Sunday, October 6, 2024

All three of my children are Practically Perfect in Every Way (tip of the hat here to Mary Poppins). But my oldest child was especially precocious and started identifying letters of the alphabet shortly after his second birthday. (The name of the cocktail is how he’d read one of his books, i.e. “A is for apple, B is for butterfly,” etc.) He was reading aloud Little Bear chapter books by the age of four and devouring books about astronomy from first grade onward. He loved his Lego sets and built them exactly as the instructions specified. He entertained us (and the audience at the elementary school talent shows) with clever riddles and silly jokes. Most importantly, he took on the role of big brother with fervor and dedication. He was a great kid, and his accomplishments multiplied over the years–from a good citizenship award to Eagle Scout to concerto competition winner to Phi Beta Kappa to summa cum laude to a graduate degree from Duke–he’s given me so many opportunities to simply beam with pride.

But I predict that the most vibrant and powerful beam-with-pride is coming up this weekend, as my husband and I escort our son down the aisle on his wedding day. He will be marrying a beautiful, kind, and highly-accomplished woman, and we cannot wait to officially have her become part of our family.

So, I have been sentimental and nostalgic this week. And happy, very happy!

I am the Mother of the Groom!

Pour 1 ounce Żubrówka (Polish bison grass vodka) into a fluted glass. Add 2 ounces sparkling apple juice, and perhaps a pinch of cinnamon. This drink is commonly known as a Szarlotka, which is also the name of a delightful Polish apple tart. 

Sto Lat to the happy couple!

Enjoyed: Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Listed on the menu: Sort of. “Classic Old Fashioned” was on the menu, but the bar was now using a different brand of whiskey.

Ingredients: Muddled orange slices and cherries topped with Evan Williams bourbon, simple syrup, and Angostura Bitters served over ice.

The occasion: For September’s getaway, we chose to visit Buggs Island Lake/Kerr Reservoir (depends on who you ask) in south-central Virginia, right up against the North Carolina border. We hiked in two state parks, enjoyed a fun lake-side brewery, visited the impressive John H. Kerr Dam, and relaxed at a charming bed and breakfast, Cooper’s Landing Inn. We took advantage of the pool, the hot tub, and the crystal decanter of sherry in the room. Happily, the inn had its own restaurant, and the pretty patio was literally a flight of stairs from our room. No need for a Designated Driver!

My rating: *** out of 5. The bourbon was rich with brown sugar and caramel flavors, and the amount of muddled fruit was generous, so the drink was much too sweet for my tastes.

Final thoughts: Husband’s family owned a lake house for many years, and he misses “lake life”, so Clarksville is on the (very long) list of possible places to re-locate. We would have to buy a pontoon boat, I was told, and maybe even take up fishing. Maybe.

Enjoyed: Tuesday, August 6 , 2024

Listed on the menu: No, but the menu informed us that the restaurant had a “wildly talented bar team” so making an Old Fashioned was not a problem.

Ingredients: Bowman Brothers Small Batch Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey, simple syrup, bitters, orange rind.

The occasion: This month’s mini-adventure was an overnight stay (in an oh-so-colonial bed and breakfast) in the historic district of Fredericksburg, Virginia. We hiked along the Rappahannock River, ate crab sandwiches for lunch, popped into a few museums, visited the Fredericksburg National Military Park, and ate an amazing supper at FOODE. We also–finally!– toured the A. Smith Bowman Distillery, the state’s oldest distillery, founded in 1934 on the day after the end of Prohibition.

My rating: **** out of 5. I wanted to try another type of Bowman bourbon, since only one sample was provided on our tour. This drink was smooth and well-balanced, with major vanilla flavor, and exactly what I expected out of a traditional Old Fashioned.

Final thoughts: A free tour with free samples is always appreciated, but we were disappointed in the samples: vodka, port barrel finished bourbon, gin, and caramel bourbon cream. We were hoping for more craft bourbon, since that’s their specialty. (Bowman’s top product was once Virginia Gentleman, but now that’s distilled in Kentucky by Sazerac, the parent company.) The “new” Bowman’s has won several major awards, including “World’s Best Bourbon” but I still prefer Kentucky’s products, to be honest.

Sunday, August 25, 2024

You know the old saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun”? We must be having fun in retirement, because the days are going by so quickly. I am glad my smart watch tells me the day of the week, because–full disclosure–I have had to consult it a few times.

The “highs” are numerous, and wonderful: we will be gaining a lovely daughter-in-law in October; no new medical problems have arisen; we are planning interesting vacations; our children are advancing in their respective careers; the birds are singing outside our windows; and so on.

But there are some “lows” as well: we are realizing that we are aging; some of our “bucket list” adventures will never happen because of our physical limitations; we ponder whether we have contributed enough to our society; we worry about outliving our savings; global warming is increasingly impacting us; and so on.

Yet with age comes wisdom, right? And we grow wiser by the day, or at least wise enough to forge a blend of the highs and the lows, with an emphasis on the hope-filled highs!

In a stemmed glass, combine 1 1/2 ounces gin (I used a home-crafted butterfly pea blossom gin–it’s blue!– inspired by Empress 1908), 1 ounce chilled hibiscus simple syrup (store bought), and 3/4 ounce lime juice. Stir gently, and slowly top with chilled ginger beer. Add a lime slice to float on top.

1. A huge box of plastic forks.
2. A huge bag of plastic knives.
3. Many half-used boxes of plastic spoons.
4. A dozen quart-sized bags, each containing miscellaneous plastic forks, knives, and spoons, in seemingly every color that is available at the Dollar Tree (because I once was a fancy room mother and felt the need to color-coordinate every event at the school).
5. Two packages of 100 tealight candles from IKEA (from my decorate-every-room-with-candles phase).
6. Paper sno-cone cups (left over from when the kids were quite young–like twenty years ago).
7. Red, white, and blue dessert plates (from an Eagle Scout ceremony a decade ago).
8. Graduation-themed plates and napkins (probably only five years old).
9. Bathroom mini-cups (a pandemic leftover).
10. A sleeve of plastic cups (a post-pandemic leftover from my classroom for students who forgot water bottles).
11. Red Solo cups.
12. Off-brand black plastic cups.
13. Candy canes.
14. Popsicle sticks. (Should I put these in the craft box?)
15. Lollipop sticks. (Could I use these to make cocktail garnishes?)
16. Peanut butter.
17. Almond butter.
18. Sunflower butter.
19. Apple butter.
20. Peach butter.
21. Plum butter. (Seriously, I have to stop going to Amish markets.)
22. Orange marmalade.
23. Red raspberry preserves.
24. Mixed fruit jelly. (Or I need to have scones for breakfast every day.)
25. Five different colors of sanding sugar.
26. Christmas-themed sprinkles.
27. Valentine-themed sprinkles.
28. Mardi Gras-themed sprinkles.
29. Easter-themed sprinkles.
30. Halloween-themed sprinkles. (Gah! When’s the last time I made a cupcake?)
31. Birthday-themed cupcake liner papers. (Yeah, OK, I haven’t baked cupcakes in years.)
32. Christmas-themed cupcake liner papers. (Maybe this is the year to bake cupcakes for the holidays.)
33. Christmas-themed MINI cupcake liner papers. (OMG, just OMG.)
34. An open tube of blue Betty Crocker decorating icing. (When is blue food ever a good idea?)
35. An open tube of red Betty Crocker decorating icing. (Red works for several holidays, right?)
36. Two open tubes of yellow Betty Crocker decorating icing. (And I don’t even like yellow.)
37. An open tube of green Betty Crocker decorating icing. (I can’t find expiration dates on any of these. Hmmm, chuck or keep?)
38. An open tube of black Betty Crocker decorating icing. (I chucked them.)
39. Five bottles of assorted whiskey. (Not chucking those.)

Enjoyed: Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Listed on the menu: No, but our server assured us that the bartender makes a great Old Fashioned.

Ingredients: Towpath Bourbon, demerara simple syrup, bitters, Luxardo cherry, orange slice.

The occasion: We have driven through Ohio so many times (mostly on our trips to Indiana), but this time, north-central Ohio was our final destination. On Saturday and Sunday, we watched Indy cars race at the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course. On Monday, we toured the Ohio State Reformatory, now famous as a filming location for The Shawshank Redemption. (We spent three and a half hours there! Fascinating!) Later that afternoon, we arrived at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Admittedly, we doubted the appeal of a park located between the industrial hubs of Cleveland and Akron, but the park exceeded our expectations. Over the next days, we hiked to a covered bridge, to a glorious waterfall, and through dramatic rocky cliffs and ledges. We rode a vintage train and walked along the former Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath. And we learned how the Beaver Marsh area and the Cuyahoga River (which no longer catches on fire and is actually quite pretty) became driving forces leading to the Clean Water Act and other environmental protection laws.

My rating: **** out of 5. No frills or exotic extras here–the cocktail ingredients and presentation were classic, and I was pleased. The brand name of the spirits was perfectly chosen, since the national park next door was created around the towpath that once linked Lake Erie at Cleveland to the Ohio River at Cincinnati. The whiskey was 21% rye, so I tasted a clove-like “bite” at the start, followed by vanilla and a hint of pecan.

Final thoughts: Although Cuyahoga Valley officially became a national park in 2000, the 33,000 acres were designated a national recreation area back in 1974 by President Nixon, as part of the “Parks to the People” policy. That was a great idea! How wonderful that this peaceful park exists so close to such a large urban area.

Enjoyed: Friday, June 28, 2024

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Shotgun Shell Old Fashion”

Ingredients: Bottled in Bond Ragged Branch Bourbon, buttered brown sugar syrup, house made falernum bitters, and an orange zest

The occasion: Dear Husband retired this morning, after 38-plus years of work as a federal employee. His colleagues lined up to applaud him as he left the building, which really touched him. His closest co-workers toasted (and roasted) him at a lovely luncheon the day before, and even I got gifts and a gorgeous bouquet for being the woman behind the successful man. I am indeed so proud of him! I couldn’t let him merely sit at home on this auspicious afternoon–we needed a quiet celebration of our own, in a pretty setting, with bourbon, his favorite spirit.

My rating: ***** out of 5. Ragged Branch makes a superior product, and their cocktails are obviously designed to play up the best flavors. I had not tried this variation of their Old Fashioned, and I wondered if the spiciness of falernum would be overpowering. Happily, the drink was divine, with the buttered brown sugar bringing out the caramel notes of the bourbon and the bitters adding subtle citrus notes.

Final thoughts: As we sipped, we chatted about the past 38 years. As the adage goes, “The days were long but the years were short.” His job provided security for his growing family, brought him in contact with fascinating people, and took him on numerous trips in the USA, Europe, Asia, and even Australia. And most importantly, he always found his work interesting. Not bad, I’d say. Congratulations, my dear.

Enjoyed: Friday, June 21, 2024

Listed on the menu: Yes, as Cherry Old Fashioned

Ingredients: Journeyman Pit-Spitter Cherry rye whiskey, orange simple syrup, bitters.

The occasion: Husband and I drove out to Indiana for the funeral of his one and only aunt, who left her beloved family at the age of 94. Aunt E. never missed our birthdays–we would get sweet cards filled with good wishes. Our trip coincided with Husband’s birthday, so his thoughtful sister arranged for meals, drinks, and cake (so much cake!). The next day, our party of three (Husband, his sister, and I) met up with my sister and her husband at Journeyman, and we kept the birthday celebration going.

My rating: ***** out of 5. My brother-in-law ordered the same drink, and we both loved it. Although I am not a fan of sugary drinks, this one was balanced just right, with the crisp rye hitting my palate immediately but followed by a pleasing fruity essence. This whiskey is flavored with Michigan Montmorency cherries, probably as a nod to Journeyman’s Michigan roots. Michigan knows how to grow remarkable cherries.

Final thoughts: Husband and I visited the original Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan, just about three weeks earlier (see my post about stop #72) and enjoyed it. The vibe at American Factory is less intimate and more industrial, but fun nonetheless. Our dinner companions made it an even more memorable evening, and we are eager to return.

Monday, July 1, 2024

Yes, today’s news worries me. Yes, the state of our world has worried me for a long time now. But this blog is not the forum I want to use to work through that set of emotions. I am not burying my head in the sand (or “drinking to forget”, either) but I want to this blog to focus on my emotions about aging, my adventures going forth in retirement, and my challenges as the next chapters of my life unfold.

I want to focus on the positive, at least for today. I don’t want to be in a perpetual state of worry.

Today was Husband’s first official day of retirement. We didn’t set any alarm clocks, but we awoke kind of early, anyhow. We both did chores around the house, and we both caught up on our emails.

AND…my first retirement check arrived. Wow. Kudos to my former employers for being on the ball and getting the checks to us before the long July 4 weekend ahead. (I was impressed with the efficiency!)

My first retirement check arrived. I am still needing that to sink in. The amount isn’t large, but it’s going to be coming for the rest of my life. Wow. I am so very grateful that my job–and more importantly, that Husband’s job–came with the guarantee of pension checks. Not too many employers offer pensions anymore, do they? Still, our new budget is being put into place, and I am staying vigilant about all our financial affairs. Worrying is not fun, nor healthy. Forward I go–time to deposit that check!

In a lowball glass, mix 3 ounces pineapple juice (I used the unsweetened juice from a can of pineapple rings), 2 ounces vodka, and 1/2 ounce lime juice. Stir well, add ice to almost fill the glass, and stir again. Slowly drizzle about 2 teaspoons of grenadine down the inside of the glass. The grenadine will sink to the bottom. Stir the drink before you sip, which will sweeten it and make it a pretty pink color.

Enjoyed: Saturday, June 1, 2024

Listed on the menu: No, and the bartender told me she hadn’t made an Old Fashioned for probably over a year, but she would be happy to oblige me.

Ingredients: Crown Royal whiskey, angostura bitters, simple syrup. The bartender apologized twice for not having cherries or orange slices, which I consider to be staples for every open bar.

The occasion: The family had gathered at this pretty venue to witness and celebrate the marriage of my beautiful niece and goddaughter, Yasmin, to handsome and charming John. The dark clouds and wind provided more than enough drama that afternoon, and yet somehow, miraculously, the rain stayed away long enough for a touching outdoor ceremony. (The vows the groom wrote made the bridesmaids and many other women cry, and I even spotted a groomsman dabbing at his eyes.) The reception, fortunately, was indoors. We were treated to a large dinner and desserts, and then the party began. Some people allegedly have photos of me dancing in a cowboy hat with twinkling lights, but I can neither confirm nor deny this.

My rating: * out of 5. I should have stopped the bartender the moment she told me that the simple syrup had been refrigerated by another staff member. The bartender had to violently shake the bottle in order to get anything out. I think she tried to compensate for the lack of citrus peel by adding too many dashes of bitters, which hid the full taste of the whiskey. The ice made the simple syrup solidify even more, resulting in a layer of hard sugar at the bottom of the glass. I should have asked for the Crown Royal alone, but I have this tradition of drinking Old Fashioneds at special events, so I had to order one. The “bride’s drink” was a strawberry margarita, and those were delicious, so all’s well that ends well.

Final thoughts: Congratulations and best wishes to the newlyweds and to their parents. My “baby” sister was a stunning Mother-of-the-Bride yet again, and now she’s done. Poof! Both her kids are married! I am delighted that I have gone from zero to two nephews since last September. Welcome to our family, John and Adam!