Drink: Pumpkin Cider Sangria

The fall-themed recipes continue this week with Pumpkin Cider Sangria! This is a fun twist on traditional sangria, which generally consists of wine, chopped fruit, sweetener, and brandy. I was inspired by this recipe for Apple Cider Sangria on How Sweet It Is, but wanted to tweak it a little bit. The combination of fall flavors and cool refreshment is a bit odd, but I think all of the elements come together quite nicely.

I should note that it is very, very rare that I am enticed enough by a drink recipe that I actually go about buying all of the ingredients to make it. Why? I don't know. I happily buy ingredients for food recipes. Whatever the reason, it apparently did not apply to this drink! I gathered the fixins within a few days and it was thoroughly enjoyed within a few days!

Pumpkin Cider Sangria
Serves 6-8

1 bottle of dry white wine
2-3 cups pumpkin cider (not hard cider)
1 cup club soda
1/2 cup brandy (traditional sangria calls for brandy but gin or rum can be substituted)
2 small apples, chopped
2 pears, chopped

Combine all of the ingredients in a large pitcher. Refrigerate for at least an hour before drinking, unless all of your ingredients were already cold. Give the pitcher a good stir before serving.

This will last in the fridge for 2-3 days before the fruit gets soggy.

Make: Ribbon Burp Cloths

"So...this is for a baby to throw up on?" was the question my husband asked while I made these adorable burp cloths for a pregnant friend. His inquiry was understandable. I suppose the only explanation is that babies are cute and (gosh darnit!) everything they have might as well be cute too. Have you seen cloth diapers lately? Positively darling yet they have a not-so-pleasant purpose! I made a batch of these ribbon burp cloths a while back (for the same pal that received these baby shoes and headband) and found them to be a breeze! Embellished burp cloths are a great DIY gift for your next baby shower, especially if you are short on time and/or a beginner sewer.

Ribbon Burp Cloths

Supplies Needed:
Prefold cloth diaper (or a plain burp cloth)
Ribbon
The usual gear: sewing machine, pins, sheers, coordinating thread, iron

Measure the length of your burp cloths and add 1-inch to that measurement. Cut two ribbon pieces by that length.

Simply fold the raw ends of the ribbon down 1/2-inch and iron to keep folded (I used my hair straightener because it is a bit easier to get the fold exactly where you want it).

Lay the ribbon down on the burp cloth and pin into place. Repeat for the other ribbon.

Using a straight seam, sew along all of the edges of the ribbons.

Optional: I had a bit of ribbon leftover so I tied some sweet little bows and sewed them onto the burp cloths too.

And that's it! I look forward to more of my friends having babies so I can make more of these adorable burp cloths! Even if they are for a less-than-cute purpose.