Usually when I post I like to start with a clever opening line in hopes of sounding articulate and creative, today f that…I’m getting right to the point! When out to dinner in a big group, do you split the check evenly among the group or dissect the entire thing and pay only for what you got? If you said #2 I’m judging you. Going out to dinner in a big group should be fun the entire time, not the whole time up until the bill comes and then become a nightmare. When you commit to going out to dinner with a large group you should go into it knowing all guests will divide the check evenly by the number of guests present. if that is not something you're okay with perhaps you shouldn't go out in a large group for dinner and just meet up after for drinks where you can get your own tab. this is why when you are out in a large group you should just order what you want because it makes no sense trying save pennies and just get an appetizer when at the end of the day you'll be chipping in for someone's filet mignon. also, if there is a "guest of honor" you should be expecting to add their tab to the groups bill and also divide that among all other attendees…the guest of honor should never pay, that's just rude! have you ever noticed when making a reservation at a restaurant if you're group is over 9 people they usually mandate you order from a prefixed menu so everyone pays the same amount, it's just easier and big party etiquette. Obviously this doesn't apply when going to a fast food joint with a group of friends or a local joint where everyone can get a separate check. I’m also assuming that if you're going to sit down at dinner with a group of people you like them and they're friends so it shouldn't be a big deal if you got one extra drink then me; it all comes back around. I’m usually the person who has way less to drink and I am totally fine with evenly splitting the bill. So folks with the weekend coming up please be mindful of this! Do you think I’m wrong? Are you team split the bill or team dissect the bill?
@jlsolivan cider-gria recipe
saturday we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and had some friends over for a bbq, we are loving the yard! hosting is by far one of my favorite things to do; jack handles all the cooking to ensure folks walk out of here happy and alive and i handle the cocktails to make sure they leave happy and not remembering i didn't do any cooking! sangria is my go to drink during these sun filled days; it's yummy, i have control over the flavor & strength, it's so pretty, and numero uno…it's easy! this time around i made my best sangria to date…ask anyone who was there, for once people are asking me "what's your recipe?"…that's ground breaking because i don't have recipes. there were two key ingredients that made this sangria a knockout - arugula and cider! what?! i know, i know…it sounds odd but trust me it was amazing! the arugula added a peppery kick and the cider gave it the bubbles (that usually comes from club soda), added flavor, and more alcohol (duh!). oh and nobody woke up with a hangover not sure if that was because i'm a mixologist master or pure luck, but whatever the case…no hangovers!
jacqueline lizzette cider-gria recipe:
what you need
- 4 bottles of dry red wine (i used yellow tail cabernet sauvignon, inexpensive and yummy)
- 2 cups of brandy (pretty sure jack snuck another cup in behind my back, but it worked)
- 1/2 cup of orange triple sec
- 2/3 cup of sugar (originally i didn't add sugar because i hate sweet drinks but because of the massive amount of citrus it was necessary to kill some of the tartness)
- 3 limes sliced thin
- 3 oranges sliced thin
- 3 lemons sliced thin
- 1/2 case of strawberries
- 4 cups of arugula
- stella artois cidre (we had 2 6 packs, personal preference according to your taste buds)
how to make
- pour the wine, brandy, and triple sec in a pitcher or serving bowl (we got amazing stackable pitchers from the dollar store, even though they weren't a dollar)
- add in the sugar and stir
- add the arugula and stir with a wooden spoon (mash the arugula to release the flavor)
- add in the fruit and give a light stir
- put in the fridge to chill and set over night (personal preference)
how to serve
- put a few ice cubes in a mason jar (that's how i roll)
- pour some cidre in that bad boy (i did about 1/4 cup, jack did 1/2 cup…your call)
- fill the rest of the cup with sangria
- enjoy the shit out of the glass of wonderfulness
- thank me later
happy bbq season my friends.
please note there are no pictures of my gorgeous display due to very thirsty guests.
it's OK...
as i sit here swinging in my new hammock enjoying a breezy evening with a glass of rose i find myself thinking "whoa how the hell did i get here"/"dude i'm getting old"…i mean i find myself reflecting! my life has changed quite a bit; be it work, family, friends, love…everything has evolved. recently i have felt a certain level of peace; which for me is huge because i'm a super intense person who puts massive thought and energy into anything and everything. the sudden calm that has come over me is a result of me not giving a shit like i used to and damn it feels good. here are a few things that have brought me peace of mind.
- allow myself to be happy. sounds simple but it wasn't for me, i'm sure it was subconscious but i always felt the need to rock the boat. it was like i always needed a dose of drama. "oh things are so calm and happy something must be wrong, let's f*ck sh*t up!"
- stop competing, again subconscious but it happened. regardless if it wasn't me initiating the competition which it wasn't because that's not me (i swear); but it is me to accept all challenges. i stopped stressing the coworker who was always trying to one up me. at home i attempted to let my boyfriend teach me things instead of getting defensive. i stopped feeding into girlfriend's dating "advice" when she was in the type of relationship i had no desire to be in.
- do what makes me happy. i'm thankful for all those that try and help and think they are giving me profound advice; but i am not seeking advice or opinions. if and when i do please give it to me but right now i'm good, in fact i'm great and that's because i'm doing what makes me happy not what makes anyone else happy. now don't get me wrong i love making people happy i get a natural high off of it! however, now i will make people happy by doing things that pertain to them and that don't compromise my own happiness…example: i made you this picture collage of your life highlights for your birthday because you always say you have no pictures vs. i stopped letting my boyfriend play xbox because you thought it was ridiculous. get it?
- letting it go! so hard for me i must admit since i'm a control freak, but being a control freak was causing way too much stress and pressure. the weight that is lifted from accepting that everyone is different is amazing. i'm still a control freak, super anal, and a master planner/organizer but i'm learning and making the conscious effort to take a step back when possible. i was trying to force relationships between the loved ones in my life and was so consumed with making everyone act out the vision i had…it was an epic fail, in fact it caused tension…or should i say i caused the tension. once i took a step back and allowed everyone to grow and build their relationships organically everything blossomed and is now exactly where it should be; still maybe not what i imagined but it's perfect because it's real!
- living! i have always let work consume my life, i'm still a workaholic but i'm learning how to live. if come 6pm i have nothing outstanding left to do, i leave…sure i could work for hours if i wanted but there is always tomorrow. traveling has always been a passion but seemed so unobtainable but it's not, you just have to do it. i was also always so afraid to spend my money or would blow it on silly things, now i'm saving my pennies and using them when there is something that will enhance my life…example: a hammock in the yard and a trip to thailand! that's right i'm going to take 2 weeks off of work only one which will be paid and heading to the other side of the world. the way i see it what i will gain on that trip no amount of money can replace.
that's all i've got for now. i'm a constant work in progress but as long as i'm always progressing i'll be alright.