5:00 Fridays

You know that saying "Some like it hot?" Well, I'm pretty sure that "some" is me. Whether it's a man, chili, the temperature, or a cocktail, I like it hot. The only good hot cocktails I've had have been Bloody Marys or a particular jalepeno martini I mooched off of Mac Daddy at a bar in Madison, WI. Those drinks were savory, not refreshing.

And then I got stung.

The fantastic new joint in downtown Raleigh, the reborn Busy Bee Cafe, has perhaps the best hot cocktail known to woman. It's spicy. It's refreshing. It's limey. It's cool. It's damn near perfect. The coolest thing is that the Busy Bee Cafe grows their own jalepenos on their roof. Don't you just love that?! I have enjoyed this cocktail sensation on multiple occasions and once convinced a party of 18 people to all order it. Let's just say they texted me later to tell me how much they enjoyed it. I have a hunch they had more than one.

And while I am allergic to bees, this sting doesn't require a jab to the meaty thigh with an epipen.

The Sting

2 oz passion fruit vodka
5 oz sour (mix equal parts lemon/lime juice and simple syrup)
3 oz pineapple juice
2 - 4 slices of fresh jalepeno (NOT the jarred pickled peppers that Peter picked!)
6 or so leaves of fresh cilantro
2 lime wedges
soda water

Grab your stainless steel shaker (or sterling silver if you're a luckier girl than I) and add the vodka, jalepenos, cilantro, and limes. Muddle (I love that word!). Add some ice and the pineapple juice. Shake it like a Polaroid picture. Pour it into a big ole hurricane glass. Top with soda. This fantastic drink is its own garnish.

Damn, I really wish I had one right now...

RIP Farrah Fawcett

I am oddly saddened by the news that Farrah Fawcett has died. She was an icon of my era, my formative years. I even had the Farrah doll, replete with 70s jumpsuit. She embodied what I'd so hoped to grow up to be. My 10-year old self willed just a glint of the glamour and confidence and beauty she owned. And let's be honest, she owned it. Farrah was my fantasy glamour girl. She was my "It" girl before I ever knew such a thing existed. How I coveted her feathered locks. I was the only kid in middle school who didn't have her hairstyle. My mom called it a "Wingback Wanda" and thought it was too tacky to grace the hair of her geeky little petite Indian daughter. I did, however, carry a plastic handled comb in the back pocket of my Gloria Vanderbilt jeans so I could at least look the part. I so wanted to flip back my feathered mane like the cool girls did who wore Candies shoes and Calvin Kleins. Farrah was a bombshell icon of the feminist ideal to this impressionable, shy, insecure girl who thought she'd never have the guts to lift her chin to face the world.

Peace, Farrah.

Wordless Wednesday: Smart As A Brick

I Should Have Named My Sons Hoover and Dyson

I just witnessed this and had to jump onto my laptop to chronicle it. Yes, it is that amazing.

This is what my two sons, ages 5 (almost 6) and 4 (as of yesterday) just ate for breakfast.

3 peanut butter pancakes
2 cream cheese blintzes
1 package of smoked salmon
6 slices of French bread with cream cheese (vehicle for the salmon, of course)
8 slices of pepperoni
3 helpings of Santa Claus melon
1 serving of watermelon
2 cups of vanilla yogurt


I have a hunch they will be asking for a snack before this post is done.

And you see why I can't commiserate with the other moms who say "I can't get my kids to eat a thing" and other such nonsense?

I am 4 today!

I am 4 years old today.

I like LEGO, Playmobil, puppies, and books. I especially like to make LEGO vehicles with lasers and Storm Troopers. I do not like to swim because I hate getting my face wet. I really really really want a puppy. I promised my dad that I will stop sucking my thumb when I turn 4, but Mommy knows that's not gonna happen. I like to laze around in my red bean bag chair that my Dadu gave me. Mangoes and vanilla yogurt are my favorite things to eat. Sometimes I get vanilla milk at Starbucks with Mommy when she gets a latte. I help my mom bake cookies and I like to help my dad make green pancakes. Pink used to be my favorite color, but now I like yellow. Ball was my first word, but I didn't talk until I was 2. That worried my parents. But I spoke in full sentences right away. When I grow up I want to be a veternarian or a SWAT police guy. I am giving some of my piggy bank money to Barack Obama. I am also giving some to the Ronald McDonald House. My chores are to take out the recycling, help my brother set the table, and clean up toys. Mommy is also teaching me how to make my bed so I can do that too. But we get a break and don't have to make beds on Sundays. I am going to some fun camps this summer. I can't wait to go with my best friend Jayden. He is my best buddy. I am also going to Legoland this summer when I go visit my grandma. Last summer we went to Disneyland with my Uncle Sanjit. Nani just came for a visit and gave me a CD player. I like to listen to They Might Be Giants. I am really good at doing puzzles and writing my name. One day I surprised my parents and teachers and just started writing my name. Those wacky grown ups don't even realize all the stuff I learn just by watching. I am the Wii boxing champion in my family. Bird won't even challenge me anymore. I also like to play Eye of the Tiger on Guitar Hero. I wear sunglasses and my guitar T-shirt to rock out like Johhny Napalm. I really want a mohawk, but Mommy won't let me get one. And she won't let Daddy take me out alone to get a haircut. My daddy lets me tackle him and play hop on pop with him. Mommy thinks he's getting too old for that horseplay, but he likes it. I can tell because he laughs the whole time. I really look up to my big brother even though he's not always nice to me. Secretly we all know what we are best friends and would do anything for each other. It's way more fun having him home for the summer. I miss him when he's in school, but I do like my special time with Mommy. Mommy told me that the doctor said I was born sunnyside up and it shows. I think she means that I'm cheerful all the time. Sometimes I whine and cry. Then I go sit on the naughty step until I calm down. Mommy gets weepy on my birthday and keeps asking me what happened to her little baby. I tell her I grow like the weeds in our yard. When I play I like to pretend I am an 8-year old. That makes my brother 10. And when I'm 10 he'll be 12. When I'm 12 he'll be 14. See how that's a pattern? It's a kind of math. Daddy teaches me about numbers, and Mommy teaches me about words. I know what a homonym is. Hangar/hanger is a homonym. It's a plane garage and something you put your clothes on in the closet. When I grow up I want to live with my Mommy and Daddy, or at least on their street.

I am 4 today.

Father's Day Interview

What do you like to do with Daddy?

Bird: Go to the park
Deal: Go to the pool

What is your favorite thing about Daddy?

Bird: That he's really good at basketball.
Deal: That he's always gentle.

What does Daddy do to make you laugh?

Bird: He tells really super duper funny jokes.
Deal: He makes funny faces.

What has Daddy taught you?

Bird: How to play basketball
Deal: How to swing

What does Daddy like to do with you?

Bird: Go to the greenway to ride bikes
Deal: Play dress up

What is Daddy's favorite thing to do?

Bird: Play basketball
Deal: Play the siesta game


Is Daddy more like a Storm Trooper or a Higglytown Hero?

Bird: Storm Trooper
Deal: Storm Trooper, but he looks like a Clone Trooper

What is your your favorite food that Daddy makes?

Bird: French toast that we saw on TV with strawberry sauce
Deal: Pancakes

What would Daddy's super hero power be?

Bird: To make himself sleep
Deal: Goo power!

What is Daddy's least favorite thing to do?

Bird: To have to stay awake when he's really tired
Deal: Hates to go to work because he hates when he's not with me

What would Daddy do in our family band, The Curried Cheeseheads?

Bird: Play the guitar
Deal: He'll just dance. (Bird interjects: A snoring dance)

What is special about Daddy?

Bird: That he always plays with me
Deal: That he always plays games

What would you like to tell Daddy on Father's Day?

Bird: That he's a really good dad. He's the best dad!
Deal: Happy Father's Day! I love you.


Happy Father's Day to Mac Daddy and to my Dad!