Category: drinks

Spiked Lavender Lemonade Cocktail

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Servings: 2 cocktails

What You Need:

4-6 tablespoons of lavender syrup (give or take)

2 shots of gin

2 Sprigs of rosemary (don’t forget it, every time you sip you get this sweet aroma)

1 1/2 cups of Homemade lemonade divided into two glasses

1 cup of ice

Recipe for Homemade Lemonade

https://thewildgems.com/2021/12/30/homemade-lemonade/

Recipe For Lavender Syrup

https://thewildgems.com/2022/02/17/lavender-simple-syrup-mix-it-in-everything/

Steps:

1. Divide the lemonade into two glasses, and pour 2 tablespoons of lavender syrup into each glass.

2. Add a shot of gin to each glass.

3. Mix well, add ice, and place a sprig of rosemary into each drink.

Sip and enjoy! Add more lavender syrup if necessary.

Happy hour anyone?

Lavender Simple Syrup – Mix It In Everything

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This lavender syrup is so good. Mix it in your lemonade, your favorite cocktail, a mimosa, raw honey, cream cheese frosting, the possibilities are endless!

Enjoy!

What You Need:

1 1/2 cups of water

3 tablespoons of dried lavender

1 1/2 cups of sugar

Steps:

1. Bring the water and lavender to a boil.

2. Add the sugar and mix until it dissolves completely. Allow to simmer for 15 mins. Boiling lightly.

3. Remove from the heat and let sit for 2 hours. The aroma is so relaxing.

4. Strain the liquid into a mason jar discarding the dried lavender. Store in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Homemade Lemonade

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What You Need:

A juicer (Hamilton brand is fantastic)

2 cups of fresh lemon juice (about 6-7 lemons)

2 cups of sugar

8 cups of water

Steps:

1. Wash your lemons and place into juicer, unpeeled. (The lemon rind is what really gives a nice flavor)

2. Pour juice into pitcher, add water, and sugar.

3. Serve with ice.

Can store in fridge for 5 days.

Note: we use lemons from our tree. I’ve never tried store bought lemons. Once I try it I’ll update this blog if it’s the same flavor or a little different.

Fall Wines And The Perfect Pairings That Go With Them

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“Every empty bottle is filled with a great story”

-unknown

Fall is here!

Time to start planning those Fall social events and family/friend gatherings! A time to reminisce, laugh, story tell, and mingle!

Who’s excited for the season!!

If you enjoy hosting parties and enjoy wine this is the post for you. Take a look at these perfect Fall Wines and these tasty foods that compliment them perfectly!

Below are 4 Fall wines and the perfect pairings for them to make it easier for your planning.

Fall Wines And The Perfect Pairings That Go With Them

Merlot

  • Slow Cooker Beef Stew
  • Grilled Steak
  • Roasted chicken
  • Grilled Lamb Chops
  • Caprese Salad
  • Caesar Salad
  • Mushrooms (add to a salad, a sauce, or a side)
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Brussels sprouts with bacon
  • Pasta
  • Gouda and cheddar cheese

Pinot Noir

  • Salmon
  • Tuna
  • Glazed Ham
  • Grilled asparagus
  • Pulled pork
  • Pasta
  • Roasted chicken
  • Casseroles
  • Stews
  • Pizza
  • Cheeseburgers
  • Duck

Sparkling Wine

  • Shrimp
  • Fried calamari
  • Buttered popcorn
  • Stuffed mushrooms
  • Fruit based desserts
  • Smoked salmon
  • Oysters
  • Sushi
  • Asparagus
  • Almonds

Unoaked Chardonnay

  • Pasta in a creamy sauce
  • Creamy vegetable soups
  • Chicken
  • Crab
  • Grilled fish
  • Butternut squash
  • Pumpkin
  • Corn
  • Crab Cakes
  • Fried Chicken
  • Turkey

 

If you really LOVE Fall check out this list FALL MUST DO’S list! Click on the link below.

15 MUST DO’S For A Memorable FALL – The Best Season

Fruit Combinations For Refreshing Water – Perfect For Hosting A Brunch Or Shower

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sliced green fruits
Photo by Badulescu Badulescu on Pexels.com

 

Truth be told I had never thought of adding fruit or veggies to my water, other then lemon.

And the only reason I know of lemon in water is probably because when you’re at a restaurant they ask if you would like lemon in your water (the answer is always yes btw).

Little did I know that adding fruit or veggies to your water adds vitamins and minerals to it.

As if ice cold water couldn’t be more refreshing when you’re super thirsty, right! The fruit in the water definitely takes it up a notch.

I was first introduced to fruit infused water or, what some would call ‘spa water’ was actually when I worked in a spa as a front desk receptionist.

You would walk into this gorgeous spa and a giant, beautiful glass, self serve pitcher caught your eye. Ice water with the fruit of the day.

It was super appealing. I actually wanted to drink water! There was just a hint of flavor but enough to tell the difference.

Ever since then I’ve been hooked! This is a terrific way to stay refreshed and hydrated!

‘Spa Water’ is perfect for weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, a brunch, etc.

A gorgeous way to serve water to your guests and keep them hydrated.

Try these tasty fruit combinations in your water today and let me know what is your favorite!

You can get super creative with fruit combinations, but here a few to inspire to get you creative with your own flavors! Enjoy!

CUCUMBER COMBINATIONS

  • Cucumber and strawberries
  • Cucumber BY ITSELF
  • Cucumber and raspberries
  • Cucumber and lemon

STRAWBERRY COMBINATIONS

  • Strawberries and blueberries
  • Strawberries BY ITSELF
  • Strawberries and Lemon
  • Strawberries and lime
  • Strawberries and kiwi
  • Strawberries and apples
  • Strawberries and mango
  • Strawberries and peaches

ORANGE COMBINATIONS

  • Oranges and raspberries
  • Oranges and limes
  • Oranges and strawberries
  • Oranges and blueberries
  • Oranges and pineapple

LEMON COMBINATIONS

  • Lemon BY ITSELF
  • Lemon and grapefruit
  • Lemon and raspberries
  • Lemon, strawberry, and orange

MINT COMBINATIONS

  • Mint, strawberries, and cucumber
  • Mint and strawberries
  • Mint, cucumber, and lemon
  • Mint, lime, and strawberries
  • Mint, lemon, and blueberries
  • Mint, watermelon, and cucumber

BLUEBERRY COMBINATIONS

  • Blueberry and lemon
  • Blueberry and raspberries
  • Blueberries and black berries

WATERMELON COMBINATIONS

  • Watermelon and limes
  • Watermelon and cucumber
  • Watermelon and strawberries

RASPBERRY COMBINATIONS

  • Raspberry and limes
  • Raspberry and peaches
  • Raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry

 

Have fun with this! Thanks for stopping by!

I Love Being A GIRL MOM- 5 things to love about having a girl!

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When I was pregnant with my first, a little part of me thought our first would be a baby girl. Oh my goodness, a baby girl I would think, how fun that would be!

I didn’t want to get my hopes up or make any assumptions though. I would be happy with whatever our baby was.

Regardless the sex of your baby, it’s a gift! Am I right!?

When they told us at the ultrasound appointment that the baby was a girl I got so excited! And my husband became white in the face! Lol I remember asking if he was okay, it was hilarious. Although, I didn’t want to get too excited. What if they made a mistake. It does happen!

When my little baby was born and they confirmed it was a baby girl my heart just about exploded with joy! Like, I just gave birth to my best friend!

When my first daughter was 10 months, we welcomed another baby girl into our family who would soon enough be ours permanently. It was girl power in our house! I had 2 precious little girls!!!!

And now I’m pregnant again, with you guessed it! A baby girl!

I love it so much and I am so incredibly thankful. I can honestly say too that my husband loves being a girl dad. It’s never a dull moment as you other girl moms know!

 

A daughter is…

a star glimmering in the sky

a wonder, a sweetness

a perception, a delight…

everything beautiful

A daughter is

love

– Susan Polis Schutz

5 things to love about being a Girl Mom!

1. Girl’s Make Everyone Incredibly Soft

Who doesn’t have a soft spot for a baby girl, especially their daddy! A relationship I just absolutely adore. But it’s not just their daddy, little girls have their Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, cousins, the neighbors, your coworkers, EVERYONE……all wrapped around their finger! It’s incredibly sweet to watch other people swoon over your little girl. Not only is it sweet but it’s humorous to watch a tough man in your life get soft when they see that bright baby girl smile. Little girls hold such a special place in the heart. If you have one, you know!

2. Girl Stuff Is Just ABSOLUTELY Adorable

I love girl stuff! From the clothing, to the accessories, to room decor, to pretty much everything! Girl stuff is just so cute and creative! Being a mom you just want to buy it all! Having a daughter you do have to learn a little self control otherwise you can totally get carried away with all the glitz and glamor. But honestly, does any mom have self control when it comes to their daughter! How many times have you said – she had to have it. No shame here! She did have to have it!

3. The Sassy Attitude – you know you love it

You just can’t help but admire and envy her little full of life spirit. There will be a few times the attitude is a bit much, where you’ll be like uh, excuse me missy! You may even need to turn your cheek to restrain from laughing because you can’t believe the sass of your little girl. But deep down you just love the facial expressions and witty comebacks.

You’ll be thinking where did she learn this and truth be told its probably from you mama lol.

4. Dance Parties Everyday

Girls just wanna have fun! And dance! Every time they hear music they just can’t control themselves! I enjoy dancing too so dancing with my little girls are precious moments I always cherish. I love their dance moves, their songs of choice, and of course watching their daddy get involved with the dance party! A huge plus is they don’t judge your dancing, they want to dance just like you! You see them focusing and copying what you’re doing and it just makes you want to squeeze them, they are so cute! OR, she might be saying “No mama, no, like this.” Either way…

She got it from her mama. 

5. The Gift Of Raising Your Best Friend

There is just something extremely special about a mother daughter relationship. If you are close with your mom I’m sure you two are even closer now that you have a daughter. Your daughter is going to teach you so many lessons and she is almost always going to come to you for advice, when her heart breaks, when she’s in trouble, etc. You are her rock and she is definitely yours. How special that you get to be apart of her life.

And can imagine all the mani/pedi dates, weekend getaways, shopping ventures, brunches you two will have together! Oh to have a daughter! The joy!

 

What’s something you enjoy about having a daughter! Leave a comment below.

@coffeewafflesandmotherhood

 

 

Mama’s Summer Sun Tea

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When I think of summer time, I think of long sunny days. Living in Arizona, I think of long sunny REALLY HOT days lol.

But what’s great about these summer days is they are perfect for making sun tea. One of my favorite drinks to sip during these blazing hot days. I remember my mom making sun tea when I was a kid, and now I have a husband who requests this sun tea constantly.

My daughters enjoy this tea too. So you could say it’s husband and kid approved. However I don’t let my kids drink too much of it because of the caffeine. They have enough energy!

Now let’s make some of Mama’s Summer Sun Tea!

WHAT YOU NEED:

A large glass jar or pitcher that can hold 14 1/2 cups of water

4 teabags of Lipton- iced tea 100% natural specially blended for ice tea (24 family size tea bags)

1 cup of sugar (not Splenda or any “healthy sugar”, just sugar!)

Fill up a large GLASS jar with lid of 14 1/2 cups of water. Then place outside all day in direct sunlight. I typically leave my jar out from 10am to 7pm. Remove tea bags, and add 1 cup of sugar into tea and mix. Let chill overnight, THEN ENJOY!

You can even get more creative and add sliced lemons, fresh raspberries, or peaches to the tea. You can leave it unsweetened too if you prefer. This is the way we enjoy it and it’s always a treat!

Hope you enjoy! Let me know how you like it!