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!

Enjoyed: Saturday, June 1, 2024

Listed on the menu: On the daily specials menu, as “Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned”

Ingredients: Maker’s Mark bourbon, simple syrup, Luxardo cherries, bitters, orange rind, and probably a splash of cherry juice

The occasion: My niece’s wedding was still hours away, and we needed lunch. The seven of us were finally together: Oldest Son and Daughter-in-law-to-be, Daughter, Youngest Son, Husband’s Sister, Husband, and me. Truly this was a special occasion, so I wanted to make a new memory in a place full of many fond old memories–Teibel’s! Over the decades, our Indiana family has gathered here for my in-laws’ fortieth wedding anniversary surprise party, my sister’s baby shower, Mother’s Day luncheons, and many other meals. But the most significant event, by far? Teibel’s hosted our wedding reception on a glorious afternoon in October 1988. I wanted to bring the “adult kiddos” back here, because it’s likely we will never again all gather in northwest Indiana. “This is where our family started,” I told them, “where we officially kicked off the celebration of our marriage.” Yes, I got sentimental.

My rating: **** out of 5. I was pleased to see that Teibel’s was “staying relevant” and had expanded its bar options to include craft cocktails and local beers. The smoky and cherry flavors were obvious, and the giant ice cube kept the drink from becoming too watery. It may have only been 11:30 am, but I was having a heavy lunch, so this cocktail worked.

Final thoughts: Hey, friends familiar with Teibel’s –can you guess what the three oldest people in our party ordered? Yes, we had the traditional relish tray with cole slaw, pickled beet slices, and cottage cheese. One taste of that cole slaw and I was transported back decades! I ended up with a turkey dinner, Husband had the fried chicken, and Sister-in-law had the lake perch. Is anyone surprised? We had to stick with the tried-and-true favorites, and they did not disappoint. It’s no wonder this place continues to be a local institution.

Enjoyed: Friday, May 31, 2024

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Smoked Old Fashioned”

Ingredients: Elijah Craig rye, sugar cube, Luxardo cherry, bitters, orange rind

The occasion: Another family wedding for us! I rented a house near the venue for the weekend, and all seven of our party gradually made our way to Cedar Lake, Indiana. While we waited, Husband, Daughter, and I needed a meal. We were joined by my sister, the proud mother of the bride. This bar came highly recommended, and for good reason: the food was tasty, the artwork inside was fun, and the view of the lake was fabulous on this warm and sunny afternoon. And no one objected to the alcohol selection, either.

My rating: **** out of 5. The sharp rye was a good fit for the smoke-infusion. I was pleased to have a quality cherry, no muddled fruit, and just enough ice. The drink was strong, but not overwhelming.

Final thoughts: We didn’t want to sit on the sunny patio facing the water, so we opted for a table just barely inside, near the thrown-open doors. Perfect! The Friday afternoon crowd was chilling out, and the TVs were showing the Cubs playing at Wrigley. (Two family members were at the park, so we were even more interested in the game.) I could easily spend all my summer Friday afternoons here, sipping and eating and chatting–so relaxing!

Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Happy Father’s Day 2024 to all the amazing dads out there. Keep up the good work!

I am a week into retirement, and it feels instead like it’s summer break, probably because for the vast majority of my life I have been either a student or a stay-at-home mom or a school employee. Life revolved around the school calendar.

Husband is still going to work, so I am home alone and sleeping in a bit. Feels like a typical summer, so far.

But here’s the cherry on the top of my June 2024: Summer vacation will never end, so to speak. I never have to think about returning to the job. I never have to look at the school calendar to plan trips, and I never have to feel disappointed that August is almost over. This is going to be an adjustment, true, but I am up to the challenge.

In a cocktail shaker, muddle 6 fresh pitted sweet cherries. Add 1 1/2 ounces bourbon, 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice, 1 1/2 ounces honey simple syrup, and 5 dashes chocolate bitters. Stir well. Pour into a glass with ice.

Enjoyed: Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Listed on the menu: Yes, as ” Barrel-aged Old Fashioned”

Ingredients: Last Feather Rye Cask Strength Single Barrel Rye whiskey, orange bitters, cherry liqueur

The occasion: Since we had family gatherings in Indiana and Illinois on two consecutive weekends, Husband, Daughter, and I filled the in-between days with outings and trips down the proverbial Memory Lane. On this Wednesday, we toured Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Samara House in West Lafayette in the morning, then walked around the campus of Purdue University, Husband’s alma mater, in the early afternoon. (I found this stop to be particularly poignant since Husband is retiring in a matter of weeks, so we paid homage to the place his career began.) We then drove north to see the lake house once owned by my in-laws, and then drove even further north to Three Oaks, Michigan, a quaint little town that Husband visited regularly during the summers of his childhood. Husband remembered that a factory from the 1800s had been converted to a distillery and a restaurant, so we had to check it out.

My rating: ***** out of 5. I had sampled Journeyman straight-up on previous trips to Indiana, so I did not want a flight, but instead a hand-crafted cocktail from the source. The menu offered four different Old Fashioneds, but I selected the most premium one made with barrel-aged rye. This cocktail appealed to me on so many levels. The presentation was spot-on, the color was jewel-like, the scent was spicy yet fruity, but the best was the rich mouth-feel, like toffee with cream and cinnamon. I was initially vary of the high proof of the rye, which sometimes overwhelms my palate, but happily the rye played well with the other ingredients. So delightful!

Final thoughts: The names of the spirits (like “Last Feather Rye” and “Corsets, Whips & Whiskey”) produced at this distillery are a nod to the history of the factory, which used the quills of domestic fowl to make “featherbone” stays for corsets (versus fragile whalebone), as well as buggy whips. We also learned that the the factory owner was a staunch prohibitionist–the irony! And I also have been thinking about corsets in general, about why they were such a profitable venture, and about whether they were indeed less comfortable than today’s shapewear for women.

Enjoyed: Sunday, May 26, 2024

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “R & B Old Fashioned”

Ingredients: Bacon Bourbon, maple syrup, Angostura & bruleed bacon

The occasion: After several years of not being able to meet in person, I finally had the chance to share brunch with my dear friend from college, LW. My family was in Indianapolis this Memorial Day weekend for–what else?–the Indianapolis 500, but there weren’t enough tickets for all of us this year. I didn’t really mind. As LW and I laughed and enjoyed each other’s company, we watched the rain showers begin with a vengeance, as the forecast promised. The start of the race was delayed by four long hours, it turned out, but my family waited it out. I was content to not be at the track!

My rating: **** out of 5. The drink was a delicious accompaniment to the shrimp and grits I selected at this Southern-style restaurant. The maple flavor came through clearly, but I was disappointed with the bacon. Yes, I could smell the smoky-saltiness as I raised my glass to my mouth, but the actual strip of bacon within the drink was too limp, too cold, and too greasy. Yes, I ate the bacon anyway, but I would have enjoyed the drink more if crisp candied bacon rested on top of the glass.

Final thoughts: I forgot to get a photo with LW! If I had remembered, the photo would have shown two content women. How much wiser we are now than we were 44 years ago!

Full disclosure: today is Tuesday, and my last day of work with students is Friday, but I still have to go in on Monday to wrap things up, clean out my space, purge some shared documents, etc. The final paycheck comes toward the end of the month. So my actual retirement day is subject to interpretation, I suppose. But let’s just say that next Monday night, I will not be setting an alarm.

I have given notice–all my supervisors know I am not returning, and all the papers have been signed.

And I am paying close attention to every detail, since there’s a lot. It’s a lot. I am surprised by how many financial decisions I needed to make, and I am still being caught off-guard by the questions people are asking me. “Are you moving to a new place?” “Are you taking up a new part-time job?” “Where will you be travelling?” “When are you collecting Social Security?” “What hobbies will you be pursuing?” (I don’t know yet!! Ack!!) It’s a lot for both me and for Husband.

So we took a little break from work. Ha! We needed to clear our minds, and I think we did.

We’ve had a crazy busy week and a half, filled with family reunions and my niece’s wedding. So many hugs, so many smiles. As an added bonus, we shared meals with friends we’ve known for decades, visited local landmarks we “never got around to” in previous years, and even stopped at Husband’s alma mater (Purdue U.) to salute where his career took off (aeronautical engineering pun intended here).

We are grateful for the support of our family members and friends. (And special thanks to my amazing sister-in-law for the gifts, including the book and card in the photo.) It’s a lot, and it’s getting real.

This is my version of a cocktail called “The Attention”. Place a coupe glass in the freezer to chill. In a shaker, combine 2 ounces of gin, 3/4 ounces of dry vermouth, 1 teaspoon absinthe, 1 teaspoon Crème de Violette, and 2 dashes orange bitters. Add ice and shake well, then strain into the chilled glass. Rub a lemon peel around the rim of the glass to get a bit of lemon oil taste. This drink is not sweet at all, and you should be able to taste all the herbal notes from the variety of spirits.