All posts in Just For Fun

I have always said that a good pair of bluejeans is an absolute necessity to any wardrobe. My brother was lucky enough to be wearing his Levi’s® on his recent trip to Israel. However, when he flew to Israel his bags flew to Hong Kong. And while vacationing in the Negev Desert don’t think that picking up new clothes is an option.

Levi Strauss was so impressed with his story that they posted his adventure on their blog. Writing is definitely in our blood.

Still Rockin’ It
Scarlet Mom

I follow Hello Brit, a blog about creative living. She is probably the most creative person I have never met. One of her recent posts is about infusing vodka, something very near and dear to my heart. My first thought was what an brilliant idea!! Of course, I had to share it with you.

Brit’s post tells you how to infuse with ginger, grapefruit, and jalapeno along with some clever bottling ideas. I decided to take it a step further and see what other recipes I could find. Here’s what I found:

Choose your spirit:
Your base vodka will set the foundation for a good infusion. Choosing a decent vodka that is smooth and clean will allow the added flavors to shine. If you’re experimenting with a new infusion you may want to use a less expensive bottle so as not to waste money or good liquor (this is a sin!). Another option is to use a home filtering device like the Vodkastick, which will allow you to filter out the impurities of a cheap brand.

Choose your flavors:
Herbs, spices and fruits are most commonly used for infusions. The most popular infusions are fruit based however, you can use your imagination to create some wonderful combinations. Try experimenting with garlic, habenero peppers and basil in your vodka for some great Bloody Mary bases. Use your creativity to personalize your creations. For best results, use fresh ingredients only.

The Process:
The process itself is very easy. Choose a clean, air-tight jar: quart sized mason jars work well. Using smaller jars will allow you to divide a liter of vodka into a few jars, giving you the ability to create small batches of a variety of flavors at once. Wash the ingredients, place them inside the jar and fill it with vodka. Shake a few times and cover tightly with a lid.

Infusion Time:
You will want to store your infusion in a cool, dark place and shake it 3-5 times a day for the duration of the infusion. On average the ingredients should stay in the liquor for 3-5 days. Some of your more intense flavors will only need 3 days, less intense flavors should stay in the jar for a full week or more (see the infusion times list below). You will want to do a taste test every few days to see if the flavors are sufficient.

The Finish:
Once your infusion has reached it’s peak in flavor you’ll need to take the flavoring ingredients out of the jar. Use a fine strainer or paper coffee filter to strain the vodka into another clean jar or bowl. You can return it to it’s original jar if you would like, cleaning the jar thoroughly first. Store the finished infusion as you would any other liquor of it’s type. I prefer my vodka stored in the freezer. Most professional drinkers do.

Ingredient Preparation:
Berries: wash and leave whole, but score the skins on harder berries
Pineapple, Mango and similar fruit: wash and cut into chunks
Strawberries and Citrus fruit: wash and slice thinly or use zests of lemons and oranges
Vanilla Beans: wash and cut lengthwise
Herbs: wash and use whole (stems and all)
Peppers: wash and leave whole or cut in half
Garlic: use whole cloves, removing the layers of skin

General Infusion Times:
Use these times as a guideline to gauge how long you should leave the ingredients in a jar of liquor.
3-4 days: Intense flavors such as vanilla beans, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, limes, mint, garlic, tarragon, basil, oregano, dill, thyme and peppers
1 week: Moderate flavors such as cantaloupes, strawberries, peaches, mangoes, pitted cherries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.
2 weeks: Mild flavors such as pineapple, ginger and lemon grass.

When you serve your custom-made infused vodka or spirits you will be the host or hostess of the year. Just remember to mention who recommended doing this.

Still Rockin’ It
Scarlet Mom

Some old people are the sweetest most loving people in the world. Others are the most persnickety old farts you will ever meet. This post is directed at the latter.

Please stop complaining about everything! Holy shit. It’s like being around Andy Rooney without the humor. And your complaints go nowhere. They just drone on and on and on and on.

For example, I was thrilled to tell my dad about taking my son to his first professional basketball game. I started telling him about the excitement in the boy’s eyes when my dad cut me off to start bitching about the new stadium Houston just built. WTF? This isn’t the time, dad. After he went on for about five minutes about how much it cost and how now he can’t afford to go to a game because tickets prices are too high, he launched into player salaries and how many actual minutes per game they play. JFC, shut up! I finally interrupted him to continue telling him about the glorious experience of his 6-year-old grandson hoping he would forget about his bitch-a-thon. Did he forget? Fuck no! After I was finished he said, “Oh, I almost forgot. One more thing…” You know, it would have been okay if you had forgotten.

Old people have amazing stories to tell us, but can’t they tell them without all the bitching and complaining?

Oh…and turn off your turn signal.

Still Rockin’ It
Scarlet Mom

Death.

There are as many traditions around death as there are cultures amongst us. Many times we find peace in the death of a very ill loved one but many times death strikes suddenly taking those among us before we are ready to let them go. Life is very unfair in this way and no matter what faith you study or practice, it is very hard to make sense of or peace with death, God, or the Universe when it takes someone you love dearly.

For Christians, death means being reunited with previously lost loved ones and being taken up to Heaven. “For those who die in Christ, death is union with the Lord. Jesus informed the dying thief, ‘Today you shall be with me in paradise’ (Lk. 23:43).”

In Judaism, death is not a tragedy, even when it occurs early in life or through unfortunate circumstances. Death is a natural process. Their deaths, like their lives, have meaning and are all part of God’s plan. In addition, Jews have a firm belief in an afterlife, a world to come, where those who have lived a worthy life will be rewarded. Mourning practices in Judaism are extensive, but they are not an expression of fear or distaste for death. Jewish practices relating to death and mourning have two purposes: to show respect for the dead and to comfort the living who will miss the deceased.

Buddhists believe they will pass away eventually as a part of the natural process of birth, old-age and death and that they should always keep in mind the impermanence of life. To Buddhists, however, death is not the end of life, it is merely the end of the body we inhabit in this life, and their spirit will still remain and seek out a new body and new life.

To me, when a loved one passes, none of these are really that comforting. Loss creates a great void and it physically hurts your heart and soul. What comforts me in times like this is the support of friends and family.

When someone I care about dies I always take the time to read the words of W. H. Auden and remember the person I have lost. Marty, my heart goes out to you and your family because nothing any of us do can heal the pain you are feeling now. Remember your brother fondly and take time to mourn his life and his memory. Know that you are loved dearly.

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.