Happy Birthday Ellie!

Ellie,

We hope you have a very happy 4th birthday today!

Love,
Your cousins
Thomas and Brennan

What I've Learned about Sledding

The boys are on their 3rd Snow Day of the week! I took them sledding near Brennan's school this morning before they went to spend the afternoon with friends.


Brennan loves to sled!


Video of Thomas heading down a small hill. And then my camera batteries died so that's all I got!

All the snow pictures I've sent look dark because I've been working during daylight hours this week or it's overcast. I'd love to take some pretty sunny snow pictures one day.


Our backyard off the master bedroom deck.

What I learned:
1. I do not have the right sledding clothes - especially snow pants or boots.
2. My boys are fearless.
3. Foam sleds are better than plastic sleds on these hills.
4. I really don't enjoy cold weather after about 30 minutes.

Hope you're enjoying warmer temperatures than we are!

Snow Days!

Yesterday morning when we woke up

Poor little holly bush off our front porch

Much like the magic of Christmas, snow is for kids! We heart sledding!

As I was leaving for work this morning - lots and lots more snow

The Whiskey Sour

Another 5 Swizzle Stick score! I tried the Whiskey Sour today and it was a hit.

It turns out that the Sour family is quite large. A Sidecar and a Margarita are both examples - most drinks that have a base liquor and then lime or lemon and sweetener. Other popular versions are a Gin Sour, Amaretto Sour (yum) and a Pisco (Brandy) Sour. This variation of cocktail was first cited in the late 1800s, but became very popular in the U.S. in the 1940s.

In the article that David found in The Atlantic, two sources were cited and they were two I use regularly in my attempts at research. That was cool to see!

David enjoyed The Whiskey Sour. His only suggestion was to keep the ice cubes a little less crushed - more cube-y. OK.

To make simple syrup - boil 1/2 cup water and then remove from heat. Add 1 cup sugar and mix until well dissolved. Refrigerate the leftovers. My recipe called for 2 brandied cherries. I soaked these in brandy for a few hours.

David's Swizzle Stick Rating:
The Whiskey Sour - 5 Swizzle Sticks

The Whiskey Sour - 2 oz. Bourbon, juice of 1/2 lemon, 2 brandied Maraschino cherries, and 1 tsp. simple syrup. In a blender add all ingredients. Blend until cherries are well chopped. Serve in an Old Fashioned cocktail glass with two Maraschino cherries.

If it weren't for the still present Bourbon flavor, I would have enjoyed this. It was definitely more palatable than the other Bourbon drinks I've made so far. I will stick to the Amaretto version for now though!

Piano Recital January 2009

Thomas and Brennan performed at their piano recital today. They both did so well!

Drs. Stephen and Sophie Reen performed before the recital began. Stephen is the boys' piano teacher.


This was Brennan's first recital! The keys on a grand are weighted a little differently and it threw him off a bit, but we were so proud of him and he was really proud of himself (notice the missing bow). He played "I Hear the Mill Wheel" in D Minor. Click here to view the videos if you are looking at this in email.


This was Thomas's 3rd recital - an old pro. He played "Musette" by Bach in D Major.

Celebratory lunch at Johnny Carino's.

Classic Cocktail Bars - an article

I am recovering from a strange flu - fever, chills, and aches, but no other symptoms. And it's taking FOREVER to run its course. During this time, I haven't thought much about the next drink. Only water sounds good.

But David found a neat article in The Atlantic about clubs specializing in classic cocktails. I'm in good company!

Enjoy!