A Watershed Moment

We were fortunate to visit Chicago for New Year's and had some time to kill prior to our dinner at Sprout (which was amazing!  For you "Top-Chef" fans, it's Dale Levistki's place.)  But a serendipitous highlight was having a drink at Watershed, a new "speak-easy" style bar.  The concept is wonderful, only beer, wine & liquor from the Great Lakes region is served and everything is fresh and hand-crafted.  And the Moscow Mule I had was one of the best cocktails I have ever had.  I think this new movement of fresh, slow food & drink is a real boon to anyone who appreciates the finer, yet simple, things.

Thankfully, I had this awesome evening because the next night in the E.R. with a stomach bug....not such good times.

Anybody up for a post-op party?

Best news of the day: discussing my upcoming sinus surgery with the ENT and he says that it won't require any "packing" (gross) which means I can still drink wine.  (I have no idea what one has to do with the other.)  My involuntary response: "Sweet!"  Frankly, I don't know whether to be sad or proud that the Dinks's passion for wine has become legend.  Hmmm, maybe I should have asked him to clarify quantity of consumption.

A Blog about Nog

So I've been craving eggnog this last week.  I never had the stuff until I met Mr. D but I was a quick convert.  (Side note: I love that eggnog is strictly a Christmas holiday drink.  No lapping over to Thanksgiving or Valentine's Day.)  So I'm sure you're wondering, "Well, Mrs. D, you're not shy about throwing back an alcoholic drink.  What's the hold-up?"  My problem with eggnog is that it scares me.  Seriously, eggs, cream, and rum/bourbon (or both)?!  What's cruel is that by the time you are old enough to drink it, all you can do is think about the marathon you would have to run to burn it off.  We are already inundated with fudge, pies and cookies this time of year so let's add a 1,000 calorie drink to that, shall we?  Yikes!  

"What about a low-fat egg nog, Mrs. D?  I'll pretend I didn't hear that....  And soy milk nog, seriously?!

So, I'll stick with my usual wine-soaked holiday season but I'm not promising that if a perfect glass of nog is presented to me for consumption, I'm going to get my "nog" on!  After all, isn't burning calories what January is about?

Brunch (or Day Drunk Part Deux)

Mr. D called me at work today with this epiphany:  "No wonder we like brunch so much, it's when it's socially acceptable, even encouraged, to drink during the day."  Thanks, honey.  Now it's 10 a.m., I'm doing research, but all I can think about are O.J. & bubbles. 

Brunch really is the most fabulous invention.  It combines some of the best pleasures in the world - bacon, fresh croissants, freshly-squeezed juice, champagne & vodka.  And hopefully, jazz.  (But this really isn't the blog to get into my fabulous musical taste.) And you don't have to get up early to enjoy it.  

One of my favorite traditions when going on vacation anywhere near Destin is to have brunch at Angler's Beachside Grill,  They give you a basket of various breakfast breads and bottomless champagne/mimosas.  And it has outdoor dining overlooking the most beautiful stretch of beach.  Food-wise, Anglers may not be Commander's Palace, but the casual, fun ambiance mixed with gulf breezes - and did I mention bottomless mimosas? - is five star in my book.

So, with the holiday season in full swing, why not break out your omelet pan, hit up your favorite bakery for fresh goodies and, instead of the typical mimosa, try out this "made for the holidays" version - a "poinsetta".  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/poinsettia-cocktail-recipe/index.html 

Cheers & Happy Holidays!

It's 10 am somewhere?

The best part about being a DINK is by far being "day drunk" and having absolutely no guilt about it ( no kids who need dinner, diaper changes, etc.).  Okay, it's good for single folks too but, let's face it, when you are older, the "day drunk" is the best.  Let's be honest, we can't stay up late enough to get drunk during regular drinking hours. (Frankly, I don't understand who thought going out and drinking after 10 pm was a good idea.  Cocktail hour is before dinner folks!  But that's a subject for another post.)

This past Sunday, Mr. DINK (or Mr. D as he will be hereafter called - can you tell I'm a lawyer) & I said to hell with the crappy week we had and decided to hang in the pool and drink all afternoon.  Beer for him & wine for me. It was, in a word, LOVELY.  Until my favorite show was about to come on at 8 p.m. & I just couldn't make it.  Eyes were closing and sleep was imminent.  Knew I should have gone with the hard stuff.  Thank God for the DVR.

So next weekend (most employers frown on this during work hours), cue up the music and chill the bevvies.  Day drinking is not just for vacation anymore!

(Important safety note:  If you plan to throw down a good "day drunk," please have dinner plans/food at the ready because when you decide you are starving, or merely need to soak up the alcohol, driving is bad plan!)