Tequila Two Ways

It would have been three ways but I can't remember the last one -- perhaps I should lay off the tequila, eh? Really, though, if you have some spare Jose or Pepe (or whatever brand you prefer) in the cupboard, try these recipes. They're both good, and my clothes haven't fallen off yet (aren't you glad of that?).

Simple Margaritas
3/4 cup tequila
1/4 cup (maybe a little less) orange liqueur
1/2 container frozen limeade (no need to thaw)

Place all ingredients in a blender and give it a whir. I prefer to use a snow cone machine at this point to chop up the ice, put the ice in glasses and pour the liquid over the top. However, should you not have one, you can put 4 cups of ice in the blender with the other ingredients. The second option usually yields chunkier chunks of ice.


Margarita Ice Cream
1/2 cup lime juice (bottled lime juice works fine unless you just want to squeeze fresh juice)
2 tablespoons tequila
3 tablespoons orange liqueur
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
2 cups heavy cream

Pour the lime juice, tequila and orange liqueur into a bowl and stir in the sugar to dissolve. Add the cream and then softly whip until thick and smooth but not stiff. Spoon into an airtight container to freeze overnight. This ice cream does not need ripening (softening before serving), as it will not freeze too hard and melts speedily and voluptuously.

For a lovely serving presentation, rub the rim of the margarita glass or wine glass with a lime and dip in a mixture of ½ cup sugar and ½ tsp salt mixed. Spoon a couple of small scoops of ice cream in and top with fresh grated lime zest.

Happy 4th!

Mortimer Mouse

With an annual company income of over $36 billion dollars, who would have thought that it all began with a $500 loan from a relative? In the beginning, Walt Disney was selling his films for a flat fee to a distributor, who in turn rented the films to movie houses. Oswald the Rabbit was making good money but Disney was reaping none of the benefits.

Disney wised up, vowed to never sell his creations again, and Mortimer Mouse was born. Only he was very shortlived (like less than a minute) because Walt's wife thought Mickey sounded better than Mortimer. Disney brought him to life as the voice of Mickey. In three short years, the company was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and Mickey was a very famous mouse.

You Want Fries With That?

Of the following two options, which burger sounds better to you?

(1) Hamburger with cheddar cheese, tomato, lettuce and onion

(2) Hamburger with cheddar cheese, onion, mushrooms and jalapenos

If you chose number one, you'd eat the same burger as Barack Obama.

Option two more your speed? You're better off dining with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.

They shared fries. Wow.

Then and Now

Then (Disney World, 2006)....

...and now (Disney World, 2010).

{six}{seven}{two thousand ten}

daybook {six}{seven}{two thousand ten}

i am thankful... to be married to the most loyal, thoughtful, kind and gentle man in the world. I love you, sweetie!


i am thinking... late thirties isn't as old as it used to seem to me.


i am hoping... to hear something soon from Layla over at The Lettered Cottage. My sister played in the high school marching band with her brother-in-law, and I worked with her mother-in-law. Her husband is in the band Puddle of Mud and her father-in-law used to be the political cartoonist for the local paper. She is an interior designer -- one who hopefully will be taking my living room on as a project. I think she's gotten to be quite popular lately and I must wait my turn on her list. No, she won't be parading around my domicile -- her concept is an internet based approach that is very reasonably priced, I think. She will design your room, send you the details, and then you re-do the room at your own pace and based on funds available. Pretty neat, huh?


i am creating... lists, lists and more lists. I am a list maker, yes it is so. I love to cross things off as I complete them. Lists this week include what to pack for Disney, what to make sure gets done before we leave, and what fun things to do with the kids for the rest of the summer. We love the road trip list!


in the kitchen... margarita ice cream. OH. MY. STARS! If the nice lady who gave it to me will share the recipe, I'll share it with you. OH. MY. STARS! But I said thay already, right? It is delish!


outside my window... the pink dianthus are blooming and very fragrant; the calla lilies continue to flower; and the caladiums are three times as dense as when I planted them earlier this year. They keep growin' and growin'.


worth sharing...



(A calla lily bloom from my yard. Color your day bright!)

Doughnuts on the House

In observance of National Donut Day, Krispy Kreme is giving away one donut per customer today, totally for free. Just go in, ask for your favorite and take a bite for me. If you don't live near a Krispy Kreme, well....move.