Happy Hour Dance Party: National Dance Day!

July 30th is National Dance Day, so there's another excuse to get up and dance!

Happy Hour
Dancing Dana
(via drinksmixer.com)


1 can frozen lemonade concentrate
1/2 can Raspberry Twist vodka
1/2 can blue Curacao liqueur
1 can ice cubes

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender
2. Blend until smooth
3. Add water to taste if needed
4. Pour blended drink into margarita glass
*You can rim a margarita glass with sugar, if you'd like

My name's not Dana, but this drink looked good. Plus, Dana wanted to dance :)

 

Happy Friday!
-M

Manic Monday: Heat

Air conditioning is a gift. I don't know what I would do without it. So my previous comments about technology and simpler times? The one where I mentioned I don't know what I would do without my iphone? I have to add air conditioning to that list of things I wouldn't want to be without. It was H.O.T. But then, I don't think I'm sharing anything that anyone reading this wouldn't already know.

I enjoy Saturdays because it's the day the bf and I spend together. I like to do things outside- especially in the summertime. This weekend, I was hoping we would take the dog on a hike. Really looking forward to that and to possibly making it to the tennis courts for a game since we haven't played in a while.

We quickly amended our plans upon stepping outside. I grew up in Miami and for some reason, I couldn't remember it ever being that hot down there. The heat fried my brain because that can't be, can it?!

So we had the bright idea of going to see a matinee. It was such a good idea. So good, everyone else had the same thought: the movie was sold out. Ever adaptable, we decided to have a True Blood marathon instead and went home for Season 1. The bf never saw it and I won't pass up True Blood. So I made some white sangria (yum), he grilled a pizza (even yummier), and we enjoyed vampires in ac.

It was a great day.

Hopefully, we can go on that hike next weekend!

Happy Monday!
-M

PS I haven't seen season 1 in a while. Eric looks soo much better now. xxoo

Happy Hour Dance Party: Ear Worms

At some point in time this week, the songs chosen for the dance party were stuck. In my head. On repeat. While I love most of them, having them playing over and over was getting old. So I elicited help from others to try and get the songs out of my head. You would think that friends being...well, friends...would help a girl out. Instead, they created an even uglier, meaner ear worm: Macarena. *shudder*

I hope you enjoy what's in my head (and gummy worms)!

Happy Hour Drink
Gummy Worm
1/2 oz mango vodka
1/2 oz raspberry vodka
1/2 oz blue curacao liquer
Splash of Sprite

Stir together and serve! 

Note: drink will be neon blue

via drinksmixer.com

Manic Monday: Confessions

I have a confession to make and I hope you don't hold it against me. I love Pitbull. Yes, Mr. Worldwide. Maybe it's the fact that his songs and collaborations have a good beat. Or that every time I hear his Spanglish, it makes me smile and reminisce about growing up in Miami; makes me think of being surrounded by family and Cuban food. Yummy croquettas, media noches, pastelitos, and cortaditos. Mmmm... I'm not sure, but there...it's out!

South Beach

And since I'm throwing that out there, I might as well add that I am fascinated by Russell Brand.

It feels good to come clean!

Happy Monday!

-M


On the same page....

I love when Michele and I don't talk about what we're going to blog about, but then have such similar thoughts...it always makes me smile and love our friendship even more.

I too love Russell Brand, a secret I've been harbouring...I even like him in Bunny form (the movie "Hop"). 

And Croquettes!  Funny enough, my father-in-law gets a mystery subcription to "Latina" magazine so he gives me the issue whenever it arrives...and I'm such a magazine junkie that I totally look forward to reading it.  This weekend he brought the August 2011 issue and inside was a recipe for Potato Croquettes & Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder.  Just as Michele was reminiscing about our Miami upbringing this weekend, I was too as I read Latina.

Finally, I confess that Saturday night as we hung out at our friends house with all our kids (ages 2-10) all the adults, including myself, knew way too much about Selina Gomez & The Disney Channel.  I think we all watch The Wizards of Waverly Place more than we'd like to admit.

Enjoy your guilty pleasures this week!!!

Elena

Happy Hour Dance Party: Obliviate

Harry, Ron, and Hermione are back (and Neville...have you seen Neville lately!?! W.O.W!) It's bittersweet because it's the end; still, I'm excited to reconnect with that world! So, what better way to honor the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 than creating a Happy Hour Dance Party!! :)


Happy Hour Drink
Gryffindor Shot

1/2 Cinnamon Aftershock
1/2 Goldschläger

1. First layer the Aftershock
2. Then layer the Goldschläger on top.
*It’s best if you shake the Goldschläger first so you can get some gold flakes.

via castlesandcooks.com --check them out as they have shots for all the houses! I chose gryffindor because that is what the sorting hat told me I was! ;-)

Extra Treat! (cuz I love Ron and this song by All Caps!)



PS The sorting hat at personalitylab.org can tell you what house you belong in. Then you can check out the corresponding drink recipe at castlesandcooks.com!

Enjoy!
-M

Manic Monday: Comfort

Last night my 2-year-old son woke up several times.  By the third time, he'd come into my room and I knew he didn't need anything - no milk, no diaper change, nothing like he usually does.  I scooted over in bed and pulled him under the covers beside me and within a minute or two he was sound asleep.  Just like that.

This may be typical for any other parents, but not for me.  Actually, it's been a year since my little one has slept beside me.  I can recall exactly when it was - on vacation, in an Orlando hotel...our first night there after a late check-in.  My then 1 1/2 year old was confused and upset so I finally got him to calm down and he fell asleep beside me.  The rest of the vacation he (thankfully) slept in the port-a-crib I had taken with us.

Last night it was comforting to feel his little body against mine, to hear his soft breathing, and to know he was just there. 

This weekend I found out two of my close relatives are sick, one is in critical care in the hospital and another is awaiting diagnosis for something I wouldn't wish upon anyone.  I've been thinking of them both non-stop all weekend.  I also read a great magazine article about survivors of the recent US tornadoes that tore through cities months ago, leaving shredded houses and destroyed lives in its wake.  The article featured several families that survived - a reminder of how precious life is, how unexpected life can be.

I didn't expect to find my son asleep beside me last night, but I relished it.  What a comfort to know that we both have each other today. 

Elena


Comfort can have so many different meanings for us which may not necessarily be the same. I find comfort in moments: snuggling on the couch with my bf and our dog, Hayley, as we find a movie we love playing (this weekend, it was Napoleon Dynamite!); hot chocolate at the end of the day; Bob telling me everything's gonna be alright; being behind a camera; making myself giggle; the silence around me on a secluded hike. What I find hard, though, is knowing how to comfort another when they need it. It's hard to find the right words to say--and this coming from someone who labors over her words compulsively!

This weekend, I found myself thinking about comfort during a family celebration for my bf's birthday. An unexpected dilemma occurred which resulted in the grown-ups discussing the news and me with the nieces chasing fireflies. I didn't want to overstep any boundaries and thought by keeping the kids occupied, the adults could discuss freely. Until my bf's mother sought me out and I was left scrambling for those words. I want everyone to be happy so seeing her cry made my search for the perfect comforting thing to say even more difficult. Bob came to mind without the same results he usually has on me. So I hugged her and told her that we were there for her and would all figure it out together. 

I wish there was some magic thing that one could do or say that would make everything alright and provide comfort as needed. I hope I had an effect on her and was able to at least let her know she wasn't alone. And that it provided her some solace.


-M

Happy Hour Dance Party: New York

There hasn't been a happy hour dance party in a couple of weeks and I apologize. Have been busy with vacation. (yes, busy!)

We were in New York last week and I have to admit that I would like to still be there. And on vacation.

Alas, I'm not. BUT it is FRIDAY!!

Happy Hour Drink
Manhattan

3/4 sweet vermouth
2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1 dash bitters
1 maraschino cherry
1 twist orange peel

Combine the vermouth, bourbon whiskey, and bitters with 2 - 3 ice cubes in a mixing glass.
Stir gently and place the cherry in a chilled cocktail glass.
Strain the whiskey mixture over the cherry.
Rub the cut edge of the orange peel over the rim of the glass and twist it over the drink (don't drop in glass).

via drinksmixer.com