I am going to be getting this back up and running. I have some things in the works that are super exciting.
So stay tuned……
Live like James, Fight like Mike, Love like Jay
A few years back I lost a close friend to brain cancer. It was tough. Mike was a great guy…and full of life, before his struggle with cancer robbed him of his vitality. He fought like hell. But he finally lost the war.
I miss him. He was one of my closest friends in Columbus in the years between high school and LaGrange.
In the last two weeks, I got hit with two more bodyblows. Jason Sparks, another of the Columbus crew, and one of the sneakiest funny guys I ever knew had a heart attack at his home in Cataula.
Jason and I were pretty close Facebook friends. I loved his photos of country life, of his coi pond and his cat that he loved dearly.
Then, on Saturday, news of another passing, this time a high school classmate. James Eaton was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Quick with a smile, a laugh and even great advice. I had not seen James in person in years, but we talked often on Facebook. I hoped that next time the family made a trip back to NC we could meet up and catch up with James and his lovely wife. James was a gentle giant of a man, who played bass in a rock band. I feel like he never met a stranger. His wife Heather is planning a party at a Charlotte bar to celebrate his memory on Thursday night. I wish I could make it. I think it will be the perfect tribute. He is gone much too soon, the victim of a heart, that again…just stopped beating.
I don’t have any sage advice to take away from these losses. I hate each of them equally. I guess all I can say is treasure the moments. Treasure your family. Live like James. Appreciate nature and friendship like Jay. And fight. Fight like Mike. We are all a little less whole without the three of them around.
Slacking…but back with a vengeance
I have been slacking on posts lately, so it is time to get back in the saddle.
First off, I am going to sing the praises of Bellwoods Social House.
My buddy Arianne Fielder is heading up the bar program, and has an all-star staff on hand.
I have not had food, but I have been in two Fridays in a row for after-work cocktails…and I am impressed.
Week 1 I had a G and Tea. (Ford’s Gin, Cocchi Americano, black tea, lemongrass, lemon and thyme)
Week 2 was a Kentucky Sundress. I was a little concerned that it might be a girly drink, but Alyssa and Rebecca convinced me it was basically a Manhattan. Very manly. Made with Woodford Reserve, strawberry and rosemary infused blanc vermouth, St. Germain, and orange bitters (with a green chartreuse rinse).
Next time I am going to try the old fashioned. I just always try to order things in a bar that I do not make at home (and I make a mean old fashioned).
They are also doing a really cool shot program with shots and backs inspired by bars from around Atlanta and across the country.
I have not had food yet, but the staff had a great looking Asian noodle and shrimp salad. They really seemed to like it. Other folks seem to like it quite a bit.
Speaking of food, Linds and I had a date night at Kiosco in Marietta. You can see my plate was full. I am a sucker for the Bandeja paisa. We also painted ceramics for the kiln. She won the painting contest. Results (with photos) to come in a later blog.
Quick Hits
“I didn’t have buttermilk, so I just poured baking soda into a container of raspberry yogurt. It tasted terrible.”
You’re the Worst. Is the best.
I bet your girlfriend loves the Leftovers?
Lemon Garlic Spatchcocked Chicken
The Good Doctor Cocktail
Momofuku Crack Pie
Cool things on the way in the next month or two:
Sean Brock‘s new book Heritage
Death and Company‘s New Cocktail Book
Justin Townes Earle‘s new album Single Mothers
The one where I go full-on heel for my ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
This challenge brought to you by M. Night Shyamalan
Forget Shark Week…When is Grouper Week?
This Grouper clearly does not give a damn….
Tonight’s Libation
This is what I will be drinking this evening:
Smoky Iced Tea and Whiskey Cooler
About This Recipe
| YIELD: | makes 1 cocktail |
| ACTIVE TIME: | 5 minutes |
| TOTAL TIME: | 5 minutes |
| SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: | cocktail shaker |
| THIS RECIPE APPEARS IN: | Drinking in Season: Smoky Iced Tea and Whiskey Cooler |
Ingredients
- 3 ounces brewed Lapsang Souchong tea, chilled
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 ounce Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
- 1 ounce rye whiskey
- Dash Angostura bitters
- Garnish: Lemon twist
Procedures
-
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine tea, lemon, ginger liqueur, whisky, and bitters. Shake for 12 seconds. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Garnish with lemon twist and serve immediately.
From the “I always find random things I covet” file
Good thing they don’t have my size.
Also, I can’t look at this without thinking of the Hunt for Red October Movie.
“Ryan, your conclusions were all wrong. Halsey acted stupidly“
Cole Stoudt pranks teammates and Clemson fans
Worth a few minutes to get a good laugh.
A lot of meat and an”exercise high”
We broke down and got a Kamado Grill, and the family is really loving it so far. We got the Vision Pro S. I have already used it to put together some really good meals.
I had to deal with some minor medical crap at the end of the week. Luckiy it was a quick fix and I bounced back really fast.
Lindsey wrote a great post this morning about our Saturday movie night. Spoiler alert…the movies were bad.
Quick Hits
- The Second season of Mind of a Chef is available on Amazon Prime Video. This one features Bailey chef idol Sean Brock and New York CIty super chef April Bloomfield with Narration by Anthony Bourdain.
- Pretty sure we are going out of town for Thanksgiving. Taking suggestions on a good location.
- It has been suggested that there is such a thing
Doug Savage is a genius. as an exercise high. I do not believe that.
- Bourbon Sweet Tea Sour
- How many NCISes do you need?
- Cappuccino potato chips? Do. Not. Want.
I did a teaser on Nashville hot chicken this week. I have more on that on the way soon.
Keeping Your Attention – With Some Hot Chicken
I got some posts to make later this week (on a new grill, a plumbing catastrophe, and a date night) but I have been pretty swamped.
So I wanted to give you a dose of Nashville Hot Chicken – courtesy of The Bitten Word – to hold you over.
Wash it down with a Bourbon Iced Tea With Mint
Splice the Mainbrace 