The Green-eyed Monster

Couldn't resist this topic on St. Patrick's Day. No, I'm not talking about jealousy.  I'm talking the monster that rears its ugly head when a couple is worried about their "green."  Money, that is.  Mr. D and I are certainly thankful to have wonderful jobs and at least one of ours pays pretty well.  So we've been better off than most, for which I am very thankful.  However, this hoarding of cash apparently results in the need to spend a ridiculous amount of it on a house re-model (our house is from the 1950s).  We've been paying a little up to this point on our architect but the bids are about to roll in and work to start in 6 weeks.  (Btw, architect is worth every penny, we are so clueless).  As I'm writing, Mr. D is meeting with an "audio design" specialist to get an estimate on making our home a music/video showplace.  (I do love my tunes!) Plus we'll be staying with a friend, along with our 2 dogs, for a little while I'm sure during this process - not condusive to good times.  So let's pray we make through alive and without putting ourselves in too much debt.

To top it off, condos where we went to college and where we regularly attend ball games are going down in price and, without this re-model business, we would jump on buying one tomorrow.  Ugh!  (I know, boo-friggin who.  Problems you want to have.  Just call it our bonus for being somewhat wise with our money and not having to pay for private school or college tuition.)

On a lighter note, don't really get the fascination with this holiday.  Green beer is disgusting, although I am a fan of all pub-type food.  We live in Mississippi, which has very few actual pubs but which has a great parade.  However, it's become a drunken, extremely crowded nightmare. (God, I sound old!).  So I think tonight will be just consist of a really great beer and we'll call it done.

UPDATE:  Went to a local (and for Mississippi, authentic) Irish pub and had a Smithwick's.  Then we had Greek food.  What? It was around the corner from the pub.  Topped off by a watching of Top Chef on DVR - good times.

Loopholes for Lent

So Mr. D announces to me that he is giving up liquor for Lent.  I immediately felt the cold sweat breaking out on my forehead and the rock in the pit of my stomach at the thought of how grumpy he was going to be.  I started determining ways to keep him out of the house for the next 40 days.  I mean, it's like invasion of the body snatchers had just occurred.  The look of utter panic on my face must have given him pause because he then added, "Oh, I'm still going to drink beer and wine, just not LIQUOR."  Maybe he should have been the lawyer in the family.

Getting my fizz on!

So two of my favorite adult beverages are champagne and a vodka soda.  Just depends on my mood.  Imagine my sheer ecstasy when I discovered this new concoction this afternoon, which was rolled out for the upcoming Oscar ceremonies:

Grey Goose Le Fizz - Created with Grey Goose vodka, delicate elderflower cordial and fresh lime juice this refreshing cocktail is the perfect aperitif for the festive season. The Grey Goose Le Fizz is shaken over ice and served in a Champagne flute topped with soda water for a truly elegant finish.

So it's a tricked-out vodka soda in a champagne flute.  I'm digging that!  (Okay, I'm not a fan of Grey Goose but I'm sure any high-end vodka would be awesome.) The only problem is finding the cordial...seriously, I live in Mississippi.  "Bubba" at the liquor store knows about peach schnapps but elderflower might be out of his league.