I’d never heard of a Pimm’s Cup cocktail until this year. Maybe because the Pimm’s Cup is the official cocktail of Wimbledon, and I don’t do tennis.
Confession: I’d rather be drawn and quartered than watch tennis on the telly. Yes, even if Roddick or Rafe is steaming up the court. I just find it kind of a snoozer.
Maybe it’s because I don’t actually play tennis? I tried to learn–I did. Mama signed me up for tennis one summer, and after a few lessons, the tennis instructor suggested that I join the swim team. Apparently, you need some coordination to succeed at tennis, and I don’t have any. Hey, at least he was honest.
I didn’t know tennis had an official cocktail? The only sport I know with an official cocktail is horse racing. I love the horses. Alas, I don’t feel the same about the Mint Julep. Too sweet for me, dudes. I was suspicious of the Pimm’s Cup, but I tried one this summer and was hooked. These suckers are refreshing! In fact, I brought a pitcher of them to a neighborhood pool party and within a half hour, people were berating me for not bringing at least three pitchers of the stuff. Forget the lemonade stand; next year, I’m setting up a Pimm’s Cup stand in my neighborhood. I’ll be richer than a Kardashian sister by September.
Since they were so popular at an August pool party, I decided to make them again for a little Labor Day gathering this past weekend. The mercury was going to be in the summer-ish range, so I thought a pitcher of Pimm’s would suit nicely.
I was humming in the kitchen, happily slicing lemons and washing sprigs of mint, Debbie Harry (my pre-party diva of choice) rockin’ in the background, when the phone rang.
The call was coming from my husband’s cellphone, which was a bit odd, since the dude was on a jog. I don’t know about any of you, but I can’t talk and jog at the same time, let alone dial. I picked up, only to hear a panicked, “What the Hell is on fire?”
“Fire?” I said. Stupidly, my first instinct was to scan the kitchen…as if the man was gonna take a jog around the house and peek in a window?
“Look outside!” he panted. “There’s a huge cloud of black smoke and it’s blowing our way!”
I raised the blinds in the kitchen and sure enough, he wasn’t a-lyin’.
I do believe I uttered a few choice expletives. Still, like a moron, I just stood there, gawking.
“Move! Go find out where it’s coming from!” my husband said, and with that, I ran to the computer. Well, okay, first I stopped in the bathroom because I seriously thought I was going to pee myself.
By this time, Awesome Stepkid R. had rattled into the vicinity, video game halted. Hearing swearing like that will do that to a kid. While I searched on the computer, he ran upstairs and said, “You can really see it from the balcony. I think it’s coming from Boulder?”
Smart kid.
The fire was, indeed, coming from Boulder. Specifically, the 4 Mile Canyon area. And the reason the smoke was so heavy and so black was because it was Hella windy and it’s been so dry here that everything is parched. Fire danger has been in the red. This was not good news. Especially when we learned that the fire quickly (almost immediately) spread in all directions, and it was hauling ass. In conditions like that, for residents of Boulder County, it could be anyone’s game.
We spent some tense hours, but as we paced and tweeted and turned on the sprinklers and decided that no, we weren’t going to cancel the cookout (the damn fire was still going to burn, no matter what company we kept), we noticed a shift. The darkest part of the cloud was shifting in a new direction. And while we were relieved, we also knew that for others, this was worrisome news. This is Colorado. Things change on a dime.
View from our balcony as winds change direction yet again
As our sky turned from gray-black to a strange orange color, we wondered what was in store. Ultimately, the flames headed dangerously close to my friend Jen. Luckily, she’s safe and didn’t have to evacuate, but when a friend tweets that she’s making a list of things too precious to leave if she needs to flee, it stops you cold. Well, it almost stopped us. We watched the sky with a few friends, worried about people we know and love and tossed a few glasses back. At the time, we totally justified Pimm’s Cups as medicinal fortification, and I doubt many would argue with us.
Spooky sun
Pimm’s Cup
serves 1 (can easily be doubled, tripled, quadrupled or pitcher-fied)
1 1/2 ounces Pimm’s #1 liqueur*
Ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
Garnishes: lemon slices, cucumber slices, mint sprigs (cucumber/mint is optional but you need the lemon)
Fill a tall glass halfway with ice. Add Pimm’s. Top off with ginger ale or lemon-lime soda. Add desired garnishes. Stir and enjoy. Or justify as medicine.
*The main component of the Pimm’s cup is a liqueur from Britain called Pimm’s #1. I’d never heard of it, but I found it at my neighborhood liquor store, in the section where you’ll find the Grand Marnier.
As I write this, rain is falling in the 4 Mile Canyon area, which is truly a blessing. Still, we’re far from out of the woods. Well over 6000 acres have been destroyed and the fire’s still blazing, with dry and windy weather forecast for the next couple of days. We’re hoping for some kind of containment soon, although authorities say that it may take days. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost so much, and with the brave individuals out fighting this fire. Thank you, sweet readers, for all of the emails, IM’s, tweets and phone calls. We’re keepin’ on keepin’ on.
{ 48 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Excellent issues altogether, you simply won a brand new reader. What could you recommend in regards to your submit that you just made a few days in the past? Any certain?
You could certainly see your expertise in the paintings you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. Always follow your heart.
Thank you for every other informative website. The place else may I get that kind of info written in such an ideal manner? I have a project that I’m just now running on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
Excellent items from you, man. I have be mindful your stuff prior to and you’re just extremely great. I really like what you have received here, really like what you’re saying and the best way during which you say it. You are making it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it wise. I can not wait to learn much more from you. That is actually a great web site.
naturally like your web-site however you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very troublesome to tell the reality on the other hand I’ll definitely come again again.
I’m no longer positive where you are getting your info, however good topic. I needs to spend a while learning more or working out more. Thank you for magnificent info I used to be on the lookout for this info for my mission.
Hi my family member! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and include almost all important infos. I’d like to see more posts like this .
Hey there, You’ve done an excellent job. I will definitely digg it and in my opinion suggest to my friends. I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this site.
Great items from you, man. I have bear in mind your stuff previous to and you are just too magnificent. I really like what you’ve got here, certainly like what you’re saying and the best way in which you assert it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I can’t wait to read much more from you. That is really a wonderful web site.
Fantastic web site. Lots of useful info here. I’m sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks in your effort!
Pretty component of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to say that I acquire in fact loved account your weblog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing in your feeds or even I achievement you get right of entry to persistently rapidly.
Nice blog right here! Also your site rather a lot up fast! What host are you the use of? Can I get your associate hyperlink to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
I beloved as much as you’ll obtain carried out right here. The cartoon is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nevertheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be handing over the following. sick indubitably come further earlier again since precisely the similar just about a lot continuously inside case you protect this increase.
Hello there, I found your blog by means of Google while searching for a similar subject, your website got here up, it seems to be great. I have added to favourites|added to bookmarks.
I like the helpful information you supply on your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and take a look at once more here frequently. I’m moderately sure I’ll be told a lot of new stuff right here! Good luck for the following!
Great items from you, man. I have remember your stuff prior to and you are just extremely wonderful. I really like what you have acquired right here, certainly like what you are saying and the way by which you assert it. You make it entertaining and you continue to care for to keep it wise. I can not wait to learn much more from you. This is really a terrific web site.
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this excellent blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!iPhone 4s Case
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I in finding It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I am hoping to offer something back and help others like you helped me.
KLRozX I really enjoy the article post. Keep writing.
Hello very nice blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?I am glad to find so many useful information right here in the publish, we’d like develop more techniques on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
You can certainly see your skills within the work you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. At all times follow your heart.
Magnificent submit, very informative. I’m wondering why the other specialists of this sector do not understand this. You must proceed your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a great readers’ base already!|What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & help different customers like its helped me. Good job.
Usually I don’t learn post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to try and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m inspired! Extremely helpful information specifically the closing section :) I deal with such info a lot. I used to be looking for this particular information for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.
Excellent put up, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite experts of this sector do not understand this. You must proceed your writing. I’m confident, you have a great readers’ base already!|What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & help different users like its helped me. Great job.
I’m now not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time finding out much more or working out more. Thank you for fantastic information I used to be in search of this information for my mission.
My brother recommended I would possibly like this blog. He was once totally right. This publish truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how so much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
I simply could not go away your website before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual information a person provide for your visitors? Is gonna be again steadily to check up on new posts
I’ve been surfing online more than three hours lately, but I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It’s pretty value sufficient for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made excellent content as you probably did, the net might be a lot more useful than ever before.
I believe this is among the most important information for me. And i am satisfied studying your article. However should observation on few basic things, The website taste is perfect, the articles is actually nice : D. Just right job, cheers
Its like you learn my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, such as you wrote the book in it or something. I believe that you just can do with a few percent to pressure the message house a little bit, however other than that, this is fantastic blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.
It’s really a great and useful piece of info. I am satisfied that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent weblog right here! Also your website loads up very fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your associate link for your host? I want my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this post is amazing, great written and come with approximately all vital infos. I’d like to look more posts like this .
Ingenua de esta que siempre he premeditado que las colonias las hac�an solo con naturalezas naturales.
0QLEK1TPJ1 0QLEK1TPJ1 0QLEK1TPJ1 630122 0QLEK1TPJ1
L9Ux1L Very neat article.Thanks Again. Want more.
Make Money Blogging With this Free Step by Step Guide at offer.top-information.net/
I love reading your website not to mention helps me personally a great deal within composing my subjects plus the right design of my website. You can easily additionally pay a visit to my website anytime. I’ll definitely return in order to read more of the post!
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing for your feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Hello There. I discovered your weblog the use of msn. That is an extremely well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read extra of your useful information. Thank you for the post. I will definitely comeback.
Thank you, I’ve just been searching for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve found out till now. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you certain concerning the supply?|What i don’t realize is actually how you are no longer really a lot more well-preferred than you may be right now. You are very intelligent.
It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have learn this put up and if I may I desire to suggest you some interesting issues or advice. Perhaps you could write subsequent articles relating to this article. I desire to read more things approximately it!
I’ve been surfing on-line greater than three hours these days, but I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made just right content as you did, the internet will likely be much more helpful than ever before.
I simply could not depart your website prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the usual info an individual supply on your visitors? Is going to be back frequently in order to inspect new posts
nice page you should write a weekly newsletter :)
Terrific paintings! That is the type of info that are meant to be shared across the web. Shame on Google for not positioning this submit higher! Come on over and consult with my web site . Thank you =)
Attractive part of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to say that I acquire actually loved account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your augment or even I fulfillment you get entry to persistently fast.
{ 1 trackback }