Thursday Thirteen - Things I Dislike

Hate is a strong word, so here are thirteen things I strongly dislike.

1. Mayonnaise. I would rather not eat than eat something that has mayo on it.

2. Black beans. I love Mexican food, but make it with pinto beans for me please.

3. San Francisco Giants. I was raised a Dodger fan so I might actually use the word hate on this one.

4. Mornings. I have never been a morning person and never will. The only good reason to get up early is to go on vacation.

5. Dentist. I don’t even like hearing a dentist’s drill or anything that sounds like it.

6. Driving in an ice storm…especially on roads that have not been treated. Thanks VDOT that was great fun.

7. Spam email. Does anyone actually open these or click on the links anyway?

8. People who come to work sick. Please just stay home and keep your germs to yourself. It’s not like you are getting any work done anyway.

9. Cleaning bathrooms. I would get a house cleaner, but I don’t like the idea of giving someone a key to my house. There are 4 and a half bathrooms in my house, so this is quite a chore.

10. People who bring too much carry on luggage on a plane.

11. The vent that blows on me constantly at work.

12. Birds of prey

13. People who wait for cars to pull out in a parking lot when there are open spots just a few spaces down.

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Wordless Wednesday - Mmm...Smells Good

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Fruit/Rum Punch

We had some tasty drinks while on vacation. When we wanted something refreshing, but without alcohol we ordered fruit punch. It was so good that we asked what was in it to make it at home. I made it a couple days ago and had it with and without rum.

Caribbean Fruit Punch:
12 oz Orange juice (no pulp)
12 oz Pineapple juice
12 oz Guava juice
Splash of grenadine

Then add rum to taste. For this amount of juice, 6 oz of rum was about right to make it tasty, but not overwhelming on the rum flavor.

Freedom Is Not Free

As it says on the Korean War Memorial in Washington DC, "Freedom Is Not Free". Thank you to all the men and women who have served this great country. I recently watched a program on PBS called "Carrier" about life on an aircraft carrier. It focused on the lives of the people serving on the ship as well and their loved ones at home. It made me realize what a huge sacrifice people in the armed forces make for their country. I could not imagine being away from home for six months (or more) at a time or having my husband be away. So to all in the armed forces, again, a big thank you!

Wordless Wednesday - I Was Here Last Week!

Devil's Bay on Virgin Gorda

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No TV Is Better Than Only CNN

We did not have a TV in our room on vacation last week. I was not sure how I would handle this since I always have TV on in the background at home. One of the resorts did have CNN on at the bar though. I have decided that I would rather not watch TV at all than watch only CNN. It was way too depressing. People were dying in China from an earthquake, Florida was on fire, and there was torrential rain where I live. No thanks...I'll just have another drink and head to the beach. OK, I do admit that I brought a DVD player with me and watched a few episodes of 30 Rock...but I did also go without the internet and I drank only 1 caffeinated beverage during the week.

Back From Vacation

I am back from vacation and had a wonderful time! My husband and I spent a week in the Virgin Islands splitting time between Caneel Bay on St. John and Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda. We fell in love with Caneel Bay and St. John and cannot wait to go back. I also found a new tasty drink...the Bushwacker. It's made of vodka, Kahlua, Baileys, amaretto, Frangelico and coconut cream, then blended with ice and topped with nutmeg. Yummy! I am working on a trip report and will post pictures soon.

Vacation!

My vacation has finally arrived! I leave early tomorrow morning and I will write when I get back.

Thursday Thirteen - Vacation Songs

I am going on vacation this Saturday so here are 13 songs that remind me of vacations and summer.

1. Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes

2. Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet

3. Mexican Minutes - Brooks & Dunn

4. Mexico - James Taylor

5. On the Road Again - Willie Nelson

6. Vacation - Go Go's

7. Boys of Summer - Don Henley

8. Summer Lovin' - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John

9. Holiday - Madonna

10. Cruel Summer - Bananarama

11. Kokomo - Beach Boys

12. California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas

13. Summer of '69 - Brian Adams

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Long Island Iced Tea

I made my first attempt at long island iced tea this weekend. The recipe I got off the internet was really strong and it was too strong for me. My husband liked it though. I want to try to find a recipe that doesn't use tequila. I once asked a bartender why some long islands seem so good and others don't and he said it was because some use tequila and I probably like the kind without tequila. Or maybe I need to play with the amount of sweet & sour since that seemed to help. I tried adding more coke and that ruined it. I have since learned that the coke is just for color, not flavor. I will keep trying to perfect it!

Thursday Thirteen - Cocktails

Here are 13 drinks I want to learn to make this summer.

1. Gin & tonic

2. Long island iced tea

3. Lemon drop martini

4. Cosmopolitan

5. Vodka martini

6. Champagne cocktail

7. Tom Collins

8. Mango margarita

9. Mai tai

10. Mudslide

11. Hurricane

12. Singapore sling

13. Strawberry daiquiri

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