Cocktail Hour: Wednesday June 27, 2012

Cocktail Hour in the north woods.

A Champagne Birthday Toast

Back on Madeline Island and have our friends Mike and Charisse up here with us. Charisse's birthday was a couple days ago so we had a special champagne toast for her.

Cocktail Hour Music - June 25, 2012

Bachelor Pad Royale (Volume four in the Ultra Lounge series) includes many gems. They are all notable but The Theme From Route 66 by Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra, Caravan by The John Buzon Trio, and Black Coffee by Julie London especially stand out.

Up to Madeline Island Again (But Not 'Til Tomorrow)

Finished my field work today for the graduate course I'm taking this summer. Tomorrow it's back up to Madeline Island but this time with our friends Mike, Charisse, and their daughter Shayla. Mike is a college level teacher and just started vacation today. He texted me saying:"Backyard bliss. So looking forward to Mad. Isle." I am too. Decided to have a martini myself.

Cocktail Hour - Saturday June 23, 2012

Cocktail hour tonight at Dale's apartment with Alyn and Chris. Sadly, Dale had to work. It was a gin and tonic with lime kind of an evening. Alyn was especially in the mood for one.

Cocktail Hour - Friday June 22, 2012

On Madeline Island. Dale and I had dinner at The Pub with our friends Alyn and Chris. I had a Tanqueray martini.

Cocktail Hour Music 6-20-12

Tonight's cocktail hour music was Cocktail Capers from the Ultra Lounge series. Notable tracks include Hey Bellboy by Gloria Wood, The Pink Panther Theme by the Hollywood Studio Orchestra,Undercover Chase by Al Caiola, and Teach Me Tiger by April Stevens. Great tunes for great cocktails.

Cocktail Hour - Wednesday June 20, 2012

Starting out with a Tanqueray martini tonight. Delicious. The summer class I'm taking as part of my reading licensure program has really been a bear so tonight I'm giving myself the night off. I emailed the above picture to my friend Mike. He was rather impressed with the photo. I think it turned out pretty well if I do say so myself. I often email or text to Mike through my iPhone the pix of the cocktails I'm having. He welcomes the photos. I think he considers them cocktail porn.

Cocktail Hour Music 6-13-12

One of my favorite musical acts is Pink Martini. I've been listening to them since about 2004. I have to admit that I was initially intrigued simply by their name when they first came up as a recommendation on Amazon.com. I listened to a few samples online and decided to give 'em a try. I now have all of their studio albums including the latest, 1969, which I'm listening to now.

Cocktail Hour - Wednesday June 13, 2012

Started a summer class a this past Monday. I've been doing so much reading that it feels like my head is gonna POP! Time for a martini break including some Gorgonzola with crackers.

Martinis with Mike 6-9-12

Had my friend Mike over for martinis the other night. He brought a couple of Punch cigars. Fun time reminiscing.

Cocktail Hour Music - June 5, 2012

Great new album from John Pizzarelli.

School's Out for SUMMER!!

Today was the last day of school for me and boy, has this been a long time in coming! The past two years have been particularly grueling for a number of reasons. Some reasons are particular to recent developments but some have been cumulative. Whatever the reasons, summer is here and I'm READY!