Weekend!

Can I get an "Amen" to that?!

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Looking forward to tasting some yummy beers on Saturday with my girl, Molly. Nothing says "Farewell February" like some quality brew and a great friend!

And of course, it's Oscar Sunday! Sarah, for the past three years, has hosted a soiree at her place. Sweats are REQUIRED, while treats & beverages are readily consumed. Cannot wait to see what all of the stars are wearing!

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Enjoy it, friends, it's the weekend!

Luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

'Arry Pottah!

I really wish you could have heard me say the title of this post out loud. Trust me when I tell you... it was awesome. In all seriousness, tomorrow needs to be a national - scratch that, GLOBAL - holiday. My tickets were purchased a month ago and since then, I have been throwing magical lingo into everyday conversation. You think that's an Amtrak train? Wrong! It's the Hogwart's Express. I realize this is making me sound crazy more than anything, but better this than Twilight, right? (I read those, too...)

But I digress! Nothing is better than a good book, and it will be sad when the movie ends and there is nothing to look forward to. I will admit, I was wary about this wizard-boy stuff when I was in high school. Thank goodness for my friend, Sarah, for talking some sense into me. It wasn't until college when I read then, but good lord, I could not put them down. I was a nanny the summer I read them and I could not function without reading these books. I would take the girl to the lake - she would swim and I would get my tan on while learning about unforgivable curses & Mandrakes. 

I. Was. Hooked. 

The books were written in such a way that I was able to fully immerse myself in the Hogwart's universe. It's been such an adventure seeing the cast grow up and it is amazing to see what a worldwide phenomenon Harry Potter has become. I think it goes without saying that I'm pretty excited for the 7:05 showing tomorrow night.

... And I hear the 3D glasses look like Harry's!

HH: The Happiest of Hours

There is no better way to end a long day at work than with a nice, cold beverage... of the adult variety. Sure, you could crack open a Thomas Kemper if you really wanted to, but I don't want to. And it's my blog. So there.

After attending Happy Hour with a dear friend of mine, it seemed appropriate to share my favorite drink recipe: the margarita! And my margarita will, hopefully, blow your mind. The secret to this recipe is the sweet and sour. No, not that bottled stuff. Homemade sweet and sour. It is ridiculously easy and worth it - trust me.

SWEET & SOUR

Sugar

Water

Fresh Lemon/Lime Juices 

*Boil equal parts sugar and water over medium heat until all sugar has dissolved.

*Pour into a shallow baking dish and place in the refrigerator to cool completely. 

*When cool, combine 2 parts simple syrup with 1 part (each) lemon and lime juice. 

*Too tart? Easy! Cut it with a little bit of water and you should be good to go.

And now for my philosophy on choosing tequila, or any liquor for that matter. Do you really want to buy a $50-$60 bottle of booze only to end up mixing it with something else? I know I don't want to, but it also doesn't mean I'm scrounging around the lowest shelf at the liquor store. My favorite tequila for margaritas? Sauza Hornitos. 

NOT YOUR MAMA'S MARGARITA

2-3 Slices of Fresh Lime

1 1/4 ounces Tequila

3/4 ounce Cointreau (Orange Liqueur)

1/2 - 3/4 Cups Sweet & Sour

Cranberry or Pomegranate Juice

Grand Marnier

*In a cocktail shaker, combine lime slices, ice, tequila, Cointreau, and sweet & sour. 

*As OutKast once said, "Shake it like a Polaroid picture." 

*Empty contents into your favorite glass. Add more ice.

*Top with a smidge (yep, smidge) of cran or pom. This is more for color than flavor.

*Finish it off with a touch of Grand Marnier. 

And there you have it, my go-to summer drink. Here's hoping Seattle brings us some sunny afternoons as soon as possible - CHEERS!