Tax time...suckers

"Let me tell you how it will be...There's one for you, nineteen for me..." It's that time of year for we American's who have jobs - Tax time. Some of us just have to add a few lines and sign the bottom, others have to actually hire help to get through it. My Dad called it a 'built in savings account' when I was starting out. He now calls it a yearly 'duty'. Either way you view it, you can't avoid it (for very long anyway). We can argue about who should pay what, but at the end of the day, we all pay something. So we are drinking my own creation, "1040A" tonight. Dark Cherry Vodka, Chocolate liquor and Orange juice. Garnished with a sucker... CHEERS FRIENDS!
Recipe for "Joy's 1040A"
1 oz. Dark Cherry Vodka
1 oz. Chocolate liquor
Orange juice
Orange Tootsie Pops


Pour Vodka and Chocolate Liquor in shaker filled with ice.  Strain into martini glass and fill to the rim with orange juice. Garnish with Tootsie Pop.

Love in a blender. Valentine's Day 2012

Tonight is the Friday of Valentine's Day weekend, and the commemoration of love will be honored - mostly here in the US.  My dear husband is found of reminding me that this really is a 'made up' holiday, and the greeting card industry was behind the whole thing.  I know he's right, but it still is nice to have yet another excuse to celebrate love, and all the joy's it can bring.

It definitely has had it's up's and down's for many of us, but a strong emotion like love should be a little unpredictable.  That's what makes it so exciting.  It's a little strange that we American's start our youngsters out in pre-school with the practice of bringing Valentine Cards for the whole class, all of which proclaim something about being "mine".   That proclamation of possession seems to go contrary of the real meaning of love that we read about in the Good Book: "Love does not demand it's own way..."  Perhaps I've just stumbled upon a real source of trouble in our culture and the way we form loving relationships.  We don't take people hostage in love, we join with them, each remaining unique in the blending.

So tonight, my Valentine and I will toast to the blending of our lives in love.  Each of us bringing a group of people to the union, and a different viewpoint on life.  Has being in love with Chris changed me?  Oh my yes.  And I think I've changed him (just a little) too.  But we remain loyal to our basic beliefs and personages, and our taste in cocktails too :).  We are celebrating love in the blender with Pomtini, for me,  and Crown Royal, for Chris.   CHEERS FRIENDS!
Recipe for 'Joy's Pomtini'
2 oz. Vodka
2 oz. Pomegranate Juice
Sugar rimmed Martini Glass
Pour Vodka and Juice in a ice filled shaker.  Shake well and strain into martini glass.