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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Homemade {Skinny} Irish Cream

#Yummy #Drinks
 
I had one serious relationship in college. His name was Nick, he was from Seattle, he played guitar, and he was super sensitive. Need I say more?? (Yes, I do.) Nick and I met through our school's Campus Ministry program sophomore year, and were immediately drawn to one another in a way that can only be described as admiration. We admired one another's ideas and depth and faith; we talked about philosophy and theology and moral issues; we both wanted to change the world, and we admired one another for the ways we thought we would. You know....all the stuff of normal college relationships...  :)



Sound odd? It was....and not just because of our heavy topics of conversation. The thing I haven't told you is that the entire time we were dating, Nick was also actively discerning priesthood! Yikes!! And I let this relationship go on for 2 years WHY?? Because I really liked him. At the time, in fact, I thought I loved him (and, apparently, that I could talk him out of priesthood....) I even flew 2000 miles senior year to spend Thanksgiving with his family.....and that is when it all became clear.


I think it was sometime on our Mount Rainier hike - in between a romantic picnic lunch and a fancy dinner out with his family - that he told me he was pretty sure he had decided on priesthood. What!??? So there I was, hiking on a mountain 2000 miles away from home, with this guy who had just invited me to come meet his parents, thinking this might be the guy I would marry....and instead of being elated, I was heartbroken and humiliated.


Needless to say, the dinner out with his family was less than awesome (I ended up crying in the bathroom...) and the rest of the trip was about the same. And if that weren't enough, the months that followed brought more heartache, a "pros/cons" list of dating me vs. priesthood....oh, and talk of a celibate marriage. Yeah, we didn't end up together. (Go figure.)


But there is one thing Nick did do right on that trip to Seattle. On the night of the family dinner, when I was so upset and never wanted to see him again, he poured me a Bailey's. And we talked. About what....I'm not sure. But what I do know is that, at the end of the worst day of my life, Bailey's was the best thing ever.


Lessons learned:
1. Don't date a guy who is considering priesthood
2. Think very carefully before visiting anyone who lives 2000 miles away
3. Remember - Bailey's makes everything better



{Skinny} Irish Cream Liqueur
1 (14 oz) can fat free sweetened condensed milk
2 c. fat free half & half
2 c. 80 proof Canadian whiskey
1 Tbsp. instant coffee granules
2 oz. coffee liqueur

Mix all ingredients in a large bottle. Chill before serving. Store in refrigerator.

(Adapted from Family Heritage Cookbook)

Enjoy! 

Looking for another delicious drink recipe? Check out my Mulled Cranberry-Orange Sangria!

   
Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling!
I hope you feel right at home :)
-Cathy


57 comments :

  1. So you married a great guy named Jorden and had 3 beautiful daughters. You don't live 2000 miles away from home. We get to try your Bailey's (which makes everything better). Cheers!

    Nick who? He doesn't know what he's missing.

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    1. i enjoyed learning more about you with this post cathy and your mom's response made me giggle and tear up!

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  2. I DO believe Bailey's can soothe almost anything...even a broken heart, I suppose. Loved your post, Cathy...wonder if Father Nick is reading...

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    1. LOL - forgot to mention he is actually married now with 3 kids! Life is funny.... :)

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    2. Oooh...plot twist...love it! :)

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  3. Love this post - thanks for sharing. AND! A skinny version of Baileys? How could I NOT try this out? Looks so yummy! It's 5 'o clock somewhere! ;)

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  4. Ha! I remember those days, Cath. Nick wanted me to grow up and be a philosopher! This recipe looks yum!-KB

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  5. Baileys ALWAYS makes things better. :) This looks and sounds so yummy, especially with the big day coming up. Will make a perfect after dinner cocktail to go with my corned beef and cabbage

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    1. Always!! Yes...the perfect nightcap :) Hope you enjoy!

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  6. Um...where has this been all my life! I must make this!

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    Replies
    1. I know...right!? It is so tempting just sitting in my fridge!! Must share :)

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  7. Yum! Great story and fun post ~ lovely pictures!
    I'm from Seattle ~ isn't it beautiful?
    I found you today thru the Linky Party at Made In A Day, where I'm #26. I hope you get a chance to stop by my blog and leave a comment, too!
    ~ Megin of VMG206
    www.vmg206.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Megin! Yes, Seattle is great. I'd love to experience it again minus the heartbreak - haha :) I'll definitely stop by and visit you at VMG206!

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  8. OMG I am drooling over my laptop right now. These look so good, and I love Irish Cream! I would love for you to come by and link this recipe or another project at my brand new link party, starting this morning!! Hope to see you! http://domesticsuperhero.com/2013/03/07/domestic-superhero-sharing-thursday-1

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  9. This is a great story AND it ends with a lighter Irish Cream recipe! My favourite post I've seen today! Thanks for sharing. :)

    Jamie

    www.huckleberrylove.com

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    Replies
    1. Awwwww....thanks, Jamie! That made my day!! :)

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  10. Yummo! I'm going to have to try this!

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  11. These look fabulous!! Off to check out that sangria now too.. I LOVE a good sangria! And cranberry sounds to die for!

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    1. Thanks! The Irish Cream is super easy to make....and actually, so is the mulled sangria! Hope you give them a try! Thanks for stopping by to say hello :)

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  12. Love your story! Your Irish Cream looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing at Pinworthy Projects

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    1. Thanks, Carrie! Happy to join your party :)

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  13. Hi! Found you on My Turn (for us) blog hop. This looks so good! I am definitely going to make these. Now following via GFC :)

    Jackie
    www.thenonmarthamomma.com

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    Replies
    1. So glad you stopped by, Jacquelyn! Happy to have you following!

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  14. Replies
    1. Thanks, Jessi! It's dangerously delicious :)

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    2. I featured this on my blog today! http://practicallyfunctional.net/2013/03/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-41/

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  15. Celibate marriage? What even is that??? ;) I love, love, LOVE this recipe!

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    Replies
    1. I know....he was a seriously "interesting" guy :) And thank you!!

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  16. I'm totally making this ... I have a cupboard full of Canadian whisky that a guest brought us and I never know what to do with it. Can't wait to try this tonight!

    Oh, and good idea NOT going for the celibate marriage. ;)

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    1. Lol - thanks, Randi! And yes, give this a try - you will LOVE it!!

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  17. First, that looks yummy! I can't wait to try it...maybe a nice refreshing St. Patrick's Day drink! Second...a celibate marriage would not be a fun one ;-) you were smart!

    http://homemakeraudition.blogspot.com

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    1. Haha- no kidding, right? It's funny to think back on all the things we could've gotten ourselves into :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  18. This drink look so fabulous that I think maybe, just maybe, it was worth all that craziness with that boy... Thanks for sharing at Mom On Timeout! Pinned!

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    1. Thanks, Trish! I think you may be right! :)

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  19. Both look wonderful.......and was he a good priest after all that?
    Janice

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  20. I agree your lessons learned..been there.. And any kind and a lot of Irish cream would make most things better. Thank you for sharing.

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  21. I love Irish Cream and have a decent low fat recipe but I haven't made it in ages since it calls for stuff with high fructose corn syrup in it. For years I have thought about redoing it but haven't and now I don't have to! Thanks. Found you via Pinterest.

    Also, ages ago I dated a guy for about a year who was (I thought) applying to law school while I finished my last year of college. As I packed to go back for my final year, he announced that he was going to Divinity School instead and wanted to be a preacher. This nice Jewish girl felt kicked in the gut and completely blind-sided. I went back to school broken hearted. Then I breathed a sigh of relief. I loved the idea of a marriage not the reality. I'd dodged a bullet. He is the nicest man on the planet (now married with 5 kids!); we're still friends and I am about to marry the love of my life. Things worked out exactly as planned. Sounds like for you as well. Cheers.

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  22. Wow, what a heartbreak...so glad Bailey's was there to help! :) I love this recipe and I'm going to make some this week! Thanks so much for sharing at March Madness

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  23. yep, yummy!!! Could use some now!! Have you linked up to Tasteful Tuesdays yet? www.nap-timecreations.com

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  24. What a great story! Why is it that we always think we can change someone? My daughter, who is in college, is in a relationship like that right now. He is not wanting to become a priest though!

    This is a great recipe and verifies what I always thought - Baileys makes everything better!

    Thank you for linking up to the In and Out of the Kitchen link party. I look forward to seeing what you bring next week!

    Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com

    Off to pin and Facebook this bit of deliciousness!

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  25. Oh Wow! Totally loving this recipe. Thanks for sharing on Thursdays Treasures.

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  26. YUM!! These look so delicious! I cannot wait to try these. Thank you so much for sharing with us at A Bouquet of Talent! :)
    XO
    Kathy

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  27. I found you on "My Turn for Us" - your skinny Irish Cream recipe sounds so good!
    I enjoy your blog, and now your newest follower! =)

    Melissa

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  28. I love that this drink is skinny!!!

    Thanks for linking up to The Best Blog Recipe’s Weekend re-Treat #7!

    Wanted to stop by and pin your image to My Link Parties Craft/DIY & Recipe Boards while I was here.

    Shauna
    http://thebestblogrecipes.blogspot.com/
    http://ready2loseweight.blogspot.com/

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  29. What a fantastic story!!! LOL! I've got one similar to it and will simply nod and commiserate in lieu of sharing. :D

    Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick

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  30. Shut...the front...door!! You are coming over now and bringing a few batches of there!! YUMMO

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