Tag: fall

Cooking, Entertainment, Holidays

Halloween Cocktails, Boo!

Lora Knows...

I love to do different types of cocktails for friends and family to enjoy as we spend time together. These festive Halloween Candy Corn Martini cocktails will be a hit at our next game night!

  • 1 ½ Ounce Whipped Cream Vodka – we use Pinnacle
  • 3 Ounce Sour Mix – can be purchased, but I make my own (recipe below)
  • 2 Ounce Pineapple Juice
  • ½ Ounce Grenadine – we use Liber & Co.
  • Whipped cream for topping – homemade is fun, but store bought works just as well

Instructions

  • Combine Whipped Cream Vodka, Sour Mix and Pineapple Juice in a shaker with ice, shake away
  • Pour mix into a martini glass
  • Slowly pour Grenadine into mix so it settles at the bottom
  • Top with whip cream

Sour Mix Recipe

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • Juice the lemons and limes
  • In a heavy bottomed sauce pan add the sugar and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring now and then. Once all the sugar is dissolved remove from the heat.
  • Pour the citrus juice into the simple syrup and mix together. 
  • Let it cool completely and strain through a fine mesh strainer.
  • Pour final product into a container. I use a glass bottle with a lid.
  • Place in the refrigerator, will last for up to three weeks.
Entertainment, Style

Chilly Fall Evenings

Lora Knows...

Hot days are gone and the average temperature, where I live in North Carolina, is in the low 70s with much cooler evenings. This means it is time to change our outdoor space from summer to fall. This can be achieved by adding some decorative touches, but mostly by adding a heat source so no one gets chilly while we hangout. Here are a few options:

Firepit

Wood-burning firepits are popular, for some there is nothing like the smell of burning wood on a cool evening. However, I’m not a fan of building a fire and all the cleanup that follows – so for me, I love a gas fireplace table. There are numerous types of firepits, choose the one that suits you best and enjoy.

Patio Heater

When it gets even more chilly through the season, use a patio heater. These can be either gas or electric and vary in size. I love when a restaurant has them and you can enjoy a cozy night with friends over drinks and charceuterie.

Outdoor Fireplace

You can have a custom fireplace built in your outdoor space. These fireplaces are much larger than firepits and can warm a large area. The only drawback, for me, is it is there all year long. Unlike a gas fireplace table that is smaller, decorative and gives off some heat, I can’t see many using a wood burning fireplace on those hot July nights.

Entertainment, Holidays, Style

Painted Pumpkins

Lora Knows...

Painted pumpkins are the complete package! They have style, provide enjoyment for all ages, require no carving skills, and there are no slimy pumpkin innards involved.

Here’s what you will need:

  1. Pumpkins, real or artificial, whatever size, shape or color you prefer.
  2. Acrylic paint – choose colors you love.
  3. Sharpee markers.
  4. Painter’s tape.
  5. Assorted painting tools like brushes, sponges, and don’t forget fingers are great tools too.
  6. Something to put the paint on – paper plates work great.
  7. Don’t skip coveringt the table. You can use a plastic tablecloth, craft paper, newspaper or whatever.
  8. Hand wipes, paper towels, hand sanitizer.
  9. Have Fun!