Pimm's What?

My college roomies and I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary with a trip to the beach complete with succulent shrimp and salmon on the grill, light and lemony cheesecake with a cherry-raspberry sauce that would knock your socks off, and my very first Pimm's Cup!

What's that you say? It's a fantastically refreshing summer drink that our friends the Brits (cheerio!) fill with luscious fruit and crisp cucumber, a dash of Pimm's (that's a liquor in case you didn't know...I didn't), and top off with fizzy ginger ale.

Dr. Nellie has been dying to make this drink for us for quite some time now (she's having a love affair with England). And I must admit, the red wine lunatic in me was a bit skeptical, but the verdict is in: fantastico!

Here's how it works...You start by cutting the fruit and cucumbers.

You put it in a glass.

Then you add the Pimm's.

Isn't it a fun bottle?

Then you top it off with the ginger ale.

And voila...it's fun in a glass!

And this is how much Dr. Nellie likes it...

"Double" Chocolate Celebration

This year, two of my dearest Fungirl friends will each have a new little bundle under the Christmas tree...they will each be welcoming a new little Funbaby! ("We're" having a boy and a girl in case you're curious...no names yet. I've asked.)

Recently, we showered Rebecca for this first little blessing of she and her hubby, Kenton. (A girl!) Dr. Nellie opened her adorable home, and in true Fungirl fashion, we had a fantastically delicious spread.

A local bakery supplied these precious petit fours...and these were double the chocolate for double the celebration. Let. Me. Tell. You.

I've got a bit of an obsession with bruschetta these days! (I don't have a picture, but it's in the background in the one above.) The thing I'll remember the most fondly about this dish though was the sweet time I spent in the kitchen with Rebecca and Dr. Nellie whipping this up. I love those times...perhaps because they are few and far between with our busy lives in separate states.

Of course, no Fungirl event would be complete without Dani's famous frosted sugar cookies. I don't know what she puts in hers, but I think it's highly addictive. No one can eat just one. (How cute are these little babies in stork baskets?!)

The guest of honor, Rebecca (left) with Elaine (expecting Baby Boy #2).

I love baby showers.

Summer Round-Up

I'm not much of a summer kind of gal. I'll admit it. I don't like to sweat. I don't like bugs. And I don't like the beach (I know, go ahead and gasp). One thing I DO like about summer is the abundance of delicious, fresh fruits and veggies and the crisp, clean tastes of the season. It's been a crazy busy summer, so I thought I'd show you a bit of what my tastebuds have enjoyed this season...

Let's begin with a nice cool, frosty pitcher of strawberry lemonade...

Then on to the enchiladas I made for family dinner with my small group girls...

Oh yeah, and we can't forget the mini-cupcakes and "two-bite" brownies!

There was a lasagna and green salad thrown in for good measure this summer...

Along with homemade bruschetta topped with sweet, succulent heirloom cherry tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and topped with crumbled goat cheese (mmmm)!

Then came the Sunday dinner of grilled salmon with roasted fingerling potatoes and broccoli sprinkled with lemon juice and parmesan. And a salad thrown in for good measure.

Can't forget the low-country boil!

And of course, everything capped off with a glass of sangria (happy happy joy joy)!

Now, welcome autumn!