Friday, April 10, 2020

Charlottesville tap water, ice cubes. It’s Good Friday, so I’m abstaining. #livingwater

Thursday, April 9, 2020

If red wine was good enough for the Last Supper, it’s more than good enough for me. Cabernet Franc 2012, DuCard Vineyards, Virginia. #buylocal

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Combine, over ice, one ounce Maker’s Mark bourbon and one ounce peach brandy.  Fill glass to the top with chilled Honest Tea Peach Oo-la-long.

Stir with those coffee spoons with which you measure your life.

Inspired by this charming parody:

https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the-covid-19-song-of-j-alfred-prufrock?fbclid=IwAR0KfS4uDpfZuQkPGyutdS5-q3Mbk2evIzqrYmfT1Vj-QJ9IPV6TMQfUnx0

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Combine, in a shaker, 3 ounces Hefeweizen, 1 ounce tequila, 1/2 ounce triple sec, 1/2 ounce lime juice, and a few dashes of bitters, if available.  I used hibiscus-lavender-oak bitters.

BECAUSE IT’S NATIONAL BEER DAY!  We usually prefer our beer without the added tequila, but I felt like trying something new.

#buylocal  This afternoon, we supported one of our many lovely local breweries (Decipher Brewing).  I ordered several crowlers over the phone, and after a leisurely drive through the blooming streets of Charlottesville, we arrived at the brewery.  After I placed a quick phone call to announce our arrival, the friendly server placed the beer in our open trunk and thanked us sincerely for our business.  I cannot wait to actually SIT in a brewery again, but until then, we are trying to buy from local businesses at least once a week!   We acknowledge that the small businesses of our area–of the entire world, really–have a heavy burden on their shoulders in this time of economic uncertainty.

Monday, April 6, 2020

Or, words that daily grow more relevant as a description of my temper and my body.

The “short” is a shot of Virginia whisky (from Virginia Distillery Company in Lovingston) chased by a Charlottesville-made bourbon-barrel-aged stout (from Random Row Brewing). BUY LOCAL!

If I stop watching the news, will my temper improve?  And if my temper improves, will I stop stress-eating?  And stress-drinking?  At this point in the pandemic, is my weight more important than my mental health?  Stay tuned.

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Combine, over ice,  2 ounces passion fruit juice, one ounce pear liqueur, and one tablespoon mint simple syrup. Shake and strain.  Add a fresh fruit garnish.

I chose red strawberries and a red tray because red is the color of Palm (or Passion) Sunday.

Also note the dogwood blossom from my backyard— people say the shape and red tinges at the bottom of the pedals are evocative of the Cross.

This year, especially, aren’t we all carrying a heavy cross?  If a cocktail can soothe your mood, at least temporarily, then it’s a good thing.

Saturday, April 4, 2020

(Hoping the tickle is from the pollen…springtime in central Virginia is gloriously beautiful, yet the green powder on every surface does wreak havoc on our nasal cavities AND our throats.)

I wanted a pretty pretty cocktail to match the pinks and purples of the red bud trees, the azaleas, and the dogwoods.  So I put on my mask and drove to the ABC store—my first outing in 2 weeks–and found the Creme de Violette.  It takes so little, anymore, to make me happy.

Combine one-third ounce Creme de Violette, 1.5 ounces gin, and  1.5 ounces vodka.  Mix gently with 2 ice cubes and strain into a stemmed glass.  I garnished mine with actual violets from my yard (!!), but you may garnish with a twist of lemon zest and/or brandied cherries.

Friday, April 3, 2020

This is my spin on an Angel’s Face cocktail.

Pour over ice, 1 ounce Jim Beam Apple whisky (not one of our favorites, so I bought one of those tiny sample bottles at the ABC store), 1 ounce gin, and 1 ounce apricot brandy.  Stir and strain out the ice.  Garnish with an orange peel.

Shout out to my two angels, Stephenie Mack and Cheryl Petencin, for providing my family with patterns, sewing supplies, and even a couple masks!  I found some stray elastic, interfacing, and cloth squares in the craft box, so I put a few additional masks together for my family.  I guess it proves that if you keep something long enough, it will eventually come in handy.

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Today’s drink is actually considered a shooter, and called a Black Bear Bite.

Combine 1/2 ounce vodka, 1/2 ounce Kahlua, and 5 drops of Tabasco sauce.  Pour into a shot glass and sprinkle with black pepper.  The “bite” comes at the very end!

After 3 weeks of non-stop togetherness, things were bound to get hairy.

Husband was a bear this afternoon and we exchanged harsh words.  I am happy to report that we kissed and made up, and Husband has permission to spend as much time as he wants in the man cave downstairs.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

A “mocktail” of ginger ale, a teaspoon of grenadine, and pomegranate seeds— no fooling! no alcohol!—because my liver needs a short break and craves the antioxidants.

And Ina Garten is my hero–her Instagram post demonstrating how to fashion a jumbo cosmopolitan made me laugh and admire her mad skills.