Rolling Hills

30 cubic yards of crappy dirt and lawn gone; 15 cubic yards of blended soil (garden compost, sandy loam, chicken poop) piled about. Don't know why Mr. Delivery Guy dumped the stuff at the point furthest from the center of the hole, but 8 hours of shoveling and dumping later, at least we have a uniquely bumpy yard. Next stops: irrigation and concrete and yes, more dirt.

Weed Free!

Ahh.. our yard has been blasted into orbit around Pluto. My only regret is that I wasn't allowed to use any dynamite, napalm, or a flame thrower on the miserable thing. Yesterday, the only green in the yard came from the dandelions and even those where looking wilted, wimpy and beyond all hope. Now, instead of a spattering of a few dying weeds, we have a gaping hole loaded with rocks and impenetrable clay.

Proud to be the owner of...
'rockiest damn yard I've ever seen' - 'Dozer Guy.

Summer Thyme

Perfect for lounging in the hammock on the hottest of summer days. Be warned, this little refresher goes down too easily and packs the coolest of punches.

Moisten a highball glass with a lemon wedge. Rim with sugar. Fill glass with ice.

In a cocktail shaker:
Muddle 1/2 lemon
Add-
ice
2 oz Absolut Citron
2 oz lemon-thyme syrup*

Shake well and strain into highball glass. Add a healthy splash of club soda. Garnish with lemon on the rim and a sprig of lemon thyme in the glass.

*Bring 1 cup simple syrup to boil. Remove from heat and add 1/2 oz lemon thyme sprigs. Let cool and refrigerate for 1-3 days. Strain. Should keep in the fridge for several weeks.

Tono de la Joya

Inspired by the lovely color of lavendar blossoms this is a very sweet drink best suited for a picnic dessert. It's a bit sweet for my liking, but I LOVE the color. As soon as the blackberries are ripe I'll try substituting them for the blueberries.

To make a pitcher (12 drinks):

1 cup blueberry syrup*
1 - 1 1/2 oz Cointreau or Grand Marnier
18 oz vodka
10 oz fresh lime juice
3 oz lavender syrup*

Combine in pitcher and refrigerate until well-chilled. Stir and pour into chilled martini glasses. Garnish with a fresh lavender sprig and/or a fresh berry or two.

*Blueberry syrup: cheat and use the stuff you'd put on pancakes OR In a saucepan combine 1 lb blueberries with 1 cup simple syrup and 1 oz lemon juice. Bring to boil. Remove from heat and drain off syrup.

*Lavender syrup: in a saucepan bring 3 oz simple syrup to a boil. Add 1 tsp dried lavender blossoms. Let cool. Refrigerate overnight. Strain and pour syrup into an airtight container. Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Rosemary Verde

I first sipped this cocktail at Ciao Vito on Alberta in Portland, Oregon. It's pretty darn tasty and garners points for its unique taste and wonderful aroma. Crisp and a bit tart with just a hint of rosemary. Perfect cocktail for a summer barbeque.

In a cocktail shaker with ice:
1 1/2 oz rosemary infused vodka*
1/2 oz triple sec
splash of fresh lime juice
splash of simple syrup

Shake, strain into martini glass. Finish with splash of club soda. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

*2 sprigs of rosemary in 750 mL of top quality vodka. Let fester for 2 days.

Summer Concoctions

Time for something zingy and zippy. A cocktail that shouts summer at the top of its lungs. Lavendar, rosemary, lemon, berries, rosepetals, pansies... ah, but how do these flavors and colors fit into the perfect cocktail for a 4th of July barbeque? for sipping while swinging in the backyard hammock? for sitting under the stars on a warm summer's eve? Let the experimenting begin!