The calendar says it’s February, but this weekend in Portland sure felt like spring. Today the high was 63 degrees. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was amazing.

Dave and I spent hours outside working on the yard. We headed to Home Depot (their garden section might be my favorite smell. Besides tomato plants, of course) to pick up some tools and potting soil. We hit up local garden shop City Farm for some organic compost and a heating mat to help along our seed starts. I have learned so much in the first two weeks of my Master Gardener certification class – I have such high hopes for our garden this year! We also worked on other Pacific Northwest-standard maintenance – getting rid of moss, and cutting back the native and well-adapted plants that just grow and grow and grow all winter long. The yard looks MUCH better!

Of course after all that work, I was itching for a cocktail. And not the hot toddy kind. It was nice enough that I could have taken a nap outside, if we had a place where it was conducive for a nap – I probably should not sleep on top to the picnic table. But note to self! In 2015, create a place to nap outdoors.

Anyway, I’m going on a tangent. It was time for the first refreshing, bubbly cocktail of the year. Dave brought home a pack of Fentiman’s Rose Lemonade from the store, and he had the great idea of making it into a collins-style cocktail. My contribution was to add a teaspoon of my homemade grenadine. It turned out pretty darned well.

And with that, I’ll bid you cheers to a great week ahead. We’re busy almost every day, but I think we’ll have a lot of fun.

Here’s what you need for one cocktails:

2 oz. gin
1 tsp. grenadine (homemade if possible – it’s VERY easy to make.)
1/2 bottle Fentiman’s Rose Lemonade (6 oz.)

Add ice to a collins glass or mason jar. Add grenadine first, then gin, then top with the lemonade. Stir gently to combine and serve with a straw.