Campari Spritz #SummerCocktails

We celebrated our friend Cathy's birthday here on Memorial Day.  The group that gathered is traveling to Italy in September so I decided to kick things off with a Campari Spritz.

Cheers.  We are celebrating Summer Cocktails.......

Nutella Hot Chocolate , A Book Review, and the Weekly Menu

I just finished reading The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods.  It is a fantastical tale of parallel worlds in which a bookshop is the catalyst between the 1920s and modern day.

X is for Xylocarp

What is a xylocarp?  It is a fruit with a hard woody shell.  The best-known xylocarp is a coconut.  And the best way to enjoy coconut?  In a Pina Colada, of course.

With just 3 ingredients, some ice, and a heavy-duty blender you can enjoy an Xciting Xylocarp Cocktail.....

L is for Lemonade and a Book Review

This is my 9-year-old granddaughter's recipe for Lemonade that is the perfect amount of sweet and tart.

L is for Lemonade......

Meyer Lemondrop Martini #SundayFunday

This delicious summery cocktail starts with Meyer Lemons for a wonderful sweet/sour treat.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Cocktails and Mocktails today......Cheers!

Strawberry Smoothie #SundayFunday

Fresh Strawberries, Frozen Banana, Pineapple Juice, and Greek Yogurt combine to make a scrumptious, refreshing smoothie.  Perfect for Breakfast or a post-workout snack.  

The Sunday Funday bloggers are sharing Strawberry recipes today......

It was a Dark and Stormy night #SundayFunday

It was a Dark n' Stormy night here on the farm.  All the family had taken their little goblins home after the last pool outing of the year, and Grammy and Grampy were ready to relax. 

When Grampy asked what he could get for me, I asked for this cousin of a Moscow Mule made with Dark Rum instead of Vodka.

Enjoying Turkish Coffee while flipping through The Essential Guide to Turkish Wines #WineDownWednesday

Deep, dark and aromatic this Turkish Coffee, made without an ibrik, is worth the extra work when you want to serve up something special with dessert.

I enjoyed mine while flipping through The Essential Guide to Turkish Wines written by one of my blogging friends Andrea LeMieux of The Quirky Cork.

Paloma for National Grapefruit Month #FoodieExtravaganza

I'd like to introduce to you Paloma, cousin of Margarita.  Made with Tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup and club soda, served on the rocks in a salted rim glass.  I think I may prefer this over the popular Margarita.....I've always been a sucker for underdogs.  Cheers!!!

The Foodie Extravaganza Gang are celebrating National Grapefruit Month.......

Orange Hot Chocolate #SundayFundayBloggers

Every holiday season I look forward to buying those Chocolate Oranges that they sell wrapped in foil.  You crach them on the table and they break into segments.  I think chocolate and orange is one of my favorite flavor profiles.  

So I decided to ask Frank to jazz up my hot chocolate with a splash of Grand Marnier last night.  

Banana Pumpkin Smoothie #SundayFunday

Fall has officially arrived here on the farm in Michigan.  The weather is cooler, the leaves are starting to change color.  This week the pool will be closed up and the majority of the outdoor furniture will be put into the barn until next season.

As the weather changes so does my appetite.  I start craving pot roasts instead of steaks, roast chicken instead of bbq chicken, soups instead of salads.  Squash becomes the vegetable of choice and fresh tomatoes and corn become fond memories.

Watermelon Mojito #SundayFunday

This refreshing, delicious drink is the perfect summertime cocktail.  

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Melon recipes with you today......

Blue Milk Cocktail #FoodieExtravaganza

Cheers and May the Fourth be with you!!!!  This cocktail was inspired by the Blue Milk served in the first original Star Wars Movie.  Are you impressed that I know this?  Don't be.....I got this information from our second son, Tony, who is not only a Star Wars afficionado but also a bartender by trade.

The Foodie Extravaganza Crew are celebrating May the Fourth with Star Wars inspired recipes.......

Carrot and Citrus Infused Water and A Book Review #LitHappens

Water is the source of all life. We are unable to live without it, yet many people don't drink enough water each day.  I love water, especially when it is turned into wine LOL.....seriously I do love water and drink even more of it than I do of wine  Mostly I drink it with no more adornment than ice but, sometimes, I want something a little fancier.

On those days I add fruits, vegetables or herbs to add a little pizazz.  In this case I thinly sliced some lemon, carrot and orange, added it to a pitcher with filtered water and put it in the refrigerator overnight to enjoy the next day.

Cuban Batido #CooktheBooks

Sweet and frothy this fruity Cuban drink reminds me of the Orange Julius' that used to be in stands in the center of every mall in America.   Not quite as thick as a smoothie but just  as delicious.

I was inspired to make this drink after reading about it in our Cook the Books Selection.....

Candy Corn Cocktail to Kick off the Weekend

 Pumpkin Spice Liqueur, Caramel Vodka and Rumchata combine to make a drink that tastes amazingly like candy corn.  Perfect to welcome Halloween season.....

Mexican Hot Chocolate with Chile #FoodnFlix #LitHappens

Creamy, decadent hot chocolate with a hint of spice from a toasted chili pepper.  This is the perfect ending to a crisp fall day.

We are revisiting the film Chocolat with the gang over at FoodnFlix and some of us are sharing our thoughts on the novel over at Lit Happens.

Enjoying the Enlarged Deck with a Good Book and a Glass of Blue Mango Sun Tea from Adagio Teas #Sponsor

We spent a couple of weeks enlarging our deck before Memorial Day.  I was very happy when it was done and I could relax and enjoy it.

I had received some wonderful sponsor gifts from Adagio Teas including the pitcher that you see in this photo and some Blue Mango Iced Tea that is being released for sale today.  I placed a pouch into the pitcher, filled it with cold water and set it out in the sun for a few hours. 

Monster Brains and Witches Brew #FoodnFlix

These fun recipes that I am sharing today are just like the movie by which they were inspired.... The Addams Family.

They are creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky and altogether ooky.  And oh so much fun!!  Just like the film.

Delight your little ghosts and goblins by serving up Monster Brains and Witches Brew with dinner this Halloween.  They are spectacularly scary and ghoulishly good!!

Green Appletini #AppleWeek

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #AppleWeek . I received complimentary product from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the #AppleWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

This recipe is intended for those readers of legal drinking age for alcohol consumption.  Please drink responsibly.

Sweet, tart and refreshing this cocktail is like taking a bite of a crisp green apple.

Today is the 5th day of our Apple Week event.  We have been sharing amazing apple recipes all week long and since it is Friday, what better to share than a cocktail to start your weekend off.........