A New Twist On the Old Mint Julep

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ENJOY this version of the Mint Julep from Garden and Gun Magazine! It looks divine.  Here in the South, the mint julep is one popular refreshment.

Mint Julep

Concord Grape Mint Julep

(Serves 4)

8 oz. bourbon

4 oz. lime juice, freshly squeezed

4 oz. mint simple syrup*

4 oz. Concord grape reduction**

4 cups ice

Mint sprigs, for garnish

Blend all ingredients in blender until ice is broken up and drink is uniformly smooth. Serve with a small bouquet of fresh mint sprigs.

*Mint Simple Syrup

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

1 bunch mint

Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, add whole mint sprigs, and simmer for ten minutes. Strain and cool.

**Concord Grape Reduction

1 cinnamon stick

1 star anise

3 cloves

1⁄2 tsp. black peppercorn

1⁄2 tsp. white peppercorn

1⁄4 tsp. anise seed

1 quart Concord grapes

1⁄2 cup water

Make a sachet with all dry ingredients. Simmer sachet, grapes, and water in a saucepan over medium-low heat until grapes are broken down and soft (about 45 minutes), gradually adding more water if needed. Remove sachet, and strain the reduction to remove seeds. Cool uncovered in the refrigerator. Reduction may be kept refrigerated for up to a week and works great with many other applications (pork, duck, cheesecake, gelato, etc.).

I hope that you enjoy this recipe.  let me know what you think :).

Now on to Embracing Etiquette with Teresa...



Rudeness in Disguise

Rudeness that comes clothed in kid gloves. “Love that new haircut. You look so much better with short hair!” They could say something like: “You look so much better after your weight loss. I wanted to tell you that you had become too heavy, but I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.” Trust me, they were being rude!

Tomorrow we will cover Unwitting Rudeness.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

Office by Kelly Wearsler

This office by Kelly Wearsler is fit for a queen!  Don't you just love it?  I will see you tomorrow my darling friends.
Now on to etiquette...



Casual Rudeness

This rudeness is usually not intentional, but nonetheless rude. Examples are those who disturb others by loudly talking on cell phones, entering the front of a newly opened line ahead of those in front of you, and standing in the middle of a busy sidewalk while talking to friends.

Tomorrow we will cover Rudeness in Disguise.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

The Art of Sculpture

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Wendy Bailey ~ Bronze

I am taking a sculpture class this semester, and I am having so much fun.  I have always enjoyed art, and this is no exception.  We are going to be doing four projects, a few papers and drawings.

The first project is making a mold to cast a clay piece.  For those of you that enjoy sculpture, you know that this is no easy, fast task.  You make a piece from clay, make a plaster mold of the piece, fill the mold with the clay slip, and clean up and finish your piece.  As usual I bit off more than I could chew, so it was an undertaking.  I have a great professor who has made the work go more smoothly for me.

We will be doing the piece I am completing, a soapstone piece, a portrait bust, and a wood piece.   I have also made a relief piece to frame in the upper portion of a framed mirror.  It will be an interesting and busy semester, but I am looking forward to it!

Clay by Barbara Duch

Soapstone

Portrait Bust by Richard Hellis

Wood by Excalibur

Now on to Embracing Etiquette with Teresa,,,

Dealing with Rudeness

Aggressive Rudeness

Aggressive rudeness is an intentional way to punish you for something you have done. When someone is intentionally rude they are punishing you for something that you have done to hurt them or someone dear to them. A coworker may attempt to make you feel inadequate on the job to put you in your place. The revenge seeker is attempting to pay you back for something you have done to them and intends to make you pay for your actions.


See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo


 

The Best of Linens

There is nothing better than cozying up under the covers during a rainstorm or on a hot afternoon. These bed linens from SFERRA are absolutely lovely and inviting.  I also have a guest blog today!

Floral Heaven

Francessca

Preston

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Beautiful table linens can also be found at SFERRA.  These two collections are from the Kelly Wearsler line.

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SFERRA also has beautiful, thick, absorbent towels.

As most of you know, I love linens.  This is just one of the selections I am fond of.  I have other posts on linens and their care in my archive if you are interested.

Visit my son's blog here.

Now on to Embracing Etiquette with Teresa...

Dealing with Rudeness

“For a word of only four letters, ‘rude’ has more than its share of meanings, ranging from in-your-face aggressiveness to insults so subtle they don’t hit you until hours later. But the source of rudeness is always the same; a simple lack of courtesy and respect”.

“A speeder tailgates you on the freeway. An acquaintance asks about your salary. A man you’ve just met makes suggestive remarks about your figure. The woman at the cash register fails to even acknowledge your presence, much less say ‘thank you.’ On the surface these acts are very different, but at the bottom they all qualify as rude.”

“To understand rudeness, you need to see through its many games. It’s worth noting the myriad ways that people get under one another’s skin.”--- Emily Post

The next few posts with be on aspects of rudeness and the proper response.

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

The A-List

Elle Decor's A-List in this month's issue is beautiful.  Below I have posted the rooms decorated by a few of my favorite designers, along with a few that were new to me.  To see the entire A-List of thirty talented designers in this month's Elle Decor visit the webpage or purchase a copy at your local bookstore.

For those of you that follow me, you know that Miles Redd is one of my favorite designers.  If you would like to see more by Miles Redd, I have an entire post on his work in my archive.

The ever so talented Charlotte Moss

Who doesn't love Michael Smith?

This playful decor by designer Alex Papachristidis mingles different colors and styles beautifully.

I love this dining area designed by Robert Couturier.

The peach upholstery used in this room designed by Joe Nahem is serene.

The bookshelves in this room by designer Jeffrey Bilhuber are interesting.

I couldn't find a better way to end this post.  I adore this room by designer William Sofield.

Please excuse my lack of attention to my blog this week, as things have been difficult at our house.  I hope to have the etiquette posts back on here next week.  Have a great weekend!

See you soon,
Teresa
xoxo

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Thank you to all of the brave heroes who have protected us and sacrified their lives for us. We will never forget you.

Happy Memorial Day!

I will be working on my book and my sculpture.  We will also be enjoying some barbecue.  Have a great day everyone!

Teresa

xoxo

Lonny Magazine

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LONNY MAGAZINE...

Lonny Magazine is a great online magasine.  Chcck it out this weekend!  See you Monday!

Teresa,

xoxo