California Dreamin': July 2015

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Cocktail Wednesday

This week's cocktail was French 75. According to wikipedia, the drink got its name because it was said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the French 75mm field gun.

Anyway, I got the recipe from here.

Ingredients:

gin, 1 oz
fresh squeezed lemon juice, .5 oz
simple syrup, .5 oz
champagne/sparkling wine, 3 oz
lemon garnish

When I got home from work, I prepared the simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, brought to a boil and then let cool), and then juiced the lemons. I used five and had enough for 9 drinks with some lemon juice left over.

Very nice drink, a little potent, but good. We all enjoyed it.

Next week we're going to make the piña colada. I've never had one and am hoping that I'll like it.

I'll leave you with this:

Week 30 : July 23 - 29

July 23 - doughnuts from Psycho Donuts

July 24 - Scotch tasting

July 25 - my new/old nightstand

(with antique sewing machine inside)

July 26 - passport stamp ...

July 27 - monster pops!

July 29 - cocktail Wednesday

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Week 29 : July 16 - 22

July 16 - the devil cat

July 18 - my three sons + one soon to be SIL

July 19 - my sewing area ..

July 22 - gotta love the cokes

Friday, July 24, 2015

Cocktail Wednesday

This week we re-instituted Cocktail Wednesday at my house with my current favorite cocktail. The strawberry mint lemonade. Recipe from here.

Ingredients:

Strawberries, washed and cut (2 cups)
Lemon juice from lemons (2-3 cups) -- about a dozen (I only had 6-7) so I had to add juice from a jar to make up the difference
Simple syrup - 2/3 c sugar + 2/3 c water
mint - 2/3 c + some leaves for the garnish
ice
vodka

I put the sugar and water on the stove to make the simple syrup (and then went to clean the bathroom); then I washed and sliced the strawberries; and then the hard part -- juicing the lemons.
I threw it all in the blender with the mint and that was it.

Not many pictures, but that's because I was enjoying the drink so much. It's good even without the vodka.

Join us again next week. I'll post early about what cocktail we'll be drinking and provide the recipe in case you want to participate (and post your own review).

Week 28 : July 9 - 15

July 12 - looking for new key hooks

July 13 - lunch with Steve

That's it for this week...

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Week 27 : July 2 - July 8

July 3 - cleaning the cupboards again ..

July 4 - preparing to officiate at Dan's wedding

Dan and baby Daniel

Baby Nate

July 6 - new TV

July 7 - belated birthday wishes

July 8 - sunset

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Kindred Spirits

I'm not sure where I first heard this phrase "kindred spirit", maybe Anne of Green Gables, which I'm not sure I ever read or even watched the whole movie .. anyway, it's one of my favorites. It totally describes the closest of friends.

One thing I do at work is send out an email daily about what's going on in the office, who's where, etc. Each year I do something fun in this email, one year it was trivia questions, one year it was comic strips, this year it's quotes. This is the quote I put in today's email:

"A true friend is one soul in two bodies." Aristotle

Totally, the concept of kindred spirit. I would say in my life, I have had 4-5 friends who fall in the kindred spirit category. When you find one, it's for ever. All of time and space can't change that.

Week 26 : June 25 - July 1

June 25 - pre-wedding party!

June 26 - Lita & Nigel's wedding

June 27 - first birthday party!

June 28 - building demolition

June 29 - July 1

Monday, July 20, 2015

AWOL

I've been very neglectful of my blog and my sewing too. Things have been hectic but not really that busy. I guess I've been watching more TV. Let's go with it was a needed break. I'm hoping to be back in the swing of things and ready to get going.

First, I'll try and get caught up on my pictures. I've missed loads of days, but will make a conscious effort going forward.

Second, I'm going to get back to sewing. I have at least four quilts I need to make, by September. One for my youngest grandson, one for a young friend who is having her second boy, and the other two for for friends (well baby quilts for them to give away). I'm busy setting up my sewing area.

Right now it looks like this:

and actually this picture doesn't show how crazy it is. I can't believe I had that much stuff in my closet. I didn't realize how much I had accumulated. I might have to go on a fabric diet -- or a donation kick. it's insane how much I have (I feel a little like I'm a hoarder ...).

Third, we're starting up cocktail Wednesday, this week. I'd love for you to join us -- either in person or at your place. This week, we're doing my favorite. Here's the link for the recipe, if you join up.