Absolutely Intoxicating

It is supposed to be so cold tonight that it will break the record set in 1920 for this date. We are expecting lows between 21 and 24 degrees. The record is 25. Already, it is getting so cold that I may have to put on socks.

To keep the house warmer, I cooked a pork tenderloin this afternoon seasoned with lots of lemon pepper, garlic and fresh rosemary from my herb garden. Using the oven on cold days keeps the kitchen on the north side of the house warm and makes the house smell yummy.

To add comfort on this cold day. I made Absolut Peartinis. I've decided that a peartini is the most wonderful way to become aromatically intoxicated. I didn't follow the Absolut recipe since I am not a fan of simple syrup unless I am drinking mint juleps. Here's how I made our Absolut Peartinis. For each peartini, pour the following into a cocktail shaker that is loaded with ice:

3 parts Absolut Pear Vodka
1 part Triple Sec or Cointreau
1 part unsweetened apple juice
Squeeze of fresh lemon
Fresh rosemary sprig for garnish

Shake well, strain and pour straight up into martini glass. Add a sprig of rosemary for the garnish



I have to tell you that this is the most delish aperitif to grace my palate in years! I bruised the rosemary and made it into a sort of cocktail stirrer and the fragrance of fresh rosemary with the pears and apples is divine. I can't even begin to tell you how good it smells mingled with the oven baked scent of lemon and herb roast pork tenderloin. Try this drink! If you like pears, you will not be disappointed. I can't wait to get to the market and buy some fresh pears to experiment some more with this delicious flavored vodka.
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Righteous Cocktails with Steena

An online friend of 12 or 13 years dropped by for a visit yesterday. It was our first meeting in person but we've been friends so long we just took right off chatting like she's here every day and no one even thought to take a photo. Dang!

We inhaled assorted cocktails, scarfed up copious amounts of bruschetta and shrimp and laughed and talked for hours. We didn't have any Jello Shooters, but I managed to coerce our guest to drink a Green Apple Martini, a Sparkletini and a rum Mojito. Those Chicago Land gals can hold their liquor.

Here's how I made Steena's Sparkletini:

Place 3 ounces of ice cold Raspberry Sparkletini in a large martini glass.
Shake 1.5 oz. of Vanilla Vodka and 1.5 oz. of Raspberry juice over ice.
Strain into tooni glass with Sparkletini
Garnish with a red ripe, locally grown winter Strawberry.

Thinking it would make us seem more pious, we walked her around our house and showed her how she could see 4 churches from our yard. I don't think it worked but it was a righteous visit. Drop by again soon, Steena!

Manhattan by Proxy

Secretly envious of our friends, Kathleen and Anton and their holiday trip to New York City, we salute them vicariously by drinking Manhattans, straight up and mellow, in Florida.



Hope y'all are having a grand time!
Send pix.

(Damn, these are good!)
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