25 December
2016
25 December
2016
From the bartender’s corner – Is Paris burning?
This is more of a post dinner drink. Cognac and Chambord Raspberry Liqueur. The proper way to take it is to warm it ever so gently (try over a stove or if in a pinch, microwave for 10 seconds or so). You can use rocks too – which is what I have used since I wanted to spread the drink over a longer timeframe (I have not had dinner yet).
24 December
2016
From the bartender’s corner – Kiss Me Quick
When I read up about this drink, I was assuming that it would have some relationship with the cocktail Kiss Me Slow that I had made almost a year back. Turns out they have nothing to do with each other. This has Curacao, Absinthe, Bitters and Soda Water.
Not my most favorite cocktail. The Absinthe, of course brought the freshness but the taste was too bland to the tongue. Plus I do not think I am a big soda water fan. But here it is if you want to try it out…
22 December
2016
‘Tis the season to be jolly..
This is one hilarious family!!!
Last night, it was pretty late by the time I came home from Milwaukee. I had a quick dinner and went off to sleep.
Early this morning, I woke up and was making coffee for the family when I noticed what the two daughters have been up to! In one of those rare moments of sisterly collaboration, Natasha – who is home from New York – and Nikita have put some some Christmas wish lists on the refrigerator. I wish I could say there was no selfish desire behind this.
What is really funny is the content in the lists… Looks like Natasha wants some colorful pens (that is sooooo me) and a few books. It also says – “any one book” lest we thought she is crazy thinking she wants more than one book. And get this – permission to dye her hair!! An 18 year old asking for permission??? I must have done something right!!
Niki – spoken like Niki – went straight to the point – money! And another dog!! And no Saturday math!!! And if she got all that, she was down with some world peace and all that mundane stuff!!!
Sharmila, no doubt, worn by a whole day of the two sisters under the same roof just wants peace and serenity. To which one of them wrote “No promises”!!
And finally dad had a clean slate, till somebody – and I am going to go out on a limb and suggest Nikita – wrote down her impression of daddy really wants – get this – “Facebook Likes” apparently!!!
Somewhere Zuckerberg must be high fiving himself!!!
18 December
2016
From the bartender’s corner – Canadian Cocktail
18 December
2016
Nikispeak – or rather, Niki action
Nikita had to go to a friend’s party. Apparently, the dress code was “ugly sweater”. After finishing up some math with her, I told her that she probably should get upstairs and get ready and asked her which sweater was she planning to wear. She went upstairs and after about ten minutes came back to ask me what I thought of it.
It took me a second to realize that she had taken one of her sweaters and had duct taped a good size mirror to it. It took me more than a second to figure out how it was supposed to be “ugly”. Then it hit me!!!
That was outrageously funny, wicked smart and really, really mean at the same time. And such are the days that she really makes me proud of her 🙂
18 December
2016
The year in rear view:: Sights from my own patio
For all the great sights we saw in our vacations, one of my favorite pasttimes continued to be some “me” time sitting in the patio looking into the forest. Sometimes it would be sitting with a cup of coffee early in the morning and hear all the birds chirping. Sometimes it would be late in the evening around a fire on a cold day. And many a Saturday and Sunday summer would be spent just sitting there idling with a camera and perhaps a cocktail.
Best part was patiently waiting for the birds – especially the hummingbirds – and the deer to get close enough to me to take some clean shots. This year, we did not have much ice or snow. So, I have no icicle pictures off twigs and branches like every year.
I hope to increase my quiet “me” times as I keep growing older.
17 December
2016
From the bartender’s corner – Eastside
17 December
2016
From the bartender’s corner – Goldfinger
14 December
2016
Tables have been turned…
Niki is at an extracurricular activity and I am waiting outside. Sharmila has reached home and I got a call from her “Are there any eggs at home?”. I am sure she has noticed the completely clean refrigerator in the kitchen by now. I asked her to look in the refrigerator in the garage (where I had put in the thoughtfully bought extra carton of eggs).
And just now, I sent her by email a list of all the weekend activities and parties I have signed her up for like she does to me every weekend 🙂
Who is wearing the pants in our house now? 🙂 🙂