St. Germain Lemon Aid |
Entering the blogger world is like entering a new dimension. It’s a peaceful dimension where everyone is kind and polite and sweet and we are all good looking and of course, eat incredible food. It is kind of like being in 4th grade where the teacher makes everyone say something good about each student in the class and if there’s a race in PE everyone gets a ribbon. Blogging is a benign, graceful world and one I am happy to be a part of. If only life was so simple and predictable.
I think fellow bloggers appreciate what it takes to get a blog out. It involves cooking and reading and maybe research. Good photos help and writing skills certainly are an asset. And even though we may only be writing to get our thoughts on paper for future generations and not for a sizable audience it is certainly comforting to get those pat on the back comments. It’s kind of like a check plus that a teacher gives for getting the job done and turned in on time. But some days it’s hard to come up with anything witty or suave.
Like today. I was going to tell you what a crappy weekend I had because our basement shower backed up because the trees feel desire each spring to grow and send out new roots. And also because Mr. Rabbit Hunter didn’t feel like pulling the toilet to roto rooter before it flooded. Can’t say I blame him. But it obviously needed to be done as the water that so slowly eased into his office, kindly pointed out to him after jolting him from his office chair. This of course happened while I was washing a large load of dirty clothes, so it was my fault.
But all of that seems very trite right now as I think of the Boston Marathon and all the people it affected. Though I wasn’t there and didn’t know anyone that was, I feel for Boston tonight. I’m thankful for all of the people that came together and the massive effort put forth to help others. I hope the terrorist sees that while he’s hiding out in his dirty rat hole; while being hunted like the prey he is.
In a few weeks it will be time for my daughter’s race. She’s only running a half marathon and she’s doing it to raise money for a cure for leukemia. It will take place in our nation’s capitol and she has trained hard for it. I am proud of her. She’s met her financial commitment and now completing her race is her goal. She will run and she will run with pride. I am sure she will run with thoughts in her head that shouldn’t be there. But that won’t stop her. And for that I am grateful.
She isn’t being courageous. She is just running. She wants to get a good time. She wants to raise money. She just wants to cross the finish line. She is no different that any other runner in that respect. She runs because it makes her feel alive. It makes her feel proud. Kind of ironic, isn’t it? Runners run to live. Terrorists run to hide.
I won’t tell you that I won’t be nervous on race day. I will be. I want her safe and well and out of harm’s way. But more importantly I want her to live. I want her to relish each moment of life with the respect it deserves. I want her to beat her time and I want her to feel the exhilaration of crossing the finish line. And I want her to feel it every day. Isn’t that what life’s about? Appreciating each day and living it to the fullest. Can’t do that hiding in a hole.
A few notes:
Some days we need a little aid, if you know what I mean. If you know me, you know I love a pick me up now and then. And so much the better if it involves a cocktail made with St. Germain. St. Germain is made from elder flowers and gives a light, fresh flavor with a hint of sweetness to any drink it happens to come across, I add it to wine or Prosecco in the summer and also love it with tequila or gin or vodka. I am easily pleased. And when the rabbit hunter wants to please me he makes me this drink. He says I am nicer to him with one of these under my belt than if I had a few glasses of wine. Well, go figure. Anyone would be nicer after this. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.
To fellow bloggers who love Meyer lemons. This is my contribution to Meyer lemon mania. You can use any lemons to make this though, so don’t worry when Meyer lemons disappear.
Everyone need a little Aid. |
St. Germain Lemon-Aid (Dedicated to Mr. Kitchen Riffs who told me to blog this drink. But he would take a better picture!)
2 shots gin
1 shot St. Germain
1/2 shot agave nectar
1 lemon squeezed
Chill one large martini glass by filling with ice and then with water.
Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker. Shake 30 times. (A bartender told me this does the trick. What the trick is I don’t know.)
Pour water and ice out of martini glass. Pour liquor in. Garnish with a thin slice of lemon rind. Prepare to enter a simpler world.
In a simpler world, ironing sheets is not required. |
Abbe Odenwalder
Monday 29th of April 2013
Thanks Renee! I'm with you. I love St Germain. And if my elder flowers ever bloom I am going to try an infusion! Now that will be interesting... Thanks for stopping by!
Renee Hendrix
Monday 29th of April 2013
I love that St Germain is making a come back! This drink sounds really lovely - simple enough to allow the liqueur to be recognizable, but interesting enough to make it a bit more complex (the magic of a good gin) and delicious. Well done!
Renee Hendrix
Monday 29th of April 2013
I adore St Germain, and love that this old school liqueur is making a come back. This recipe is simple and not fussy so the flavor is easily recognizable, but interesting enough to make it exciting. Well done!
Kim Bee
Monday 22nd of April 2013
I love this post for so many reasons. I love lemons, and so glad John encouraged you to blog it. And I hear you on kids and not living in fear. I worry every time my walk out the door. My son lives far away now and I worry every day but I'm so glad he's doing his thing. Great recipe!
Shulie Foodwanderings
Thursday 18th of April 2013
Truth to be told I really do not know much a bout mixology. I like how the cocktails look, including this st.germain lemon beauty/