Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Cocktail of the Month: Grasshoppers

Dearest Friends,

No, I haven't dropped off the face of the planet, but I will admit that these days I feel as if I have!  Life is still so good.  It seems to just get better and better really.  (I am such a lucky girl.)  But it is busy as all get out around here.

I also am happy to admit two things: (1) I am really enjoying my new job and the sense of accomplishment it is providing me and (2) I am also enjoying the crazy balancing act of it all, which is reminding me somehow of my senior year in high school and/or my senior year in college.  I've got a pan in every fire and I'm looking forward to a great feast.

I am NOWHERE NEAR done figuring out the new rhythms of my daily life now that I've started to work part time.  I was certainly expecting a little shake-up, but if I am being honest, I feel like the havoc that has been wreaked on my schedule (is wreaked a word?) is completely disproportionate to the changes I've made.  A few hours of work here, a few hours there, and suddenly entire days are a mad rush, or are all kerplooey.

It's okay.  I actually like that feeling.

Plus, I know my feathers will be smoothed out again eventually.  We're just in an adjustment period.  I have high hopes that when the dust settles (ridiculous mix of metaphors, sorry) I can return more regularly to many happy hobbies (blogging, scrapping, my beloved photography projects). 

For now I am sticking to the basics, recognizing that I need to concentrate on other matters.

THAT SAID.

It has come to my attention that at least two of you missed having a February Cocktail of the Month.  I do have one up my sleeve.  It's been tested and needs a little tweaking.  I hope to post my make-up February cocktail before we get to April.

But let's skip ahead to March.

March needed to be simple if anything at all.  I wanted it to be green for St. Patrick's Day and I wanted it to appeal to my husband on his birthday.

Inspired by his favorite (non-homemade) cookie, the Thin Mint, I decided to try the Grasshopper.  It's an after-dinner treat if ever there was one.

These were tested by yours truly, the Gutsy Dad, my parents, and our dear friend Hutch.  Though the color was a bit medicinal in quality, the taste was sublime.

(The Gutsy Dad and I also enjoyed these on a subsequent evening before dinner.  Bath time with the kids was a hoot that night.)

Grasshopper

1 oz. creme de menthe (green)
1 oz. creme de cacao (clear)
1.5 oz heavy cream (yes, heavy)

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake the heck out of it.  Strain into a glass and enjoy.  Smooth and creamy, chocolatey and minty.  Yum.