The Perfect Summer Beer Cocktail

 

 Have you noticed how popular beer mixers & beer cocktails have become recently?  One restaurant near us has a fantastic variety on their menu of beer cocktails.  The one I'm sharing here became a favorite of mine the first time I tried it last summer - it is the perfect cocktail to enjoy on a warm summer day.

 

Big thanks to sister who keeps the DKU Lakehouse fully stocked with St. Germain and provided it for this cocktail. Have you tried it?  It is a delicious elderflower liquor that's easy to use in so many different cocktails. 

 

 

 

 

The Perfect Summer Beer Cocktail

 For each cocktail, you will need:

- 1 bottle of Stella Artois Beer

- 1 shot of St. Germain

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

- lemon wedge, for garnish

 

Add lemon juice and St Germain to glass; pour Stella into glass.  Use a cocktail stir stick to gently stir and combine.  Add lemon wedge for garnish to the side of the glass.  Now, sit back and enjoy.  Cheers!

 

 

 I couldn't resist including a photo of the begonia I have in our screen porch.  Isn't it gorgeous?



No Cook Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Sauce

This pasta is so quick and easy - you're going to love it.  Perfect for hot summer days when you don't feel like slaving over the stove. 

I used orecchiette pasta for this recipe because it's one of my favorite shapes of pasta for holding sauce.  Also, it means "little ear" in Italian, which is adorable, don't you think?

{ Recipe adapted from one of my favorite food blogs,  The Italian Dish. }

Ingredients:

- 1 lb of your favorite pasta

- 1/2 cup of Parmesan-Reggiano cheeses, chopped into chunks

- 8 oz jar of sun dried tomatos packed in oil (do not drain)

- 2 garlic cloves, peeled

- 1 large handful of fresh basil leaves

- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (less if you don't like the spice)

- salt, to taste

- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Directions:

1.  Bring a pot of water to boil.  Add pasta and cook according to package directions.  Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of water, and set aside.

2.  Meanwhile, prepare the sauce.  Add cheese to food processor or blender and process until it is coarsely ground.  Add tomatoes, garlic, basil, pepper, salt, and reserved pasta water.  Process until sauce is combined and almost smooth.

3.  Toss with pasta and enjoy!

Gingham Baby Quilt

Happy Friday!  Are you glad the weekend is almost here?  I sure am!

I made this quilt earlier this Spring for a friend who had a baby girl.  I made a quilt for her first baby ( see it here ) when she was pregnant and made it gender neutral since she didn't find out what she was having.  This time, I waited until the baby was born.  I'm glad I did - I was able to go all out and make it super girly!

Sewing for babies is one of my most favorite things.  The items are small, and the best part - babies don't notice your mistakes! 

I adore this tulip fabric.  I found it at my local fabric store during Tulip Time. I thought it was the perfect backing for the pink gingham front. 

This quilt was easy to sew and would be a perfect quilt for beginners. 

Happy weekend!