Cheers | Summer Cocktails.

As part of my Summer Bucket List, I'm on a quest to find a new-favorite summer cocktail. Turns out I don't have a favorite (or maybe it's hard to pick just one?!) So how about four?

clockwise from upper left - Moscow Mule, Thyme Salty Dog, Strawberry Mint Sparkler and Peach Fuzz Buzz

Moscow Mule. This is the easiest drink of the bunch. especially if you keep Ginger Beer on hand. My favorite brand is Reed's, but I've had trouble finding it lately; my local grocery carries Cockn' Bull and it's a great stand-in (they must know it, too, because it says right on the bottle that it's for Moscow Mules). I follow a traditional recipe - fill a chilled cup with ice (I don't have copper mugs, but my pewter julep cups work fine), add the juice of half a lime, 2 ounces of vodka and top with ginger beer. One bottle of ginger beer works for about two drinks.

Thyme Salty Dog. This was the first fancy cocktail I tried. I followed this recipe exactly (even to styling the photo!). My sister and I both thought it was delicious - and worth the trip to the store for thyme and fresh grapefruit. Now that I'm getting more confident with my cocktail skills, I want to try a wintery version with gin and rosemary syrup.

Strawberry Mint Sparkler. This one I created all by myself (a first!) for Friday evening snacks with Sara.  For each drink, I muddled 1-2 strawberries in the bottom of a cocktail shaker then added ice, 1/2 ounce of mint simple syrup (made following the same technique/proportions as the thyme syrup for the Salty Dogs), the juice of half a lime and 2 ounces of gin (Death's Door of course since it's local to Sara) and shook to chill. I poured the chilled mixture over ice in a highball glass and topped with sparkling water.

Peach Fuzz Buzz. My sister and I both remember our parents making this when we were kids. I don't have my mom's recipe, but I remember gin, unpeeled peaches, limeade concentrate and the blender. Here's my version - it makes four drinks (perfect for entertaining!)

Add the following to a blender:

3/4 cup simple syrup (3/4 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar)

1/2 cup lime juice (2-3 limes)

2-3 sliced peaches or nectarines (2 if they're big, 3 if they're smaller)

1 cup gin

Blend until the peaches are almost pureed, then add 4 cups ice and blend until frozen.

Easy, cool, and tastes like summer - Enjoy!!

Ten on Tuesday | A(nother) Bucket List Update.

We shared our summer bucket lists back in June and today, Carole's suggested we post an update. Perfect timing since August is already here (and most of the kids around here are back in school this week and next!)

I shared my list back on June 8

and got off to a great start. But it felt like - except for July 4th when I saw fireworks from Sara's balcony - I hadn't made much more progress.

Thank you, Carole, for suggesting we check in. Because turns out I have!

First, summer cocktails. I owe y'all a round-up and a few recipes because, so far, I have four favorites, and I've purchased ingredients to try a few more recipes. Katie and my sister Karen are my cocktail muses and I'm not gonna lie - having Katie out of cocktail commission this summer is making this one a lot harder :-)

I'm just three books away from covering my bingo card. and yep, another update is due here too.

I saw Me Before You and Finding Dory in the theater and I'm hoping to see The BFG with my sister soon (I still need to read the book, but I'm thinking I can do that once we have our movie date set).

...and for the rest -

That popsicle mold I purchased back in June is still sitting in the box. I know. pitiful. especially when Deb of Smitten Kitchen shares photos like this one on Instagram. Charlie, however, has been enjoying "ice" every Tuesday afternoon. If we don't visit Whole Foods for gelato (like last week), he has a frozen yogurt. easy, healthy and nearly drip-free.

Also still to do - a bike ride, the botanical gardens (this is probably going to wait until after Labor Day when it might be a little cooler?), a picnic (ditto), travel postcards (I'll be in Florida for a week later this month), and sparklers.... August and September look like they'll be fun!

Can't wait to read about what you've been up to ... celebrating summer!

(and if you're not already playing along, click here to join the Ten on Tuesday fun.)

Ten on Tuesday (ish) | A Bucket List Update.

Today, Carole's asked us to share our summer bucket lists. Since I did that last Wednesday, I thought I'd "ish" today's topic and share a quick update on mine.

First up, I played the 2016 Mah Jongg card at my aunt's on Thursday afternoon.

...not well...my aunt actually won all four of the hands we played. Clearly, practice helps; she plays two to three days a week! Hopefully I'll have another few opportunities to play soon (before I forget how all over again).

And Mother and I visited the Leesburg farmer's market Saturday morning. In addition to a big bagful of fresh vegetables, we also brought home fresh grouper.

...which she steamed (with a yummy combination of flavored olive oils) for Saturday's dinner.

I also purchased a popsicle mold and I've been doing lots of research on boozy treats. Stay tuned!

And because of course today is Tuesday, here's a quick glimpse of Charlie. Being silly...one of his favorite things to do right now!

Hope your summer's off to a fine start...can't wait to see what you've got planned! If you're not already playing along, click here to join the Ten on Tuesday fun (and thank you, Carole, for hosting another great week!)