My Name in Chinese

Today in our digital media class we learned how to write our names in Chinese. My professor Yong Tang loves to bring his cultures and traditions from his Chinese hometown into the class room. It allows all of us to learn more about the different cultures in the world and to be able to globalize our views. Learned that my name in Chinese means, victory and corral from the sea. I enjoyed learning how to write and say my name in a different language. 

Country in Chicago

 There is so many places in Chicago for a night out on the town. One of my favorite bars to go to is Joes on Weed Street. It is a warehouse style bar that that specializes in sports, music and private parties. Being a country music fan this place has it all, live performances of popular country artists to up and coming artists, and local artists as well. If you love country music, sports, live music, and great drinks and food this is the place for you. This place is great to go to for all year around concerts right in the city of Chicago. Because, it is a bar you have to be 21 to enter.

You can head to: joesbar.com to see the latest updates, specials, and upcoming concerts.

Looking for other great bars to out with your boots on check out:
skooterroadhouse.com
saddleupsaloon.com
countrybaril.com ( Toby Keith's)
houndstoothsaloon.com

Happy National Wine Day

Today is national wine day, which means its time to pop that cork out of your favorite bottle of wine!  Share with your friends, your loved one or just with yourself. Though if you are looking for away to spice up your wine drinking night, here is a great recipe that I have come to love especially in the summer time, though great for anytime you want to change things up a bit.

 Moscato Peach Wine Slushy 

1 bottle (750ml) of Moscato ( I usually use Barefoot)
**leave a tad bit left for later
2 cups of frozen unsweetened peaches (or favorite fruit)
1/2 cup of powder sugar (Can cut back, but should be sweet)

- Add frozen fruit and a splash of wine into a blender or processor (Blend until totally smooth)
- Add the rest of your wine and blend
- Pour the  mixture into ice trays and freeze
- Toss a hand full of frozen ice cubes into the blender (Add more if needed)
(Add a splash of wine to make mixing easier)
-Blend until it becomes a slushy texture
- Pour into glasses garnish if you would like, straws are a necessity when drinking these
**Serves about 4

Recipe and photo from divasandcook.com 

Cuddle Weather

The winter months have come upon us! Living in Illinois, I know the struggles of getting out of bed and wanting to go outside in the -15 degree weather. When downtown Chicago, I always have a little shooter of whiskey in my jacket pocket to numb the cold. Though putting it in coffee does the trick, I found a new hot drink to enjoy on these cold frigid days. This drink is perfect for those Chicago cold, windy days, or even just snuggling up by the fire place with your significant other, or even by yourself with a good  book or movie.

This drink is a twist on hot chocolate:
Hornitos Hot Toddy 
1 oz of Anejo Tequila ( Or favorite Tequila) 
4oz of hot chocolate
Garnish with Whipped Cream and Chili Powder 
** Add the tequila and hot chocolate to a half-pint glass. Garnish with whipped cream and a dash of chili powder for a little kick.

See and try more great hot drink ideas at: 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/liquorcom/10-top-hot-drinks_b_4317758.html




photo credit :pintertrest.com

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Mardi Gras is around the corner, and everyone is starting to celebrate it! Mardi Gras is a not only a big event in New Orleans but also around the United States. Fat Tuesday which it is also called, is a day where you fill up on what you are giving up for the lent season for Easter. I am always awful at figuring out what to give up for lent, I always seem to say, "I am giving up chocolate."
Themed parties are always a lot of fun to put together, and have people come dressed up and participate in your themed parties. To prepare you for Mardi Gras, I have found some great drink recipes to spice up your cocktails for your guests.
Of course you have to have New Orleans signature drink,

The Hurricane
 Recipe:
1/2 cup of ice
2fl ounces of Rum (Your choice)
2fl ounces of passion fruit syrup
1 cup of lemon- lime soda
1 ounce of lime juice
1 fl ounce of 151 proof rum
** In a shaker combine ice, light rum, syrup, lemon-lime soda and sake well. then pour the mixture into a glass (Hurricane Glass, or specialty glass) and then pour the 151 proof rum on top. Enjoy!

This drink will be a favorite among all your guests, and will bring New Orleans to your party. 

        Lassiez Les Bon Temp Rouler! Let The Good Times Roll! 

Photo credit: professorcocktail.com 

A Glass of Wine and Buble in the background

Today was one of those days, when you just want to relax in a bubble bath, Michael Buble singing the background, a glass of wine, along with some candles lit.
After I turned 21, I gained an appreciation for wine.  I love going to the store and trying out different wines, from different areas of the world, or even local wineries. For example, Wide River Winery in  Iowa. I can not get enough of their, Mis Be'havin wine. It is a white grape wine that is enhanced with cranberries, it is great with poultry, rice or for any occasion such as your bubble baths. I am not much of a red wine drinker but this one is amazing and have been ravin it about it to everyone.
You don't have to go to Iowa to get this bottle, you can order their wines online as well. Though their store is super cute, and right on the Mississippi River, which is perfect scenery for their daily wine tasting and special events that they host.

If you are interested in looking more into this winery visit them at:  wideriverwinery.com 

"Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, and every day more civilized." 
- Andre Simon