Friday, February 15, 2013

Miller Time Friday - Just Peachy!

Oh Happiest of Days! 

I have just woken up and read the news about the huge meteor that hit Russia this morning and the number of persons injured.  These random meteors hitting the earth are not a good thing, though I admit to liking a good falling star.  My thoughts are with those in Russia this morning.  And apparently, there is another meteor passing by today as well, which while it won't hit us, is a bit too close.  Like when my mother-in-law shows up at my sister-in-law's 5 miles down the road - she isn't at my house, but she's close enough to scare me!

And what do I like to do when the news is full of Armageddon-like events?  Why, I like to think about what I will drink at miller time, thank you for asking!

Mr. WMM did not give me red roses yesterday.  He gave me apricot roses.  This was a lovely surprise - i love roses in faded hues.  The picture below makes them look more yellow-y, but IRL they are well and truly an apricot bleeding into a quite peachy hue..



Maybe he was inspired by the peachy hue of the Hibiscus bloom of earlier this week?  Or maybe they were a better price than the red?  We will never know, but we like them very much!

Looking around my house, I don't have many peachy or apricot hues in my house, though I certainly love them in the garden and in art:


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 Where I live, we do not grow peaches; it is all apples and potatoes!  I was thinking this morning that I don't think I have actually seen a peach tree in real life, isn't that funny?

But peaches are popping up everywhere these days:

they are a seminal plot point in an episode of House of Cards:


In Pantones Spring 2013 palette (I know - the colour is described as linen, but to my eyes, it is a linen with decidely apricot-y undertones):


In Spring, our makeup palettes tend to focus on lighter pale shades in apricot and peachy-pink hues:


I love the name of this new blush from Lancome, Peche Joue-Joue

Blush in Love

And it makes me think of Marcarons - yum!!

It will go nicely with the oranges of the last couple of years in your wardrobe:


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 And it shows up in a fabulous book and equally good movie:



You may be familiar with Canadian musician peaches (whose music isn't my real cup of tea):


I prefer old timers, like Peaches and Herb, whose song "Reunited" I waltzed to many a time in junior high school and high school:



I am sure you all have your favourite peach recipes, especially you southerners and Ontarians!

However, it being Miller Time Friday, I think I will make a lovely pitcher of Bellinis and bring along my Peaches and Herb greatest hits playlist!  Gourmet Sleuth shares the history of this cocktail and a couple of versions of it:

This drink was created 1943 at Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy in honor of the painter Geovani Bellini. Giuseppi Cipriani was the inventor. The original recipe was made with fresh pureed white peaches with a bit of raspberry or cherry juice to give the drink a pink glow.

Ingredients

Quick version 1 parts Peach Schnapps
3 parts Champagne (or Sparkling wine)

Combine in champagne flutes, serve.

Original Version 2/3 cup white peach puree (use yellow peaches if white not available)
1 teaspoon raspberry puree
1 bottle chilled Italian sparkling wine such as Prosecco orAsti Spumante Brut

Instructions

2/3 cup white peach puree (use yellow peaches if white not available)
1 teaspoon raspberry puree
1 bottle chilled Italian sparkling wine such as Prosecco orAsti Spumante Brut

Place 1 1/2 tablespoons puree In the bottom of each flute and add 2 - 3 drops of the raspberry puree. Add sparkling wine and serve.

Raspberry puree: Puree fresh or frozen (thawed) berries in a food processor.

Peach puree: Peel fresh peaches, cut up in pieces and blend in a food processor.

Serving glass: Tall champagne flutes


 Now me being me, I think I should bring along both versions, just in case... :-)

And me also being me, I think I need to visit Venice (I have sadly not done so yet), so that I can pay homage to such a pretty potable!

So - are you peachy keen?  Do share! 

Happy Friday and Cheers!  And stay safe out there!



47 comments:

  1. Peach roses and Georgia peaches are some of my favorites.Your roses are lovely. I enjoy a rare Bellini every once and a awhile(who has peach puree on hand?). I am just pleased that this season's peach is peach, and not neon peach.Enjoy your Friday!

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  2. I love peach roses, far more than red ones. Great choice! Bellini's are a regular cocktail around here for family holidays, but I don't add the raspberry puree, as I think it makes them a bit too sweet. Enjoy Miller Time.

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    1. You too Kathy! My favourite bouquets contain a multitude of faded pink and peach roses - so lovely!

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  3. The roses are beautiful. I still remember my Bellini or three at Harry's Bar in Venice, that was one of the best trips ever and I loved that little bar/restaurant, really simple and laid back with Mr.Cipriani still working the room at 90.

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    1. I didn't know it was still there! How wonderful! Now THAT is a great memory!

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  4. Bellinis are my all time favorite drink! I usually use peach juice instead of peach puree, you can pour it into a tupperware and pop it into the freezer, then scoop it out and top with champagne for a frozen version. I also saw a peach sangria recipe on pinterest the other day that seemed yummy.

    I also love a good peach pie or peach tart. YUM.

    Your roses are lovely! It's nice when they know exactly what it is you love. My favorite flowers are calla lilies and Tom buys them whenever he sees them, just as an "anytime surprise". Good husbands are the best!

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    1. Oh that is so nice! Now I am wracking mt brain to think of what movie had the line "I have always loved Calla lilies" or something similar!

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    2. WMM, not sure what you are thinking of, but all time best calla line has to be lovely young K. Hepburn in Stage Door, pre-WWII.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNtz0r5pmXo

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    3. THAT's IT EXACTLY! I knew it was Kate, but was trying to figure out which one, and didn;t have time to go look as was off to torture self with exercise!

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  5. I have 3 peach trees. Heavenly in August. I make our own peach jam, but mostly they are devoured off the trees. I think they'd bloom too early to be pollinated where you are (? what ag zone you are-- we are 5B). Minnesota is developing some good varieties though so there is hope for you. Nothing like them.

    A Bellini in Venice, now that would be a memory!

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    1. I agree with you about Bellini in Venice! I think I am 4B out here - will check local nurseries - sometimes they get hardier varieties in! That 5-6 hour drive between us makes a big difference in gardening! I am about to order ELiott Coleman's book on growing veggies all year long - I have 4 raised beds in the potager and want to read it in advance of fall, so I can get Barry to build my cold frames. He will be thrilled! Last year I was growing veggies everywhere - even carrots in a big pot on the deck. ANd I am dying for a real tomato...

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    2. Oh, Eliott is a genius ( as is his wife, Barbara). Available for advice any time!

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  6. Beautiful flowers Wendy! I am with you on the mil situation - never fun.
    You must visit Venice! It's one of my favorite places in the world, well Italy is, but Venice and Florence have a special place in my heart. I so wish I spent a year studying there.
    Have a fabulous Friday!

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    1. HI A! I KNOW! Barry and I are trying to figure out how we can go live someplace over there for 3 or 4 months and then just travel out from one central location. We hope to be able to do that sometime in the next three years if we can figure out how to make that happen!

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  7. 'Reunited and it feels so good...' - I haven't thought about that song in years and years. I would have been in elementary school at the time, but do remember hearing it then, and as an adult.

    While I do like peaches, I much prefer nectarines, and would choose them if I had the choice. I have never had a Bellini, but I have had both Peach Schnapps and Champagne. Just not together at the same time, so this would be a first for me.

    Your roses are absolutely beautiful, btw!

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    1. I was in Venice when I was 19, and would love to go back someday. :)

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    2. Okay - club may have to convene and do grand european tour. Who would sponsor us? Brad and Angelina's winery???

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  8. I'll see if I can wrestle up some Peach Pie Moonshine. I'll try and get it in my gut before it melts the Dixie cup. Apricots, peaches, I love them all. And yes, from above, Peach Sangria is fantastic in the summer heat. Have I told you yet...I am so ready for Spring!

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    1. I am desperate for spring, too - but surely you must see signs of it coming down where you are? I won't see a flower till APril here, and only then crocuses. My tulips bloom in May, my lilacs in early June. sigh...

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    2. Yes the signs are here but the weather is still a bit nippy. Candy Tuft is blooming and the bulbs are coming up. Even my cherry trees are budding. Sunny but 36 F. I am ready to work in the yard just too damn cold. Maybe next week.

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  9. PEACHY KEEN Well, Venice is very tippy top of my trip list (DH has been, I missed when studenting.) And my fave peach dish is either cobbler, or very specifically the peach hand pies at the Varsity in Atlanta. Bring on the Bellinis, please. Danielle's frozen peach nectar idea a good one. Can also make a decent out-of-season substitute one from "organic" canned peaches in juice, whizzed in a blender. Miller Time is getting very swank ;-)

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    1. Oh and the MIL proximity frisson was hysterial WMM. Sometimes very grateful my family collation never included one of those.

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    2. Hi GF - good ideas! MY MIL is getting better with age, but like many things in this life, she is best viewed from a distance and with a glass of wine in hand. Kind of like the ocean for me. I like to look at it from afar, even walk on its beaches, but I would prefer to be in the hot tub!

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    3. As one of my cousins always used to say (I think it was referencing late night date "get her number" options and beer googles, but point is same):
      "Good from far, but far from good."

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    4. OH MY--those peach hand pies at the Varsity are one of my very favorite things about Atlanta! Delicious.

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    5. Okay, will stop in at Atlanta en route home from Venice! Am sold! And GF - fr from good cracking me up!

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  10. Very funny about MIL Wendy. I've never had a Bellini and love peaches so I'll be over at 5. Happy Friday

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  11. You have the most darling husband! I don't think I've ever tried a Bellini as I don't like most sweet cocktails. Strange because I have a massive sweet tooth ;-) I'll have to order one when the weather warms up. I prefer white peaches and nectarines which have shorter seasons, but they're my favorite summer fruits.
    Tonight is for family "Bonding" - we are watching Skyfall, which is finally on demand. I will probably roast a chicken since DH and Slugger had a tummy bug this week so I'm keeping the recipes mild for another day.
    OT-Ron White is the shoe brand that you should try. The web site still shows fall, but you can get the ideal. http://www.ronwhiteshoes.com/?region=usa

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    1. Oh thanks muchly Julie! Will pop over for sure!

      I think we will watch Skyfall, too - we saw in theatre but kids have not and it is sooo good!

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  12. Happy Friday!

    Funny line about your MIL!

    Venice is on my list for late summer/fall because it is the Biennale and I want to make sure we go while we're living here. I went in 2001 and it was an amazing experience. We meant to go in 2011 but decided not to, so I think this is the year. Another must-see there is the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, one of the coolest museums I've ever been to. I hope you get to travel there!

    Your roses are very pretty, I love those colours.

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    1. Abby - that is so awesome! I have actually never been to the Guggenheim in NYC, either, so that will be good this time as well!

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    2. Oh! You have to go see the pollen installation at MoMA, if it is still there. It looks amazing.

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  13. I adore Venice. So magical. Last time I made Bellinis I didn't put the lid on the blender very well (third batch) and they went all over the kitchen. The dogs had a blast cleaning up.

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    1. My Lhasa loves Baileys - he has a sweet tooth! Hope your weekend with friends was great!

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  14. Himself loves the Bellinis at Harry's! Last time I was there I had a big bowl of pasta e fagiolini, and the staff got such a kick out of how I pronounced it (NY dialect) that we got comped on the drinks and on my pasta fazool. The Cipriani family has a few restaurants in NYC, but the drinks are not the same, overpriced and don't bother. Just saving you some precious moments of your short but intense visit.

    My favorite roses are a color called "Champagne," which is not quite beige. I cut short stems on a slant, snip off thorns and leaves, and stuff into a small rose bowl, it'll last a week or more with no gimmicks, and look romantic and old-fashioned wherever I put it. I think the secret is the short stems. But maybe it's just luck.

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    1. I love them cut short, too! Will keep going all week with them till they are shorter and shorter!

      What a great story from Venice - bet you were the bees knees!

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  15. Good job to hubs on the roses, they are gorgeous and what's better they have inspired the drink for today, count me in!
    I love peaches, as you know my Dad lives in Georgia Land of Peaches. They grow here in Ontario too and peach pie is a favourite summer dessert.

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    1. Of. Will hit Georgia when I go to Tennessee!

      Knew you would love the peaches!

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  16. I'm having an interesting Lager for Miller Time today, cheers! Your cocktails always sound so fun but I stick with beer, everything else puts me to sleep and/or renders me useless for 24+ hours following. Your roses are beautiful!

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    1. Well I end was only a it of Cabernet Sauvignon for me! Quiet night here! Have a great night Cate!

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  17. Peaches and Herb! They were at the Casino Showlounge here last year, I think it was. Unfortunately Hubs and I couldn't go, I think Hubs was away on a work trip then. Hello Soul Train!

    Very pretty roses.

    I loved Venice - was there once 15 years ago but I want to go again. Hubs has never been and he would like to go too. One day...

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    1. Oh I would have loved to have seen them - that would be fun - had no idea they still toured!

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  18. So you are one of those creative types that can change up her makeup and look with the seasons, I could never do that. I stick to the same look every single day, I think it would be too much to ask my morning brain to come up with something new. I would inevitably grumble and reach for the old standbys.

    The meteor was a bit freaky wasn't it? Here was NASA tracking some other projectile and then this one comes storming in, unannounced! I read that people heard the sonic boom and then rushed to the windows, which shattered instantly thereafter, resulting in serious injuries from the flying broken glass. Tragic. How do you remember not to go look out the window if you hear a noise? That's just what we do.

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    1. xoxo - agree completely about going to the window!

      Well I might change blush a little and lighten the lips, but that is about it. I am pretty boring about my routine as well - I find the older I get, better to keep it simple! Hope you are having a grand weekend abroad!

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Kindness is a virtue...