Christmas in July 2022 - Day 1

 CIJ day 1

Seems our 1^st day of CIJ is a Friday so it’ll be the start of Friday Night at the Movies.  In staying with our team I am suggesting:

The Christmas Card

Released in 2006: A soldier serving in Afghanistan is deeply touched by an anonymous Christmas card sent by a woman in California. Upon completion of his tour of duty, he returns to the United States on a romantic mission to find the woman who wrote the card.

Starring:   Edward Asner, John Newton, Alice Evans, Lois Nettleton

Here’s a fun preview: "The Christmas Card" with Alice Evans - YouTube

I rather liked this movie and hope you enjoy it too.

Here’s a hot drink to go with the movie: Vegan chai hot chocolate recipe | BBC Good Food

Ingredients

• 350ml oat milk (use barista-style for a creamy texture)
• 1 tsp organic cocoa powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra to serve (optional)
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg, plus extra to serve (optional)
• 1 cardamom pod
• ½ tsp ground coffee
• 1 organic vanilla bean pod, split (or use 1 tbsp vanilla extract)
• 1 tbsp agave nectar
• vegan whipped cream and shaved semi-sweet vegan dark chocolate, to serve (optional)

Method

• STEP 1

Pour two-thirds of the oat milk into a saucepan. Add the cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom pod and coffee. Bring to the boil over a medium-high heat. Cook for 1-2 mins.

• STEP 2

Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the vanilla and agave. Froth the remaining oat milk using an electric milk frother or the mini whisk attachment on a hand blender. Strain the hot chocolate into two mugs, discarding the cinnamon and cardamom pod, then gently pour in the frothed milk.

• STEP 3

Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and a pinch each of cinnamon and nutmeg, if you like.