New mantra, Happy Sunday Au Revoir Covid

Truly, say it out loud or sing if you must, Happy Sunday Au Revoir Covid. I am adding this to my “daily to do list”. What could it hurt? Everyone is ready to get back to their normal whatever that looks like. Even if that normal is imperfect and filled with frustrations of day to day.

If and when we are able to return to our “normal” I think that all of us will appreciate it more. Hopefully, we will remember some of our isolation covid realizations and move them forward in our every day.

It is shocking how quickly our freedoms and lives have been affected and impacted. Who really knows the extent of all this covid-ness? Will this be the last coronavirus that is sent our way? How may you protect your family when the next one comes?

Questions like these will make your hear start hurting but it is something to be mindful of. You may not control certain events but you may minimize their effects on you and yours. It would be lovely to think that this would never happen again but that would require a miracle.

Clearly I am hoping for a miracle or a fancy light saber to zap it away. Until then, I have watermelon soaking in a bath of vodka. In a short time, Au Revoir Covid, Hello Summer Watermelon cocktails will be ready to share and celebrate.

Repeat after me, it’s happy Sunday, Au Revoir Covid!

P.S. Don’t forget to share the site and subscribe for updates at www.diningwithmimi.com

Stay safe,
Love from Mimi’s Kitchen

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Start this weekend and plan to serve at your next Au Revoir Covid, Hello Summer Watermelon dinner. If you make a batch of infused watermelon vodka now, it will give you something to celebrate when this covid-ness is not the topic of our day.

Why do you need Auvoir Covid, Hello Summer Watermelon?

By the way, when will we be able to say au revoir to covid? No one really knows at this point. Today you will find as many opinions about all aspects of the virus as sand on the beach. It does not matter whether you are talking about origination, proper protection, best practices or how the hell do we make it go away.

Everyone would love for it to magically evaporate if only this was an option. Until then, we must find a way to function in our daily lives and stay safe. Ignoring a pandemic or pretending that your age, health, economic status or even location will protect you alone is foolish. Everyone is at risk. Be safe.

Remember to stay safe during Covid haze

To eliminate risk you will need to follow guidelines, stay alert, pay attention to surroundings and limit unnecessary exposures. Even if you do everything correct, you may still acquire the contagion. The risk has not evaporated but with best practices we should be able to avoid it.

Clearly, I am not hiding in my house but trying to be smart about my choices. One day soon I hope, all of this covid-ness will be a thing of the past. My Hoda Kotb project is helping with the day to day of covid. Until then, buy a watermelon from your local farmer or farmers market and start a batch of Au Revoir Covid, Hello Summer Watermelon.

This year, I added my watermelon to a 5 gallon beverage dispenser. Any time I want to sample the fruits of my labor Au Revoir Covid, Hello Summer Watermelon is ready to go. One vintage cocktail glass filled with ice, turn on the spigot and report directly to the porch.

Right now the porch is quiet and dreams of livelier days. Hopefully soon the porch and I will host a reason to celebrate with Au Revoir Covid, Hello Summer Watermelon . Until then, enjoy this new song, Living in a Ghost Town.

Shout out to Alexa for the newest Rolling Stones song.

“You can look for me
But I can’t be found
You can search for me
I had to go underground
Life was so beautiful
Then we all got locked down
Feel a like ghost
Living in a ghost town, yeah”

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Springing into Mobile with Comic Cowboys will make a girl pause, gasp, smile and wonder. Cartoons elicit a myriad of responses depending on the reader.  Comic Cowboys have been launching comic spins pulled from news, local and national politics. Subjects include current events that we wish were fiction and darker corners left untidy.

Since 1884, parade group has challenged things as they are pointing out issues, questioning authority, using sarcasm and humor to  shine a light. Not all the cartoons are well received and become subject of council  meetings occasionally. Comic cowboys sometimes state the obvious and some times ‘the shameful’.

Here’s what you missed Springing into Mobile with Comic Cowboys

Stripped down wagons decorated with cartoons and slogans present the bead tossing riders through town. Freedom of the press is important. Humor is necessary. Blending of the two is admirable. Even if you don’t agree with everything they satirize, the tradition should remain.

Life becomes so busy, hectic and overwhelming with everything that we try to cram in. Your life needs humor. Laughter is good for the soul. To tie in humor alongside injustices is a good way to spread the awareness. Increased awareness leads to change and at times improvements.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could use humor to bring about change as opposed to negative hate speech? Of course all of us have had a fill of this over the last five years or lifetime? Why can’t we all just get along or at least learn to appreciate that everyone is entitled to an opinion?

Yet, not all of us want to hear all of your opinions repeatedly on every flipping media outlet known far and wide. I turn on the news when I am ready to digest and sift through the mountain of  it (insert your favorite word here).

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No not just for some but for everyone.
Jackie Deshannon

Comic Cowboys love you enough to state the obvious. Pushing the envelope  to shake it up.  If you blush when you read it, that’s ok. You have seen worse on  TV during the day. Finally, ask yourself how will you help change the problem?

The never ending ton of rain made it almost worth it for the gorgeous day that I  had in the sunshine. Who knew that it would actually be sunny after all?  Truly, I had to sit down after all the whining and dining. Mimi needed a martini to sort out cartoons from parade and Springing into Mobile with Comic Cowboys.  

2018 Comic Cowboy Martini Recipe

4 ounces Chardonnay
1 shot Vodka
1 Tablespoon St Germain
2 Blackberries mashed
1 Martini glass filled with ice

Into a shaker, add Chardonnay, Vodka and St Germain over ice. Shake it until it hurts. Toss ice from Martini glass. Pour cocktail in martini glass. Add blackberries. Go directly to your favorite spot and enjoy.

Laissez les bons temp rouler!

For another cocktain option try , Good Intentions and Vodka Infused Kumquats

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If you have high-tech blues then you may need to try my new cocktail, Kumquat Vodka Martini. High tech blues led to the creation of this cocktail. Necessity being the mother-of-invention and all else.

If you have noticed changes on my site, I am  implementing a new program on my site. In the process, I have created an issue with the print function on my recipes. I need a genie bottle to rub.

(For visual, imagine Mimi screaming loudly) I hope to have this resolved shortly.

If you have tried to print from the recipe printer icon and it didn’t work, my humblest apologies. If you print screen, it should print the recipe. You may also email  the recipe or print entire post with recipe images or drop the images. You may find this icon next to social media icons.

It is true that I am passionate about food but technology and I mildly tolerate each other. I am learning about web design, plugin’s, widgets, and ‘all things technical’ which are giving me high-tech blues. Not that I am saying that technology is driving me to drinking but I did create this cocktail. Please bare with me while I navigate this technological world.

I am happy to have started on my new food journey! Six months ago, I started this project. I have enjoyed creating recipes and sharing my writing with you. I hope that you are enjoying too. If you like the site, please share.

I have added  new features along the way. The Peep Picayune  is where my “chicken drama” is recorded. On our property, we care for chickens that give lovely fresh eggs. They are my peeps and pets. 

The Mimi Rants  provides a mixed bag of ideas.  The topics offer variety and information. Please check out this category and leave a comment. Let me know what you think. Communication is key for growth in all of us. I know that I have a mountain of learning left to do.

The Other Than Dining  has  a variety of posts including   entertaining or travel trips which almost always includes food and dining. Traveling to different locations, allows you to tap into exotic foods,  unique spices and ethnic choices that may not live near your backyard. When traveling, visit the local grocery store to see what is unique to the area. I love bringing home new spices or things to try in my kitchen.

Thank you for joining me on my food journey. I will try to reduce my high-tech blues so that it is not contagious. If you have an issue on the site, please send me an email or leave a comment. I will address asap. When the kumquats were ripe and delicious, I created a recipe titled Good Intentions and Fruit Infused Vodka.

This infusion formula may be applied to most fruits. You may need to tweak depending on the type of fruit.  Start off with a small amount and taste test along the way. I have successfully infused kumquats, watermelon and muscadines. It has all been delicious and seems to disappear from my house soon enough.

Alexa Shout out to Aretha Franklin for her R and B.

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If your 2016 was coming up roses, make the Vodka Infused with kumquat. It will be a great gift for a “not so fortunate friend”.

On my list of good intentions, I have a couple  of items that I want to focus on for this year. One item seems to keep showing up on my list year after year. (losing weight) Apparently, I didn’t give it the attention that it deserved last year. This year it is on my list in bold letters. Move you’re a**. Now that I am putting it in words and shouting it to the world, I really will need to move my a**.

Now is the time of year where I really think about where I’ve been, accomplishments, milestones and missteps. Along with that is the direction for the next twelve months and how I am going to get there gracefully.

In August of this year,  I took a chance and hit the start button on my writing/cooking site. (Hello World)  This is a new adventure for me and I am happy that you chose to join me on my journey.

I am learning everyday about the wonderful world of technology and everything that I didn’t know I would need to know. Thank you for your patience.  I am so grateful for all the support from my family and friends.

I have also enjoyed hearing from new friends. I look forward to sharing my new cooking and dining adventures in 2017 with all of you.

I will work to keep the food and writing fresh. If you would like to see something specific, please leave a comment. I will try to create a recipe and report back. If you have a question, please visit the Q and A page. As the seasons change I will try to  take advantage of items that are fresh and accessible. Fresh fruit and vegetables are healthiest and lower in price at peak season.

In the Spring, we are planning a garden at our home.  We typically have success with squash, zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, okra, muscadines, cucumbers and eggplants  We have several fruit trees on the property as well. If you want to have a garden or fruit trees, it is important that you remember:

Produce waits for no one

I will keep you posted on the  garden progress. We seem to do well with the growing part, it is the weed part that’s the real problem. It is hard work but very fruitful.  With our garden and local farms, I will give a variety of recipes on preserving foods.

Preserving recipes for 2017

1. Jam and Jellies
2. Marmalade
3. Homemade Salsas
4. Tomato Pear Relish
5. Pickled jalapeño
6. Spicy Carrots
7. Chutney
8. Spicy Bread and Butter Squash Pickles
9. Jacked Up Chipotle Bar-B-Que Sauce

In addition in 2017, I want to also schedule travel plans for road trips to the following:

New Orleans
Natchez
Mississippi Blue Trails
Florida Coast

I look forward to sharing my adventures with you. The trips will always include fabulous foods from the areas and local music. If you have a “must see” idea for that area or maybe an item to check out, please send me a comment.

Cheers to our good intentions for 2017 and here’s to the Vodka Infused with Kumquats to share with our friends. Our 2017 will be the best one yet!  Many blessings to you and yours.

Shout out to Alexa for Dan Fogelberg’s  Old Lang Syne.

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I have been fortunate to have some of my close friends visit, from far away. I have a house full (did I say full) of very genuine, smart, talented, funny and loving friends. This is my “away” team from Cali, Texas and Florida. My “home team” is fabulous as well. A great network of friends whether they’re the “away team or home team” is a necessity for continued sanity. And Fall Festive Jack-O-Tini with Pumpkin Spiced Rum will add to the party.

If you don’t have a network of fabulous confidants, make it a mission to do so, and soon. Close friends are vital and necessary to have in a time of need. Mix in a friend or two to any mundane task and it will become an improved outing. Great friends are priceless and a joy. Certainly I love all of my friends and feel very fortunate to have met each one of them.

Friends are a different kind of family. Love is unlimited and should be shared. As with all families, there are times of challenges. It is important to work your way through the challenges and get back to love. At times if it’s difficult remember love conquers all. Eventually.

With the fall leaves dropping, the fire pit loaded with wood and temperature nippy enough for a fire, it’s time for a Martini. In my preparation for house guests, I perused the happy hour offerings. I discovered Captain Morgans Jack-O-Blast. It is a seasonal Fall Festive Jack-O-Tini with Pumpkin Spiced Rum.

My Cali friend from Laguna, is a surfer and musician.  And just so happens to look like Don Henley. Shout out to Alexa for the Eagles. Start with Witchy Woman.

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On the Gulf Coast by this time of year, we are happy to see the fire and brimstone moving on.  The heat of July and August has sucked it out of all of us. Then September breezes it, it starts to cool a bit. We get used to it, then the Sun cranks it up high. Sol teases us for a bit more. Just as we start to enjoy it, we remember that summer is almost over.

I am rebelling. I don’t want Fall, yet.

Although, the Fall weather here is supremely sweet. Fall does allow us to return to the outdoors and spend some quality time. At my house, we’re a fan of  dinner parties on the screened porch. Van and I have a routine of coffee on the porch. We listen to the birds as we quietly greet the morning.

But, I am rebelling. I don’t want Fall, yet. In Summer’s honor, I am sending it off with a bang. Goodbye Summer , it’s time for a Summer Rebellion Watermelon Martini! Hello, Harvest Moon. Speaking of, Alexa Neil Young’s Harvest Moon, please.

Summer Rebellion Watermelon Martini
Serves 4-6

Watermelon (seedless if available)
1/2 cup Tito’s Vodka
1/4 St Germain Elderflower Liquer
1 teaspoon lime zest
1 Tablespoon lime juice

Grab a large container to store the watermelon, cutting board and sharp knife. Cut the watermelon in half and half again. This will leave you with four pieces. With a melon baller, scoop out watermelon balls and place on tray until you have 20 or more. Remove any visible seeds. Place in freezer for minimum of couple hours.

Remove the rind and cut the remaining watermelon into large chunks. Store in large container.  If you bought seedless, skip  the next step. With your hand break the watermelon pieces in half and remove seeds. Toss pieces into food processor and blend until smooth. Pour into large measuring cups. Continue processing watermelon in this manner until you have four cups.

Place the balance of melon in refrigerator for more martini’s if you dare or breakfast in morning.Pour 4 cups watermelon puree into pitcher.

Zest the lime and add to juice. Squeeze lime juice and add measured amount. Add  vodka and St Germain and stir. Place in refrigerator until your ready to serve.

When serving, place two melon balls in martini glass. Pour watermelon mixture into shaker and shake, shake, shake. When it’s properly shaken and not stirred, pour over watermelon cubes. Enjoy, on this almost harvest moon.

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