Wednesday, May 27, 2020

• 

Today I was treated to a parade, social-distance style. At about 4:30 PM, I watched a line of about 50 cars drive down our street. Only some of the cars were honking, several were flying blue and yellow balloons, and a few had signs (“We miss you!” and “Happy summer!”), but every single one of the cars carried a smiling teacher. The wonderful Woodbrook Elementary School staff was out in full force, waving to all the neighborhood kids who waved back enthusiastically from the safety of their lawns.

When Husband and I bought this house for our growing family, back in 1995, we were delighted that an elementary school was in the center of the subdivision, and that it was (to quote the school song) “the heart of our community.” We have so many fond memories associated with Woodbrook Elementary and its loving staff. And although our kids have grown up and so much is different, I can see that the teachers’ commitment to kids has not changed. Thank you, Woodbrook, for making my day.

A toast to all teachers, from pre-K to college, who worked with such dedication to complete a most-challenging school year!

Today’s drink is my variation of a recipe called “Parade Time Cocktail.”

In a shaker full of ice, combine 2 ounces vanilla-flavored vodka, 1/8 teaspoon almond extract, 1/2 ounce Cointreau, and 3/4 ounce Baileys Irish Cream. Shake and strain into a chilled glass. Dust with ground cinnamon. Garnish with a marshmallow.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

• 

Ennui (noun): a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement. From mid 18th century: French, from Latin in odio(n- ), from mihi in odio est ‘it is hateful to me’. Compare with annoy. Synonyms include boredom, tedium, lethargy, langour. (Thanks, Google.)

The long Memorial Day weekend ended with no trips to the beach or pool. Summer break is right around the corner, but we have cancelled all our vacation plans and family visits. I am still cleaning out closets, still digitizing old photos, still crocheting a rag rug, still sewing a poncho for next winter, still attempting to re-learn some favorite piano pieces, still experimenting with bread baking, and so on. In other words, my attention span has been short and is getting shorter as we hit day 75 of the quarantine.

Day 75. Sigh. The only thing I have not neglected is this daily cocktail diary, so I suppose that’s something.

In honor of day 75, I could not resist creating my version of the classic French 75 cocktail.

In a shaker, combine 1 1/4 ounces gin, 1 ounce fresh lemon juice, and 3/4 ounce simple syrup. Add ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled flute and top with about 3 ounces of dry apple cider (I used Blue Bee Cider from Richmond, Virginia–buy local!). Twist a strip of lemon peel over the glass (to express the oils) and drop the peel inside.

Monday, May 25, 2020

• 

Today is Memorial Day, and we are flying our Stars and Stripes off the front porch, in honor of all men and women in the US Armed Forces who perished while defending our nation. Our gratitude is sincere and profound.

Last night we watched the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS. In past years, veterans and their families gathered on the National Mall in Washington to be fêted as well as entertained. This year, the concert was a mix of previously recorded performances done remotely by artists maintaining a proper physical distance from each other (and, I assume, from the camera crew). We were impressed with the ingenuity of the program and by the performers’ attitudes–pandemic or not, the show must go on! And yes, I reached for the tissues a few times.

The program also honored First Responders, and the “new” heroes of this time, namely health care workers and essential employees. Indeed, many of these heroes have bravely exposed themselves to the coronavirus, and some have died. And yes, we all should be reaching for the tissues, saying a prayer, and raising our glasses in a toast to all the heroes of 2020.

Today’s drink is my version of a Red White and Blue Cocktail.

In a tall glass, pour 1 ounce of grenadine. In a measuring cup, mix 1 ounce of vodka with 3 ounces of pineapple-coconut water (or lemonade would work, too). Fill the tall glass with ice, and pour the contents of the measuring cup slowly over a spoon and into the tall glass. Gently pour 1 ounce blue curacao over the top of the ice. (The blue will sink toward the middle of the glass.) The more slowly you pour, the better the layers will look. Garnish with strawberries. Stir before drinking for best taste.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

• 

The Indianapolis 500, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, was supposed to run today. Husband and Son were supposed to be there, since our family has held a block of tickets for over 25 years now. I was supposed to be home alone, watching the race from a comfortable couch while folding laundry or crocheting something.

Then the pandemic happened. The race has been pushed back to August, maybe. Normally, upwards of 250,000 fans attend the race. Can you imagine?

The winner of this grueling car race traditionally drinks from a bottle of milk, obtained from the fine cows of Indiana. I have never understood why milk is considered refreshing after the dehydration that must come after 200 laps around the track, but one does not mess with tradition.

In honor of the race that wasn’t, today’s cocktail features milk, and is my version of Bourbon Milk Punch. Husband really needs to drown his sorrows today.

In a shaker full of ice, combine 1 1/2 ounces bourbon, 1/2 ounce dark rum, 2 ounces milk (I used unsweetened almond milk in mine because of lactose issues), 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 ounce simple syrup. Shake well and strain into a glass. Dust with nutmeg.

• 

Throwback to May 24, 2014

1. Sent an iMessage to me letting us know she arrived safely.

2. Used an ATM.

3. Researched a cell phone plan.

4. Walked around her new neighborhood of Kensington.

5. Drank a (legal there!) pint in a pub with new friends.

6. Made her mom smile.

• 

Throwback to May 24, 2015:

1. From Youngest Child, “I just turned in my last assignment ever in high school.”

2. From College Girl, “I bought it with my employee discount.”

Saturday, May 23, 2020

• 

Donald Trump went golfing today. The moment I read that, my palm flew to my face. In the USA, close to 100,000 people are dead from CoVid-19, about 38 million workers are without jobs, and an estimated 20% of our populace is close to foreclosure or eviction from their homes.

Do you remember Nero? According to legend, the emperor fiddled while Rome burned around him. Nero was cruel and ineffectual, and obviously self-centered and void of compassion.

I researched this story a bit. Historians do agree that in July 64 A.D., a great fire burned for six days, destroyed 70 percent of the city, and left half the population without homes. When the fire erupted, Nero was at his villa 35 miles away, but he quickly returned to Rome to start relief measures. Despite this, he was unpopular with the people. Many believed that Nero ordered the fire started, since he later built a palace and opulent gardens on the cleared land. But Nero placed the blame for the crisis on someone else, namely the Christians, who were still a small sect at the time, but many were nevertheless arrested and executed.

The fiddle, however, is the “fake news” component of the story, since instruments of the violin family were not developed until the 11th century.

Our own Nero went golfing. I don’t begrudge anyone a day of rest, but why flaunt it?

Today’s drink is inspired by golf legend Arnold Palmer (see what I did there?), whose signature beverage was a combination of lemonade and iced tea.

In a tall glass, combine 2 ounces vodka (I used a chai-infused one, but a citron-flavored one would be lovely as well), 4 ounces iced black tea, and 4 ounces of lemonade. Stir, add ice, and a lemon wheel for garnish.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Today I went grocery shopping with my husband.

This is actually a really big deal for me, since I have not stepped into a grocery store since March 12.  Son has been the family shopper, since he is currently working at Whole Foods.  We have been treated to lovely produce, lovely cuts of meat and fish, and lovely bakery items.  But it was time to re-stock the cleaning supplies and the Gatorade and the full-of-preservatives snack food, so off we went to Sam’s Club.

One of the signs on the entry door told us that face masks were highly suggested. All the employees were wearing masks, but some of the masks were under their noses.  That’s bullsh*t–the nose needs covering!

A vast majority of the customers were wearing face masks, but not all. That’s bullsh*t–if these people feel invulnerable, OK, but shouldn’t they be considerate of the rest of us?

Husband was tasked with finding toilet bowl cleaner, Liquid-Plumr, and more Clorox wipes, and was not successful.  I understand the shortage of disinfecting wipes, but why the lack of toilet bowl cleaner? Or the lack of Liquid-Plumr? Are people hoarding the stuff? Ingesting the stuff? That’s bullsh*t.

The meat counters were full.  Full! Everything looked as it did in early March, except for the newly-printed signs that informed us that only one package of meat was allowed per order. One? I know people are hoarding, but based on the amount of meat there–just one package? That’s bullsh*t.

There was plenty of toilet paper, though, even the name brands.  We were down to 40 rolls, so we bought another big package.  Have we become hoarders?! Probably, and I am not too proud of that bullsh*t.

The drink choice for tonight is my version of the Bullshot cocktail.  This is one of the more unique ones I have made, and I chose it because of its name.

In a tall container, mix 2 ounces of vodka, 4 ounces of cold beef bouillon, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, a few dashes of Tabasco sauce (to taste–I did 2 dashes), and freshly-ground black pepper (to taste–I did 1/4 teaspoon). Dip a chilled glass into onion salt (or celery salt) to coat the rim, and pour drink carefully into the glass. Add ice to fill, and garnish with celery.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Today I have been enveloped in the disappointments of people I love. The pandemic is responsible for keeping two of my children apart from their sweethearts, and for derailing the career plans of several young adults in our extended family. My mom phoned me this afternoon, and she asked me when visitors would again be allowed into her nursing home. And it’s still cold and rainy out there.

But the mail brought a sweet note from far-away cousins, my table is graced with fragrant pink peonies from a thoughtful neighbor, and Husband has been dispensing warm hugs.

I am sending hugs to all my family and friends. Some days are simply proving to be harder than others, but we’ve got each other, right?

This drink is my version of a Blueberry Whisky Spritzer.

In a shaker with ice, combine 2 ounces bourbon, 1 ounce lemon juice, and 2 ounces blueberry syrup. Shake well and strain into a glass.  Add a few ice cubes and top with about 2 ounces of tonic water. (I also sprinkled a tablespoon of frozen blueberries over the top, to make it healthier!)

Throwback to May 21, 2013

1. He was thoughtful about every item he put into my cart.

2. He was even more thoughtful about every item he put into HIS cart.

3. He chose glass over plastic because it was a healthier choice.

4. Sure, he bought cocktail glasses, but he also bought cooking items.

5. He chose furniture in practical colors.

6. He chose accent items in fun colors.

7. He had fun pushing and riding the shopping cart in circles on the slick floors.