s band directing days. Then, we spent the rest of our day eating ourselves silly at St. John’s and the Stone Fort Inn’s Terra Mae. (We just love staying at the Stone Fort Inn. If you’re in the area, it is so charming!)

We wrapped up the weekend with a day of antiquing and (you guessed it) more eating with a show at the Tivoli. BILL COSBY! Can you believe it?! He was amazing. He was perfect. He was everything I wanted him to be, and I now find myself even more obsessed than I was before. I just adore him so much.

Finally, on Tuesday, we got invited to see a great show at The Bijou: Chris Thile with Brad Mehldau. It did not disappoint.

So that’s the gist. In between there were lots of other things but really, we are out of time and I could use a nap. So instead, please allow me to gift you the recipe for my latest drink of choice.

This Week's Sparkly Sensation

Pour yourself a glass of prosecco. (Cupcake is my personal favorite.)

Then, simply throw in a slice of lemon and a sprig of lavender from your garden. Trust me. It’s Springtime perfection!

Regular posting will commence again this weekend, with some BIG news coming next week. xoxo*

A Little Something to Sip

It should come as no surprise that one of my favorite tasty discoveries this season came in the form of a cocktail. Although, it may surprise you to know that this particular concoction is alcohol-free. (But don’t worry, I came up with a little drunkiepoo version just in case that’s your thing!)

To give credit where credit is due, I actually first had cider with rosemary with one of Dale’s fried pies, which, if you’re a local, is also a must-try!

Rosemary Cider from Secrets of a Belle

Ingredients:

Apple Cider (I’ve found Simply Apple is also quite delish!)
sprig of rosemary
Knob Creek (if desired)

– – – – – – – – – – –

Fill a jar with apple cider.
Add a sprig of rosemary and seal.
Let mixture sit in the fridge for a couple of days.

Drink cold, or heat it up and add a little bourbon! Equally perfect for extra chilly walks in the park or snuggling on the couch with a good book.

Speaking of books…

illustration by Donald Chaffin for the first US edition of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox

illustration by Donald Chaffin for the first US edition of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox

This illustration may or may not have prompted this post and my recent download of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox. Have you ever read it?

Cue Andy Williams Singing

Kennedy Christmas chaos

Hello, Monday! It is officially “the most wonderful time of the year,” and if you’re anything like me, your holiday cards have yet to be sent, you haven’t bought half the gifts yet, and all you really want to do is hunker down for a long winter’s nap.

Perhaps your life is not feeling nearly as glamorous as you thought it would on December 17th, but that’s why I’m here: to remind you that if Jackie Kennedy can look this disheveled in a Christmas picture, then you can too! “Living a beautiful life” is an art form, and sometimes every belle needs a little helper. Enter, the Belle’s Little Sanity Saver…

 

Belle's Little Sanity Saver

 

Belle’s Little Sanity Saver

ingredients:
2 oz. Vodka of choice (I’m a Grey Goose gal.)
1 oz. Simply Apple Juice
.5 oz. Appleton Jamaica Rum

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

1.) Fill cocktail shaker with ice and ingredients.

2.) Shake & serve in a chilled martini glass.

 

A Good Belle Stocks Her Bar

Well ladies, if your house guests have not arrived yet, odds are you will all be together by tomorrow. So what sort of belle would I be, if I didn’t include one of the most important things to have on hand during the holiday season? I’m speaking of drinks, of course! It’s very hard for people to have unhappy discussions while holding a drink. It’s not only something to do (sip when there’s a lag in the conversation) but also something to spill, which will prevent the discussion from getting heated. So here’s how to build a basic bar with something for everyone…

Start with Liquor

You’ll want a good vodka, gin, and bourbon. Then, you can start adding different things like a good rum and a good scotch. You’ll also want some things to help you make cocktails like bitters, Triple Sec and simple syrup. Oh, and Grand Marnier.*

*Fun Fact: A glass of Grand Marnier is guaranteed to make over-stuffed Thanksgiving tummies feel better.

Add Some Wine

At all times you will want to have a good red, a good white, and a good sparkly wine on hand. Here are a few of our favorite picks.

Of note: Cupcake Prosecco is the perfect sparkly for every day, but if you’re having a celebration, you may want to invest in a good bottle of Veuve.

Then There Are the Extras

You want to be sure you have something for everyone. Always have Coke and Diet Coke on hand. This will take care of the people that don’t drink, the people that need a jolt of caffeine, and, heaven forbid, people that mix things with Coke. On that same note, having a variety of juices is great for kids, non-drinkers, and people that love cosmopolitans. Also, stock up on fruits commonly used as garnish with emphasis on the lemons and limes.

Finally, the Tools

A shaker and jigger are the absolute musts, and, if you’re looking for something new, might I suggest looking at the W + P collaboration with West Elm? I want one of everything!

Hope this helps you prepare for company. On a personal note, we just made a liquor store run and are now stocked up for the weekend. Bring on the in-laws! Cheers!

Sit & Sip: My ‘Welcome Back to Tennessee’ Cocktail

Last weekend, I hosted a Welcome Home party for my honey! (For those that don’t know, he was here all summer.) I tried to make things as ‘East Tennessee’ as possible. There were outdoor games, a galvanized tub of beer, plenty of fried chicken, and this Tennessee Mountain Punch. The recipe was an experiment at the time, and the results were super tasty! The great part? You can make as much or as little as you like!

Cocktails: Thin Man Style

Most days I feel as if I’m living in a Thin Man movie… beautiful clothes, martinis, and a witty husband & loveable terrier that always keep things entertaining.

Life is what you make it! So for your midweek touch of glamour, I thought I’d share a few cocktail recipes. Now if only our lives called for more evening gowns and silk!