Guest Post from Ashley - Watermelon Cucumber Cooler

Today's guest post doesn't even need introducing because by now you should know this little lady.  It's Ashley from The Uniqueness of Being!  Ashley is my little piece of home in Boston.  We've known each other for years (she even claims to have babysat me at one point in time...but I'm not convinced) and somehow we've ended up in the same city and now we're even in the same neighborhood.  Ashley is the crafting/blogging queen and has an amazing blog that you must check out.  She's linked to it below.  Enjoy the drinks (I was able to have one and they're DELICIOUS!) and the guest post! Cheers!

Hey y'all it's Ashley over at The Uniqueness of Being, and I'm here to share with you your new favorite summer cocktail.  In the midst of all of this awful New England weather we've finally had a warm and sunny day..and you know what that means.  Picnic blankets, grills, and fruit cocktails on the patio!  I'm basically in love with everything watermelon and cucumber so when I stumbled upon this little gem of a drink recipe from my homegirl Martha, (Martha Stewart and I are best friends.... she just doesn't know it,) I knew it's what I wanted to share with y'all for my guest post.  (You'll have you bear with me, I'm not nearly as talented as Miss Emilie, who essentially cooks for her pitiful friend much of the week, but if there's one thing I know, it's a good cocktail.)  I'm fairly certain that your taste buds will thank you.  And me. (You're welcome taste buds.)

Yields: 4 cocktails  Prep time: Oh...just a bit.  how fast can you peel cucumbers?  Cook time: None!

Ingredients: 

5 cups watermelon (seedless preferred, unless you just like picking out seeds) or about 1 1/2 pounds

1 large cucumber peeled and cut into chunks

1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about two limes)

2 tablespoons of honey or agave nectar

2/3 cup vodka (I probably used more like a cup... I know, I know...lush :)

Ice

Cucumber and lime slices (for prettying up the drink)

Directions: 

1. Set a mesh sieve over a large bowl or pitcher. In a food processor or magic bullet (product placement!) puree watermelon.  Pour watermelon puree through sieve pressing on the solids with a rubber spatula. Repeat with cucumber.  

2. In a small bowl, stir together lime juice and honey until honey is dissolved.  Add to watermelon & cucumber juice along with vodka.  (If you want it a little sweeter, just add a little more honey.  Honey makes everything better.)  Whip out those mason jars filled with ice and pour in some serious yum.  (Now you can add that garnish, if you haven't finished the whole thing yet.  I won't judge you.)  

If you loved that little guy and are still thirsty, head on over to my blog for another yummy cucumber cocktail by clicking {here}, (I know, you're sensing a pattern here...) and drop me a line saying hello! xoxo Fearsy

My Politic Tour Update #2

Hi everyone!

You should know that I just enjoyed my first shower in a couple of days (not counting the lake/river showers), I still have a completely fully belly of BBQ (from last night), AND I just slept in a real bed.  Talk about living big.  Clean, well rested, and a full belly.  Yes please.

Since we last chatted the guys have played two shows in Chattanooga and we have enjoyed two glorious days off.  The first of those days was spent floating the Elk River in Tennessee and yesterday was spent exploring the Smoky mountains and Asheville, NC, which might be one of my favorite areas...ever.

This morning we are spending our last moments with the Boston boys before we have to part ways as they head back up the East coast and we continue on our journey.  I'm unbelievably sad to see them go but it must happen.  I've spent a considerable amount of time begging them to continue on with us but their responsibilities aren't having it.  So we spent last night getting cozy in the hotel, taking showers, watching movies, and getting in a few more laughs before they depart.

Once again I'm going to share the rest of our adventures via pictures so enjoy!

And don't forget you can check out other updates and videos on My Politic's site {here} or follow them on twitter @my_politic

day 4:

The Northern boys were dying to try one of the infamous Waffle Houses that they had seen littering the highways.  Ask and you shall receive boys.

After breakfast, we headed out to the only canoe rental that would answer our phone calls.  I have to admit that we all had Deliverance flashbacks as we pulled up to this barn in the middle of a cornfield in podunk Tennessee.  But as you can already tell we made it out alive with no problems.

Ready to float.  Once again a first for those Northern boys!

 We basically had the river to ourselves and it was gorgeous!

 If any of you know me in the slightest, you'll know that I was definitely not drinking that budweiser.

 Smallest frog in the world!

Brendan and Trev spent a majority of their time on the river flipped over...or searching for their stuff that went floating on without them.

 

 The life.

 

I made it into a picture!

 

Gorgeous end to the float.

 

We ended the day with a few quick naps and then a night next to the fire.  S'mores were involved of course.

day 5:

 Early Saturday morning we packed up our gear and headed back East with Lake Ocoee in mind.

 

It has become a staple in our North Carolina routine (just like Luella's BBQ and Early Girl Eatery) and we had to stop by for a dip.

 

Seriously, I think we might be scaring Brendan and Trevor with the amount of ridiculous things they've been introduced to while on this trip.  This was their first time funnel cake experience.  Luckily it was topped with ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and cherries.  Uhh what?  I can't decide if I'm happy to say or ashamed to say that I didn't participate in the destruction of this dish.

 The night was topped off with a great show at The Camp House.

 day 6:

Have you been to the Smoky Mountains yet?  Because you should go.  It's beautiful.  And I highly encourage it.  I had to hold myself back from posting 8 bazillion pictures up above.

 I also encourage mechanical bull riding.

 Especially when it's someone else and I can take ridiculous pictures/videos of them.

 He's dying to be a "redneck".

 Kaston's first bite of meat after 4 months!  He saved himself for Luella's BBQ and looooved it.

 

 Ready...Set...Eat!

The aftermath.

After dinner we made our way down to the River Arts District in Asheville (and loved it!), found a little brewery, and played cornhole!  Perfect end to the day.

And now...it's on to Early Girl Eatery and I'm starving!  More updates and guest posts coming soon!

Guest Post from Sue -- Pasta Primavera

It's time ladies and gentlemen!  Guest post number two is here.  And this one comes from the wonderful woman that created my favorite ginger in the whole world.  That's right, it's Kaitlin's momma.  Upon meeting Sue for the first time I quickly realized how/why Kaitlin turned out like she did.  This woman is crafty beyond belief, has abundant knowledge concerning all things pop culture, has an amazing blog, and possibly has the greatest Pinterest boards on the planet...just to name a few (I think I could make a list a mile long).  This pasta looks absolutely delicious, especially as I'm dying for a home cooked meal.  Thank you so much Sue!

When Emilie asked if I would do a recipe for her blog while she was “on tour” with the band, I asked if we could call it “Cooking for Dummies.”  Despite feeding a family of five on a pretty regular basis for 25 years, I still consider myself more of a crafter than a cooker.  I decided that would be a good place to start. First by embracing my barely above basic skills in the kitchen and second by sharing a recipe that has been a favorite of all my picky eaters.

You can’t go too far wrong with pasta, but this one is particularly tasty and, I think, pretty easy. It doesn’t get much more complicated than chopping veggies. One more caveat and I will begin. I read Em’s blog everyday and love her pictures as much as her words. My photos will be as basic as my cooking, but I wanted to follow in her very helpful tradition of including lots of visuals to aid in the process.

INGREDIENTS YOU WILL NEED:

1 lb. fresh asparagus

2 c. fresh broccoli flowerets

1 medium onion, chopped

1 t. garlic, chopped

1 T. olive oil

2 large carrots, scraped and diagonally sliced

1 medium sweet red pepper, coarsely chopped

1 medium sweet yellow pepper, coarsely chopped

1 c. whipping cream

½ c. chicken broth

3 green onion, chopped

2 t. dried basil

½ t. salt

16 oz. linguine, broken

1 c. Parmesan cheese

See what I mean about the chopping? Start by snapping off the tough ends of the asparagus. Cut diagonally into 1-2” pieces.

Place asparagus pieces and broccoli flowerets in a vegetable steamer; cover and steam 6-8 minutes or until veggies are crisp tender. Remove from heat; set aside.

I know this shortcut would not probably fly with Miss Bell, but I am a queen of cooking shortcuts. (Just ask me about the wonders of frozen diced onions!) Saute onion and garlic in oil until tender.

Add carrot and chopped peppers to onion mixture; sauté until crisp-tender. Remove from heat; drain.

Combine whipping cream, broth, green onions, basil, and salt in medium skillet. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sorry, I was home alone and could not seem to get a pic and stir the sauce.

Look, Katy, Great Value isn’t just for poor college students. It’s also for smart shopper Moms!

Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain well; place in a large serving bowl. Add reserved vegetables and whipping cream mixture; toss gently.

Another shortcut.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; toss gently. Serve immediately.

The upside of this delicious dish is that it makes a ton of food and is just as good to reheat for lunches later. The downside is lots of dirty dishes. But if you play your cards right, your grateful satisfied family might do them for you!