Blueberry Sangria. A ‘just right’ Sangria that’s a blend of blueberries and lemonade that is perfect for a hot summer night.  Sandra Lee (pg. 104 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time) you sure nailed this one on the head!

The ladies are here!  Lot’s of food and discussion.  I’ll get to the book review in a moment, but first, here is the Blueberry Sangria recipe:

Blueberry Sangria

• 1 bottle (750 ml) white wine
• 3 cups lemon/lime soda (I used died 7-Up)
• 1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries
• 1 can (12oz) pink lemonade frozen concentrate, thawed
• 1 cup congnac (just get a cheap one – it’s punch!)

In a large pitcher, combine wine, soda, blueberries, lemonade concentrate, and cognac. Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour. Pour into tall glass. Add ice. Drink up.
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We munched, drank, and caught up with each other. Who did what, with whom, and to whom. We ladies, we love our drama. Oh, and someone broke my toilet. Another story for another day. Ok, now time for the book.

This month’s Book Review/Cocktail Party was about the book Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.   It is a collection of real life stories of oppressed women in developing countries, primarily in Southeastern Asia and Africa as told to the authors of this book.

The book focuses on three areas of abuse against women: sex trafficking and forced prostitution; gender-based violence; and maternal mortality. But Half the Sky is about more than bringing these issues to light (these issues have periodically been brought to the public’s attention via different news reports over the years). The authors are very up front in their hope to recruit people to the movement to “emancipate women and fight global poverty by unlocking women’s power as economic catalysts.”

The authors clarify how throwing huge sums of money at the countries has not worked in the past, as a great deal of the money never ends up reaching those in need. They champion targeting small amounts of money to specific efforts. They do a great job identifying education and micro financing for women as pivotal changes that can create exponential improvement in quality of life.

Half the Sky does an excellent job in all that, but unfortunately, the authors are clearly from a liberal bias, and do an unfortunate amount of America bashing. Additionally, while they say that both liberals and conservatives must work together on this, they manage to include political digs.

So, would I recommend this book? Yes, definitely. We all have our biases and this book is certainly intended to help oppressed women.

So, maybe this is where Sandra Lee’s ‘Cocktailing for a Cause’ will come into play. I will have to research this more – Note to Self: Call Sandra Lee. In the meantime, there are 6 more women spreading the word!

As to the Blueberry Sangria, did the book club group give this a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT?
The Blueberry Sangria got a unanimous Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT A LOT!

Salude!

T-Cee

Don’t forget to leave your comment. Have you read Half the Sky? Did you try the Blueberry Sangria?

Hump Day Kudos this week to:

A stray dog became a hero when he saved Chris Duke’s life in Afghanistan. It happened, when a suicide bomber tried to attack a barracks in Afghanistan while 50 soldiers slept. The three stray dogs who had been befriended by the barracks, barked and bit the bomber until he ended up detonating the bomb before he could enter the barracks.

The suicide bomber and one of the dogs were killed, while other soldiers including Chris Duke, and the other 2 dogs were injured.

Chris Duke came home due to his shrapnel injuries, and with the help of Robert’s Cause and the Puppy Rescue Mission, the 2 dogs were brought back to the U.S., reuniting Chris Duke and his hero dog, Rufus.

So Hump Day Kudos to you Rufus the Hero Dog!

Chris Duke and hero dog Rufus - source: Huffington Post

Watermelon Spritzer. If you love watermelon, you will love this watermelon cocktail (pg. 104 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time).

WATERMELON SPRITZER

Makes 4 drinks
• 4 cups watermelon, cut in chunks, seeds removed
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 cups sparkling water, chilled (I used Pellegrino)

In a blender, combine watermelon, sugar, and lime juice. Cover and process until smooth. Strain into a pitcher. Top with sparkling water. Pour into glasses and serve. Thank you Sandra Lee for the cocktail recipe.

My friend was at my house, working hard on completing drapes for my family room. She loves watermelon, so I whipped up a batch of the Watermelon Spritzer. This worked out great because it is an alcohol free cocktail, and we do want the drapes to hang evenly after all!

We both loved this cocktail. Then I got to wondering, why didn’t I like the Watermelon Fizz (May pg. 83 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time) when I like this Watermelon Spritzer so much? They both have fresh watermelon and some version of lime added. What was the difference then? The Watermelon Fizz had watermelon vodka in it and the Watermelon Spritzer did not. Was this the difference?

In the name of research, I added a shot (1oz.) of watermelon vodka to my cocktail and tasted that. It still tasted great. Comparing recipes, I noticed that the Watermelon Fizz used club soda, while the Watermelon Spritzer used sparkling water. And it must be said, I do not like club soda. Tonic water – yes. Sparkling water – yes. Club soda – NO.

So that clears up that mystery. If you like club soda, you might want to give the Watermelon Fizz cocktail a try too.

But either way, do try the Watermelon Spritzer cocktail. With or without the watermelon vodka.

Does the Watermelon Spritzer get rated Semi-HomeTested LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT? My friend and I both agree, the Watermelon Spritzer gets a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT! Thank you Sandra Lee.

Salude!

T-Cee

Danielle Staub. The housewife we love to hate. Danielle Staub is planning a party for her daughter Christina – and this time Christina is invited. It is her sweet sixteen after all. So they go party dress shopping and Danielle’s big concern is that Christina gets 3 outfits — apparently she will be changing outfits at the party.

But here’s the thing. Danielle made a big deal that Christina wanted to have this party for charity. And Danielle got everything donated for the party because of that. So what exactly was the fund raising part??? Did Danielle charge people to get into the sweet sixteen party?

I do have to say that Christina looked beautiful and both she and Jillian looked thrilled to see their dad. And, I hate to diss anyone’s kid, but Jillian singing – it was PAINFUL.

And once again, Danielle made everything about herself. What was with wearing her engagement ring from her ex-husband – you know that had to piss him off – and I’m sure his new wife must have felt creeped out by it. Even Christina had to remind Danielle before the party “your divorced from him”. WOW – Danielle is scary… and I mean crazy stalker kind of crazy.

Danielle’s ex cringed every time she hugged him. And am I the only one who thought Danielle was acting proprietary towards her ex with her “I felt it was really important that you be here” every 2 seconds.

OK, that’s Danielle drama. . . . Ashley’s drama continues.

So, I have to ask – is Ashley trying to get thrown in jail? Does she not get it? She was wrong to pull Danielle’s hair. She thinks getting a summons is a joke. Ashley stop talking about it and “weaveitalone”. I think she may find herself doing at least community service before this is all over. Maybe they’ll let her wear her mugly beret.

Oh, and I have to say Andy Cohen on “Watch What Happens” practically announced that Kim G. will be part of the RHONJ cast, by losing his train of thought and not answering when guest Rachel asked Andy if Kim G. would be a regular next season.

Well, I don’t like Kim G. (or D), but if they unload Danielle in the process, that would be worth a try.

Till next week – enjoy a Semi-HomeTested Cocktail. Maybe the Watermelon Spritzer.

T-Cee

Bethenny has a baby girl. Ya gotta love Bethenny. On “Bethenny Gets Married?” she let’s the cameras roll sans makeup. All Bethenny wants to do is eat. Both she and Jason are too cute and so excited. It really seems very unstaged.

EXCEPT when Bethenny’s water broke. They definitely had to recreate that moment. But that’s ok – what did you expect - that the crew slept with them?

Jason did a great job calming Bethenny down when she wanted the baby nurse to come right away and freaked about the media finding out she was at the hospital. They really balance each other out.

And, how funny was Bethenny with her cry of “I’M CROWNING”! And I definitely agree with Bethenny regarding the epidural. There is NO REASON to be in such pain, when you don’t have to be. Ya gotta love how she thought she’d get to snooze and then everyone else fell asleep but her. I’m here to tell you that REALLY IS how it happens.

I’m sad for Bethenny that she delivered 5 weeks early and ended up with a C-section after 25 hours of labor. But lucky for Bethenny that she has a staff to help her get ready. Although Max was his usual ridiculous self putting the bassinet together. Julie as usual got everyone organized.

What a happy exciting time in Bethenny and Jason’s lives.

Hmmm… no other housewives from the Real Housewives of New York were there. Now she has her real friends.

Welcome Bryn! Mazel Bethenny – enjoy a JERSEY ORANGE CREAM cocktail when you’re done breast feeding!

The Jersey Orange Cream cocktail is like an orange creamsicle without all the cream.  This blend of orange and vanilla vodkas and lemon-lime soda is so easy to make and is  the perfect refreshing finish to a hot summer day.

I spent the hot humid summer day covered in sunscreen and hanging out with family and friends on the Lake. My last day this summer at the Lake. But wait. There’s time for one more cookout with our lake buds. So I take the Wave Runner out for one more spin, race back to the house, fight for my turn for the shower. Ahhh. Feeling refreshed and ready for the next adventure. But wait. Hubby ran out for potato salad to take to the cookout.

So there’s time for a cocktail. Love Cocktail Time. But Wait. What to make, what to make… Hmmm, I spy the bottle of orange vodka, and the rest is history. Here is my recipe for the Jersey Orange Cream.

Jersey Orange Cream

Pour the following over a glass of ice:

• 1 oz. Orange Vodka (I used Smirnoff)
• 1 oz. Vanilla Vodka (Smirnoff)
• 4 oz. Lemon-Lime Soda (I used Fresca)

Does this get a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT? The Jersey Orange Cream cocktail gets a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT A LOT!!!

I hope you’re having as great a summer as I am.

Salude!

Choose to be Happy. Today. This week I am inspired by an old quote from Groucho Marx. Sometimes just a simple thought can make the difference in our day.

I hope this inspires you to have a good day.

“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”

HUMP DAY KUDOS TO YOU GROUCHO MARX (RIP)