small things: ice cubes

Sometimes it the small things that make you über-excited. In this case it's these tiny ice cubes. I was at a friend's house and she had these great tiny ice-cubes and I commented on them, she promptly stated that it is the best $4 she has ever spent. To be fair, she has celiac and therefor has fewer chocolate choices. But I agree $4 well spent. I love the noise they make in a soda, iced-tea, cocktail, or seltzer.

sangria

It's warm out, the sun is shining and screaming  "sangria day!" I have multiple sangria recipes, this is a simple one easy to make at the last minute.

1 bottle red wine

12 oz. club soda

1/3 c. sugar

1 lime, juice of

1 orange, juice of

cut fruit to garnish

ice

Mix and and serve in chilled glasses!

The tart was tart.

I invited a friend over for tea on Sunday. I said I would make something special so I made this Cranberry Tart. Although cranberries are often associated with fall (it is their season) you can frequently find them in the freezer section, or freeze a couple of fresh bags in the fall for baking throughout the winter). I made a few adjustments (less sugar, a splash of rum) to the original recipe and it turned out delicious! It was fun to have a Sunday tea - I should do this more often.

Tiny Kitchen

The Tiny Kitchen segments hosted by Jill Santopietro (a nytimes recipe tester) are encouraging, inspiring, and amusing. She prepares everything in her tiny ny city apartment, that is 11.5 sf (they must only be counting her usable counter!). The first video is for a Calvados cocktail: The Normandy (I've taste tested and it is delicious). I look forward to see what else she serves up. (image from New York Times)

Beer!

A common amusement with my brothers on visits home is to go beer tasting... one of the local breweries asked us to do a private tasting of bottle conditioned beer. My brothers and I preferred it, so keep your eyes peeled!