There are two things that are essential for every garden and gardener.
#1: Someone to make sure you are working, but not working too hard. In other words a supervisor. Here is my supervisor. His name is Lewis. He is a supervisor of few words. That's the best kind.
#2: A cool refreshing drink at the end of a gardening session. Something to refuel and relax the body.
One of my favorites is "Amaretto Lemonade". Like the lemon marmalade it is sweet and tart. It does not however involve cheesecloth or a thermometer.
It is simple to make:
1 oz frozen lemonade concentrate (I like minute maid & keep some in the refrigerator at all times)
1 oz amaretto
2 oz water
(On days when you want a little extra kick add 1 oz absolut citron as well)
Shake vigourously with ice and strain over a glass full of more ice.
Add a splash of club soda for some fizz. Stir. Sit. Admire the fruits of your labor. Smile. Pet the supervisor.
What a charming supervisor!
Posted by: linda | 04/20/2011 at 10:19 PM
You have lurkers. (just so you know)
:-D
Posted by: judy Wise | 04/20/2011 at 10:38 PM
i go where judy goes. make us some cocktails STAT!
Posted by: mary ann | 04/20/2011 at 11:18 PM
Hmmm... my garden supervisor keeps forgetting his place and gives me a hand with the digging! His name is Ozzie and he's an Airedale.
Posted by: jeanette, mistress of longears | 04/21/2011 at 12:18 AM
Ha! Lewis is adorable!!!
Posted by: Michelle Rydell | 04/21/2011 at 12:20 AM
Lewis looks like a wonderful supervisor - elegant, refined - I am sure he has impeccable taste. I am such a chaotic gardener, I have 5 supervisors...
Your iris are just gorgeous - mine haven't even started to put up the buds....
Posted by: Renate | 04/21/2011 at 12:21 AM
Lewis + lemony/almondy drinkie = heaven. But your flags are out too?? In Kansas? Wow - haven't seen any out yet here in middle Oregon. Lewis + drinkie + purple beards with fragrance = jealous. Love your blog. Will read right after I read mAm's.
Posted by: liz | 04/21/2011 at 12:21 AM
Sounds dee-lish. Lewis looks like a really wonderful supervisor.
Posted by: Micki | 04/21/2011 at 12:30 AM
so cute and the drink sounds yummy! oh my gosh i am drooling over your flowers and springy-ness! here in iowa it's still cold and we got two inches of snow yesterday! :>( i am fan of your sisters blog and had to stop by to say hi!
Posted by: julie macneil | 04/21/2011 at 12:31 AM
Lewis is gorgeous...and my kind of supervisor! Your garden is beautiful...we still have rain & cold temps here in NE Ohio. I found your blog through Mary Ann's...nice to have you blogging, too. Thanks for the yummy recipe...might have to try that...I don't have any amaretto...but I do have a bottle of limoncello in the freezer.
Posted by: Debbie | 04/21/2011 at 12:33 AM
Hello Carol, Who would not love Lewis? Just look at that face! I will save this delightful recipe, with hopes I'll be using it soon. Right now if I work in the garden, I need to run inside for a hot cup of coffee. No snow here (The Northeast), but it is still way too cold to be late April. Between you and your sister, I am experiencing some serious flower envy!
Posted by: Sharon | 04/21/2011 at 02:38 AM
Lewis is stupendous, and wonderful! I have two Main Coon cats, Hank and Tyler that supervise my visual journaling. I will have to try that drink for my friends. As Marge Simpson said to Lisa after one too many drinks "your a pretty little gurl...."
Posted by: Brian Kasstle | 04/21/2011 at 05:43 AM
I love your supervisor and your "cool" drink. Just had to stop by after Mary Ann posted your link. I love your blog and your sister's blog. She does the best classes ever. I have no garden here in the desert but I enjoy looking at them because I am from Oregon and love the flowers and green grass.
Posted by: Nancy Lynn | 04/21/2011 at 10:09 AM
My supervisor's name is Bentley. He likes to sniff around and also helps in the digging sometimes. But mostly he likes to chase squirrels and chipmunks.
I think your drink sounds wonderful Two of my favorite flavors amaretto and Lemon!!!
Posted by: Beth in NE PA | 04/21/2011 at 10:29 AM
Ms. Mary's cat nanny here. Kansas is a mite farther away than LA, but would love to scratch Lewis's furry ears some day - he is a handsome fella! Congrats on the blog launch - will be lurking about for more Tall Tales.
Posted by: Corliss (Corky the cat nanny) | 04/21/2011 at 10:42 AM
Lewis is just lovely.
Heading outside now to do a little garden labor, then will sit, sip lemonade and admire the fruits of that labor. Thanks for sharing the recipe. :)
Posted by: Judy H. | 04/21/2011 at 11:43 AM
Any sister of MaryAnn's has to be a friend of mine! Glad to see you jump into the blogworld.
Posted by: Maureen | 04/21/2011 at 12:03 PM
Ah, your iris bring back such memories. Can't wait to whip up that relaxing drink. Hope Lewis isn't too strict a taskmaster.
Posted by: Michel | 04/21/2011 at 04:14 PM
The drink looks great.. and I am happy that your supervisor is more active than mine... he is starting to slow down a bit at 11.. and he sleeps on the job a lot!
Posted by: Claire | 04/21/2011 at 05:42 PM
I wish Lewis could be my supervisor where I work (color me envious!). Work would be infinitely more pleasant!! He is so beautiful!! I knew you had to be blessed with a wonderful sense of humor--after all, you are MaryAnn's sister. I love your blog so far so count me as a follower, if not a lurker!! Keep on posting--especially those cocktail recipes!!
Posted by: Cathy Graves | 04/21/2011 at 07:36 PM
Yum! My "supervisor" is sleeping next to the computer now that he has passed judgement on what I served for dinner and found it acceptable.....NO petting until he wakes up for his night-time treat.
Bossy sort of supervisor, as you can see.
Posted by: Michele Unger | 04/21/2011 at 08:07 PM
I dislike cooking, but this recipe is just right! Thank you, and welcome to Blogland!
Posted by: Victoria Bolton | 04/23/2011 at 03:48 PM
lots of lurkers... ;>
Posted by: lk ludwig | 05/10/2011 at 07:50 AM