Beth Daigle

February 16, 2017

Simple Cocktails to Enjoy at Home or Anywhere

Have you ever gone to order a cocktail and said…I can’t decide, I don’t know what I want. I do that all the time. The older I get, the more I struggle to find adult beverages that agree with me. Beer fills me up, wine gives me a headache, mixed drinks are risky for my tummy and most hard alcohols are just more than I can handle.

While my signature martini with…3 olives and a twist of lemon has become my go-to order, it’s not something I make for myself at home. If I’m going to sit down for a drink, simple cocktails are the only ones I’ll pour.

Here are three Simple Cocktails that I have come to enjoy and find easy to prepare.

Amaretto and Ginger

This is a little sweet, but I find a good squeeze of orange juice and a lot of ice helps cut the cloying sweetness. This is a nice, warming spirit that’s perfect by a fire.

I like a healthy pour of Amaretto, over ice, with a splash (or two) of ginger ale and a good squeeze of fresh orange juice. Garnish with an orange wedge.

Bailey’s and Coffee Ice Cubes

I saw this simple cocktail on Facebook and have been dying to give it a try. It’s more of a dessert drink, but it sure is good.

Freeze prepared coffee in an ice tray. Place frozen coffee cubes in a glass and pour in Bailey’s Irish Cream. Finish with a shot of vanilla vodka. Yummy!

Vodka Gimlet

This is the simplest of my simple cocktails and I just love it. It’s clean, crisp and smooth – so easy to sip and savor. Gimlets are traditionally made with gin, but I’m a vodka drinker so…

Combine 2 oz. vodka, 1 oz. fresh lime juice and 3/4 teaspoon simple syrup (I buy mine bottled) in a shaker. Shake and pour over ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Hope you like these super simple cocktails. They are great to make at home or even better when ordered out and someone else prepares them for you.

The blog will be on break next week during February vacation. See you back on Monday, February 28^th.

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February 13, 2017

Life & Family

February Vacation 2017 – Things to Do

There was a time when planning things to do during school break was all about the kids. This year, I have one girl heading to sunny Florida for a few days. The other is staying close to home to finish out her busy varsity basketball season.

So, with February Vacation 2017 just a week away, I’ve come up with a few fun things to do myself, with friends or kids – if time allows.

Five Things for February Vacation 2017

SNOWSHOEING – the snowshoes featured are those that Tony and I gifted to each other on different Christmases. Neither has been used. February Vacation 2017 will be the time!

ESCAPE – You many have seen it on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” or, if you aren’t a trash TV watcher like me, maybe you’ve heard about it elsewhere, but these escape rooms are popping up everywhere. Solve puzzles, find hidden objects and figure out clues to get out of the room. I’d love to get a group together and give it a try.

Here are a few to look into:

READ A BOOK – Book Club doesn’t happen again until end of March. Seeing I usually cram read for that, I think it would be nice to start a book in a more leisurely fashion.

Here are three in my queue:

What Milo Saw by Virginia MacGregor – I met Virginia recently at a book reading and loved her presence and style. I can’t wait to dive into this story.
Yours Faithfully by Ellen Alden – I had the pleasure of meeting Ellen at Helen Thomas of Andover where her book is sold, among other places. I’m inspired by her energy and success. I’m anxious to read her heartfelt story.
Under The Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes – After reading excerpts from my manuscript, a blog reader suggested I might enjoy this. So happens, I own it and just haven’t read it yet.

GET A MASSAGE – This may not be a big deal for some, but I’m really not a massage person. But with new aches and pains popping up on a regular basis, this might be nice. I’m going to book an appointment with my friend, Doreen Sidell, at Salon Riza in North Andover. You should too!

AN INSTAGRAM EXPEDITION – Finally, I think it would be fun to visit a couple of Boston spots that I follow on Instagram.

Giardini Di Sole is located in Boston’s South End and has the most beautiful Instagram photos featuring the home décor and tabletop items they carry. I can’t wait to stop in and see their shop in person.
Dumpling House, Cambridge MA – Everyone in my family loves dumplings. One day, this image popped up on Instagram and I thought – We’ve got to go there!

I’ll be lucky if I get to one or two of these, but having a few fun ideas in my pocket makes the idea of February Vacation 2017 at home just a little more exciting.

Do you have any fun plans or ideas for school break?

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February 9, 2017

Food & Drink

Dine In or Dine Out? I’ve Got My Answer

Caeser Salad with Salmon from Mango II Cuisine — Tony ordered this simple Caesar salad with salmon, but it was the beautifully carved carrot that so impressed me. That must have been a really big carrot!

Dine out! Lately, it seems, the answer is always, dine out. I realize this may not be the healthiest option, but it sure is enjoyable.

In the last year, Tony and I have embraced the concept of eating out. I am sure it comes with the stage of life we are in and the age of our children, but we have reached a point when sitting down to a relaxing meal outside the home, with or without the kids, is ultimately satisfying. My waist line isn’t so sure about all of this, but I’m in a YOLO (you only live once) state of mind, so I’m going with it for now.

Then

Let’s be honest, at certain points of child-rearing, a meal was simply a means to an end to fend off hunger. When the girls were little we did family dinners. While the little lovelies fidgeted in their seats, Tony and I sat exhausted wondering who’d have the most energy to do the dishes following the meal. Finger on my nose – you’re it!

Now

Today, we have teens who are more independent and, suddenly, time is back on our side.

It’s funny – the very thing that prevented us from being able to dine out more often is now the thing that is enabling it…youth sports!

In the past, the kids’ schedules were erratic. We were either unable to or too tired to dine out on a regular basis.

This year, activities are more manageable and, currently, both girls are fully engaged in basketball season. Meanwhile, Tony and I find ourselves with more free time.

We have now made a habit of using the time during practices, after drop-offs and before or after games to dine out. Time might allow for a full meal or maybe just an appetizer or cocktail. We look forward to the time to catch up with one another or friends who join us. The more we go out the more we want to. Basketball has never been so much fun. Take a look at this fabulous food, and drink, we enjoyed at a little Thai restaurant in Tewksbury. We discovered Mango II Cuisine before a basketball game on Friday night.

3 olives & a twist martini at Mango II Cuisine — A thing of beauty

appetizers and cocktails from Mango II Cuisine — Two apps and a cocktail made a perfect pre-game meal.

coconut soup with mushrooms and chicken from Mango II Cuisine — I wanted something different -I ordered this coconut soup with mushrooms and chicken and was wowed. So good!

I do feel guilty that I don’t cook at home more often these days. Truthfully, I don’t love to cook and there are very few meals I can prepare that everyone in my house will eat. Between allergies and picky eaters (one of whom is an adult and not me!) preparing meals at home is laborious and frustrating. So, I’m over it.

My dream is to be a city girl someday. I want to walk to restaurants of all kinds for brunch, lunch or dinner. I want to try new foods and dine out in cool, new settings.

So, while I wait for my dream to become a reality, I will live it right here in the suburbs I call home.

Cheers and Bon appetite!

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February 6, 2017

Life & Family

Super Bowl Sunday 2017 – That Was Insane!

Super Bowl 51

I sat down to write this on Friday; two days before Super Bowl Sunday 2017. Let me begin by saying, I’m not a football fan, I don’t watch regular season games and, typically, I don’t watch the Super Bowl. Oh sure, I attend Super Bowl parties, but you’ll find me sipping, eating and chatting, but rarely watching football. I poke my head in for a commercial or two, and maybe the half-time show depending on who’s performing, but that’s about it.

The Patriots

This year was different though. I wanted to watch the game and I really wanted the Patriots to win. It wasn’t the painfully endless news coverage of the past two weeks that sucked me in. It was knowing that a Patriot’s win would be a huge “in your face” moment to the haters who contributed to, and wouldn’t let go of, all of the ridiculous deflategate talk. My God! I know nothing of football and even I knew that was a heinous smear campaign.

The Patriots are an exceptional team with an equally exceptional quarterback and a hilariously effective coach. Deflategate did nothing to disprove that.

The Lovable Grouch

Super Bowl aside, I could watch the Patriots for Bill Belichick alone. While his cantankerous ways are over the top, I’m drawn to his “lovable grouch” façade. Grouchy, grumbling, never smiling, and yet people revere him. Now that’s true talent.

I couldn’t stop laughing at a recent press conference where Belichick repeatedly answered “Seattle” to questions about his connection to Donald Trump. I kept thinking – he’s nuts, who does that?

He does and it’s working for him. The truth is, I like all sorts of lovable grouches. If you were a Downton Abbey fan, Dame Maggie Smith was perfection as the sourpussed Dowager. Matty in the Morning of Kiss 108 is another funny grump and, of course, my dog Oscar. He’s the most lovable grouch of them all.

Tom Brady

Now let’s talk Tom Brady. After last night, he is being called the quarterback of all-time – NFL’s best. He’s humble, well spoken, gracious, married to Giselle and hot. Why must people try to bring him down? He’s doing his job and he’s doing it amazingly well. Don’t be jealous! He’s great, so just let him be great.

The only thing I wonder about Tom is whether or not he’s interesting off the field. I once read that he’s never consumed alcohol, coffee or sugar – not even fruit! This may not be true, but I question whether such a regimented diet and lifestyle is indicative of too intense a personality. Listen, what Tom has accomplished is serious business, he’s a serious person and, sometimes, that can be seriously boring.

But, whatever, who cares? He’s fabulous, Bill Belichick makes me laugh out loud and the Patriots took Super Bowl Sunday 2017 by storm. They are champions yet again and watching last’s night game was an incredible experience. I still have chills.

I hope you enjoyed this Super Bowl Sunday 2017 post-game report courtesy of one non-football watching, Patriots fan. Go Pats!

P.S. – I thought Lady Gaga’s performance was nothing special.

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February 2, 2017

Life & Family

Feeling Scattered – getting it together & getting things done!

A few weeks ago, I posted about getting organized. I explained how the process of getting organized in my home helps me gain mental clarity and become more productive. Well, I think it is working. Not, however, without some difficult realizations as to why things get so cluttered and disorganized in the first place.

The Problem

Cleaning up the space that surrounds me has allowed me to make one huge discovery about myself that is completely counter-productive. I’m a scatterbrain! I never thought this about myself, and maybe I wasn’t always this way, but feeling scattered has crept into my life without me even noticing.

Working from home, always having a lot on my mind and dealing with typical, multi-tasking mom duties has led me to feeling overwhelmed, distracted and uncharacteristically scatterbrained. Sometimes, I think I’m losing my marbles. Quite frankly, I don’t like it.

The Solution

Thankfully, I have now identified the issue and am committed to putting an end to it. My solution is actually quite simple – finish what I’ve started.

Take this blog for example. Typically, I write a post in rough draft form then leave it to revise later. I’ll revise it, then leave it again to finesse and proof. I’ll leave it yet again to enter into WordPress and add photos at another time. There are times it takes me four days to finish one post from start to finish. To be honest, I feel like getting up right now and going off to do something else. Laser focused – I am not!

I’m not sure when my attention span hit such an all-time low, but my scattered thinking is really slowing me down.

My worst household offenses are dishes. Dirty dishes go into the dishwasher, but pots and pans that need to be hand washed are “left for later.” Bills; they get paid, but updating the household budget is “left for later.” Laundry, oh please, it’s never done. And the very worst thing I start and stop is getting ready for the day. I’ll shower and dress, but leave makeup for later. Why? Why not just finish?

This procrastinating habit is horrible and has left me feeling scattered and overwhelmed with an ever-growing to-do list, off which nothing ever gets crossed.

No more! From now on it’s focus and full steam ahead! In just about a week of forcing myself to finish tasks to completion, I am happy to report that I have accomplished a heck of a lot.

With so much more to do, I am happy that my life as a scatterbrain is under control.

A Quick Tip

One of the best things I’ve done to reduce feeling scattered and distracted is silencing my phone – especially when I’m writing. No more “breaks’’ to answer a call, check emails or glance at a text. From now on, I set the phone aside until I reach a reasonable stopping point. So if you are trying to reach me and I don’t answer, you can assume I’m busy getting things done.

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