June (so far) In Photos

Yes, Florida covid numbers are up, but in my little Gulf Coast bubble, we are fine.  We are smart and mainly do things outside if we go out it the world.  Not a lot of words today, but a lot of pretty pictures showing I have been golfing, gardening, enjoying my beautiful surroundings and having a few cocktails on restaurant patios.

Just another month in paradise.

Easy Summer Cocktail for One

Recently, as a fun way to unite all the guests at our half virtual and half in person bridal shower, we sent everyone invited a cocktail recipe in advance.  I made it for my Zoom session that day and found it so delicious that I have been making it as my go to pool side cocktail all month.

I did make a few tweaks of the original recipe and will give you my quick version for a single cocktail.  The biggest substitution is to use sparkling water or club soda instead of Prosecco.  It’s not really practical to open a fresh bottle of expensive Prosecco every time you want to make a cocktail for one.  Also, I regularly substitute gin for vodka depending what I am in the mood for.  The frozen blackberries turn the drink a pretty shade of pink, but you could use frozen strawberries or raspberries if thats what you have.

Here’s how I make it:

Fill a glass with ice and then fill halfway with light lemonade.  Add 1 ounce vodka (or gin) and fill remainder of glass with sparkling water (or Prosecco).  Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.  Finish by adding a few frozen blackberries and a slice of lemon.

Enjoy!

Virtual Bridal Shower

So, when Covid happened, one of the things that was cancelled was my nephew’s fiancé’s bridal shower in April.  It was going to be at a wine restaurant in Michigan and at that point, no restaurants were open and gatherings were forbidden.  I couldn’t fly from Florida to Michigan and the bride to be had family and friends who couldn’t fly from Massachusetts.

Plan B had to happen, so we rearranged, got creative and pulled off a lovely, half virtual and half in person shower this past Saturday.  Luckily, the stay at home orders in Michigan were relaxed just in time and about 12 people were able to come and sit by my sister’s pool on a beautiful summer day.

We each shared a memory, the happy couple did a cute quiz about each other and they opened gifts that we had previously shipped there.  My sister served food, but those on Zoom shared in the fun by preparing the same cocktail that was served at the shower.

My daughters and I were in charge of the favors and we had planned a “bouquet bar” that the guests could visit on their way out and make a bouquet to take home.  That had to change, so we found the cutest herb infused lollipops with a stick that contained flower seeds - after enjoying the lollipop, the guests could plant the stick and “watch love bloom”. They were easy to mail to everyone too.

It may not have been what we all imagined, especially our sweet bride to be, but you do what you can to make things special.  Now, on to figuring out wedding plans in late July in Massachusetts.  We are still saving the date and hoping for the best.

No Sunny Days

The world feels upside down at the moment.  Just a comment, not a political post.  We have law enforcement officers in our family, so it all just feels personal.

Tropical Storm Cristobal is causing rainy conditions that started yesterday and will continue through the weekend, as the outer bands reach Florida.  Sometimes in Florida it’s hard to lend credence to the turmoil happening in the world when the sun shines most days, the water is blue and the flowers bloom year around. Perhaps, these rainy days are appropriate.

In a way it feels like whiplash.  On top of losing both my parents within a few months, first Covid and now this. Is the lockdown over?  I will use these rainy days to hit the pause button.  The sun will shine again soon.