Blue Skies Smiling At Me

Recently, for no good reason, I felt the need to get out of town for a bit. My job used to have me traveling constantly, but with the economic slowdown and budget tightening, my trips are becoming increasingly sparse. Plus, speaking of jobs, need some time to work on the resume. ;-)So, I packed up one of the kids (Madison) and headed down to my father's beachouse on the Gulf Coast (thank you Daddy!).

Unfortunately, the skies are a bit grey- though I'm willing the sun to come out! In thinking of blue skies, it occurred to me how much I love a blue porch ceiling (yes, I'm slightly obsessed with porches of late). So, without further adieu...

Flikr- I love Butter

Flikr- Paige One

Flikr-Annapolitan in Raleigh

via Pigtown Design

via Apartment Therapy

Washington Post via Philly Online

Flickr

P. Allen Smith

Flikr via Apartment Therapy

A Sip of Summer

The Mint Julip

One of the ladies at my church volunteer meeting the other day offhandedly made the comment, "Mint Julip season starts this weekend." Ahh. And I had to smile.

What makes this comment even better was that it was from a very proper, older Southern woman (80s???). While my life has certainly passed too quickly as it is, I must admit I look forward to my retirement days when I can sit on my porch in my rocking chair sipping Mint Julips.

So, in the spirit of Mint Julips and Southern Summer Porches, here are some pictures of great potential sipping spots- of course, with a recipe courtesy of Pittypat's Porch via Girly Drinks.

Tonic Home

Southern Accents

Southern Accents

Southern Accents

Southern Accents

Southern Accents

3 oz. of Bourbon Whiskey
1/2 oz. of Mint Juilip Mixture (simple syrup-melt sugar 1 cup sugar in 1/2 cup of water
Crush mint and mix with sugar mixture )

Serve over crushed ice