I saved this post for a festive Cranberry Bourbon Martini I recently made for Christmas day. Not just because it’s Thursday, either.
Because it’s probably one of the best Christmas presents ever.
I started working as a food blogger with Our State Magazine early in the year creating monthly cocktails and recipes using locally (North Carolina) sourced ingredients. Since I started photographing food, it has been a dream of mine to have a food photograph published in a magazine. The awesome people I work with there (I hope to meet them one day in person!) contacted me in October and asked me could I create a holiday inspired cocktail for a full page feature in the December issue.
What? Me?
When I read the email I about lost it. Well, I did lose it and thanked my God for giving me the perseverance I needed to make such a dream come true.
I was a little excited (to say the least!). I happened to be out of town at a hunting club when the magazine was due to arrive in my mailbox. Luckily one of the members of the hunting club was a subscriber and brought me his copy of the magazine when he came down to hunt!
Needless to say I thanked him immensely, as I probably would have driven the 1-½ hours home to get it (lol).
Someone had it framed for me since it was such a personal achievement for me, I loved the frame, also!
So, this was a Christmas present that I will always cherish. Cooking, creating cocktails and food photography are part of my soul. As a child, I’d always come home and tell my mom what I ate for lunch at school every single day and go into great detail about it (I thought that was normal!). When cell phones with cameras came out, I was always taking pictures of food. I never started really trying to get better photographs of food until I started this food blog 3 years ago. It has been a work in progress and a fulfilling learning experience.
Want the recipe for this festive martini? Head on over to OurState.com to get it by clicking here.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year from my family to yours. Thanks for being a reader! ♥
Have you ever had a dream to come true during the Christmas season? I wanna know!
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen
You did an amazing job on that photograph. I want to reach in and grab that gorgeous martini! I’m so happy for you and all that you’ve accomplished this year. I’m sure that 2015 will bring even more success and exciting new opportunities for you. Happy New Year!
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Thanks Valerie! Happy New Year to you too!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen
Congratulations! That is such an awesome magazine! Your picture looks amazing. Will have to try the cocktail Bourbon is my favorite. 🙂
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Thank you Christin!
Patricia
Great job. Looks delicious. The frame on the picture will match the kitchen cabinets in your house perfectly. LOL I know you are so excited about this. I am happy for you.