I was looking for a pre-dinner drink along the lines of a martini, but not a martini. Here's a nice drink; not too dry, not too sweet. A word for the wise: choose a small measure for this one if making a single drink, as all the ingredients are alcoholic. Unless you don't wish to make it past the aperitif!

Benedictine Scaffa

1 part Benedictine
1 part gin
3/4 part dark rum
1/2 part scotch
1 dash Angostura bitters
Stir and strain into an ice filled old fashioned glass.

From "Cocktails" by Paul Martin

A had a surprise in the mail today. My FanTeaSea quilt was returned to me after touring Australia and New Zealand for the last 11 months. I emailed a confirmation address yesterday, but did not expect to see my quilt for about a week.

It is...interesting... to see it again after so long. I have a fondness for it that I had forgotten; given the work I put into it I should love it (or perhaps that should read hate?!?). We've already almost found a permanent home for it in the bedroom (on the wall; it's a wall hanging, not a bed quilt). Which led to discussions about heavy curtains to block out the radiant heat in summer, and old tapestries in ancient castles to retain heat in winter.

I spent a lot of time on this quilt. I learned a lot of things whilst making it: new skills and techniques; mistakes; things-you-really-shouldn't-do-to-a-quilt-but-you-did-anyway. The quilt police may cringe at the uneven stitch length, the poor tension, the million fatal flaws that would cause it to be frog-marched from any respectable Quilt Show, but all this gives it a naive character; like your best mate. They are not perfect, but you love them anyway.

So the challenge is upon me again: the 2010 AP&Q AQC challenge theme is Remember. What will we come up with this time?

The Totally Decadent, Really-Rather-Strong Frozen Raspberry Daiquiri

Ok, so this one is my own recipe (sort of). It all started with a couple of punnets of raspberries I needed to use before they went mouldy. So I made a Raspberry Rose Water Ice. This is a recipe for a Water Ice made with Rose wine, not ice made from rose water...

150g sugar
450ml rose wine
400g raspberries, pureed and sieved
50ml lime juice
Dissolve sugar in rose over low heat; cool. Stir in raspberries and lime juice; chill 1 hr. Cover and freeze until firm, beating at 45min intervals.
(Recipe from Ice Cream by Hilary Walden)

This alone is pretty tasty, especially if served with other fruity sorbets &/or fruits.

So during the freezer decongestion I find a couple of scoops left over. Sunday nite, denying the thought of work in the morning... BINGO! The answer is: Frozen Raspberry Daiquiri!
Following a basic Frozen Daiquiri recipe:
1 part white rum
1/2 part lemon juice
1/2 part lime cordial
Raspberry Rose Water Ice (or sorbet)
Pour the liquids over the (semi-!)solid and stir. Enjoy to your hearts content!

Now to teeter off to the bedroom and tumble into bed, face-down and fully dressed.... XD

I've just found a knitting pattern on Ravelry for the perfect 3D version of a DNA helix. And I KNOW that I was talking to somebody a couple of years ago about them wanting a 3D DNA scarf. PROBLEM: I can't think who it was or where to find them!!

So, if you're out there, check out this link:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/babys-first-dna-model

I know that is huge, but think smaller needles, finer yarn...yeah, I can see this as a scarf!

You have permanently ruined a perfectly good musical term, FOREVER!

I will no longer be able to use the phrase "scat solo" without a mental shudder...

Electric Lemonade

1 part vodka
1 part triple sec (Cointreau)
3/4 part gin
3/4 part white rum (Bacardi)
1 part lemon juice
Lemonade

Shake all ingredients with ice except the lemonade. Strain into a highball half filled with fresh ice and top with lemonade.

Sneakily strong, and a similar taste to straight lemonade. The sweetness of the triple sec is countered by the lemon juice and gin. Good long drink for a hot summery afternoon, me thinks.

Recipe from "Cocktails" by Paul Martin.

I have loved this song since I first heard it, and there is an acoustic version available. However, here I provide the link to the original version. Another song I'd love to perform, if only I could play the guitar. This is Kisschasy's "Ugly Birds in a Beautiful Cage".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0MyMJ9Ernc

Enjoy. I know I will :D

A quickie!

Bailey's Comet

1 part vodka
1 part Bailey's Irish Cream

Combine ingredients with cracked ice in an old fashion glass.

From "The Ultimate Book of Cocktails" by Stuart Walton.

So Lion Brand Yarns are having a Knit-Along, and I think I'll join in the fun! What's a KAL you ask? Well, it's where a knitting design is chosen and you all knit the same thing, and blog about your progress, problems, ideas, etc. I think this will be fun as it is international, and also the design they've chosen is so CUTE!

It's called "Textured Circle Shrug" designed by Stefanie Japel (from the book Glam Knits), and she's going to host the KAL, so we all have direct interaction with the designer. What I like about this shrug is that it is high at the neck and low at the back, therefore eliminating those cold draughts that are the bane of my existence. Also, it's formal enough to wear at an office, and depending on what yarn you use it can be for cool summer nights, or cooler autumn/spring weather. The construction is top down with few seams (I HATE seams!) XD Whilst the recommended yarn is LBY Organic Wool, I think I'll use the orange/red Noro Silk Garden that I have stashed away. (In answer to your question Jamethial_Bane, 3 medium size boxes of yarn!). Just need to check that Wool Baa has a few more balls of the same colour in case I run out.

For more details see:
http://blog.lionbrand.com/2009/04/30/join-the-textured-circle-shrug-knit-along/#comment-7780
The next post is sometime later today, so don't miss out on the fun.

Oh, did I mention that the pattern is FREE!!
(You can join in at any time. Just download the free pattern!!)

I thought that you all might like to know that I put Talia to sleep last night. She had been off colour since Easter, and last night deteriorated rapidly. She had a fantastic last week, the weather was beautiful and sunny. We walked in the park each day for an hour where Talia met new friends, both canine and human. She was in good shape for almost 11, and she enjoyed a nice bath yesterday, a walk, and company and comfort until the end. Talia's timing was impeccable; the vet clinic was about to close, but we managed a home visit and Julian was able to come off of dialysis long enough to say good bye.

I don't expect a reply to this post. You will all remember Talia as you knew her, whether through my stories or through having met her. My face is sad, but my heart will not stay heavy.

Talia, you were my beautiful baby girl right from the start. You loved people, you learned to love all dogs and you found comfort, companionship and love with the kitties. We'll miss you for a while yet, but I know that you are in a much better place. Sleep well, and smile upon us.

Sorely missed by Julie, Julian, Buzz, Hydee and all of her friends.