catching up

sometimes i'll be walking down the street, not really paying attention to the world around me, maybe reading a text message or staring into a store window wondering how much that purse might cost, and i'll walk straight into a mailbox. this has actually happened, or almost happened, to me more than once. when it happens i am first surprised. the wind is knocked out of me and i am stopped dead in my tracks. then i am embarrassed. i look around to see who might have seen me do this ridiculously stupid thing, who might be around to help me in case i had just seriously hurt myself, and if there is any way for me to gracefully recover.

sometimes that happens in life, too.

readers, the past couple weeks of my life have been the equivalent of walking straight into a mailbox. and i have only just barely started to recover.

but while i have been in my little cocoon of self pity, things have been going on in the city. its still kind of cold, but spring has definitely hit the city. that means summer, my favorite time of year, is right around the corner. if anything could pull me out of this funk it is longer days, sunshine and warm weather.

in the spirit of summer, and to make up for two weeks of missed "things i loved," i would like to introduce you to a drink that i fell in love with last week: champagne sangria. i was introduced to a version made with blood orange juice at cinema restaurant but i heard from friends that there are other bars in the city that are serving up this treat as well.

if you're feeling adventurous and want to try this at home, here is a recipe i found online.

3oz triple sec
3oz brandy
2oz rum
2oz vodka
1 cup strawberries, blended
chopped up fruit as desired (apple, mango, tangerine, pear, peach)
1 bottle champagne or sparkling wine

mix together all ingredients except the champagne and let it sit overnight if you can, or at least for a little while to soak up the flavors. add in the champagne just before serving, so that it doesn't go flat.

i suggest swapping out the strawberries for other fruits or fruit juice, like pomegranate juice, blood orange or mango nectar. mmm!