End of summer

Just cut up the last of the Mattapoisett tomatoes. Sad. 

But a sprinkle of smoked salt flakes, a grind of pepper and a drizzle of good balsamic will do them justice. 

Simply Orange High Pulp

I love OJ. I like it by itself, with a little seltzer to lighten it up and of course with champagne as a mimosa.  And I like pulp. So when I was at the store and saw a high pulp option I thought, 'sign me up!' 

Well after one glass the jury is back and Simply Orange High Pulp is a definite no.  

Unless you like an inch of goop at the bottom of your glass.  Then this is the juice for you. 

Ploughmans Lunch

Yum!  

Here's a tip: buy your ham and cheeses for this snack from the Deli. If you ask them to slice extra thick (#10 at my market) then you need only cut crosswise to make these beautiful nibbles! 

Silent Sunday

Butterscotch Vodka

Out of that fancy schmantzy aperitif you were planning to serve your friends after your next dinner party? Instead of running to the liquor store (or as we Massholes call it "The Packy"), try making this sweet little concoction for your guests to sip.

Butterscotch Vodka

You don't really need a recipe.  Just drop 12 individual butterscotch candies (unwrapped!)

into 8 oz of your favorite vodka.

Shake it every time you pass by and the candies should dissolve and become one with the booze within 24 hours. Of course you can pass along the recipe... or just wink and tell them it's your little secret.

Shatterproof glasses by WS

These babies aren't cheap. Let's just start there. But, if you have a patio, pool, deck or even a summer place where you just know accidental beakage will occur, maybe you should rethink your mothers plastic glasses.

Of course we aren't taking dime store, BP laden junk. Nope. Williams Sonoma sells a lovely (even monogrammable) line of bulletproof plastic glasses that rival your best glassware.  Check them out here.

I'll admit that this find wasnt actually my own. My parents were the ones who sprang for these first. And I wasn't even convinced then. They were at the top of my budget so I decided to step back and see how these babies fared after a year or so in the dishwasher.  And guess what?  After more than a year of pretty regular use they look good as new.  And I can't remember the last time I had to sweep up a broken glass...