Margarita Number Two

2 oz tequila, 1 oz Cointreau, 1 oz lime juice, 1 oz simple syrup (2 parts sugar, 1 part water).



The Cabo is much better. Yummy!

It doesn't have the "sea breeze" taste of the best margaritas I've had, but it would sure hit the spot on a hot hot hot sunny afternoon.

What I'm reading

A Sand County Almanac Aldo Leopold.

Coldplay

One billion violins!

This is the entire St. Charles public school orchestra - from fourth grade through High School.



Chris's spring concert was this evening. Way to go kids!

(That was Viva la Vida, by the way.)

Seven years ago today

It was Kentucky Derby day. I was upset about missing the derby, but I was also enjoying a good time at MoPark 2002. That's where I met Dennis. We knew of each other before this because we were both in the same car club, but this was the day Dennis decided he like me enough to contact me after the fact.

They've even got a picture of me sitting on the picnic table where I had my first big conversation with Dennis. Whatever charming and bewitching things I said, I've now forgotten, but I do remember talking to him for quite a while.

Front landscaping

We actually installed the front landscaping today.

All day.

Even my pains hurt now :)

Before:


A Purpleleaf Sand Cherry in tree form is our focal point. (Prunus X cistena):


I am doing mostly woodland herbacious perinneals. Foilage includes Annabelle hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'), Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven', Heuchera (Heuchera 'Regina'), and Hosta (Hosta x fortunei 'Francee'):



There are also Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra formosa 'Luxuriant') and Liriope (Liriope muscari 'Silvery Sunproof'):


They're just babies right now, but they'll fill in.


I am still looking for a tall (12 - 15'), columnar (6 - 8' max width), shade loving, probably evergreen for the corner. The whole front just drops off to a sharp edge on the far right waiting for the magical gardening unicorn to stop by with a basket of options.

Shut the front door

We've had a commitment problem. With the paint color for our unpainted but primed front door.

We've had paint chips taped up for a week or two, and finally settled on Belle Grove Victory Blue.



Three coats later. It is supposed to look like the middle color on the sample.


Let the waiting begin. We'll have a front door again in about 8 hours.

Margaritaville? Not quite yet.

I am going to perfect the Perfect Margarita. (3 parts tequila, 2 parts Cointreau, 1 part lime juice* or thereabouts, I'll let you know when I find the perfect Perfect ratio!)



It looks pretty.

The Jose Cuervo Especial Gold is just not up to the task. Apparently you can't buy perfection for $17. The aftertaste is just - bad. EW!

*This one was 1.5 oz tequila, 1 oz lime juice, .5 oz Cointreau for the record.