UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to Julie Lanier!

In celebration of my recent feature in Oregon Home Magazine by Vivian McInerny, I’ve decided to giveaway one Roost Hemmingway Muddler Set and my newly published book Garden Rules, co-authored by Billie Brownell.  You may be thinking, what do muddlers have to do with gardening? My new favorite obsession, Cocktail Gardening!

We’ve all heard the phrase Garden to Table or Farm to Table, but how cool is Garden to Glass? Just Google “cocktail gardening” and you find a handful of resources on what to grow in your garden, garden inspired cocktails, and there’s even a blog called Gardening While Intoxicated by one the Garden Rant ladies.

If you’ve never started your own garden before, Garden Rules is a quick way to learn the basics. One of the easiest herbs to grow is mint, and one of the easiest drinks to make with a muddler is a Mojito. Cheri Loughlin, the creative mind behind The Intoxicologist, suggests topping it with a little champagne during the holidays to add an even tastier and festive vibe.

QUESTION: You’re hosting a holiday get-together among friends and neighbors, what’s your favorite alcoholic beverage to serve your guests?

Week 1 Giveaway: How to Enter

1. Answer the question in each blog post by submitting your answer in the “leave a reply” section at the bottom of the page – good for 1 entry.
2. Answer the same, or similar question, on our Facebook page (you’ll have to “like” the page to make a comment) – good for 1 entry.

Week 1 contest ends Sunday, December 4, 12:00 PST. Winner announced next week.

WEEK 2 Giveaway: one Roost Recycled Glass Hanging Wall Terrarium {small}

A hostess gift is a sweet, simple and thoughtful way to show your host that you appreciate his or her hospitality. A gift doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant to show your host that you are grateful for all of the all of the time, effort and planning (not to mention cleanup after) that goes into entertaining.  With fall and winter holiday season upon us, it is time to be prepared with a stock of appropriate and tasteful hostess gifts for all of your weekend stays, cocktail parties, dinners, and potlucks.

Here are our top ten favorite hostess gifts for under $25

(1) Studiopatro Natural Linen Tea Towels — $22.00. These tea towels, which are available in 4 different prints, are made of 100% natural linen and made in the USA. For a hostess gift, wrap a Studiopatro Natural Linen Tea Towel around a bottle of wine and tie it at the top with a bow. Or, wrap a loaf of homemade pumpkin bread in a tea towel.

(2) Gather by Georgeanne Brennan — $22.95. A cookbook is an excellent hostess gift for any host who likes to experiment with new recipes. Gather is a great choice because it provides a variety of seasonal and holiday menus, all gorgeously photographed.

(3) Roost Basket Bird Huts — $17.50 – $24.50. A bird hut is a cool and unique hostess gift for the outside entertainer. If your attending an backyard barbecue or potluck, this is a clever gift idea. You can choose a Roost Basket Bird Hut in one of three different shapes: egg, oval, or round.

(4) Roost Lucie Hanging Votive — $13.00 – $14.50. These hanging votive candlee holders are perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Choose one of three Lucie Hanging Votive shapes, flare, tulip, or votive, and your host is sure to appreciate its simple and elegant design.

(5) Daub & Bauble Fig and Thyme Hand Wash — $9.00. A nice hand wash is always an appropriate hostess gift because it is so practical and useful. We love this earthy Fig and Thyme scent, which is just for the fall and winter holiday season. Plus, it’s packed with moisturizing Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. Also available in hand lotion.

(6) Roost Glass Bird Tealights — $22.00. A lovely match for any interior decor, the design of the Roost Glass Bird Tealights is delicate and beautiful. Choose from cardinal, blackbird, or robin.

(7) Winter Thorn Glasses — $17.50. Each brown and frosty white etched glass is a lovely work of art. For a nice hostess gift, fill a Winter Thorn Glass with a short-stemmed cluster of flowers, or a selection of individually wrapped chocolates. Or, pair it with a bottle of your favorite lager or sparkling water.

(8) Wild Herbs Record Plantable Paper — $6.71. It looks like an album, but this sheet of paper is actually brimming with herb seeds. All your hostess has to do is plant it for an awesome herb garden. Each pack of Wild Herbs Record Plantable Paper comes with 2 sheets of seed paper, and is packaged in pop art. Cool!

(9) ChicoBag Produce Bag Starter Kit — $15.95. Perfect for your Earth-loving host, the ChicoBag Produce Bag Started Kit includes three different mesh produce bags that are specially designed to maintain optimal airflow for fruits and veggies. Plus, they come in a super cute apple shaped storage pouch, making them nice for gift giving.

(10) Roost Carved Wood Doorstop — $22.00. To say “thanks for the overnight hopitality” after a weekend stay, we love the idea of the Roost Carved Wood Doorstop. Its carved bird design and leather handle make it both pretty and practical.

Still looking for more great hostess gift ideas? Check out last year’s post, Perfect Hostess Gift for Every Occasion.

Image source: FineCooking.com

For all of your fall gatherings and dinner parties this year, stick to fresh local veggies, fruits and herbs, and delicious yet easy ways to prepare them. For as much as we enjoy elaborately crafted dinner parties, there is something that has always bothered us about them. It often seems that by the time the host has finished preparing an array of time consuming and fancy dishes, he or she hardly even has time to savor them! The ratio of 4 hours of prep and cooking in the kitchen to 30 minutes of consumption hardly seems fair. So you know what we would suggest? Simplify!

Four Simple Fall Harvest Recipes

Stewed Apples
Recipe from Kevin D. Weeks at About.com

These sweet and spicy apples are great wrapped in a crepe, served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, or simply on their own as a side dish. We like to use a nice tart, firm apple such as Braeburn or Granny Smith. You can use whatever is available to you locally this fall.

Prep time – ten minutes
Cook time – thirty minutes
Total time from start to serve – 40 minutes

Ingredients:
3 apples, peeled, cored, and diced
2 Tbsp molasses
1 – 2 Tbsp rum, apple brandy, or water
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
6 – 8 grates of fresh nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Add enough rum, apple brandy, or water to a small saucepan to just cover the bottom.
2. Add all of the remaining ingredients and stir them together. Place the pan over low heat, partially cover, and simmer gently until apples are tender – about 30 minutes.

Baked Acorn Squash
Recipe from Ciocia Laura at Food.com

This acorn squash recipe is practically no-maintenance. Just cut the squash, scoop out the seeds, season and bake. You can experiment with using different types of fresh herbs from your herb garden if you don’t happen to have thyme. Sage or rosemary would be nice, too.

Prep time – 5 minutes
Cook time – 1 hour
Total time from start to serve – 1 hour and 5 minutes

Ingredients:
1 acorn squash
2 Tbsp butter
2 tsp dark brown sugar
1 pinch fresh ground black pepper
1 pinch freshly ground sea salt
A sprinkle of fresh thyme, cinnamon and nutmeg

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Cut the acorn squash in half lengthwise. Scoop the seeds out of the center using a spoon or melon baller.
3. Spread butter along the cut edge and inside.
4. Place each half face up on a baking sheet.
5. Sprinkle each half with the brown sugar and spices, then bake for approximately 1 hour. The halves will be fork-tender when they are ready.

Roasted Parsnips
Recipe from Midgelet at GroupRecipes.com

Parsnips have a distinct flavor and texture that we love. And because their taste is rather mild, they carry spices and flavors well. Early in the season, around October and November, these root veggies are nice and tender. Later in the season, around February, you may want to cut out the very center of each parsnip, as this area can get a tad bit woody.

Prep time – 10 minutes
Cook time – 35 minutes
Total time from start to serve – 45 minutes

Ingredients:
2 pounds of fresh parsnips, peeled and cut on the diagonal into 1 and ½ inch chunks
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp finely chopped fresh herbs, such as tarragon and/or rosemary

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Toss the first 3 ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
3. Spread the parsnips in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. Roast the parsnips for 20 minutes.
5. Using tongs, turn the parsnips and allow them to roast for about 15 minutes more, until they turn brown on the edges and fork-tender in the center.
6. Transfer the parsnips to a serving plate and season them with the fresh herbs.

Pumpkin Chowder
Recipe from Country Living

This pumpkin chowder is so hearty, all you need is a crusty bread for a complete meal! And if this is the first time you’ve ever cooked with fresh pumpkin, trust us, you will never want to use canned pumpkin puree again. For a pumpkin that is easy to handle, choose a small pie variety at your local farmers’ market.

Prep time – 20 minutes
Cook time – 40 minutes
Total time from start to serve – 1 hour

Ingredients:
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 leeks, white parts chopped and tough green parts removed
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2 medium bell peppers, chopped
2 and ¼ pounds of pumpkin peeled, seeded, and cut into ½ by 1-inch thick pieces
1 and ½ tsp chopped fresh marjoram
¼ tsp crushed red pepper
2 bay leaves
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1 and ¼ cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
6 cups of vegetable broth

Preparation:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot of dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the leeks and cook them until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes more.
4. Stir in the green peppers, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the peppers begin to soften, about 8 minutes.
5. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer until the pumpkin is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Specialty food shops would like to have us think that infusing olive oil with aromatic herbs, fruits and spices is a mystical and complicated process. This would explain why their decorative clear glass bottles of oil, with bright red peppers and white cloves of garlic floating around in them like globules in a lava lamp, cost such a pretty penny. But infusing olive oil is a process that is neither complicated nor expensive. It is an easy and fun thing for anyone to do at home in the kitchen.

Why infuse olive oil?

Infused olive oil can be used in a variety of delicious ways. Our two favorite ways are to use our homemade flavored olive oil as a salad dressing, and as a dipping oil for chunks of bread. Plus, homemade oils and vinegars really go hand in hand with parties and entertaining. The next time you are invited to a dinner party, offer to bring a salad of fresh, crisp veggies from your garden. Then create your own custom olive oil blend with cuttings from your herb garden, and pair it with a nice balsamic in the Roost Oil & Vinegar Cruets. Everyone will be so impressed with your homemade salad dressing, and you can leave the beautiful cruets as a hostess gift. Perfect!

Simple Salad Dressing from ECurry

Rosemary Infused Olive Oil from ECurry

Rosemary Infused Olive Oil

Ingredients:

• 5-6 sprigs of fresh rosemary from your garden
• A few pinches of dry crushed red pepper, to suit your taste
• ¾ to 1 cup of good quality extra virgin olive oil

Preparation:

Wash and thoroughly dry the rosemary sprigs — make sure there is no water left on them.  Pour your olive oil into a sauce pan and heat it over a low heat until it is just warm, for only 1-2 minutes. Let the oil cool to room temperature for about 5 minutes. This gentle heating process allows the allow to take on the flavors of the rosemary more quickly.

Place the crushed pepper and the rosemary sprigs inside a dry, heat resistant bottle like a canning jar — you can always transfer the infused oil to a decorative bottle once the oil has cooled. If needed, you can poke the rosemary down into the bottle using a wooden skewer. Then, pour the oil into it using a funnel. Cool the bottle for a while, then place the bottle aside in a dry, cool place where there is no direct sunlight for about a week until it is ready to use. After a week, you can keep your bottle in the refrigerator. Since olive oil is a monounsaturated oil, it is perishable and is best kept cool. The oil may become slightly cloudy in the fridge, but will return to normal if you let it sit at room temperature before using it.

The rosemary flavor is delicious on a fresh garden salad. We also love it drizzled over grilled fish and baked potatoes. Yum!

Garlic and Herb Dipping Oil

Another favorite oil recipe of ours is from Ivette Soler, author of the The Germinatrix blog and the awesome new book The Edible Front Yard. The next time you have friends over for wine and cheese, set out a dish of this dipping oil with some warm focaccia bread. {swoon}

Focaccia dipped in olive oil

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces of good quality olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, bruised
• 3 or 4 sprigs of marjoram (prettier if they are blooming sprigs!)
• 3 fresh or dried chile peppers (cayenne or thai dragon)
• A few peppercorns
• 4 thick slices of lemon peel

Preparation:

Put all of the ingredients in a non-reactive saucepan and very, very slowly warm the oil to bring the flavors together. It is important just to gently warm it and not actually get it hot, because that changes the flavor. Cool the oil for 5-7 minutes, and then decant it into a decorative bottle, like our Roost Oil Cruet. Use it for a week, keeping it on the counter so everyone can see how beautiful it is. (Refrigerate it if you wish to keep it longer than one week.)

Ivette also recommends drizzling the oil over polenta, or of course this one can be used as a salad dressing for all your fall greens, too. If you like a less garlicky flavor in the long run, remove the cloves of garlic from the bottle after about 3 days. Otherwise, the garlic flavor will increase over time.

Seasonal Wisdom’s Herbs de Provence Infused Oil

Teresa O’Connor, author of the Seasonal Wisdom blog and co-author of the book Grocery Gardening, infuses a gorgeous, aromatic blend of oil and herbs perfect for a variety of dishes. Try tossing garden vegetables, like eggplant and bell peppers in the oil before placing them on the grill. Teresa also suggests using it as a marinade for chicken and fish. The cool thing about this recipe is that, unlike the other two, it is a traditional cold process recipe. This means that you will not heat the oil on the stove, but you do give the oil time to “steep” in the sun. Once you’ve combined the ingredients, give it two weeks to sit and infuse. To use the cold process technique, all you’ll need is a mason jar with a lid and a piece of cheesecloth.

Ingredients:

Use canning jars during the infusing process, then transfer to a more decorative bottle.

• 4-5 sprigs of thyme
• 2 sprigs of marjoram (or 1 big sprig of its cousin, oregano)
• 4 sprigs of rosemary
• 2-3 sprigs of savory
• Pinch of lavender flowers. The best tasting types are Lavandula angustifoli, English lavender, or Lavandula intermedia ‘Provence’ French Lavender.
• 1 fat clove of garlic (optional)
• Enough oil to fill the mason jar. (Consider light, tasteless oils such as sunflower or safflower that won’t compete with the flavor. Other options: grapeseed and olive oil.)

Preparation:

Carefully wash and dry the fresh herbs and flowers. Muddle them gently in order to help them release the flavors and aromas. Fill your glass mason jar with the herbs. Cover the herbs completley with the oil. Place a piece of cheesecloth over top of the jar, then cover it tightly with the lid. Keep the jar in a sunny spot, such as on a windowsill, and give it a good shake every day. If you used a clove of garlic, remove it after 3 days to keep it from overpowering the other flavors. After two weeks, remove the jar’s lid, and strain the oil through the cheesecloth into a clean and dry container. As with the above recipes, refrigerate the oil to keep it from going rancid.

Try experimenting with infused olive oils to incorporate all of your favorite flavors, such as basil, sun dried tomatoes, dill, chives, and kalamata olives. Or, you can be adventurous and add exotic flavors such as coriander, juniper and star anise.  Don’t be afraid to experiment with whatever herbs are thriving in your garden — have fun!

Image from Sunset Magazine

If you read our recent post about what to do with summer garden glut, you no doubt have some great ideas for how to use your bountiful August harvest. But there is one important way to enjoy your fruits, veggies and herbs that we forgot to mention…throw a party! We just adore the idea of inviting over some pals on a warm summer evening to relax and savor the fruits of your labor. After all, isn’t just about anything more fun when you can share it with close friends?

For a late summer garden party, there is no need to stress over complicated recipes and decorations. It’s best to let your garden harvest speak for itself, and to find unfussy ways to let the fresh flavors shine through. Same goes for decor; your aim should be to keep it subtle and simple. And we think one of the easiest and least expensive ways to add ambiance to an outdoor space is with lighting– the right lighting certainly does make an impact and cast a memorable glow.

Three Simple Outdoor Lighting Options for Your Garden, Deck, or Patio

(1) The Roost Lucie Hanging Votives: The unpretentious yet uncommon glass and metal design of the Lucie Hanging Votives is just right for complimenting an outdoor gathering. Just place a tealight or votive candle in each one, then hang them from the branches of a tree or the beams of an overhead garden arbor for a twinkling, starry look.

To use your patio umbrella for something other than shade, string the hanging votives underneath the open umbrella. For maximum effect, hang the votives together in clusters, or use them to create an overhead candle chandelier like they did here at MarthaStewart.com. You can choose your favorite design, or mix and match them: flare, tulip, or votive.

(2) Modern Solar Lanterns: We, of course, think the Soji Modern Solar Lanterns are cool. Really, really ridiculously cool. Why? Because they sort of fool the eye a little bit by appearing to be delicately folded paper lanterns, while in fact they are actually made of durable sheeted plastic. You can leave them hanging outside over your deck, garden, or patio, even in the rain!

Another bonus is that if you are looking for super easy no-maintenance outdoor lighting, this is it. All you have to do is hang them in a spot where they will receive direct sunlight during the day so that they can charge up. You don’t need to wire anything and you don’t need an outlet. They’ll then be ready to twinkle all evening from a tree branch or trellis. You can also consider hanging a solar lantern in a spot you want to call attention to during your garden party, such as over in an otherwise dark corner of the yard, where you have a pretty garden bench or bistro table.

(3) Roost Recycled Bottle Lanterns: The Recycled Bottle Lanterns are a new product that we are super excited about. They are awesome for both indoor and outdoor use. Like the hanging votives, they have a simple glass and metal design, which means they will match just about anything. Outdoors, the tealight will be protected from the summer breeze by the lantern’s recycled glass beer bottle body, and will make a great centerpiece for your picnic table.

Indoors, the lantern will add just the right balance of earthiness and glimmer to any room’s decor. Take a look at these photos at Once Upon a Tea Time to see how metal lanterns add a special to touch to both indoor and outdoor festivities. And don’t you love this living room design from Pure Green Magazine? See how the glass accents on the coffee table add just the right touch of sophistication to the room’s calm, clean appearance? Try grouping your recycled bottle lanterns with a Roost Glass Reed Vase filled with fresh cut China Asters for a similar look in your own living room.

Image source: National Geographic

For us, hornets and spiders fall into the same category. This is because these bugs, while they can look somewhat creepy and intimidating, are actually beneficial. Both hornets and spiders devour flies, mosquitoes and other pesky insects. The white faced hornet, for example, loves to eat caterpillars and tomato worms, so it is a great natural defender for your vegetable garden.

But here’s the thing with hornets: while we know they’re beneficial, we don’t necessarily want them hanging around while we are trying to entertain on the patio or in the backyard. They do have stingers, and getting stung by a hornet is no laughing matter. We don’t want to kill the hornets – we just want to repel them away from our outdoor entertaining area and to another part of the yard. Here are some methods of doing just that.

Natural Ways to Repel Hornets

Spray down the nest. If you have a hornet nest in a high traffic area of your outdoor space, such as in the eaves of your front porch or in the corner of your deck, try forcing the hornets to relocate. Wait until evening, just before dark, when most of the hornets will be outside of the nest gathering food. Then, standing a safe distance away, spray the nest with a form blast of water from your hose. The hornets will not be killed, but it will knock down their nest and force them to build one in a different spot, hopefully further away from your entertaining space.

Bee-Free. Hornets, wasps, yellow jackets and other stinging insects tend to be quite territorial. So to keep them away, you can simply hang a decoy nest. Bee-Free Wasp Deterrents and The Waspinator are paper lanterns that resemble nests. All you need to do is hang one in an area where you do not want these buzzy insects to build a nest. These deterrents are completely safe, involve no sprays or chemicals, and deter hornets for up to 200 feet. We think they look rather cute!

Use Dryer Sheets. Hornets are not fond of the fresh, clean scent that can be found in scented dryer sheets, such as Bounce. Lucky for us, we think they smell quite nice! To keep hornets from buzzing around you, try just tucking a dryer sheet into your pocket. Or, for a party on your patio, conceal dryer sheets inside pretty vases. It is best not to rub the dryer sheet directly on your skin, as this may cause irritation.

Minimize attraction. In the early summer, wasps and hornets tend to be attracted to protein foods. So make sure to cover all of your trash cans, and your compost heap. Don’t leave pet food outside, and make sure to frequently clean your grill. Later in the summer, the buzzy insects’ food preferences turn to sweet. So if you have fruit trees, make sure you harvest frequently and don’t leave rotting fruit on the ground. While entertaining, keep all of your drinks in covered containers rather than open pitchers. Try serving beverages such as iced tea steeped with herbs for flavor, rather than super sweet lemonade. Keep all of your food covered or indoors until you’re ready to serve it.

More Tips for Dealing with Hornets

Although it may be difficult, try not to swat at hornets when they are present. This just puts them in defense mode. Try to stay calm until the hornet flies away, then remove whatever seems to be attracting the critter. If you do get stung, gently brush the stinger to the side with your finger tip or the dull side of a butter knife, rather than pulling it straight out with a pair of tweezers. This helps to reduce the amount of venom that is released. Then, mix a few drops of water with plain baking soda and apply this paste to the sting. If the area is particularly sore, wrap an ice pack in a tea towel and hold this over the baking soda paste. Due to the venom, you may experience mild side effects, such as a headache. Try to relax and take an over the counter pain killer, such as ibuprofen, until you are feeling back to normal.

Studiopatro Tea Towels: Eat & Spoon Set $42

In 2009, San Francisco designer and art director Christina Weber introduced a line of bold, geometrically printed tea towels under the name Studiopatró. This means that for two years, we have been discovering more and more excellent ways to use them! Certainly not just for drying off clean dishes, Studiopatró towels are a versatile and modern addition to any kitchen. Here are our six favorite ways to use them.

(1) As an apron.

Here you can see how the Facade Tea Towel in orange can be easily used as an apron. All you have to do is tuck it into your belt. When you’re entertaining guests, you can easily keep your pants dry and clean during food prep, then pull the tea towel right off when you’re ready to party. Ta-da!

(2) As a wine cozy.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Gifting a plain bottle of wine is boring. To dress it up, wrap the bottle in a Live, Love, Eat tea towel and tie it at the top with a piece of twine or ribbon. Not only does this look pretty, but if you are headed to a dinner party, it will keep the chilled wine from sweating and dripping on you on the car ride over. Once the wine has been drunk, your hostess will have a much more lasting gift to use in her kitchen.

(3) As a salad spinner.

Conventionally marketed salad spinners are not very practical; they’re bulky and cumbersome. Instead of a salad spinner, just try using a clean City Tea Towel. Simply lay the towel out on your counter, rinse your salad greens, then place them in the center of the towel. Fold the four corners into the center, and grip them with your hand so that you are holding the salad greens in a bundle. Then, lift the towel above your head and give it a few twirls. This will “spin” the water off your greens, and right into the absorbent tea towel.

(4) As gift wrap.

Colored paper wrapping paper is so passé. All that paper is simply ripped off and thrown in the trash; how seriously un-eco friendly! For a much more creative and green alternative, wrap your gifts in tea towels. Here you can see that a tea towel makes excellent gift wrap for a potted plant. We also love the idea of wrapping a cookbook in a tea towel to make the perfect hostess gift, or housewarming present. Gifts in jars, such as caramel sauce or candles, can be easily wrapped and rolled in a tea towel to make a pretty cylindrical shape.

(5) As a potholder.

This is an excellent and attractive way to transport food to a potluck, or protect the surface of your wood dining table from heat and drips. Lay your casserole dish or dutch oven on the center of the tea towel, then tuck the ends into the handles. Voila.

(6) As table art.

Tea towels can create instant easy table art for your dining room. Use them as table runners, place mats, or even napkins. Since Studiopatró′s designs are bold yet simple, they will work well with nearly any decorating scheme, and the rest of your tablescape can remain simple and understated. We love the use of tea towels in this photo–super elegant.

This summer get creative in your garden by planting herbs, fruits and vegetables that you can take out of the garden and plunk right into your cocktail glass. Make imaginative cocktails and mocktails with rose, scented geranium, thyme, pineapple sage, peppers and tomatoes. Theme gardening is a fun and sometimes theatrical way to get creative in the garden. If you’re not a gardener but like to create meals and drinks with fresh ingredients, this may be a simple starting point to begin growing plants that would get a lot of culinary use.

5 Plants Guaranteed to Make Any Garden Party a Success!

Basil

Nothing shouts summer to me more than basil! Sweet basil is the perfect garnish for a cocktail called the Bloody Gazpacho, basically, a bloody mary with fresh cucumber, a dash of balsamic, garlic and basil. Basil also has undertones of mint that pairs well in this fruity cocktail:

Basil Strawberry Mojito

In a 16-oz mixing glass, gently muddle together:

• 4 basil leaves
• 4 strawberries
• .75 oz simple syrup
• Add:
• 1 oz of lime juice
• 2 oz white rum
• 3 oz club soda

Throw in juiced lime half. Top with crushed ice, mix and garnish.

Mint

In my garden I have spearmint, chocolate mint, and orange mint growing. But the list doesn’t stop there. Grapefruit mint, apple mint, black pepper mint and several more varieties are available. This herb adds a fresh taste to mojitos, mints juleps and teas. Keep in mind that mint is very invasive so it would be best to keep it confined to it’s own container. To make a traditional mojito use the above recipe, omit the basil and strawberries and add one big sprig of spearmint.

Cilantro

I know there’s a love/hate relationship with this herb. For you cilantro lovers there’s nothing that beats the taste of home grown coriander. Cilantro pairs well in cocktails with fresh citrus, cucumber, kiwi, and mango. Combine cilantro, watermelon, chili and a few other ingredients and you have a party on your tastebuds, otherwise know as the Chili Mama!

Chili Mama

• 2 oz Leblon Cachaca
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• A dash of simple syrup
• 1 stem cilantro
• 1/2 cup chopped watermelon
• 1/2 small chili

Muddle the chile, cilantro, watermelon and sugar in a shaker. Fill with ice and add Leblon Cachaca. Shake well and strain over ice into a highball glass. Garnish with cilantro and watermelon.

Lavender

This aromatic herb is more that a beautiful flower. It’s blossom add a delicate floral flavor to cocktails paired with citrus, spearmint and blueberries. Make up a batch of lavender syrup for this cocktail:

Lavender Sapphire Collins

• 1 1/2 Bombay Sapphire Gin
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz lavender syrup (recipe below)
• 3 oz club soda
• lemon wedge for garnish

Squeeze half a lemon into a Collins glass, add lavender syrup and Bombay Sapphire. Stir and fill with ice.
Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon wedge and lavender blossoms.

Lavender Syrup

• 1cup water
• 3 Tbsp fresh or dried lavender flowers
• 2 cups sugar

Preparation: Bring water and lavender to a boil. Stir in sugar until fully dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Keep in the refrigerator for 3 days, then fine strain the lavender.

Borage

The leaves and star-shaped flowers of borage are edible and can add a delicate cucumber flavor to salads and cocktails. Get fancy and freeze the bright blue flowers in ice cubes or use use to garnish this summery cocktail:

Pimm’s Cup

• 1 1/2 ounces Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
• ginger ale or lemon lime soda
• lemon slices
• cucumber slices

Half-fill a collins glass with ice and a few slices of cucumber, borage leaves, or other garnishes. Add Pimm’s then fill with soda. Stir and garnish with slices of lemon, cucumber and borage flowers. Optional: orange slice, fresh borage and/or mint leaves, apple slices, strawberry.

This is just a start of many herbalicious cocktails that are growing in popularity. In no time you’ll be drinking new life from those tired herbs. Do you have a favorite?

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Eat. Drink. Play in the Dirt. http://dirtandmartinis.com

Obviously, they look super cool. But the Roost Hemingway Muddlers aren’t just for looks. A muddler is a handy bartending tool that can kick up your cocktails from “ho hum” to “oh yum!” Plus, they are totally fun to use- you get to use a groovy flick and twist o’ the wrist. Since we received our new Roost Hemingway Muddlers, we have been exploring all sorts of ways to use them. Here is our easy guide to using and caring for your muddlers.

How to Pick the Right Muddler

Here at AML, you’ll notice that when your order your Hemingway Muddler, you will actually receive a set of 3. Why? Well, because each one is a little bit different and serves a distinct purpose. The first muddler has a star tip and a narrow shape. This makes it ideal for reaching down to the bottom of tall, skinny glasses. The star tip is perfect for tearing into tough citrus fruits at the bottom of the glass, and releasing the oils from their peels.

The second muddler is smooth and sleek with a rounded tip. This one is ideal for muddling delicate mint leaves and other herbs. This way, you can get the herbs to release their oils without crushing or bruising them. In drinks, the point is not to tear into herbs or shred them into tiny ribbons. The point is to give them just enough abuse to get them to release their fragrant essence.

Lastly, the third muddler is the tallest one, with a smooth, flat tip. This makes it ideal for mashing soft fruits, such as papaya and mango, into the bottom of a glass. Plus, you can use a handy tip from mixologist Eben Freeman of Tailor Restaurant in New York City, and use this muddler to easily crush up ice cubes.

Muddler Recipes

One of the most classic recipes that utilizes a muddler is a mojito, a delicious and refreshing drink that originated in Cuba. In this video from Howcast, you’ll see that the mixologist places the lime wedges on top of the mint leaves in the glass. This is a great tip to remember when working with a muddler: place the tougher ingredients on top and the more delicate ones on the bottom. That way, the top ingredients will receive the most force from the muddler.

Another excellent use for your muddler is with berries. Just check out this yummy muddled raspberry and lemon drink called the Muddled Rebuttal. Make this your signature cocktail at your next party- it is sure to be a hit.

Echo Restaurant and Bar in Portland, Oregon has quite the selection of creative and delicious muddled drinks. One that we think is just sublime is the classic British cocktail, Eco Pimm’s Cup. To make it, muddle some cucumber chunks in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, then shake it up with Pimm’s Cup No. 1, Seagram’s Gin, and juice of lemon and lime. Strain it over crushed ice, and add just a splash of ginger ale for a touch of effervescence.

Once you get the hang of using your muddlers, you really don’t even need a recipe. You can just get creative with different fruits and herbs. Try placing some basil leaves and grapefruit slices in the bottom of your cocktail glass. Or, to make your 8 glasses of water a day more interesting, muddle a piece or orange and a sprig of rosemary at the bottom of your water glass before pouring in your water.

Caring for your muddlers

Good old hot soapy water is the best way to regularly care for the beautiful wood of your muddlers. Never scrub the muddlers with anything abrasive, as this may scratch the wood. In order to help your muddlers retain their beautiful color and sheen, it is also a good idea to give them a soak in food grade mineral oil every 4-6 months. You can find food grade mineral oil in drug stores or grocery stores. It may be labeled as a “lubricant” or a “laxative,” but don’t let the verbiage turn your off. Give your muddlers a soak in the oil for on hour, then rinse them with warm water, and wipe them dry with a soft cloth. Voila. With this simple routine, you can keep your Hemingway muddlers looking like new for years to come. So keep calm and muddle on!

For some additional signature cocktail ideas, check out our summertime blog, Using Fresh Garden Herbs in Cool Summer Cocktails. And for another “how to” with a super cool Roost kitchen appliance, check out our Top 5 Uses for Your Roost Mortar and Pestle.

Christmas table setting design from shelterness.com

When it comes to the holidays, normal rules of entertaining don’t apply. You can feel free to be as over-the-top, tasteful, extravagant, subdued, creative or playful as you would like. This is one of the things that we love about this season- regardless of your entertaining personality, there are so many ways to express it.

Here at AML, we enjoy experimenting with ways to express our modern style through our holiday table setting. A well-planned table setting is also an excellent way to make your guests feel welcome and at home, as well as set the tone for your meal. Read on to discover some table setting ideas that will work for you, regardless of your holiday entertaining personality.

Budget Conscious Table Setting

Karen at The Art of Doing Stuff had an awesome idea. She created an entire table setting using items from the Dollar Store. And there is nothing cheap looking about it! It’s what she refers to as “casual chic.” We love the earthy element that has been added in with the artichokes, as well as the sophisticated look of the neutral tones. The Budget Conscious table setting is a good way to go if you don’t wish to use your “everyday” dishes, and plan to invest in a new set for the holidays. This way, you can do it without spending a fortune.

Au Naturale Table Setting

For a pretty garden-inspired touch, Real Simple suggests incorporating natural elements into your table setting. Here they have used gourds as a centerpiece, and tucked a sprig of fresh herbs into each set of silverware. This type of table setting will help your guests to feel at home and at ease, while also allowing you to use elements from your very own backyard.

White Christmas Table Setting

If you take a peek back at our blog, Use Your Garden to Decorate for the Holidays, you’ll see some fun and easy ideas for centerpieces. Of course, the centerpiece is the focal point of your table, so use this as the theme for your table setting. One of our favorite ideas is to use simple white vessels to hold a variety of winter greenery and/or branches, such as these from Martha Stewart Living. Doesn’t it look sophisticated? To continue the theme, lay out smooth white dishware, and if you want to, add a little bit of sparkle with silver or gold chargers and cutlery.

Monochromatic Table Setting

A monochromatic table setting does not have to be in the predictable red or green for Christmas. Think outside the box a little here. Check out this flirty fuchsia table setting from Apartment Therapy and Elizabeth Ann Designs, for example. A luxurious silk tablecloth, feathered floral centerpiece, and pink champagne? Now that says party! Here at Country Living they’ve used a similar pretty pink theme with sparkly silver accents. Pink definitely creates a tablescape that is different and unexpected.

Craft Store Table Setting

As Real Simple points out, you don’t necessarily have to shop in the housewares section to get everything you need for your table setting. Try heading to your local craft store instead. Here they have created a cool geometric theme by using red felt to make place mats, and ribbons to add embellishment. This way, you are also guaranteed to have a table setting that is one of a kind and unique to you.

International Table Setting

For a variation on the “normal” holiday theme, try looking up what the traditional table setting is in a foreign country of your choice, and go with it. For example, for a table setting that reflects the style of Provence, France, use a yellow and cerulean table cloth, and a centerpiece of fresh lemons accented with sprigs of greenery. The traditional French Christmas meal, Le Réveillon, is served late on Christmas Eve, maybe even lasting until midnight. For a Parisian meal, serve pâté de foie gras and oysters, as pictured at the left. Don’t forget to place a “Christ cake,” a sugar cookie formed in the shape of baby Jesus, on each place setting, and serve a traditional bûche de Noël, a cake shaped like a yule log, for dessert.