An exciting weekend

 

A busy weekend at the cocktails and china chateau.

My lovely friend Karen came to stay, as I was about to do my first antiques fair ( first one  in about 20 years). So obviously Friday night cocktails were obligatory.

We had a 

Karens Kirsch Martini.

Kirsch

splash of grenadine

Extra dry vermouth

Frozen raspberries 

Ice.

Muddle the raspberries in a shaker, add the kirsch, grenadine, vermouth and ice.

Shake, strain and enjoy!.

And we did.

Saturday involved a wander around the town centre ( that was half an hour of our life we will never get back!)

Back home and a couple of hours relaxing in the garden, before we began sorting out the things for the fair.

All the boxes were packed and ready in less than 2 hours.

Dinner was a quick make of pizza and salad which we had in the garden, soaking up the evening sun and just enjoying chatting and drinking fizz outdoors.

I always think that everything seems better when its outside.

Fresh air took its toll on us and an early night ensued.

Up early and off to the lovely village hall a Hutton Rudby, where the antiques fair was taking place.

The traders were all friendly, everyone setting up  and getting ready to sell.

I was in profit in less than 10 minutes which was brilliant.

There were some interesting characters coming through including a 'forgetful' elderly lady 'with not a lot of money', I would like to give her the benefit of the doubt but to openly try to steal was quite entertaining. I actually think she was a dealer, or the mum of a dealer. 

All in all it was a wonderful day.

I dropped Karen at the train station and managed to get home, car unpacked just before we were hit by a massive storm.

It was certainly a full weekend, and I have booked to do another fair in December.

I will be taking it easy this week!

What a weekend

 

Well that was some weekend, one that most of us will not see again, all the pomp of the crowing of King Charles and Queen Camilla and the beginning of the Carolean Age.

I obviously celebrated it in style.

Having been out the door at 6.30am, I returned half an hour later with  arms full of foliage and blossom ( and some cowslips I found near the park).

 I then spent another half hour  turning these into a centre piece for my Coronation lunch table. All arranged on 3 vintage cake stands of  differing sizes.

It turned out really well.

It then turned to  the important things, TV on  in the build up to the big occasion and  some breakfast.

Cavier and champagne, which really hit the spot and started the day off rather well. 

I had saved cocktail hour until the afternoon of the coronation as I thought this was far more apt.

and the Coronation Martini went down very well.

Extra dry vermouth

Fino sherry

Dash of orange bitters

Dash of maraschino.

All put into a shaker with ice and given a good shake and then strained  into a martini glass and served with a cocktail cherry ( or two).

The day went very well, it really was a spectacle not to be missed. 

And now the flower arrangement is gone, the bunting is down and I am back in the day job after (another) lovely long weekend.

Roll on the end of the month when we have another.

This is turning into the best May  ever. ( I go on holiday soon too!)

 

Cocktail hour resumes and the weeks roll on

 

So after a little break for the Easter weekend, cocktail hour resumed at The Maison.

There was a four day week, but it felt like 40! I'm still struggling with the cough left over from covid and its becoming  a tad wearing now. Lack of sleep caused by constant coughing at night  means that I am more tired than normal.

Dratted covid!!!!

Fingers crossed I buck up soon, if only because its a matter of weeks to my holiday!

Friday came and  cocktail of the week was

The Godmother

Vodka

Ameretto 

Lots of ice.

Put ice in to a shaker and add the vodka and ameretto. Shake and strain over more ice in a tumbler.

garnish with  

Served with a platter of Antipasti ( well nearly).

And another week began, a trip to the Docs  for a full MOT means that I am still awaiting results!

However before I knew it , it was Friday and choice of cocktails was 

Brandy Manhatten.

Brandy

Sweet Vermouth

Orange bitters

All shaken with ice, strained and served over frozen grapes.

This really was exceptional and I had another just to make sure it was that good!

We are now heading to a bank holiday weekend  so lots to look forward to.

Have a great week

Easter been and gone

 

And just like that Easter is over and done  with for another year. I had a lovely weekend in a cottage in Yorkshire. Peace, quiet and lots of fresh air.

I stopped in the local market town and did a spot of shopping, I say shopping, really I had been rummaging in the charity and antique shops.

I am always on the look out for  vintage linen, glasses and china. You know the things that I bore you with pictures of on social media!
There is nothing like a decent cotton table napkin to go along side  bone china, and  don't get me started on  crystal glassware.

And true to form, I managed to find some rare pieces of china and some useful pieces ( for cocktail hour nibbles) , as well as some lovely glasses.

Oh dear it is becoming a bit ( a lot) of an obsession.

Having a new flash car, big house, designer clothes and handbags is not really my style, I tend not to try to go with the latest trend, I am much more my own  person and as such I like to set my own style. Quirky I think is the word So having a good look around for more of my quirky treasure is always order of  any free days I have.

With this in mind, I am looking to possibly  turn this into an online business, so look  out for more details in the future. ( whilst I am looking to see how to make it happen).

You may notice the lack of cocktails this week, well if truth be told I was really tired when I finished work on Thursday and Friday went by in such a blur, before I knew it, it was bedtime.

Cocktails will return next week.

Clocks spring forward and April arrives

 

This week has seen me woken every morning by the birds who seem to be in great voice, it makes me smile as  this is the time of year that I like most. The clocks  have moved on an hour and the nights are so much lighter. Everything looks brighter.

 Cocktails have been flowing here at La Maison.

To see us through to  the end of March we had 

Marseille Mule.

Pastis

Lime juice

Ginger beer ( or dry ginger ale if you prefer)

This is a take on the Moscow Mule with vodka being replaced with Pastis ( a great favourite of mine)

And 

G & E

which was gin and elderflower tonic ( found in Tesco).

I used frozen grapes to cool down the drink, this is something that I do a lot, it doesn't  water down your drink!

And now its April!  What cocktails lie ahead this month????

Well only time will tell.

Huge thanks to Tracey for the gift of a wonderful cocktail set ( some of it is seen in the picture). 

Another week , another cocktail

 

Well we have gone through  a week that saw snow fall, and then temperatures of 12c to be closely followed by one morning of -2, followed by  a morning of 5c. No wonder we are all suffering with colds. Hopefully we can get to some regularity with weather, and how very English to discuss weather when really I should be talking about cocktail hour.

So the cocktail of the hour ( and week) was

Russian Spring Punch

1 measure of creme de cassis

2 measures of lemon juice

4 ttsp sugar syrup

4 measures of vodka

champagne to top up

I put the cassis, lemon, sugar and vodka in a shaker with ice and strained into a glass, then topped up with  champagne.

this has been one of my favourite cocktails this year.

I am just to say say managing to keep up with a cocktail  every week, but need to up my game on  nibbles and photography

And now another week begins, we are edging towards the end of March ( how did that happen??).

Spring is on the way.

Have a great week.

Clearing out ( not china or glasses though)

 

I know that we are well into Lent, but this year as well as giving up sweeties and rubbish food, I also set up a bag which every day I add one item to . An Item that I no longer want or need. This way, just after Easter I will be donating 40 items to a local charity shop.

Its amazing what I have found to get rid of and it also is amazing what I have found and put up for sale.

I actually feel that I am making space.

Yes, yes, yes I know that I still pick up things in the charity shop, but I am more selective now.

My collection of china, linen  and my glasses are the things that I cannot whittle down at all and so for the time being I am keeping them. They are the the 'pretty' things which I love and use everyday. I always think its lovely to set the table.

I now feel that the 40 day clear out for Lent will become a habit, as for the selling, well it is going towards funding my further adventures abroad. so its all a win/win.

Heres to less clutter and more travelling.

Marching into Spring

Well we are now nearly in the middle of March and two cocktails into the month too. The North East of Blighty was hit by snow at the end of last week, which is typical as the crocus and daffodils  were giving such a beautiful show.

The first cocktail of the month wasn't really a cocktail but a lovely glass of white rioja which I love vey much, its ( obviously) lighter to drink than its red brother, but is equally as enjoyable.

Some are lemony with a slight herby touch and some lemony with a hint of melon, or in my case  chilled to perfection and ready to drink. 

 The second cocktail hour of the month started off as a grim day with about 4in of snow and a rotten drive to work, however I was home and and sipping on a 'Champagne Bowler' before I knew it.

Spring is on the way, its just sort of taking a slightly awkward turn back to winter. The mornings and the evenings are getting lighter and that is always a lovely sight.

And with that I am off to finish my working day and head home.

Spring is (nearly ) here.

Last cocktail hour of February

 

Ahhh the best laid plans of mice and men.

I had Friday nights cocktail all planned and set to be made when I got home from work.

One thing that I hadn't taken into account was how long it took to clear up a broken bottle of Amaretto from the kitchen floor. Yes, just as I was about to open it, ( it was brand new), it slipped out of my hands and smashed on the floor.

My steam mop was brought into play and pulling out the washing machine and dishwasher had not been how I had hoped to spend Friday evening, but they were pulled out twice whilst trying to steam up the sticky mess.

So that cocktail was put on hold until I have purchased another bottle of  Amaretto.

I then had to hastily cobble together another cocktail, so opted for a Moscow Mule,

This is a drink that I really enjoy so not an altogether bad substitution.

The ingredients are

Vodka

Freshly squeezed lime juice

Ginger beer

Freshly squeezed ginger

I put the vodka, lime juice and squeezed ginger ( done through a garlic press) into a shaker with ice, quick shake and strain into a glass.

Top up with ginger beer ( or American dry ginger ale if you prefer).

In my case drink this in between steam mopping the kitchen floor.

Have a great week

Cocktail hour is back

 Cocktail hour has resumed since the new year which is something to look forward to at the end of the working week.

So far this year we have been sampling Vodkatinis, Sugar Plum gin sparkle and French Pink lady to name but 3.

Its good to get back into the mindset of preparing a cocktail at the start of the weekend.

Since the new year, I've also  had a trip to Amsterdam, a bout of covid and am still trying to get myself right after that.

There is lots more to look forward to in the first half of 2023.

Over the coming months I will try to post the recipe for the weekly cocktail ( lets see if I can  maintain this discipline).

I am also brushing up on Arabic ( I have a fairly good knowledge of this and mixed with a bit of French can get by in most old Protectorate countries without having to utter a word of English), for up coming adventures.

And with that  I am off to do other things and will be back next week

Its Christmas

 

How quickly does Christmas come around again, this year I have managed to find some Christmas china ( very late to this party as only started at the beginning of December), it will be used by  me on Christmas day, I imagine by next Christmas I will be able ot seat 50 people for a 3 course meal!

I picked up some lovely Christmas linen napkins, which are just perfect and will be ready to go on the table later.

Its been a funny old year, new jobs,  holidays , illness and putting myself first for a change.

And I think that is the way that my life will be form now on ( not any more new jobs!).

Cockktails have been a little scare on the ground due to ill health and giving up drinking for a while, however they will be reinstaed in th new year.

Cocktails and China on tour

 

Well here we are in November and I have been on a bit of a tour. I took myself off to Norway to celebrate my birthday.

The weather was remarkably warm and sunny  ( apparently in Cocktails and china town it was grey, rainy and cold), the last time I was in Norway the same thing happened (unseasonably warm weather!).

Anyhoo I digress, I was staying  in Stavanger in a super modern hotel on the harbour front, 300yards from the 'Flybus' stop and also the Island boat stop (this is a great way to travel around the islands of Stavanger and surrounding area.)

I had a very precise list of things that I wanted to see and headed off to tick of the first, with a detour to the bank to change some money.

1. Banks open at 10am, no matter if you are first in the queue, the Norwegians will make sure they get in first.

2 you take a ticket and wait for your number to be called.

3 you wait............and wait...........30-35 mins, get called, ask to change money and are told that banks don't hold cash in Norway.

4 30 secs later you are directed across the street to a cabin which is the official money changing place.

5 get money and head off to your first port of call.

The Oil and Gas (Petroleum) Museum

And yes I am that geeky, but I bet not many of you have seen a bottle of the first oil to come up ( in a maple syrup bottle as they tried to grab anything to hand).

It was fascinating. I tried on a survival suit when I went into the 'helicopter' and sat through the safety procedure.

I spent nearly an hour in the 'subsea' light installation, which was mesmerising.

It was a great museum, and I am pleased that I decided to put it on my list.

I then walked through the city to the centre lake which in the sunshine was beautiful, everyone was making the most of the November sun.

I then just walked and walked taking in the differing styles of architecture ( yes geeky but I like it), Found 2 Antony Gormley figures from the 23in the city and part of what is known as 'Broken Column' I wish I had found more. 

I  marvelled at how lovely and friendly the people were (despite not using English queuing etiquette 😂),  and 20k steps later I arrived back at the hotel, completely shattered!

Shower, food, wine ( no cocktails were available) and bed.

And then it was my birthday, so I headed down to breakfast with what looked like half of the Italian army and had my granola and yogurt. I had opened all my cards and was busy reading lovely birthday messages.

I set off to go to see Sword Hill which was on my list and had to get a bus out of the city, however Lars on reception ( I was on first name terms thanks to several bars of cadburys chocolate, always good to have on hand) said that if I got the local bus and got off I may have to wait an hour for a return bus and there was nothing else there, so I scrapped that and headed off into the city to do some shopping and go to an exhibition  about hearts ( YES!!! REALLY!!!).

I'd found a Salvation Army charity shop the day before and nearly had to be resuscitated when I converted the prices!, however on my birthday I went in and bought a piece of Norwegian glass I had seen the day before ( I like a souvenir), at £28 it was a bit steep I thought and then saw them in town for £150 so it turned out to be a bargain!

By 1.30pm I was famished but found that most restaurants don't open until 3pm, so I headed into a 'pub'. Here I was told that they didn't do food, but there was an excellent bakery across the road where I could get some food and bring it back to eat in the pub with a pint ( well 0.4 L). So I headed to the bakery, got an avocado and salmon on rye bread and the biggest Danish pastry I have ever seen ( well it was my birthday) headed back to the pub and sat outside with a complimentary  blanket to keep my legs warm.

You don't get that in the UK!!! Can you imagine eating your Greggs in Wetherspoons!!!

I spent a couple of hours wandering around and ended up back at the harbour which had amazing views, and then headed back to the hotel for a quick nap.

I was very tired and as I am still getting myself pulled round from the last few months, decided to eat in the hotel.

I was tucked up in bed by 10pm.

And before I knew it, it was time to come home.

I decided to do the hop on hop off bus before heading to the  airport.

And I saw Sword Hill, 

I had the best time in Stavanger and would definitely go back again.

It had the right amount of quirkiness and geeky things to keep me interested.

Now it time to plan my next birthday jaunt.

Oh and I never got a cocktail, but I did see lots of lovely china, I just couldn't get it in my suitcase!

Gosh where have the weeks gone

 

Well its been 3 weeks since I wrote a blog and posted my cocktails, this has mainly been due to;

1. being very busy at work

2. struggling with work/life balance

3. Being quite unwell 

First lets get the cocktails out of the way.

First picture 

Big Red

Vodka

Cherry Brandy

Cranberry juice.

Served with cake sale ( which I have become very good at making)

Second picture

The Robinson 

Yes they named a cocktail after me!!!!

Brandy

Extra Dry Vermouth 

Pineapple juice.

Very nice cocktail and one that I will definitely come back to.

Last pic

The Star

Brandy 

Gin

Extra dry vermouth

Rosso Vermouth.

I had this on my camping trip, drinking a star whilst star gazing.

As for the being unwell, it sort of crept up on me, starting with overwhelming fatigue, which I could not shift, and then followed a couple of weeks feeling 'under the weather' until last week I just felt so ill that I was very worried.

Turns out that I have had a virus ( yes the virus thing comes out again, this time when they know you don't have Covid but aren't sure what's wrong).

I had planned to go camping for Bank Holiday weekend and decided to still do it. It did turn out to be the best idea, I slept a lot and felt very much better when I got home.

So hopefully this will continue.

By the time you read this there will be another cocktail hour due.

Champagne Friday

 

As cocktail hour approached on Friday, I was  busy  preparing for my afternoon tea party to raise money for 'Breast Cancer Now' the  following day. I was up to my eyes in bread, butter and fillings.

So I hurried through and then set about sorting out my cocktail.

Champagne Cocktail.

Brandy

Sugar cube

Champagne.

Put sugar cube in bottom of champagne glass, add brandy, just to cover the cube.

Top up with champagne

Voila champagne cocktail.

I love this, its quick and easy to make and tastes amazing

This was the champagne of choice on Friday

Saturday was humid and wet so it was a good thing that I had cancelled the original garden party and brought in tea 'slots'.

These were booked upand I had a steady stream of guests. In all I raised £350 ( last count) which is beyond fabulous.

I am now taking a  few weeks of very little at weekends to try to get my breath back.

Have a great week.

Last cocktail hour of July

Last weekend of July and last Cocktail hour  took place on Friday.

I opted for a Dirty Martini but decided to push the boat out and make Cake Sale ( should have an acute accent over the E but this is an English keyboard), a popular French apero, a cross between cake and bread.

I have been wanting to make this for a few weeks but never seemed to have the time. I will be making it again.

Dirty Martini

Gin

Extra Dry vermouth

Brine from olive jar

Garnish with olives

Shake over ice, strain and serve.

Its that easy!

Cake Sale 

200g self raising floor

200g butter melted

3 eggs

This makes the 'batter'

Add to this  savoury items, I used, red onion, mature cheddar ( grated), rosemary (chopped)smoked ham ( thin strips) tomatoes (chopped) and Olives sliced in 'O's

Add  to the batter and stir together.

Pour into a loaf tin.

Bake for 20-25 minutes at gas mark 4

This is a great make and very tasty.

August cocktail month is now beginning.

Sunshine and cocktails

 I am going all typically British now, oh my goodness how hot was it last week!

It was unbearable in the office and virtually impossible to get a decent nights sleep, so by the time it was Friday and cocktail hours, I was ready for a drink and a bit of relaxing in the garden.

I had been given a very 70's garden set last week, for extra seating  when I have my charity tea party in a couple of weeks, so I have been enjoying using them all over the weekend.

I also was dog sitting for the lovely Micky Bell, who is an absolute treasure ( and a very funny little fella).

However I digress, lets get to the cocktail of the week.

Georgia Mint Julep.

Cognac

Mint

Ice

Muddle some mint in a shaker and add the cognac, stir around and leave for a few minutes to infuse.

Add ice to glass and fresh mint leaves.

Strain cognac over ice.

Sit in a sunny spot and enjoy.

Have a great week 

Late cocktail review

 Super late with my cocktail hour picture and recipe, not sure where the week has gone to be honest.

Last Friday ( 9th July) I decided that after a rough week at work, I would have a quick and simple cocktail and opted for a Brandy Alexander.

Brandy 

Creme de Cacao

Single cream.

Put all ingredients into a just and stir over ice.

Strain into a glass.

I had dipped the glass in chocolate and served with some sweet treats.

It hit the spot and was well worth making.

If you try it I hope that you enjoy it.