TOP TEN OF SUMMER – FAVORITES AND WISHES

Here we are in the middle of summer and I find that amazing. It seems as though the year began not so long ago. However, there is no denying that July has slowly unwound already and August is pressing on, ready to burst into full bloom.

So, I thought it would be nice to list some of my favorite things of this summer so far along with some of my families favorites as well

 

My favorite……

song has been ‘ You Sexy Thing’ from Hot Chocolate. It’s an oldie but, it’s alot of fun to sing along with when you’re hanging out around the house. 

movie is ‘ Confessions of a Shopaholic ‘. It was so funny and it made some good points, too.

new purchase is my very , very cute blue bikini from Gilly Hicks.

perfume … well, actually what I’ve been wearing the most is a combination of my Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Amande and Hawaiian Tropics Tanning Oil -  LOVE IT!        Mix those together and that’s been my signature scent of the summer. Yummy. 

food is guacamole. I really do love that. I really would like that right now, actually. 

cocktail has been a mojito – no big surprise there, right?  lol

thing has been accomplishing some long standing goals.

pass-time is hanging out with my friends and meeting new ones.

experience has been visiting the Perfume Expo America.

object obtained is my passport.

 

My sisters favorite….

song has been ‘ She Wolf ‘ from Shakira.

thing to do is being sun drenched.

pass-time is flirting.

experience is her birthday.

object obtained is her passport.

 

My mothers favorite…..

movie has been ‘ The Proposal ‘.

pass-time is haning out with friends.

goal accomplished is loosing weight.

 

 

Here is a bonus list.

My wish list for the rest of the summer.

 

I wish to….

1.  go to the beach or a water park. Either one will make me happy. 

2. get a new car that is all my own.

3. have a really great, happy, and fun birthday. The best one yet.

4. go on some really nice dates.  ( That’s always on my list )

5. start taking some pilates or yoga classes.

6. read Hester Brown’s new book ‘ The Finishing Touches’ .

7. be less stressed!

8. visit the museum.

9. go to the salon and get a new hair style.

10. to get a lot of sun and just really, really enjoy all the beauty, peace, abundance, warmth, happiness, long nights with fireflies, flowers, strolls, and smiles that summer holds and keep it.

 

Well, that’s my list -  from favorites to wishes.

What are yours?

 What have your summer favorites been? What song have you been dancing in the kitchen to?  Most importantly what made you smile? You know I love to know. 

     

Summer Cocktails……Pomegranate & Lemon

 

Summer heat calls for something chilled and sweet.

That’s exactly what these two cocktails are all about. They’re beautiful, refreshing, and yummy.

Being super easy to make is just a bonus!

 

VodkaPom

1 oz.  pomegranate juice – chilled

1/2 oz. Vodka – chilled

1/2 oz. simple syrup – chilled ( see mojito recipe to make the simple syrup ):)

3 oz. club soda – chilled

lemon

Run a wedge of the lemon around the rim of a chilled martini glass – you could then dip the rim in sugar, if you like – then add the pomegranate juice, vodka, simple syrup, and club soda. Garnish with lemon zest.  Voila!

 

 

Lemon Drop Fizzy

1 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice – about half a lemon

1/2 oz. vodka – chilled

1/2 oz.simple syrup – chilled ( see mojito recipe to make the simple syrup ):)

4 oz. club soda – chilled

Run a wedge of the lemon around the rim of a chilled martini glass – you could then dip the rim in sugar, if you like . Next add your freshly squeezed lemon juice, vodka, simple syrup, and club soda. Garnish with  lemon zest .

As you can see they are very similar and easy to make.

The VodkaPom is like a pomegranate martini with club soda. I like the fizz of the club soda. 

Notes: Be sure to chill your ingrediants and keep everyting nice and cold and…

As Always Please Enjoy Responsibly!

 

xoxoxo

The Perfect Mojito

Ah , the mojito. The summer drink of choice from the beaches of Cuba. It is a really lovely drink and a great way to start any party. Fresh, citrusy, and sweet it will cool you down in the sun or warm you up when you’ve got the winter blues.

The mojito is very simple to make. As I have found when it comes to recipes with few ingredients it is really , really important to uses quality products and great technique. That is the difference between something that is so – so and something that is so wonderful that you keep coming back for more. The trick here with the mojito is organic limes. You can totally taste the difference. The limed tang permeates the entire drink in a zesty way instead of falling flat in your glass.

I really enjoy this and have been measuring away in my kitchen to get  just the right ratios. Traditionally the mojito is served in a highball glass , a tall cylindrical glass, however I like to serve it in my Riedel  ‘O’  glasses. I have pictured both above and really either way is fine.

So, in the name of Southern hospitality, were you to come on over to my house for a dinner party or just dropping in to chat in the summer odds are good that this would be what I would serve you and now you can serve it to your guest ,too.

RECIPE:

8 large mint leaves, throughly washed

1/2 organic lime, freshly squeezed juice

1 1/2 oz. simple syrup (see below)

1 1/2 oz. light rum

7 oz. cold club soda

Ice to top off

In a chilled highball glass crushed the mint leaves with a muddler (wooden pestle), then add the freshly squeezed lime juice.* Note – be sure to roll the limes on your counter top surface firmly and at room temperature, because this will help to break down the pulp of the lime and maximize the amount of juice that you receive from each lime. Crush again with the muddler. Next add the simple syrup, chilled light rum, and chilled club soda. Top off the mojito with ice and a straw.  A sprig of mint leases or a lime wedge would be nice for a garnish. Serve to your adoring fans right away!

SIMPLE SYRUP

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup boiling water

Combine the sugar and very hot water in a glass or jar – be care full. Make sure that the sugar is dissolved and then it is ready. Any amount can be made as long as you retain the 1 to 1 ratio. Also feel free to make extra and store it in a tightly sealed container in your refrigerator for future ease.

Please, be sure to enjoy responsibly and to make wise choices.

xoxoxo