Aren't visits from friends the best? For almost as long as I can remember, I've had to spend long periods of time separated from family and close friends. It's sad and it sucks but it's the nature of our current society and our geographically large country. And even though the methods of communication have increased since the solitary option of writing letters, nothing compares to just spending time together. Hugging, laughing, confiding...so important. So wonderful.
Turns out, having good friends in town to visit is even more glorious when you have a 16-month-old. Willa was DELIGHTED to have friends here. She showed off her favorite toys, grinned from ear to ear the whole weekend, and barely let out a single whine. Which made her mama and dada pretty darn delighted too. Not to mention, having friends who love her and want to spend time with her makes us so happy too.
Our visit with Alli and Pat of course included plenty of good eating and drinking (and a healthy dose of fresh air and exercise to balance things out). After they arrived on Thursday night, we caught up over sweet potato and black bean enchiladas and Unita brews. There was a lunch at Über Sausage (after my Lohi walking tour), a dinner at Old Major, a failed attempt to check out Williams & Graham, and drinks at Linger. (I also tried using Uber for the first time, which seems to me like a giant rip-off compared to a regular cab, but maybe I'm just not hip enough?) We met my parents in Longmont for beer tasting at Left Hand Brewery. I made a variation of these pumpkin waffles. We had lunch at Illegal Pete's.
There also was, of course, a stop at Mondo Vino. We were feeling a bit beer-ed out, as Colorado has a tendency to make one (in nothing but the best way), so we made some purchases to take the evening in a different direction. A gin direction. And gin and champagne direction. Could there really be any better direction?
We cheers-ed our friendship and a fantastic visit with French 75s. It's been a favorite drink of Alli's for a bit, and one we enjoyed together on her birthday recently, so we decided to attempt to make it at home. It's not hard: just gin, champagne, simple syrup, and lemon juice. It's pretty much perfect for anytime you want to celebrate with friends. Or you're beer-ed out.
French 75
Makes two drinks
2 ounces gin
1 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
4 ounces champagne
lemon peel
1. If necessary, make simple syrup: combine 1 part water and 2 parts sugar in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until incorporated.
2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add gin, lemon juice, and syrup. Shake vigorously.
3. Pour half the mixture into each glass (champagne flutes or cocktail glasses).
4. Top with champagne and a lemon peel.
