i may not live at the end of the road, but i can see it from my house. entertainment is dependent on how much of it you can create on your own. this morning there was a house, or half of one at least, blocking my driveway. this is entertainment at it's finest. i never had moments like this when i lived in minneapolis or st. paul. i never imagined i would experience moments like this. as i stood outside with my cup of coffee, the reality of the situation becoming clearer in my head- i would never be able to drive around this home in my driveway, i won't be able to be to work on time, i will be late bringing my daughter to daycare, and the big bummer that i wouldn't be making it in time for my precious radio- food chat time. ugh. this is where the creating your own entertainment is very important. instead of wallowing in remorse because of all of the things that will be delayed and pushed back or aside in my busy day, i started reveling in the utter hilariousness of a house in my driveway. i made sure a few snap shots were taken for future postcard fun, and then started daydreaming about a bloody mary.

the night before as i was walking the dog, chasing after my 3 year old daughter, cleaning the house, making dinner, and trying to provide the best phone conversation that i could to a friend on a cross country motorcycle adventure, i decided to create the best bloody mary that i could. it was bothersome to me that previous bloody mary experiences were not that exciting. some were simply bland tomato juice with too much vodka. others had far too much pickle juice. i wanted a happy balance of fresh tomato, horseradish, and cracked pepper. i had a fresh bundle of locally harvested rosemary that i kept moving from table to counter to fridge. this is how it went down. i muddled the rosemary into the bottom of a large pitcher. dashes of tabasco, horseradish, and fresh cracked pepper followed the tomato juice and vodka. i rimmed the glasses with smoked sea salt, added plenty of ice, poured in the fresh and beautiful tomato juice and vodka blend, garnished with more fresh rosemary and a beef stick from thousand hills cattle company, and i had reached bliss. i served them up, and as we ate fresh snap peas and cherry tomatoes alongside our beverages i couldn't help but think that fresh peas and cherry tomatoes would be great garnishes. maybe even going with indian spices and fresh chilies in replacement of the horseradish, and fresh mint to substitute the rosemary. oh i have opened a can of worms as they say, and i will have to report back with the varieties that i create. any great bloody mary secrets anyone out there has to share? let us know!!