Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Should be Blogging



Obviously, I haven’t been posting much lately. I think about it and I mean to, but I end up doing other things. I find that I can come up with a lot of reasons not to blog when I want to. Some of these reasons include, but are not limited to: 

1. Jerseylicious - I can't believe that I'm admitting this, but I could watch this train wreck for hours. What comes out of these girls mouths is as appallingly stupid as it is hilarious. Each and every one of them is overly tanned, teased and loaded down with about 35 pounds of costume jewelry and makeup. There's a marathon this Sunday and you can bet the Tivo is set to record it. 

2. The Millionaire Matchmaker - Don't ask me why I find Patti Stanger entertaining, but I do. She's loud, over-the-top, and rude. I spend most of the time cringing at both her and the usually horrendous first dates that are spiraling out of control. But I can't stop watching. 

3. Angry Birds - Apparently this game is old news to anyone in the know, but I am pretty far behind in the "popular apps" category and most things involving technology. However, we recently downloaded this and it has since taken up a quite a significant amount of our free time. Killing those snorting little pigs is addictive. And the concept in general just makes me chuckle. 

4. Cooking just to cook - Not so much a time killer, but probably the biggest reason for a lack of posting. No stopping to take photos, and no stopping to write down what I'm doing. The end result is a hot meal instead of the cold, congealed one you get while you try unsuccessfully over and over and over again to get that perfect picture of the less than cooperative food. 

I think I'll stop there. The more I think about my other guilty pleasures, the more embarrassed I get. It would basically be a list of the worst reality shows on television, with an occasional visit to gossip columns and celebrity twitter accounts. I've said too much... 

Something else that occupies my time is champagne. (This sounds like I have a bit of a problem, doesn't it? What I mean is that I think about new cocktail ideas quite frequently, and they usually involve champagne. It’s not that I just sit around drinking it all day.) I've written about champagne several times already, but I never get tired of it. It is so versatile and easy to pair with just about any other flavor, which results in a fun, festive and sparkly drink. 

The idea that I had floating around in my head this go-round involved cucumber. Turns out cucumber and pomegranate are a delicious combination. 


Pom-Cucumber Champagne Cocktail

Makes enough for 1 bottle of champagne 

1/2 cup cucumber juice (from an English cucumber) 
1 cup pomegranate juice 
1 tablespoon superfine sugar
bottle of champagne
pomegranate arils and cucumber slices, optional 

To get cucumber juice, grate the whole cucumber on a box grater and push through a strainer until you get desired yield.

Mix cucumber juice, pomegranate juice and sugar together. Pour about 3 tablespoons of juice mixture into flutes and top with champagne. Garnish with cucumber slices and pomegranate arils. 


The grassiness of the cucumber is perfect with the sweet and tart flavor of the pomegranate. This very refreshing drink has beautiful color and would be perfect for an early Spring brunch. Or, if you're lucky enough to live in California right now, you could enjoy it in mid-January on the patio in almost 70-degree weather. Another fantastic way to kill time...

Cheers!

27 comments:

  1. I go through blogging phases too! Sometimes it's nice to just put the camera down and cook a meal quickly. BTW .... I am addicted to the Millionaire Matchmaker and have the same reaction to Patty! Somehow I still love her and the show!

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  2. Good to see you back on the scene! I could drink that cocktail in one long pull. And i love millionaire matchmaker, I find her very entertaining and not half as obnoxious as some reality stars.

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  3. What a gorgeous cocktail! And I bet it's delish~

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  4. HELLO, I watch Jersey Shore. Talk about wasting intelligence :) Jerseylicious is equally as debaucherous! Time is never wasted when spent concocting cocktails!

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  5. I think these are all fabulous reasons to take a break from blogging. Sometimes you need to live in the moment and take a break from it all!

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  6. Welcome back :) Its good to see you blogging again ..I missed all this creative coacktail recipes :). Love the deep red color!!!!

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  7. This sounds so refreshing, I have watched both of those shows! lol I think it is good to just cook to cook sometimes.

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  8. OMGosh! I'm with you on the train wreck that is Jerseylicious. They are all so ridiculous, and yet I can't look away.

    This cocktail looks lovely. I love cucumber in cocktails.

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  9. I have days like that too where I completely forget to take photos (and try telling hungry teenagers to hold on while Mom gets her camera upstairs!). Glad to see you back with a great chill out cocktail!

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  10. lol I'm distracted by many of the same things on your list--especially Angry Birds! That game is seriously addicting. I also love shows like Jersey Shore and Jerseylicious--they are my guilty pleasures and I don't care!

    What a fantastic cocktail you've created here. Such a unique combo. Love the pom seeds on the top--it really is just beautiful!

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  11. I go through phases too. It's totally understandable, but we've missed your cooking. Looking forward to seeing your food again!

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  12. That looks delicious. Glad you're back. I was getting worried!

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  13. What a refreshing cocktail is this!!! I love the colour of it. Thanks for sharing.
    http://www.dreamofcakes.net

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  14. I'm glad you're back. I missed your blog.

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  15. Welcome back, even if just briefly. I've never heard of either of those shows, but I only watch Castle and House, none of the reality stuff.

    I've decided that my joy for cooking and writing about it supersedes my inability to take the perfect picture so I do it anyhow.

    Of course, if I had that amazing drink, I truly wouldn't care what people thought of my photography! I love pomegranates and think that they'd pair perfectly with cucumber. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. I am SO, SO glad to hear from you! I visited your blog the other day just to see if maybe it wasn't updating! I agree..blogging can be a very on/off thing and sometimes LIFE just get's too busy! (Last July I caught the blogging "Funk")

    I love your cocktail idea here! Sounds right up my alley! :)

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  17. I say live a little! Take a break and you'll come back refreshed, whenever you're ready.

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  18. Sounds like you're having fun not blogging!

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  19. Glad you are back but guilty pleasures are so much fun!!! Life is not just about blogging anyway :)

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  20. LOVE #1 and #2... right with you there!

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  21. Welcome back. Nice to see you again. Your cocktail looks really good! Would be fabulous anytime for me!

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  22. We missed you. Glad you're back.

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  23. This drink looks amazing! Great combination of ingredients.

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  24. That looks just beautiful. I get caught up in #4, myself--just wanting to cook for the sake of cooking, and not snapping photos for a change.

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  25. btw i've just nominated you for the stylish blogger award on my blog. do stop by and hope you'll accept!

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  26. what a lovely and refreshing cocktail! i am loving this so much... can't wait to try it.:)

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