A Life, Lived

Fool the Fools

This old quote explains a few things in politics right now . . .

Travel Tuesdays - Crete

Friends of mine just arranged a vacation on Crete. They will be there for a month. When we visited the island it was on a cruise ship so you know our time there was BRIEF! I'd like to go back.

Cherry Basil Spritzer

If you can still find some good fresh cherries you'll thank me for posting this beverage because it is nothing short of AMAZING!

Even better, you can make it boozey or non-alcoholic and either way you'll like it.

Like the original poster,  I made this drink twice.  The first time I muddled some cherries with a few basil leaves in a glass, added some simple syrup, vodka (you could add rum if you prefer) and club soda.  Pretty much the same way as making a mojito.  I’m not a big fan of chunky stuff floating in my cocktails.  So I wanted to give it a try with a strawberry basil simple syrup to compare.  Both methods produce a delicious, summer sipper so it really just depends on your preferences for chunks vs. no chunks.  Using a cherry basil flavoured syrup produced a little bit sweeter drink, which for me is not a problem when I make a tall drink that contains ice and club soda.  If you like your drinks not sweet, try the muddled option so you can control the amount of sweetener you add.

Cherry Basil Spritzer

For the Simple Syrup Version:

1½ shots Cherry Basil simple syrup (see directions below)
1 shot vodka
squeeze of fresh lemon juice
club soda

For the muddled fruit version:

4 or 5 fresh cherries, pitted
3 basil leaves
½ shot simple syrup (more or less to taste)
squeeze of fresh lemon juice
club soda

To make spritzer with cherry basil simple syrup:

Prepare flavored simple syrup by combining 1//2 C. sugar, ½ C. water, 1-1/2 C. pitted and roughly chopped cherries* in a saucepan and bring to a boil to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat, add a few basil leaves (not too many or it will overpower the cherry flavor) and let it simmer about 10-15 minutes to break down cherries. Set aside, let it cool. When cooled, pour mixture into fine mesh strainer and strain to remove solids.

In cocktail shaker combine cherry simple syrup, vodka, and lemon juice, Shake well, pour into a tall glass filled with ice. Top with club soda.

To make using the muddled fruit method:

Add cherries, basil, simple syrup to glass. Muddle well to break down the fruit. Add vodka, lemon juice, ice. Top with club soda. Stir to combine.

For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the alcohol.

Tiger or a Sheep?

Travel?

Which one are you?

Travel Tuesdays - Russian River

On the weekend I lost my mind and decided to clean out the wine cellar. While I was doing that I found a few bottles of wine which triggered some memories of our last visit to the Russian River Valley wine region.

Peach and Blueberry Cobbler

This is a classic southern recipe - different than the cobblers more familiar in the north with a sort of biscuit-like topping. It is also one of the easiest dessert recipes I have every made.

I LOVE easy.

You require three ingredients for the crust – self-rising flour, sugar, and either milk or buttermilk. For the filling you can simply use a can of pie filling. Oh, and you need a stick of butter. See it is southern.

Now I mix it up - I always use some combination of fresh fruit. I generally add some spice to the fruit - in this case I added some cinnamon. I also add some vanilla to the batter (because everything is better with a splash of vanilla).

The nice thing about this recipe is you whip it together just before you sit down for dinner and by the time you are done eating you have an amazing dessert waiting.

Peach and Blueberry Cobbler

1 stick butter
1 cup self rising flour
1 cup milk or buttermilk
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups fruit
1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Place butter in an 8X8 square baking dish. Place dish in oven until butter is melted.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and sugar. Mix well, then stir in milk and vanilla. Pour the mixture into baking dish, on top of the melted butter.

Place the fruit on top of the batter.

Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, until peaches are bubbly and crust is lightly browned.

There is Only One Side

Like the majority of folks I was truly horrified by that images of what transpired in Charlottesville, VA last weekend.

As a white male with privilege I look at those images of other white males marching with tiki torches 'defending' their race with disgust. Whites do not need protection. We are not under attack. Raising others up so that they share the same advantages that we have does not diminish us. It is a big table, there are many places, and we should be welcoming as many people as possible to take a seat.

I've been in Toronto for the past week for our Annual meeting.

On Monday I heard about a rally near the US consulate. Torontonians were invited to gather and voice their displeasure with the alt-right movement and the hate spewing from some confused folk south of the border.

I joined the crowd.

This sign really struck home with me . . .

Can you imagine? Yes, we do need to say this. It is a vile twist of history that there are some who glorify Nazis and march with swastikas as a sign of daring pride.

Can you believe that these folks forget the world came together and fought a horrific war because Nazis were so evil? Millions died to defend against the spread of Nazism and their evil ideology. The mind boggles.

After the rally I wandered past Toronto city hall. On the grounds I found this memorial:

I can only imagine what Winston Churchill would think if he new folks were marching with swastikas and glorifying Nazism on the streets of North America in 2017.

Travel Tuesday - Toronto

OK So I guess you're not really traveling when you live 45 minutes from a spot. It does not help when you make you way into the location every day for work either. However, while in Toronto for our Annual Meeting I did venture out and do a truly touristy thing . . .

Yes, I snapped a pic of the now iconic Toronto sign!

Stand up for Science!

Stand U