Since moving to Madison, we’ve been making frequent weekend trips to MN to visit my sister. . and so the girls can see their cousins. And Peanut, my sister’s chihuahua.
It’s a 4 hour drive to Minneapolis, which isn’t that bad . . considering this is the closest my sister and I have ever lived to each other since we were both married. I knew my kids and my sister’s kids would grow even closer with all these visits and my husband and brother-in-law would also start to bond as well. But what I didn’t expect were the conversations my husband and I would have in the car.
We usually drive at night and the kids are passed out so it’s just me and the Hubs. I can’t even get online, check email or Instagram because there’s a long stretch of nothing . . no cell towers. . nothing. . for like 2 hours.
So, we talk.
“What are you talking about?” you might be asking. . A husband and wife are already supposed to talk right? Well, if I’m being honest, we don’t have real conversations until the kids are in bed and are asleep and even then, sometimes he’s playing Clash of Clans and I’m writing, blogging or checking email.
So, we’ve been talking on these drives and sharing feelings and it’s been nice. And I have moments where I realize why I fell in love with him. He never lets me drive even though he’s super tired and just finished a 9-10 hour work day. He still surprises me by what he says. And I am reminded that we are good together. We’re a team.
I never ever thought I would be one of those wives who has dinner on the table when my husband gets home. I was always working full-time too. . But now I enjoy having a hot meal, ready and on the table for him.
And sometimes, even a cocktail.
My friend Rina gave me this care package when we moved here, loaded with all this stuff produced right here in Wisconsin. It’s taken me 5 months to try this grenadine. I have no idea what took me so long.
This stuff is good.
And refreshing. I made these on Monday because it was almost 50 degrees outside. 50 degrees in Wisconsin in March. I have no idea if this is an odd thing but after this crazy polar vortex winter with negative temperatures and below freezing wind chills, I celebrated today.
With this cocktail.
You need to get your hands on some tart cheery grenadine and make this cocktail. It’s delicious!! Cheers!
- ice
- 2 ounces gin
- juice from one lemon or lime
- 3 teaspoons tart cherry grenadine
- sparkling water
- Slice of lemon or lime
- Special equipment suggested:
- cocktail shaker
- Shake the gin, fresh lemon or lime juice, and grenadine with the ice; then strain (equally) into chilled glasses. Add the sparkling water to fill. Garnish with a lemon or lime slice.
As always Alice I love your stories of you & your hip foodie ‘dad.’ Time with our other halves is always so important and nothing says I love you, more than good food, or booze!
Haha, you know it! Food and beverages are definitely the way to my hubby’s heart! 🙂 Thank you, Alice!
These look amazing, Alice! I’m like you and never thought I’d be one of those dinner waiting for your guy type of girls, but hey, I love it. 🙂
Thank you so much, Melanie!! yeah, I’m good with it now. . I wasn’t at first but it’s the least I can do since he works so hard! 🙂
Always! Not just with gals called Alice too 😉 speaking of food, the new blog is up if you need a foodporn hit 😉
Such a pretty drink, and a sweet post! Sometimes I feel like the only time I really talk to my hubby is in the car too. It’s so hard when all your attention goes to your kids, and then when you’re working from home too, forget it! Enjoy that beautiful weather, Alice, hope it lasts!
hey Allie! it totally snowed today. . haha! The winter has been rough! 🙂 Thank you so much!! and I’m glad you can relate!! Sending you an email now re: BlogHer. . I’m finding out some good details. .
Aaaaaaawww, I’m glad the long drives gives you and Paul a chance to reconnect and really chat, Alice. I know what you mean. Even though Tony and I have lived together for the past 6 years, I don’t feel like we get a lot of quality time together. When we’re home, we’re both doing different chores (cooking, cleaning, taking care of Abby) or working. Then, when we go to bed, we’re so exhausted we just conk out. I wish I had a few of these cocktails – they sound delicious! I love grenadine based drinks. And your photos are beautiful. I love the styling!
Thanks so much Nancy!! It’s so hard isn’t it?! making the time. . yeah I was pleasantly surprised at how fast the drives have been because we’ve been talking during those 2 hours. . . and then when we’re just outside Minneapolis, he turns on Sports radio and I check email 🙂
What a lovely post Alee! My kids are older but time alone still eludes us. Which is why we often hike it over to the ocean every other weekend. Just for the day. A 45-minute drive, a walk on the beach and a tasty lunch. Lots of chatter and catching up, reconnecting, and you’re right… remembering why we’re together. Beautiful! And WOW! Love the cocktail. Just printed it for this weekend. 🙂
Thanks so much, Karista! A walk on the beach sounds fabulous! We used to live in Los Angeles and my husband and I, when we were dating, used to run on the beach. . I loved it.. finding that time together is so important! We didn’t start having regular date nights until maybe 2 years ago. Now, it’s something we always do.
What a gorgeous cocktail and an equally gorgeous post!! It’s a wonderful thing to have time like that together.. Doesn’t happen very often for us either these days.
Thank you so much, Maria! Schedule a Date night!! I know it’s easy to let work or other things get in the way. . but we gotta do it. Even if it’s putting the kids to sleep a little earlier and having date night at home. Thanks for the visit!
What a gorgeous cocktail! I would travel for it in a moment.
Jane, you need to make this cocktail stat! It’s delicious!