Where It's At

Sometimes you get working so hard and wrapped up in your own family and dramas and life that you forget to have fun. But you've gotta have fun.

Last night we hosted the first BBQ of summer. It was awesome. There were only about a dozen of us, which was just perfect. Last summer we hosted the 40/10 birthday/anniversary extravaganza for about 100, so we didn't anything that massive or requiring that amount of work. Just something intimate and simple.

Guests ranged from my friend Pat, who I've known since high school, to our newest friends Pete and MJ that Nigel met through work. Some guests were book industry friends, one was an "imaginary friend" turned "real life" friend, and one was 8 month old Jed who just hung out on his blanket and played with his toy telephone. It was just a great time all the way around.

The real fun started when someone (::cough::) decided it would be a good idea to mix vodka and thawed Otter Pops, as if she were sixteen again. And it was a good idea, that is, until the vodka ran out and we had to move to gin. Damn those Colorado liquor laws that won't let you buy booze on Sunday!

So, in honor of summertime, good friends, and good times, I give you my recipe for Otter Shots.

You'll need a martini shaker and ice, plus thawed Otter Pops and the alcohol of your choice. Put some ice in the shaker, and use two shots of alcohol for every Pop. Shake, strain, and enjoy!

The best combos are Strawberry Short Kook and vodka or Louie Bloo Raspberry and gin. Pancho Punch and gin was okay--you get a lot more of the juniper off the gin, but the others were the top vote-getters of the evening.

The best part of the evening (aside from getting the news that the next door neighbors are being kicked out... See "Rules Help Us Control the Fun.) was near the end. There were just six of us left, and Derek pulled everyone back outside to look at the dusk sky. It was the most beautiful azure blue you can imagine, with just one small puffy white cloud passing through. We stood outside and talked about how much we love where we live, with the cool summer evenings and the magnificent afternoon thunderstorms. It was one of those "great Ahhhhhh" moments. Life is good.

Well, pardon me. My kitchen is covered in the blood of 1000 Otters and must be cleaned up. Happy summer.