Enjoyed: Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Listed on the menu: No, but the menu listed many variations of Long Island Iced Tea and other “cocktails” that are best served in Mason jars. I asked if the bartender could make an Old Fashioned with the “brown sugar bourbon” –sounded novel to me!–contained in one of featured drinks.

Ingredients: bourbon, brown sugar simple syrup, small orange slice, maraschino cherry

The occasion: We arrived in Port Angeles in the late afternoon, after three days of marveling at the wonders of Olympic National Park. (We strolled through the Hoh Rainforest, hiked to three different waterfalls, and explored several rugged Pacific Beaches.) Traylor’s was relatively near to our evening lodging, and the inn’s owner assured us that the meal would be hearty and delicious.

My rating: ** out of 5. Although we both devoured the signature fish and chips, we quickly realized that Traylor’s (“family owned since 1955!” said the website) was not the place for craft cocktails. I couldn’t get a clear answer on what was in my drink, but I suspect that instead of bitters, the bartender may have added Fireball to my glass, since I could taste cinnamon amid the brown sugar sweetness.

Final thoughts: Perhaps instead of drinks with dinner, we should have taken a bottle of wine back to our room at Eden By The Sea. This charming bed and breakfast not only had a gorgeous pond, surrounded by flowers, right next to our entry door, but also had the most incredible backyard right ON the Strait of Juan De Fuca. We spotted ships, fishing boats, a bald eagle, a seal sunning itself on a big boulder, and (with the help of binoculars) Dungeness Spit and also the skyline of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. And if this weren’t enough, occasionally the wind would bring wafts of lavender which was just beginning to bloom at the farm next door. The owner chose a fitting name, indeed.

Enjoyed: Friday, June 16, 2023

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

Ingredients: Rye, two indies rum, east India sherry, amaro.

The occasion: We arrived in Seattle the day before, for our annual visit with our daughter. She works in the Fremont area, so I wanted to try a restaurant in the neighborhood. Rasai’s website promised Neo-Indian cooking with emphasis on locally-sourced food and sustainability– I was intrigued.

My rating: **** out of 5. I wondered if the amaro would make the drink too bitter, but the sweetness of the rum balanced the drink. The prevailing flavor was the rye, however, but I did catch notes of burnt sugar. The presentation was lovely.

Final thoughts: Rasai means entrance, opening & passage, according to the website, which was an appropriate theme to kick off our stay in Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula. We were excited about the adventure that awaited.

Husband requested a flight of Indian whiskeys for his dessert. He was pleased, and especially liked the Rampur “double cask” selection.

Also, I continue to be pleased that our children (and their Significant Others) are so willing to try creative cuisines. We all had a lovely meal and pledged we would return.

Enjoyed: Saturday, May 27, 2023

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

Ingredients: Bulleit rye whiskey with angostura and orange bitters

The occasion: Memorial Day weekend is also “Race Weekend” for Husband’s family, who has been attending the Indianapolis 500 for a few decades. Whenever I come along, I try to see my side of the family in northwest Indiana. This year, my sister met me for a leisurely lunch at this historic Gothic Revival-style mansion, built by entrepreneur Moses Fowler in 1852.

My rating: *** out of 5. All of the ingredients were classic, so the drink met my expectations, flavor-wise. However, I was puzzled by the cloudiness. Did the bartender muddle an orange slice in there? Was the simple syrup (not mentioned in the ingredient list) not prepared correctly? Could a tiny splash of orange juice be in there? I would have liked to have seen the bartender at work.

Final thoughts: The Fowler Mansion is pretty, with lovely grounds, and with interesting period furniture and art work in the “museum” rooms on the second floor. The outdoor terrace had a charming fountain and the inside dining areas were striving to be elegant, with fireplaces and chandeliers. I understand that a non-profit runs the restaurant and bar, and that proceeds go directly to preserving the house. I was surprised at how few guests were there for lunch–it was a Saturday, and a holiday weekend, but the place was empty. Why? One problem, from my point of view, was that the menu mostly offered “pub fare” choices. In such a historic setting, I would have preferred more unique dishes, or maybe even a “tea party” lunch menu with canapes and scones. Make this a destination restaurant!

We are delighted that Oldest Son is engaged to a remarkable woman. And we are delighted that Son learned (from us, I hope!) to appreciate fine beverages, farm-to-table food, and elegant dining. Therefore, we are supportive of the decision to select a wedding venue that is classy, intimate, and memorable.

Both of my nieces will be getting married within the next twelve months, so I have been hearing about wedding planning and budgets. Yikes! Even a small, modest wedding is an expensive event. CNBC tells me that in 2023 the average US wedding will cost $29,000. I actually am surprised that the cost isn’t higher, once all the “extras” get factored in. (Engagement photos, videographers, hair and makeup crew, save-the-date cards, destination bachelor/bachelorette parties, place cards, menu cards, gift bags for guests, extra lighting, gratuities for the vendors—need I go on? We had none of this, and we never knew what we were missing.)

Today, Son initiated a conversation with us, and asked us oh-so-diplomatically about what we could contribute to his wedding. Happily, we reached an agreement, but I wish we were rich enough that money would be no object. “Gonna cost a mint,” I muttered, but we’ll be fine, although I now need to add this sum (and commensurate amounts for our other two children and their future weddings) into our retirement budget. I had forgotten to do this!

Tonight’s drink is my version of a cocktail often called a “Southside”. In a shaker, muddle 12-24 fresh mint leaves (depending on size) with 1 ounce simple syrup. Add 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice, 1 1/2 ounces dry gin, and 5-6 drops grapefruit bitters, if you have them. Shake well, and strain over several ice cubes in an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with mint and lime.

Enjoyed: Saturday, March 18, 2023

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Let’s Talk About Spaceships”.

Ingredients: cardamom infused Eagle Rare, whiskey barrel aged maple syrup, orange bitters

The occasion: Youngest Son’s birthday is in several days, so we decided to visit him and take him out for a fancy lunchtime celebration. Trummer’s is definitely a “destination restaurant” since the town of Clifton is tiny, with less than 300 residents. The building was once a resort hotel, probably because of the mineral water from nearby springs. At least four US Presidents visited there (Arthur, Grant, Hayes, and Roosevelt), probably due to the proximity to Washington, so we felt the history all around us.

My rating: **** out of 5. The drink was the most expensive on the menu, probably because of the Eagle Rare bourbon, which Buffalo Trace puts out in limited quantities. The cardamom was evident at the end of a sip, and the sweet maple at the beginning, so masking the flavors of the Eagle Rare, I thought. Next time I will simply order a shot of the bourbon and a dropper of water.

Final thoughts: The three of us had some fun chatting about the name of the cocktail, and probably should have asked the bartender about its genesis. We concluded, however, that the “Eagle” in the name of the whiskey may refer not just to a bird of prey, but also to Neil Armstrong’s utterance from the Apollo 11 spaceship: “The Eagle has landed.” 

Enjoyed: Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Listed on the menu: Yes, there were four Old Fashioneds on the bar menu, so I selected the “Choc Orange” and Husband opted for the “Our Way”.

Ingredients: The “Choc Orange” was made with Jameson Original Whiskey, Dark Chocolate Liqueur, House Marmalade Syrup, and Chocolate Shavings. The “Our Way” was made with Jameson Crested Whiskey, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, House Made Chocolate Nib Honey Syrup, Aromatic and Orange Bitters, and an Orange Twist.

The occasion: We spent the late morning at the Guinness Storehouse, the most visited tourist attraction in Ireland. We split three pints of beer while there, but were hopeful that the “beer then whiskey, mighty risky” adage wouldn’t come true. We decided to speed up our metabolisms by walking to the Bow Street Distillery, which was almost a mile-long walk. I had booked the “Secret Whiskey Tasting” experience, which meant three shots of premium blends while sitting in John Jameson’s “office” space. Our Scottish (!!) brand ambassador was bubbly and informative, and the room was truly charming. She led the group to a small “rickhouse” area, filled with luscious “angel’s share” smells, and then she poured us all one more shot of exclusive whiskey. Afterwards, we lingered at the bar in the lobby, and decided to sample these two Old Fashioneds so that we would have no regrets about missing an opportunity.

My rating: **** out of 5. We enjoyed sipping our drinks while surrounded by Jameson memorabilia (and chandeliers made of the iconic green bottles) and would likely order these tasty cocktails again. Husband liked the more fruity tones of his drink, and I definitely appreciated mine, which reminded me of a piece of chocolate-coated candied orange rind from Fannie Mae. However, I took a star away from the rating because the nibble-sized dark chocolate shavings in my glass distracted me from the flavor of the whiskey.

Final thoughts: Jameson is much more than the Original in the green bottle, we now know. And we have become fans of Irish Whiskey, for sure.

1. “The female body is beautiful, and I am happy that you are proud of yours, but Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition? This feels a little cheap and tawdry.”
2. “On the other hand, GO GIRL! If you’ve got it, flaunt it!”
3. “Still, don’t you feel you are objectifying yourself? If we are going to celebrate the aging human body, let’s show some 81 year old men alongside you.”
4. “Can you help me think of some 80-plus year old men that would agree to pose?”
5. “I read that you attribute your looks to the genes inherited from your mom. Your Polish mom, correct? You don’t have to tell this Polish girl anything further–we are amazing women, aren’t we?”
6. “How many designer swimsuits did you try on before you were satisfied? And none of them would be in my price range, right?”
7. “How many hair and makeup stylists did you use before you were satisfied? And they could make almost anyone look better, right?”
8. “You have a daughter, but no sons. If you had sons, I wonder how they would feel about this.”
9. “Is this ‘barrier-breaking’ or just an ego trip? You’ve once again put yourself in the spotlight, and I suppose there’s no such thing as bad publicity, as the adage says.”
10. “Did Snoop Dogg come to the photo shoot to offer moral support?”
11. “Did you bake cookies for all the people on the set? Or maybe muffins?”
12. “When’s the last time you actually ate a cookie or a muffin?”
13. “More power to you. Be the best version of yourself. Age is merely a number. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Being sexy is all about attitude.”

1. Don’t wear clothing (or shoes or purses) with loud colors or bold patterns, because this draws attention to you. Beige is a good choice.
2. Keep the volume of your voice low, your hand gestures calm, and your facial expression composed. Again, there’s no need to be the center of attention, so maintain your dignity.
3. Don’t use fake flowers to decorate your home. Cut flowers, potted plants, and even dried flowers are the only choices.
4. Drinks are more appealing if you present them to your guests in pretty stemware or crystal shot glasses. Never use disposable cups.
5. Don’t let your husband take over household finances and bill paying.
6. Don’t keep people waiting.
7. Less is more when it comes to wearing jewelry. And most costume jewelry is tacky, anyhow.
8. Don’t be hesitant to tell your adult children that you do not approve of their questionable and/or morally unsound behavior. You are older and therefore wiser.
9. Wear modest clothes to church.
10. Don’t waste your time reading books or watching TV simply for the fun of it. You should always be working on improving your mind. 
11. If someone gives you a gift or grants you a favor, you should always reciprocate as soon as possible so you are not beholden to anyone.
12. Feed your guests promptly and then send them home with leftovers.
13. Your dinner guests deserve to be served at least three different meats, a dessert, and accompanying alcoholic beverages.
14. Polish holiday traditions are the best, so adding other traditions is unnecessary.
15. Messy handwriting reflects poorly on you and your intellectual abilities.
16. “Jak cię widzą, tak cię piszą” which is a Polish proverb roughly translated to “How they see you, that’s how they perceive you.” Therefore, always make a good first impression.
17. Be strong, be stubborn, but always remain a lady.

1. Shenandoah National Park is a bit more than a half-hour drive from our doorstep. Why don’t we visit here more often?
2. How many more months until we hit the age of 62 and qualify for a Senior Pass? That’s going to be a real bargain, and one of the only great things about turning 62.
3. Whatever would I do without allergy medications? Spring in Virginia is gloriously beautiful, but the pollen would be debilitating without my Claritin.
4. Did I pack enough Kleenex to last the afternoon?
5. Aw, look at that young family that just passed us on the trail–Mom, Dad, three kids. Were we ever that young? That cute? That fast on these trails?
6. I wonder if our three kids have fond memories of our family hikes.
7. Meanwhile, Husband is walking at a much faster clip than I. Did he remember to put his knee brace on? How is he doing that?
8. Perhaps Husband is walking faster than I am because I am carrying the backpack/purse with the Kleenex, water bottles, and granola bars. Should I make him carry something?
9. Did I actually put the granola bars in the backpack or are they still in the car?
10. Husband just called this rocky slope a “talus” and why don’t I know what that is?
11. Husband just scampered up the talus. (Surely he is wearing that knee brace!) Is this need-to-scamper-up an inherited trait, since Youngest Son is notorious for doing the same?
12. And while I am thinking about scampering Youngest Son, how DID he hike on the Appalachian Trail for 15 days and nights without injuring himself?
13. I keep taking my phone out to use my plant-identifier app. Sure, I am curious about these little pink flowers, but isn’t this also a fabulous excuse for stopping to take a breath? I’m getting away with this ruse, right?
14. Wearing layers is a wise idea, but as I peel them off, do I shove them in the backpack or tie them around my waist? And how will the re-distribution of weight affect my center of gravity?
15. Should I stop and scold those two young women we just passed? Each was wearing flimsy sneakers and each had an infant strapped to her body in a front-carrier. What? One slip or trip, and baby hits its head on a boulder or tree. Why are these women not being responsible parents?
16. So, if I didn’t have these sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles, would I make it down the mountain by sunset? And would part of that trip down involve me sliding down on my a**?
17. How long of a drive is it from the trailhead to the rest stop with the port-a-potties?

Enjoyed: Monday, April 3, 2023

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “The Old Fashioned”. The other drinks of the evening: “Irish Penicillin” (Teeling Small Batch Whiskey, shaken with lemon juice and a Ginger, honey syrup, finished with a Floated Peated Irish Whiskey and crystallized ginger); a shot of Red Breast 15 Year Irish whiskey, presented with ice and water; and Dingle Gin with The London Essence tonic water.

Ingredients: Teeling Small Batch Whiskey, Angostura bitters, sugar syrup, finished with freshly peeled citrus and a cherry.

The occasion: We spent the morning walking through St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Chester Beatty Museum, and the Dubh Linn Garden. After a short rest, we met a tour group at the Molly Malone statue and headed out via coach to the Wicklow Mountains, just south of Dublin. The mountains were dramatic, as was “Guinness Lake” complete with a white sand “foam” on one end, but my favorite part was seeing the rolling green hills dotted with sheep–and frolicking lambs! The tour then proceeded to Glendalough, where we walked through the park and marveled at the remains of a sixth-century monastic city. I especially loved the Round Tower and all the sagging tombstones. Once we returned to Dublin, we wandered into The Bank on College Green, so close to Trinity College. Happily, seats were available at the bar, and we had two full hours until our supper reservations at The Boxty House.

My rating: ***** out of 5. The bartender (wow, so many handsome bartenders in this city!) asked if we wanted our drinks smoked–of course we did! He placed the Old Fashioned and the Irish Penicillin in a pretty cloche and turned on the smoke, which added a star to the rating. Teeling is locally made in small batches (compared to Jameson!), and aged in bourbon barrels and then in rum casks. The flavor was smoky and fruity, with some toffee notes.

Final thoughts: The Bank is the most gorgeous bar we have ever visited. The former Belfast Bank building, rich with grandiose Victorian design, took two years to complete in 1894, and the results are spectacular: a remarkable stained glass ceiling, mosaic tiled floors, hand-carved plasterwork, statues, and marble columns. We were truly enchanted.