Black Sheep Dancing

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Category Archives: Drinks


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Boozy Watermelon Slushy

Since I moved back up north, I have blossomed into a full-blown foodie-wanna-be. I say that, as I am not a total food snob, but I do love to cook, and I do love good food. Since my munchkin would prefer to eat peanut butter and jelly every day, and Riley shouldn’t really be eating people food, I have guests over for dinner so we can enjoy yummy food. Food like my Boozy Watermelon Slushy. Okay, maybe that’s a drink, but hey, those are good too.

With that never-ending watermelon (Think pickles, and more pickles), I still had about two gallons of watermelon puree I froze into cubes and have been storing in the freezer. And then we had that heat wave. That just screams refreshing drink.

Boozy Watermelon Slushy

Ingredients

  • Watermelon cubes (puree frozen into cubes)
  • Mint Simple Syrup
  • Vodka
  • Sprite or Soda Water

Directions – Combine cubes and syrup and blend. Add vodka. Pour into glass and top with sprite for a sweet drink or soda water for something a little lighter in taste. For a thicker drink add regular ice as well to the blender stage. If you’re feeling fancy, garnish with a sprig of mint.

I purposely did not do amounts – that’s up to you. It’s up to you how boozy/sweet you want your drink.

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Happy Birthday – No Cake.

This weekend Aunt M came down for birthday celebrations. Mind you, this was her third celebration, but who’s counting? And what do you get someone who has everything she needs? You make dinner, of course!

We had…

Caprese Salad Skewers

Amish Macaroni Salad

Marinated Portabello Mushroom Burgers with Goat Cheese, Spinach, and Beets

Pineapple Salsa

Mojitos

And, for the big birthday, neither myself nor my sis are big fans of cake. Everyone else is welcome to enjoy it, but there are so many better things in the world to eat, why waste time on cake? Although, I must admit, I love to bake them. Anywho, I went with the Southern Style Strawberry Shortcake. I even made the whipped cream by hand. SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! That stuff is so awesome. I may never get my whipped cream from a can again.

After our lovely dinner we had every intention of going to the Gallery Hop, but Munchkin was begging for a movie, so we went to the movie theater. Sometimes caving to wants is easier for everyone involved, and it was super hot out, so that air conditioning was looking more and more appealing. Movie sold out. Boooo. We decided to stop in a nearby store and that’s when the storm hit. Crazy wind, rain, and even hail! The power went out, so we decided to head home. Shopping is no fun in the dark!

Happy Birthday, Aunt M!


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Refreshing Saturday

This is day 3 of my mega long weekend. I am so enjoying it. After a busy month, I needed to kick back and relax. I had my naps, my reading…today it was a sit on the porch kind of day…kind of. After we did everything else.

First, we went to the parade. Munchkin loved the gallons of candy he got. I’m pretty sure he ate about five pounds of tootsie rolls just during the parade, not to mention everything we took home.

Then we went to the grand opening of Columbus Commons. It was lots of fun, but I think the festivities could have been a little more clearly defined. It was hard to figure out everything that was going on without any posters or schedules. Fun, non the less. The science experiments by COSI were a highlight!

So, we were ready for a break, or at least I was. We were sitting on the porch eating some of my cinnamon bread when I spotted the mint and I HAD to have something with it…immediately. So I made some yummy mint simply syrup to put in some iced tea. Ah, did that hit the spot!

We topped the evening off with Tangled. Very cute, classic Disney movie. We might have to buy that one.

Mint Iced Tea

Combine 2 cups sugar, 2 cups water and approx 10-15 mint leaves (chopped) and bring to a low boil and stir until all sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain into a jar and refrigerate.

To serve: Pour about 1/4 of glass with simple syrup. Fill glass with ice and top with iced tea. Stir and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Enjoy!


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Exercise + Cooking Show = More Exercise

Image from the Food Network

At home I only have the most basic of cable, roughly 15 channels. I get the major networks and a few random other channels. What don’t I get? The Food Network. Well, at the gym I go to they have a million channels and televisions on each piece of machinery. While exercising I tend to rotate between Lifetime Family, VH1 and of course, the Food Network. Well, actually the Food Network is most of the time. Not really a good idea to work up an appetite while exercising, but hey, it’s a great channel!

So, Saturday morning while I was on the eliptical I was watching the Paula Dean show and saw this fabulous recipe for Sweet and Spicy Coleslaw. It looks delicious, and it adds to my desire to make some jalapeno pepper jelly. Because you know, I’m obsessed with canning lately. I also seem to love anything with vinegar in it. Maybe it’s a nutritional deficiency or something.

I also watched 5 Ingredient Fix. I had never watched this show before, but it’s kinda fun. And who doesn’t love Frozen Lemon Mint Juleps?

I have been thinking about having people over for dinner sometime in the near future now that it is warming up. I think these both might make it on the menu!