Let's Go Parking!

Living in a small town has some benefits.  Cheaper rents, accessibility to family, and knowing everyone in town (which can also be a detriment).  But one of my favorite things is the outdoor spaces.  Yes, I know there are great parks in big cities.  Central Park is the "backyard" of New York City and Millenium Park in Chicago is always hopping.  But I like my little small town parks.  Quiet, pretty, and plentiful. 

So today I got to start my day in one of our local parks.  I took my pup, Pip, and her best friend Saunders to a dog park about 3 blocks from my cottage.  This new park is still not that well known and it is kind of tucked away, making it a great place to go and relax.  And they have a dog park.  So the kids got to run and sniff and play and be silly, while I got to drink my coffee and play on my phone. 

I did a little playing with the dogs, too.  Chasing them around, throwing a tennis ball, and generally just making a fool of myself.  And it was fun.  It was quiet and relaxing and sunny and good for the soul. 

Animals have always been a part of my life, but sometimes I forget how necessary they are to my life.  Yes, I get annoyed at the dirty house, or the broken bowls, or the barking, but I know that there will always be a happy little soul that is waiting for me expectantly and is at their happiest when they are right next to me.  It's nice to feel needed.

So I will definitely be back out to the dog park with Pip, and my coffee, and maybe even a good book. 

For more information on Aesop's Park:  http://www.tavares.org/index.aspx?NID=954

Spring Forward? Yep!

My Darling Hipsters,
I have missed you terribly!  I am so sorry I was gone so long, but I am back, and hopefully better than ever!  This STH has recently moved, not far, but just the next small town over, to Tavares.  A little bit different vibe, but still a lot of the charming-ness and great people (many of the same people) as Mount Dora.  Tavares was actually my town for many years before I moved to Mount Dora.  (I even attended Tavares High School!)  So it's nice to be "home".  And my new place!  So cute.  Mid century fish camp cottage.  Totally vintage, teeny tiny, and so fun.  So my creative juices have been flowing.  And now I have internet!  So get excited about new, shiny changes to the STH universe! 

Anyways, enough about me.  I know some of you have been chomping at the bit for some new and exciting wisdom from yours truly.  LOL!  Seriously, though, I have been thinking and creating for y'all.  The recent rash of warm weather has turned my mind to important matters, such as beer cocktails. 

Now, I understand that some of you may be looking at the screen with a strange face, going "beer cocktails?  Has she lost her mind?"  I might have lost my mind, but beer cocktails have a great and storied past.  From a simple Boilermaker (beer and a shot of whiskey)  to the more extreme Flaming Dr. Pepper (Amaretto with a flaming top of 151 dropped into a lager), beer cocktails are fun, efficient (beer and shot in one?) and tasty.  While working at a few pubs, I was able to expand my knowledge of beer cocktails beyond that of a layman (Pond Water or Irish Car Bomb anyone?).  So, after much testing  (just a little), and hours (minutes) of work, I have come up with a tasty, light, fun recipe that would be great at your next pool party.  And you can make it in bulk, so its low maintenance too!


Based on a hybrid of a Daquiri and a Chelada recipe, I like to call it the Chillax.

You will need:

Limeade
Fresh limes
Bacardi Limon
a light island beer, such as Kalik or Presidente

To make:

Start with a glass of ice.  Pour in a decent measure of the Bacardi Limon, about 1 1/2 to 2 ounces, depending on how strong you like it.  Add an equal amount of Limeade.  Top the glass off with the beer.  Add a fresh squeeze of lime and enjoy.  For large quantities, I would mix the Bacardi Limon and Limeade together in a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Add the beer to each glass individually to keep the fizz.  Refreshing and spunky!


Coming soon to STH:  Vintage cottage makeover!  I'll see you next time.  Stay hip!