Labor Day weekend...the unofficial end of summer! Wait a minute, wasn't it just Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer? Where did it go? At any rate, I've found myself here at Labor Day and of course a busy weekend of eating... Friday night Dan and I went to the First Friday Art walk down on Santa Fe. We had dinner at El Noa Noa. Without getting into any details, the service was BAD, even getting the table seemed to be a chore, but the food was good and the margaritas were very good. (Again, I only play a food critic on TV). Saturday morning brought a trip to the Farmer's Market at Cherry Creek. I bought some tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and some purple basil. I came home and made some tomato juice and refrigerator pickles. Saturday night off to Dan's Birthday dinner at his sister Lisa's. I still (almost a week later) can't stop thinking about the gnocchi with butter beans and rosemary. The texture of that dish was just so good, I think I could eat plates full!!! Sunday, our usual brunch at LOLA's...the special of the day, Breakfast Quesadilla and Roasted Tomato Soup. Delicious. Labor Day I cooked up a feast. BBQ brisket, macaroni and cheese, fried green tomatoes and corn muffins. I put that purple basil to good use in a grape basil mojito. Then a busy week of work in Colorado Springs and here we are September 11. The news coverage has got me thinking about that day and some of the lessons that such a tragic event taught me. I think about all those people who ate dinner with their family or met their friends for drinks on Monday night, got up and went to work and never came home. I think it taught me to "take in" every moment, big or little, to try and live life being happy, to love the people in my life and always make sure they know I love them. Even in the tiniest, mundane day to day, there is a quote I remind myself of ..."In the external scheme of things, this evening is as brief as the twinkling of an eye, yet such twinklings is what eternity is made of." Be grateful for all of it, a moment can change everything....be well and happy.
Purple Basil Mojito
In a cocktail shaker, muddle some grapes and the basil. Add lime juice, simple syrup and vodka. Let set for a few minutes. Fill a rocks glass with ice. Fill half way with vodka mixture. Top off with ginger ale. Garnish with basil and grapes.
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