Cocktail hour!

No, not going on a work-related "medicinal drinking" binge. Not yet, anyway.

But my House & Leisure magazine arrived yesterday, and included was a nifty little cocktail recipe book - 32 variations I think. I've always been a fan of good-looking drinks, but admit that I've never had an actual cocktail in my life! I have mixed up fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, crushed mint from the garden, sugar-water and a squeeze of lemon with ice recently though. And it was DEvine! Call it a Virgin Mojito if you will.

Because it was a bad-TV night, my son and I hung around looking through the booklet, reading out what was in the drinks and trying to imagine what they taste like. He got an education in not drinking and driving when I told him of my wilder days and what I'd consumed (will NEVER touch tequila again), I found out a couple of interesting drink ideas.

And now we feel like hosting a cocktail party! Preferably one that also has a chocolate fountain.

The days are growing longer. Already we've had a few calm, warm evenings - just right for either setting alight something and throwing something else to cook over it, or the above-mentioned cocktail do. Summer just seems to do that to one. Images of hot nights and cold drinks, lazing around a pool (not that we have one, but we do have a bird-bath - will that do?) and slightly-singed foodstuffs come to mind. And of course a nice tan, which I'm working on every time I get out into the garden (which, by the way, still holds our rain spider - he's found a home nearby and is there every day).

Aaah, summer. Just as you northern hemisphere folk are burning leaves (where allowed) and watching for the first snow flurries, we're gearing up to sweat and live on salads. And trying to find a nice outdoor venue for our Christmas picnic lunch!