August 29, 2010

Summer is practically over. There.  I've said it.  Now I feel sick. It’s not that I HATE winter, I just don’t like it very much. Tuques wreak havoc on my hair do and winter driving makes me catatonic. I need to move to Belize. Failing that, I’m going to hold onto these remaining days of summer with an iron grip.  It’s not denial. I like to think of it more as, “savouring the last few morsels of summer.”

So, before I start posting tips about the joys of autumn entertaining, here’s one last kick at the cat.* The perfect drink to help you beat the heat or to transition from summer to fall is...

...a chilled red wine.

My summertime drink of choice had always been a crisp white since I was under the impression that chilling red wine was trashy. Turns out I was wrong. This summer I chilled out with a fruity red and I liked it. A lot. And I wasn't alone.  All the cool kids are doing it.  Here's how:

Avoid robust, heavily oaked reds high in tannins i.e. Cabernet Sauvignons.  Chilling them enhances their tannins and they end up tasting bitter.

Choose light, acidic, low tannic reds i.e. Gamay/Beaujolais, Lambrusco, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Barbera.

Chill it, but not like this ---

I put this white wine in the freezer and forgot about it. A few hours later...wine-sicle. 

Chill red wine in the fridge for about 1.5 hours before serving or 30 minutes in the freezer.

Or chill in an ice bucket filled with ice and water for about 20 minutes.

Though as tempting as it may be for the thirsty and the lazy, do not put ice cubes directly into your glass. It will dilute the wine. 

Red wine can be "Spritzed" just like white wine and by the by, Spritzers are NOT just for old ladies! They’re lower in calories and alcohol content (some days I care, some days I don't...), they’re refreshing and also stretch a bottle of wine further.   Add soda, sparkling water or 7-up to a glass of red and voila!  Call it a Red Wine Spritzer or...a Tinto de Verano (Spain) sounds much more exotic.

Long live summer! Seriously, I’m wearing white (probably stained with red wine) way after Labour Day and you can't stop me.  Not in denial.  Just love summer.  Winter sucks. That is all.

* Though I enjoy cats about as much as frostbite, I’d never actually kick one.  Pumpkin, Liquorice....you’re purrfectly safe.

Labels/Tags: Lisa, Party Mummy, Chilled Red Wine

Posted by LisaT at 21:53:54 View Comments | Click Here to Comment

August 23, 2010

Behind every great Party Mummy stands a great Party Daddy.

Whenever a party is in the works, my husband is my numero uno side kick, soux chef, child minder and idea bouncer off-er. He knows when to jump in and more importantly, when to take cover.  He rolls his eyes at the off the wall party ideas but when the event is in full swing, he’s the first to tell me how much fun he’s having.  I planned a wedding recently and there seemed to be an abundance of spousal eye rolls in my direction, yet when all was said and done, who was right there fluffing and arranging the bride’s veil?  Party Daddy.  Someone had to, it’s not like the bride could do it herself.  She’s a Chihuahua for dogs sake!

Dog wedding.  Hence the eye rolling I suppose.  It was a barking success though, I swear. (Blog to follow soon).

Behind my soiree lovin’ spouse, there's a conga line of other fun loving Party Daddies in my life too.

My dad:  master of the BBQ, snack bowl filler up-per and provider of epic portions of homemade potato (pronounced pah-tay-dah) salad. Collecting and bunching up cast aside wrapping paper is also one of his specialties.

My father in law: always ready to capture the special moments on film, raise a heartfelt toast and ensure traditions are passed along to the grandkids.  He’s sentimental and a kindred Capricorn spirit who rarely rolls his eyeballs.

My brother in law: a new daddy and a great one at that.  He pitches in without hesitation; from organizing and performing in a puppet show for the kids, to running my son’s Sports Day birthday party last year. He even hosted a family bbq at my house FOR ME this summer.  I had a conflict so he stepped in and co-hosted with Party Daddy.  Not gonna lie, I didn’t have high hopes.  Well slap me sideways and call me stunned because I came home to a spotless kitchen and confirmation from reliable (sober) family members that the party was a raging success.  Maybe my husband’s right?  Perhaps I DON’T need to control everything.  Just most things. My brother in law is tops.  Plus, he’s super hot.  Is it wrong to say that about my brother in law?  Whatever. I’m leaving it.  A little test to see if he or my husband even read this blog... Hello, hello? Crickets.

My brother: an enthusistic stay-at-home dad who has built an amazing home for his family - like Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, but not creepy. My kids think our house “sucks” compared to Uncle Mike and Auntie Tanya’s.  Guess what kids?  You're right.  Our house totally sucks.  We don’t have a pond stocked with fish, a dock and canoe, a tree house with a corkscrew slide and climbing wall, a menagerie of furry, cuddly pets (my sister in law is a vet. She’s also a Party Mummy in her own right.  She can cook her ass off.  I’m not sure ass and cook should be in the same analogy, but you get my point.), a dune buggy, miles of groomed riding/hiking trails, a trampoline, a pool, a badminton court and.....a Target down the road.  That last point was more a highlight for me, than the kids but shopping there makes me feel giddy like a school girl. Target...squeeeeeee!

Last year our daughter wasn't able to travel, so I stayed home with her while my husband and son made the yearly trip to Michigan. This year, I was nervous (terrified actually) about traveling with her but didn’t want her to miss out on what was sure to be a holiday packed with memories and adventures.  I buried my anxieties and we went. I’m so glad we did. We arrived to a welcome message written in chalk on the driveway and handwritten signs on the front porch.  We were handed a cold Corona as we walked in the door (my husband and I, not the kids).  My host with the most bro even put on a full on fireworks display for us, followed by star gazing (there was a meteor shower that night...how DOES he do it?).

Though I had a few moments of uneasiness about being abroad with our daughter, my brother and sister in law had mapped out an emergency plan - how long it would take for an ambulance to arrive, the best hospital to go to, etc.  They calmed my fears and made this the best summer we’ve had in years. 

The kids rode horses, fished, befriended frogs, roasted marshmallows, raced, laughed and made sweet memories. And  I actually relaxed for the first time in...I don't honestly know. Thanks Uncle Mike.  Thanks to you and to all of the Party Daddies who make life so much fun.

Here's DD kicking back and enjoying her holiday. She's definitely her mother's daughter.

XO

Party Mummy

Labels/Tags: Lisa, Party Mummy, Party Daddies, summer holiday

Posted by LisaT at 00:01:25 View Comments | Click Here to Comment

• PAGE
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• 12
• 13
• 14
• 15
• 16
• 17
• 18
• 19
• 20
• 21
• 22
• 23
• 24
• 25
• 26
• 27
• 28
• 29
• 30
• 31
• 32
• 33
• 34
• 35
• 36
• 37
• 38
• 39
• 40
• 41
• 42
• 43
• 44
• 45
• 46
• 47
• 48