Butterfly Test

Okay, if you have kids in your life in some way... I hope nature plays a role in your time together. At our home in the Wisconsin countryside the weekends and evenings are very nature driven. Lately with autumn creeping up on us, the kids have their butterfly nets out nearly nonstop. Every lantern in our home is now a mini butterfly conservatory... I recently bought an awesome book for the boys called The Family Butterfly Book... wonderful projects related to butterflies. I also found two really cool websites that I frequent and definitely use as gift spots for my 4 little men. I’ve no doubt you’ll find these to be really inspiring, so cool to search around... let me know what you think!

http://www.acornnaturalists.com/ and http://www.educationalscience.com/

TEST2

Cocktails, Anyone?

I think entertaining can be a great creative outlet. (I can just hear you... does this woman need more creative outlets??) Well, I view it this way so that when I'm planning it doesn't become this arduous thing. My husband John (at left) is known in our family as Uncle Margarita... really, he can make a mean drink! He also makes a killer Mojito... If you have never tried one, be warned... First, they are strong little numbers, just to be clear. (I’ve never met a strong drink I didn’t like.) Second, you never seem to make enough... So get out the BIG pitcher and some pretty glasses... always cool to use a range of glassware... different colors and sizes... Festive indeed. John will love your comments if you do try these!

John’s Mojito

Black Strap Rum
1 can of Limeade
A good handful of mint leaves (not stems)
Sugar
Club Soda
Limes
Water
Ice

Place mint leaves, Limeade, 3 cups of water, and 1/2 cup sugar in blender; blend thoroughly (until leaves are just little green specs). Let soak for a few minutes - the longer the better to imbue the sweet-sour limeade flavor with the mint flavor. Pour mix through a fine mesh strainer - to remove all bits of mint. (They tend to end up on your teeth in the middle of the most compelling stories, which will of course ruin the story and give your friends ammo with which to ridicule you!) Pour into a beautiful pitcher (hint!). Fill a tall glass with ice; add 1-1/2 oz. of Black Strap Rum (or dark rum); fill 1/2 to 2/3 way up with your mint/Limeade mix (depending on how well you like the mix). Fill rest with club soda; squeeze in one wedge of lime; stir; drink; laugh at how hard everyone thought you worked and how easy it really was!