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Apple Pie a la mode Moonshine Recipe


Not as strong as real moonshine, but it still packs a kick!
Popular to have on hand for guests, this easy-to-make recipe makes a fabulous gift that is always a favorite!

Label for Apple Pie a' la mode Moonshine

This label was made using the Avery Label maker app, printed on sticky Avery labels and stuck on the mason jars the "moonshine" was put in. Included as a gift, were the cute little mason jar shot glasses below.  For gift wrapping, put the jar of moonshine and shot glasses (wrapped in a bit of tissue paper) in a plain brown paper bag, twist the top of the bag, and tie with a piece of twine.




Do a search for "mason jar shot glasses".  They can be found with lids, or without.



RECIPE (best made at least 2 weeks ahead)

Makes:    6 quarts (or 12 pints)

Purchase the number of quart or pint mason jars you need.

Ingredients
½ gal (8 cups) spiced apple cider (*see note)
½ gal (8 cups) apple juice
6 cinnamon sticks
1 whole clove
1 teaspoon ground allspice
¾ cup sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
3 cups 190 proof grain alcohol (like Everclear)
2 cups whipped cream vodka
3 apples (any kind except Red Delicious), peeled, cored, and each cut in eight pieces

*Note: I used “Apple Pie Cider” from Walmart but any cider that says “spiced” is fine.  It may be seasonal, so if you can’t find it, see recipe below.

Instructions
In a large stock pot, combine all ingredients except for the alcohol and apples.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat & let cool to room temperature.  Once the mixture is completely cool, add in the alcohol.  Remove cinnamon sticks and divide them evenly into the mason jars.  Throw away clove.  Divide apple pieces evenly and put in the mason jars.  Pour moonshine into mason jars, and put on lids.

Store in refrigerator, or in a cool, dark, dry place. (*see note)
Shake gently before pouring/drinking.

~After a couple of weeks your Apple Pie Moonshine will taste even better.  It is very good ice cold, as well as at room temperature or slightly warmed.~

*Note:  As far as long-term storage (being out more than a day or two), some sources say this moonshine should be kept refrigerated because, since it is cut with apple cider/juice, the alcohol content is not high enough to preserve the fruit juice and fruit.  On the flip side, some sources say it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, and that they’ve kept it on their pantry for a year with no problems.  You will need to decide for yourself, although I would recommend erring on the side of caution and keeping in the fridge.

SPICED APPLE CIDER

8 cups apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
4 whole cloves
1 orange, cut into 8 slices (do not peel)

Put everything in a 3-quart saucepan. Heat until hot, stirring occasionally.  Strain into a pitcher or other container.

The Super Easy Ribbed Hat - Any Size!

Free Crochet Pattern

Cute, stretchy, and beginner friendly, this free crochet pattern is the Cold Snap Cap by Crochet Revolution (click to go to the free pattern).  Instructions are given for any size, from baby to adult.

These are the ones I made.  My oldest grandson carefully picked the colors for both himself (the red) and his baby brother (in pic below).
Free crochet pattern:  Easy Ribbed Beanie HatFree crochet pattern:  Easy Ribbed Beanie Hat
One picture's worth a thousand words!

If you want info on the hat and beard dad is wearing, check out:
Cheers!
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Hey!  Don't be alone! Let's crochet!

Beard Face Warmer

Free Crochet Pattern

While browsing crochet patterns one day before Christmas 2014, my son-in-law glanced over and spotted beard face warmers.  He said, "Oh, wow!  That's cool!"  Isn't it a happy time to find something that someone really likes?

My criteria: to have the "beard-y", texture, be wearable and fit right.

The ones I found didn't quite make it, so this is what I came up with. And, shame on me BIG time, I didn't write it down!  But if you have just a little bit of working knowledge of crochet, you can scrumble up one of your own with these notes - they're easy to do!
  • First, check out some free patterns for the basic idea and sizes:
    • If you belong to Ravelry, pattern-search for "beards", and check the "crochet" box under the "Personalize" heading.  (If you don't belong to Ravelry, for goodness sake, sign up; it's free, no spam and oh my, so much wonderfulness)!
    • Do a web search for "free crochet beard patterns".
  • This beard does not attach to the hat.  It has a loop on each side that goes up around the ears.  Some patterns had a button sewn on, that buttoned onto the hat.
  • Using one of the patterns found in your search that is basically the way you like, begin with the stitch counts it offers.
  • If your giftee has a full beard already (like mine did) you can make it cup outward more by adding more stitch increases in the rows.  Add more length as necessary to cover under the chin/neck.
  • I used 2 strands of Caron Simply Soft yarn held together, as it is a fairly thin worsted, or you can use a bulky weight yarn for the "fullness" look.
  • Add enough width to the beard to go up into sideburns; this will conceal the yarn chain that goes over the ears to hold the beard on.
  • Use a yarn needle to thread yarn through next-to-bottom row; pull yarn to gather the bottom to “cup” the beard inward and shape to the face and up under the chin.
  • Attach one end of the ear loop (made with chain sts) about two rows down from the top of the side-burn, and then attach the other end close to the bottom of beard; this holds and pulls the beard weight up even so it will stay up and not ride down with movement/talking.
  • To get the texture, work totally random, in any order, repeating stitches the number of times as desired for the textural look, throughout the rows:
    • sc or hdc sts, repeated as many times as desired, with
    • (sc in st, dc in next st) repeats, with 
      • (tr in st, hdc in next st) repeats and 
      • (tr in st, sc in next st) repeats and 
      • (tr in st, sl st in next st) repeats.  
    • When working these sts from the right side, push the bobbles they make to the right side.  When working from the wrong side, the bobbles come out on the right side, so they're okay.
    • When working the mustache, use sl sts instead of sc or whatever st is called for, to make it narrow and "dip" under the nose and over the upper lip.

For the hat, use any hat pattern you like.  The one I used is a free pattern, the Northern Stripes Beanie.

He was surprised that I made this for him - my daughter says he wore it constantly!

And THAT makes me a happy crocheter!

Making one? I'd love to see it!
Just put your link in the Comments.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hey! Don't be alone! Let's crochet!

Granny Squares, December 2014

Free Crochet Patterns

These pretty squares are December's choices made for the 2014BAMCAL (2014 Block-A-Month Crochet-Along) on Ravelry.
  • Click the pics to go to my Ravelry page, where you'll want to scroll down to see if I have notes on making the square, which often give trouble spots, tips and helpful info.  
  • Then for the pattern, click the link under the "About this pattern" on the right side-bar.
Free granny square crochet pattern - Beauty in Excellence 12"
Beauty in Excellence (12") - Free Pattern
Free granny square crochet pattern - Irish Ivy Rose 6"
Irish Ivy Rose (6") - Free Pattern
Free Granny Square Crochet Pattern - Universal Star Flower 12"
Universal Star Flower (12") - Free Pattern
Free Granny Square Crochet Pattern - Ursa Major 6"
Ursa Major (6") - Free Pattern
Making one? I'd love to see it!
Just put your link in the Comments.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hey! Don't be alone! Let's crochet!

Granny squares, November 2014

Free Crochet Patterns

These pretty squares are December's choices made for the 2014BAMCAL (2014 Block-A-Month Crochet-Along) on Ravelry.

  • Click the pics to go to my Ravelry page, where you'll want to scroll down to see if I have notes on making the square, which often give trouble spots, tips and helpful info.  
  • Then for the pattern, click the link under the "About this pattern" on the right side-bar.
Free Granny Square Crochet Pattern - Holiday Ornament (12")
Holiday Ornament - Free Pattern
Free Granny Square Crochet Pattern - Lacy Granny (12")
Lacy Granny (12") - Free Pattern
Free Granny Square Crochet Pattern - Lady's Rose 6"
Lady's Rose (6") - Free Pattern
Free Granny Square Crochet Pattern - Flower & Trebles 6"
Flower & Trebles (6") - Free pattern
Making one? I'd love to see it!
Just put your link in the Comments.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hey! Don't be alone! Let's crochet!

Granny Squares, October 2014

Free Crochet Patterns

These pretty squares are December's choices made for the 2014BAMCAL (2014 Block-A-Month Crochet-Along) on Ravelry.
  • Click the pics to go to my Ravelry page, where you'll want to scroll down to see if I have notes on making the square, which often give trouble spots, tips and helpful info.  
  • Then for the pattern, click the link under the "About this pattern" on the right side-bar.
Free Granny Square Crochet Pattern - Prince Protea 12"
Prince Protea (12") - Free Pattern
Free Granny Square Crochet Pattern - Pineapple Sun 6"
Pineapple Sun (6") - Free Pattern
Free Granny Square Crochet Pattern - Sea Flower 12"
Sea Flower (12") - Free Pattern
Making one? I'd love to see it!
Just put your link in the Comments.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hey! Don't be alone! Let's crochet!

Granny Squares, September 2014

Free Crochet Patterns

These pretty squares are September's choices made for the 2014BAMCAL (2014 Block-A-Month Crochet-Along) on Ravelry.
  • Click the pics to go to my Ravelry page, where you'll want to scroll down to see if I have notes on making the square, which often give trouble spots, tips and helpful info.  
  • Then for the pattern, click the link under the "About this pattern" on the right side-bar.
Free granny square crochet pattern - Pineapple Dreams
Pineapple Dreams
Free granny square crochet pattern - Tributary
Tributary
Crochet Pattern - Pansy Granny Square
Pretty Pansies *see Note below*
*Note:  This particular square was made using a pattern I already had (which was not free) BUT here is a free alternate that is just as pretty!  (Click on my square above to find the free pattern for the leaves).

Pansy Flower Granny
Free pattern by Annoo Crochet Designs

Click my square, above, for the free pansy leaf pattern (under "Project info"), but before you go to get the pattern, scroll down to my notes to see my "Leaf modification" so the leaf comes out right.

 Making one? I'd love to see it!
Just put your link in the Comments.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hey! Don't be alone! Let's crochet!