Spring is in the air and summer is coming in fast. Before the heat hits we wanted to share a delicious and refreshing cocktail with you, using fresh lemons and lavender. I know what you might be thinking, lavender is great for baths and relaxing but it can also be a wonderful herbal addition to your cocktail. Lavender has the ability to relieve anxiety and depression which makes it a wonderful addition to our cocktail of the month.
This cocktail springs from a traditional Gin Rickey and adds in a little extra punch. Instead of using limes we are using lemons and adding in the relaxing lavender as a garnish for little bit more interest. Now this cocktail can be made for everyone, with the addition of a little honey. We prefer to lean more towards the tart side and skip the honey and just enjoy the flavors shaken together. You can make it how you like it and enjoy with friends on these cooler summer nights.
Lemon Lavender Gin Rickey
Serves 2
3 ounces Gin
4 ounces fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 TBLS Honey (Optional)
4 ounces sparkling water
2 sprigs of Lavender
2 lemon wedges
Add the Gin, lemon juice and honey, if using, to a shaker cup filled with ice. Shake until well mixed and the outside of the cup is cold to the touch. Pour over two ice filled glasses. Top off with the sparkling water of your choice. Garnish with the lemon wedge and sprig of lavender.
We think no matter which way you put this drink together you will enjoy the flavors. Add a little sweet to cut the tart of the lemon or leave it alone and enjoy the refreshing coolness as you drink. This drink is going to make those summer nights that much more refreshing.
As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver. Until next time, Cheers!
One of my favorite items we grow in our garden happens to
be herbs. There are so many great
varieties and options available, it can be a little overwhelming, but the
reward is great. Since we happen to grow
so many I wanted to really focus this year on preserving and using my herbs in
as many ways as possible.
Parsley, sage and lavender
We
will often use fresh herbs in the majority of our cooking, especially certain
breakfast items. The herbs really give
it the “fresh from the garden” flavor that we love and cherish. Recently I’ve been reaching for my dry herbs
more often and wanted to share ways to save herbs for future use.
Preserving
herbs to maintain the most flavor and a natural state, would be drying. There are four ways to dry your herbs. Air dry, dehydrator, oven drying, and
microwave. I will briefly touch on all
three and you can decide which is the best method for your time and energy.
Air
drying is probably the most natural way to dry herbs. After collecting and washing, you gather your
herbs into small bundles and tie them off with string or a rubber band. Make sure your stems are long enough to
hang. Then in a cool, dark and well-ventilated
area hang your bundles upside down. You
need good air circulation for this to work effectively. In a few days time up to a week later, you
can check your herbs for dryness by seeing how easily they crumble. Once dry, remove them from the stems and
store in an airtight container.
Dehydrator
drying of herbs is very similar but probably a bit faster than hanging to
dry. Wash and dry the herbs then place
on the trays in a single layer. Set the
device to 95-110 degrees and follow any instructions from the
manufacturer. Again, the herbs are dry
when they crumble easily.
Oven
drying again starts the same as a dehydrator. Wash and dry and place on a
baking sheet in a single layer. Bake at
the lowest temperature 180 degrees for 1-2 hours. Check for dryness and store in airtight
containers.
Microwave
drying will vary by microwave brand and how many herbs you are drying at a
time. This can be a little more involved
because you will need to check your herbs more often to test when dry and will
most likely be working in smaller batches based on the size of the
microwave. You will place the herbs on a
microwave-safe plate or paper towel.
Cover with another paper towel and microwave on high until dry.
If
you are like me and want to have a combination of herbs at the ready and in
it’s own container look no further than a mixture of Herb de Provence. This kitchen staple is great for a multitude
of dishes and is made up of rosemary, thyme, oregano, savory, marjoram and
lavender. You can also find varieties
with fennel seeds as well. To make this
great mix add in 2 tablespoons of each herb except for fennel seeds which is
just 1 tablespoon worth. Mix in a bowl
and then store in an airtight container.
Another
great mix to have on hand is Italian seasoning.
The basics in this flavorful mix are basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and
marjoram. Use a one-to-one measure to
fill your vessel and close tightly. Additional
herbs you can add to this jar would be sage, fennel, or event garlic
powder. Which can also be made at home.
Herbs
are great fresh and dried. We hope that
you will take some of your herbs and dry them for future use. The more you use the more you will have,
especially since they will “shrink” when dried.
Just know that drying herbs is a great way to cut back your herbs to
encourage new growth. We hope you will
take the time to save for the future and use what you grow by drying
herbs.
In the heart of Texas lies the City of Brenham, the self-proclaimed
home of Texas.As travel changes this
year for many people, driving to and from their destination is going to be a
much more popular choice and a drive down to Brenham is a wonderful idea for a
getaway.Home of Blue Bell ice cream,
the “baseball” capital, and a wonderful place to start your wildflower journey,
Brenham hits the mark for a great travel destination in Texas.
Right
in the heart of downtown Brenham is the best place to stay for your visit at
the Ant Street Inn.The Ant Street Inn occupies a building that
was originally built in 1899 as a grocery, feed store and upstairs offices and
saloon, 101 West Commerce St, is the address of this amazing historic building.
The
inside of Ant Street Inn is wonderfully decorated in period pieces and each
room has a theme that matches the name.For example, I stayed in the New Orleans room, and the décor matched
what you would typically think of as a New Orleans style.Beautiful dark wood with leather, and a
queen-sized canopy bed complete with drapes.You can create your own “cave” like sleeping experience in this
room.Do not forget to say hello to the
alligator in the bathroom.Ironically, I
did not notice him until the next day.
Ant
Street Inn boasts an attached restaurant where guests will dine in the morning
for breakfast, that is run by a separate company who rents space from Ant
Street.We enjoyed dinner there and
could easily see how convenient it is for guests to dine there multiple times,
with the ease of just walking downstairs.One of my favorite parts of the inn is the central area between the
rooms.Little sitting groups, snacks,
movies and magazines adorn the space for guests to enjoy with friends or while
making new friends.
Just
outside the walls of Ant Street, is downtown Brenham which is a vibrant part of
the city.It is very easy to walk around
and explore.You can do two self-guided
tours, one of historical buildings and another of the murals that are painted
by local state artists during an art festival.I love how the community has come together to bring art to the community
and beyond.
Downtown
Brenham has something for everyone.A
few places to dine, grab a cup of coffee or even a scoop of ice cream.I’m pretty sure everyone sells Blue Bell down
there.A cute book store and a few
boutiques adore the open spaces.At
least one of the historic buildings is currently still hosting the same
business from when it opened, G. Hermann Furniture Store.This family run business is still housed in
the building where it originally started and expanded over time and is still
operated by the original family.
As
the county seat of Washington County, downtown Brenham also plays host to the
county court house.Sitting at the
center of downtown Brenham, this court house was built in 1939, and is the
fourth building to hold the title.One
of the more interesting historical sites is Toubin Park that holds a public
cistern and a short history of the founding of the city and county.For a little more in depth historical tour be
sure to stop by the Brenham Heritage Museum.
No
matter if you are taking a Texas tour or just want to visit somewhere new,
Brenham and Ant Street Inn should be on your list.Explore the natural beauty of the State right
now and experience the wildflowers.Stop
in for some Blue Bell ice cream at the creamery or just get away for a
visit.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Our cocktail this month is a special request for a
wedding we are hosting this April.Our
bride wanted to have an Amaretto Sour that is pink.With alittle research we found a way to turn the drink pink and add a little
bit of something extra to enhance the flavor.
The Cranbaretto Sour has been born.The great thing about this cocktail is that
it is actually best to make in a big batch.This serves our purposes very well, since it will be our signature
cocktail on the day of the wedding.We
just need to prep the cranberries beforehand and we are off to the races.In our single serve option, I think we needed
a little more of the cranberry simple syrup.
The good news is that when we make this for the event, we
will be working in big batches and can make the color as close to pink as
possible.By adding a light dash of
edible pink glitter, the bride should be thrilled to have this special
drink.
Cranberry Simple
Syrup
1 cup fresh
cranberry
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
Add the cranberry,
water and sugar to a pot and bring to a boil.You want the cranberries to burst to release their flavor and color into
the simple syrup.The longer you cook it
the more it will thicken, so do not overcook.
Cranbaretto
Sour
Serves 8
2 cups Amaretto
1 cup lemon juice
1 ounces cranberry
simple syrup
Add all the
ingredients into a pitcher and give it a good stir.Pour over ice and garnish with mint and extra
cranberries if you want.Add more
cranberry syrup to adjust to the color you are looking for.
We can hardly wait to serve this drink for the
wedding.We know the guests will enjoy
each drop.What a special way to ring in
your special day, than with a signature cocktail.We hope you will give this one a try and let
us know what you think.Please be sure
to drink responsibly and have a designated driver.
Hello February! Did
you feel like January would never end? I
know we did but at long last a new month is here, and we are ready to celebrate
and make things happen. Since this has
been dubbed the month of love, we are taking a little twist on a classic drink
to add to our herb infused cocktails.
Each month our cocktail creation is pulled from our love of gardening
and growing flavors to tease your palate.
This
month, our featured herb is Mint.Even
though it is winter, and mint usually takes a little break, ours is still
hanging on.If you do not have mint
growing, your local grocery store usually will have it on hand.This month it is both part of our garnish and
muddled in the bottom of the shaker cup.In the past it has been used to make a simple syrup as well.With so many uses, how could you turn away
from such a great herb?
Of
course, we had to give this drink a cute name in recognition of Valentine’s
Day.Cupid’s Cosmo, is simple and
refreshing while welcoming in the traditional flavors of a cosmopolitan.
Cupid’s Cosmo
3-4 min leaves, extra
for garnish
2 ounces Vodka
1 ounce triple sec
1 ounce cranberry
juice
½ ounce fresh lime
juice
Muddle some mint at
the bottom of a shaker cup.Pour over
the liquid ingredients, then shake everything together, with ice.Pour into a fresh glass and enjoy.Garnish with a sprig of mint and lime wedge.
Nothing
too complicated in this one drink.It’s
great to enjoy yourself, with friends or at dinner with someone special.Join us on Valentine’s Day and order this
drink with your dinner.It will not
disappoint.
While
the history of the Cosmopolitan is up for debate, its popularity was derived
from the HBO television show “Sex in the City.”From Miami to New York to Minneapolis the Cosmo has been made and drank
all over the US and abroad, even if no one can claim it for themselves as the
creator.You can enjoy it locally with
us or follow our recipe and enjoy it at home.
We hope
you will give it a try at home or at The Oaks Bed and Breakfast, when you
happen to be staying with us.Until then
please be sure to enjoy responsibly and have a designated driver.Cheers!
Beauty and Grace is located at 224 Connally Street in
downtown Sulphur Springs.They are open
seven days a week, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.Of course, you can order any time from their
website www.beautygracelifestyle.com.Ana
has lived in the Hopkins County area for most of her life and started her
retail business in March of 2015, doing trunk shows, Canton and the like.Her entrepreneurial spirit is what drove her
to start her business and have a retail store front.Her brick and mortar store opened in August
of 2016 and has grown from there.
When
you enter Beauty and Grace, most likely you will be greeted by Coco.Coco, is the shop mascot and sometimes guests
stop by just to see him.Coco shares his
love of seeing new faces every day and hopes that the experience that you have
at Beauty and Grace reflects the love and care that Ana and her team have put
in to making it worth the visit.Beauty
and Grace is more than just a clothing store, it’s an experience where you can
find the perfect gift, health and wellness items, and carefully curated products
that reflect the image she wants to portray for her customers.
Ana
has focused on carrying brands that are created from other businesses like
hers.Small mom and pop shops where she
can get to know the people behind the brand.She has learned stories about how those brand have started and she has
shared her story with the brands she carries.When you shop with Ana at Beauty and Grace you are not only supporting
her small business but also other small businesses.
Her
shop has evolved over the years to include gift items, health and wellness and
organic baby items.One of her favorite
items is right at the front of the store, Amber perfumes.Tiny bottles, in a bowl that have a subtle scent
that multiple guests enjoy, and one that Ana can’t live without.Sweet Grace, Rowe Casa Organics and Amber are
some of her top sellers but beyond those brands are many more to explore in
house.
One
of the newest items to grace the shelves, is the refillery.Bring in your own vessel and take home,
non-toxic perfumes, hand and body soap, laundry concentrate, dish soap and so
much more.Each item is paid by the
ounce and a great way to try out a new product without committing to a full
bottle. You can reuse any type of vessel you want, such as an old mason jar,
bottle or container you have used previously.The Refillery is a sustainable, clean, and non-toxic option for
consumers to change the way they live and experience something new.
One
of my favorite sustainable options Ana offers at Beauty and Grace is the 10% off
your total on “Tote Bag Tuesday.”Any
guest who brings in their own carry bag, can receive 10% off on their total
purchase in store on any item.I love
the encouragement of helping guests to remember to use reusable bags.She does have bags in store to purchase if
you happen to not have one.I know every
store loves for people to carry their bag around town. Who wouldn’t since it’s a simple and cost-effective
form of advertising.By encouraging
reusable bags helps to reduce waste in our environment.
Her
community impact goes much further than that, including giving back to local organizations,
and collaborating with other small businesses with pop ups in front of her
store.Her next pop up is Saturday,
February 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to celebrate Valentine’s Day.She will have vendors, a food truck, flowers,
permanent jewelry and photo minis for guests to indulge in. Ana is also a board
member for the Chamber of Commerce.She
will also be the co-chair of Main Street Uncorked for 2025.We are looking forward to see the changes she
makes to this great event.
If
you haven’t stopped by Beauty and Grace recently, we encourage you to do so and
find your next favorite item in shop.From holistic tinctures, herbal soaps and natural personal care items to
clothing, there is something for everyone at Beauty and Grace.
No matter if you have a small space or a large
space let’s talk about how you can grow a garden to help feed your family, and
possibly your neighbors. One of my favorite gardening methods is square foot
gardening. Basically, you take a square foot of space in your garden bed and
maximize it to produce multiple items, grow more food with less space. Square
foot gardening can be paired well with companion planting for the best yields.
In case you were wondering, there is a book you can purchase as well as take a
course to learn more, check out the following website: https://squarefootgardening.org
What if you live in an apartment or condo with
just a balcony. No worries you can grow your favorites in containers. Make your
outdoor space look amazing with beautiful containers and fresh produce. The
drawback might be that you are limited to what you can grow but again companion
planting can help add variety within your small space. You might have to water
more as well since raised beds and containers tend to dry out faster.
For larger space you can utilize direct sow or
raised beds. We always liked raised beds for their function and ability to
reduce the amount of bending over we have to do when working the garden. Either
way I think that making sure your paths are well tended helps to keep your weed
pulling to a minimum. Rows and rows of beautiful veggies and flowers are the
end game no weeds.
Within each type of garden, vertical growing can
be utilized. By using cattle panels to create arches for food to grow upwards
or to train your tomatoes and peas towards the sun. But did you know there is
another type of vertical gardening, tower gardens. These tall towers grow food
through a mix of hydroponics and heights. Small cutouts are placed on the side
of the large tube where the plants will be placed. Their root system will live
in a solution instead of dirt. No weeds should be growing here. Anything you
can grow in the ground can grow in these towers. It’s expensive to get started
but could be a solution for those who do not have a lot of space or time but
still want healthy, homegrown food to eat.
There is so much satisfaction to growing and
eating food you put the hard work in to produce. Reward yourself by starting to
plan now with your new garden space and start preparing your garden for spring
planting.