Page 17

giving you the (humming)bird

When SK and I honeymooned in Jamaica, we were introduced to the most delicious beach drink… the hummingbird. (We also won the dance contest at the resort, but I’ll save that for another day.) The bartender suggested them for breakfast(!), and after one sip I was hooked. I got the recipe before we left and make them each year on our anniversary.

Awwwww. Boozy breakfast beach drinks. So romantic.

Last week, we celebrated twelve years while on our family beach trip to Seaside. After I whipped the kitchen into shape, I whipped up a batch.

In case you are wondering (you aren’t), I take a travel K cup coffee maker on vacation. And I rearrange the kitchen of the rental house. And I buy basil to keep by the sink (because tomatoes). I also assemble a bar/snack area, and pretend I’m at an all-inclusive resort.

It’s exhausting really.

Back on topic, hummingbirds require rum cream liqueur, and it can be difficult to find. SK couldn’t find Cruzan, so he picked up Rum Chata. The drinks were still tasty, but I definitely recommend Cruzan if you can find it…

Hummingbird

(Serves 4… or you can half the recipe. I use a shot glass to measure.)

2 ounces Milk
2 ounces Kahlua (or other coffee flavored liqueur)
2 ounces Rum Cream Liqueur
1 ounce Strawberry Syrup
1 Banana
Crushed Ice

Combine all the ingredients and blend until smooth. And delicious.

Bananas? Milk? It is practically a smoothie. Heck, you can throw in a little spinach and tell people you are on a cleanse. Maybe I should market these things…

Wowie’s Wondrous Boozie Smoozie. You might not lose weight, but you will definitely feel better.

smoozie(duh): drunk speak for smoothie; also, smoothie with booze in it.

And just for fun, here’s a pic of G washing his pips (with no water)…

pips: Graham speak for armpits.

Move over selfie, I think we have some “Word of the Year” material over here.

wowie

June 13, 2014

beach, florida, just wowie, recipes, yum
pack that thing up

I tend to use this place as a platform for sharing my issues. Hi, my name is Wowie and fill in the blank. Today, I would like to discuss packing. I know there are people in the world who can up and fly to another country in an hour’s notice. I am not one of those people.

When I go out of town it looks a little something like this…

1. A few weeks before, I decide I do not have any clothes. I also discover that my children have outgrown everything they own. A frantic online sale search ensues.

2. A week before, I must wash every item of clothing in our house. Even things that have zero chance of being packed. Hole-y Blue Mountain t shirt from 1999? Clean and ready to go.

3. During wash week, I also tackle procrastination projects like cleaning out closets and organizing my makeup drawer. Also, non-trip related tasks like backing up my laptop and supergluing a broken candlestick. Overdue thank you notes? Written. Must do all the things.

4. A couple of days before, I start making stacks. Stacks of stuff to take. Stacks of stuff I might take. Stacks of pancakes. Heaven forbid that, while making said stacks, I realize I can’t find something. For example, the bathing suit coverup I took on my honeymoon (that I didn’t even like then) suddenly becomes my favorite thing in the world. All forward progress screeches to a dramatic halt, and I rip through all the progress made (in step three) to find it. This could last hours. Even days. Sometimes I forget what I am even looking for.

5. The night before we are scheduled to leave, I finally break down and pack. At the last. possible. minute. I will stay up half the night under packing and then overpacking. I try on everything I own. After that, I clean the house. The next morning I am so worn out that I just want to bag the whole thing.

Once we arrive, I realize I don’t have about half of what I need and that I have tons of stuff I don’t. Like my “favorite” coverup from 2002 and a full set of luggage under my eyes. I am pretty sure this is one of those traits SK did not sign up for.

Please tell me I’m not alone. Or recommend a good therapist.

wowie

May 30, 2014

just wowie, travel
friday five {summer break(down)}

1. Airing Dirty Laundry

And just like that, another school year comes to an end. Needless to say, Wells and Graham are excited for summer break. I am excited for a uniform washing respite. Sometimes I feel as if my sole purpose is to do laundry. The minute I think I have it all done, the hamper is overflowing again. I am not complaining because we have a washer and dryer, and I’m not dragging my washboard down to the creek. (Hashtag blessed) I did consider implementing a “you wear it, you wash it” policy but didn’t want to end up with a house full of naked.

2. Got No Game

We don’t own a Wii or any other gaming device. But, there is one in the childcare room at my gym. For weeks, Graham has been telling me that I really need to work on my beach body. In those exact words. Talk about motivation. To buy a Wii.

3. Too Cool for Pool

Yesterday was their first full day of summer break. We went to my parents to hang out. My daddy took them to the store and bought them new toys. They stayed in the pool until it was dark. On the way home last night, Wells told me he couldn’t wait for us to “do something fun” this summer. Maybe I should make them do laundry since it is loads of fun. (Get it, loads?) (Ugh. My jokes need as much work as my beach body.)

4. Drop It Like It’s Hot

Graham, on the other hand, is perfectly satisfied to hang around here pending minor adjustments. His only request is the removal of the backyard play set. Oh, and that we replace it with a hot tub.

Beach bodies? Hot tubs? I think he watches too many rap videos.

5. Hunger Games

So far today, they have requested donuts, sno-cones, popsicles, popcorn and cake. This is in addition to the more generic plea for “a snack” or “something to crunch on.” They have asked for juice boxes no less than 50 times. At one point, Graham claimed to be “starving” for candy. I didn’t give them all those things because I don’t want them coming down with the sugar, but it still looks like our pantry has been looted. I guess I’m going to have to take a second job to supply their summer snack needs. Better yet, I’ll let them open a lemonade stand so they can foot their own bill.

Who am I kidding? They would drink all the profits.

I am linking up for another Five on Friday. Stop by and check out all the posts and the precious pics of April’s new baby girl. Happy Memorial Day weekend!

wowie

May 23, 2014

family, friday 4, parenting, summer

giving you the (humming)bird

pack that thing up

friday five {summer break(down)}