ISO refreshment: part 2

The citrus syrup I posted yesterday is extremely versatile for a myriad of spring and summer sippers.  Beware though.. One liter of syrup has only lasted Grace and I two days.  Here are some ideas that I have played with in the past few days.  Some are boozy (for me) and some not so (for Grace and the fetus-Geiger). The first is Grace's favorite, a soda.

Second, is an IPA Shandy.  In my humble opinion a Summer Shandy should not be premixed and bottled.  I love the ability to choose the beer that I use in my shandies.  This time I mixed 2 parts syrup with 3 parts seltzer to make the lemonade then mixed an equal portion of Dogfish Head's 90-minute IPA.

  

The resulting shandy was bright with grapefruit astringency upfront fading into a sun-shiny lemon zip.  The 90-minute IPA asserted its malt backbone and trailed off with a resin hop that was accentuate by the citrus.

Finally I used my favorite Italian soda, Chinotto to make one hell of a cocktail.  Chinotto is a soda made from the same bitter orange used in making Campari, an Italian apertif.  Shake 2 parts gin and 2 parts syrup with plenty of ice.  Strain into a DOF filled with fresh ice and top with Chinotto.  Stir and garnish with a strip of lemon zest.  For an NA version sub gin with seltzer and stir ingredients in lieu of shaking.

I hope your weather measures up to the beauty in Central Ohio right now.  If it does then go grill something and enjoy the spring air with your beverage of choice.

-Jon

ISO refreshment: Ideal candidate must be sweet, complex, nuanced

I love getting those tasty little glass bottles of lemonade from the grocery store but I find that the packaged -ade doesn't pack enough umph for my tastes.  Solution, prepare my own lemon concoction that will stand up to cocktailing and the making of virgin drinks.

-Ingredients-

  

-Directions-

1. Zest Grapefruit and Lemons reserve the fruit

2. Muddle Zest w/ sugar to release oils, cover, let sit an hour or as long as overnight (This mixture is referred to as an Oleo Saccharum literally meaning sugar oil)

3. Juice the reserved Grapefruit and Lemons; add juice to the Oleo Saccharum

4. Stir until sugar is dissolved

5. Strain the syrup into container and add 1/2 cup water

Makes about 1 liter of syrup

Drink ideas to come.

-Jon

It's a boy

I had to fake a sonogram today..

Grace and I, encouraged by Grace's mother, decided to go to an ultrasound clinic today because we couldn't handle the suspense of not knowing the gender.  The ultrasound tech found the baby quickly and after a few seconds of searching declared us to be having a son.  I wanted a daughter.

Grace's Mother, Linda has four grandsons and one granddaughter and everyone in the family had predetermined it would be a girl.  We all just sat there transfixed on the screen.  Finally, probably for the sake of the tech, Grace exclaimed, "Wow!  That's surprising."  I didn't speak unless directly questioned for over an hour.

However, after the hour of contemplation I changed my tune.  I began to imagine my self with a son and got extremely excited.  First of all I am the last Geiger male who is likely to procreate.  I didn't think that passing on my name would matter to me but I began to realize that it would.  Additionally, new ideas and concepts are dawning on me daily that get me energized for this adventure.  I began to understand that I wasn't excited about having a girl.  I thought Grace would be having a girl so I got excited about tutus, brushing her hair and being her protector.  But when I picture myself raising a son I get equally excited (if not more so) about camping with him, teaching him how to cook, and instilling within him a love and respect for all things.  It doesn't matter if this baby is a boy or a girl.  I am so ready for fatherhood in a way that I never thought possible.  Now if Grace and I could decide between names.

 

-Jon

Out with the old..

Our worldly possessions are boxed,

 

paint for the new house purchased

 

and the cats freaked the eff out.  "Um, Guys, don't forget about me." -Edgar

Giddiup

-Jon

Expecting

Goodbye bad parking spots.

Ha, Suckers!

-Jon

Our House

Grace and I have loved the apartment that we moved into after college.  We had planned to stay there until we bought a house.  We just painted the nursery.  We started baby proofing.  We had thoroughly painted and decorated the entire house.  And then our landlords asked us to move out so they could put offices in for their Korean Evangelical church...  Damn you month-to-month lease!


So move we must.  Luckily we found vacancy close by.  Our next door neighbors are moving to Denver and we simply need to carry all of our belongings 30 ft across the side yard to our new residence.

Plus, We are moving up (no James Brown or Jefferson's references please).  When faced with the stress of uprooting our lives and moving 4 1/2 months before our baby is due we repeat this mantra, "Central Air, Dishwasher."  Still you will always remember your first.  Good-bye old house!  You will be missed.

-Jon...

Central Air.. Dishwasher..

The Bun is in..

After months of hibernation Grace and I shook our sleepy heads at the spring sun and air.  No, we are not bears (as much as I wish), rather we are pregnant.  Well, mostly Grace but I like to take some credit for it too.  You always hear expectant mothers complain of extreme fatigue through the first trimester but boy is it true.  We had a nice routine down though.  We would come home from work, Grace would go to bed.  I would make dinner and wake her up to eat, Grace would then go back to bed.  Wake, work, repeat..

We are well into second trimester territory though and she is vaguely human again.  More than that I think I saw her sweeping the floor yesterday.

Wife- Thank you growing our child inside of your body.  Women, they are just cooler than men.

-Jon

It's about fuc%ing time.

Is not what I thought at all when my brother Dave made his girlfriend of 11 years my sister-in-law on Thursday.  That would be rude to say.  And I am not rude.

Grace and I accompanied the blissful couple to the courthouse and then to the Franklin Park Conservatory to photograph.

Instead of Kristin taking our surname of Geiger I think they both are opting for the unilateral transition to David and Kristin von Geigerpants.  I support that soo wholeheartedly.  Congratulations you two.  Full photographic coverage of the day at the Bandit.

Done got wed.

The tiara from my sister, Jenny's wedding on K.

...and Dave (Geordie).

-Jon

The Gift of Culinary Growth

I am reluctant to call this a guide for the Foodie giftee.  These are gifts for the cooking enthusiast who aspire to grow.  

1.  Brooklyn based illustrator Claudia Pearson craftily uses color in her depictions of produce and cooking techniques.  Her etsy shop is filled with prints, books, and towels that are perfect to adorn a fledgling's kitchen and offer inspiration.

2.  This cheap easy kit is great for apartment brewing.  Alternatively, this and this set are ideal for starting a whole home-brew kitchen.  The second option even includes a keg!

3.  Shun knives are excellently balanced and lighter than European cutlery.  The 6" chef knife is perfect for smaller handed recipients for use of cutting most vegetables and fruits.

4.  The gift of Meat.  4lbs of Bratwurst.  Noms.

5.  Grow Your Own Organic Oyster Mushroom kit.  The perfect starter to pique their interest in mycology. 

-Jon

Gift Guide: Isle of Man

I am an enigma of a man.  I have been accused of being a nature-kind-of-guy and have been known to enjoy the occasional romp in the wilderness.  I also enjoy cleanliness, order, and ritual-esque bathing habits.  I was raised by a self-proclaimed Mountain Man named Hank who idolized John Wayne and owns a muzzle-loading rifle/powder horn.  I am a self-proclaimed lover of cats and idolize Louise Bourgeois.  I was a hair away from being an Eagle scout and enjoy sewing, knitting and lace-making.  From this enigmatic background I have sourced a collection of objects that allows me to enjoy the wild and wonderful beauty of nature while equally enjoying the finer aspects of life such as simple/beautiful design, cleanliness, and good fashion sense.  Please pass these treasures along to the man in your life.  Manly list for Manly folk.

1. This knapsack will adorn his back in style for his next day hike with plenty of pockets for compass, snacks, water and a change of clothes.  Constructed from waxed cotton canvas this pack will stand the test of time.

2.  The telnyashka is a symbol of masculine pride and the signature garment of the Russian Naval Force.  This quadruple knit sweater will keep the wearer warm into sub-zero temperatures.

3. Best Made... They are not boasting.  Buy anything from their website.  It is simple, beautiful and cool as Hell.  No one could be disappointed with their product.  Let he fell his next tree with "Compassion"(look at the axe handle).

4. This Black Peppercorn body wash from Molton Brown of London is spicy, musky and will invigorate the recipient instilling him with confidence or at least make him smell F...ing amazing.

5. Salt made from human tears (shed in Anger).  Any foodie would get a kick out of this salt brought to you by the irreverent and humorous London based Hoxton Street Monster Supplies.

6. "For men & women of distinction."  Says it all.  If I could grow a beard of substance this would so be in my medicine cupboard.

-Jonathan

Christmas Caramels

So, We have been absent.  This is likely because we have had nothing good to say.  Grace and I were discussing this last night while driving around nice neighborhoods and looking at the Christmas lights.  This year past has been a bad one.  Not that we didn't do some awesome things but I think we crossed the invisible and ambiguous line between comfort and complacency.  We have grown too comfortable.  So if I were the kind to make resolutions I would resolve to live more intentionally in 2013.  I think I just might yet do that. 

Christmas time is here.  I cannot adequately stress how much Grace and I love Christmas.  Oh yes, we love the Christmas Magic.  It is the season for some of the best cocktails and brews.  People pretend to be generous and loving for one month of the year.  And you get to bring a living tree into your house for a month... or two.  You can imagine our annoyance when we walked out of our bedroom to find our Christmas tree lying on its side in our living room with our cats pawing ornaments around the pine needle stricken floor.  I screwed the tree to the floor but we did lose a few ornaments to the cats' mischief.   

In an attempt to save on money and give the gift of our labor we decided to make caramels for coworkers and friends this Christmas.  I love caramels and wanted to take on the challenge of monitoring the thermometer to ensure proper temperature to make soft, sweet delights and not hard, brittle teeth enemies.  The first time Grace and I tried it was an overwhelming success... Until the "caramel" cooled and we were left with the latter of the two.  They tasted delicious but were also the hardness of slate.  The second attempt we got closer to our goal.  Soft caramels but no depth of flavor resulting from the longer boil time.  Attempt three is tonight so wish us luck.  I think we can do it.

Hot Fun in the Summertime

I mentioned last week how Grace and I seriously dislike the heat and therefore the season which is Summer.  Every Wednesday, from now until the Autumnal Equinox, I will be posting my favorite coping mechanisms for the heat, sweat, and weather. 

This week it is ICE!  But not just any ice.  As a great imbiber of mixed adult beverages I have had some experience with different molds and trays for ice.  I love my Perfect Cube silicon tray but I must say that my favorite is a spherical mold made by Muji.

These smooth spheres of ice will not only look amazing in your next Gin and Tonic -or- Whiskey but they are actually better prepared than their 6-sided counterparts to more efficiently cool your beverage.  Reason being, A sphere has the least amount of surface area compared to its inner volume of any geometric shape.  So you can sip on your tipple knowing that you’re not drinking a watered down libation.  I got these for Christmas from my mother-in-law, by suggestion of Grace.  I love the simple, efficient Japanese design and the elegance of a sphere dancing happily in my beverages.

$11.75 /mold

Stay Cool

-Jon

Amateur

-Jon

Diatribes and Putt-Putt (not diatribes on Putt-Putt)

Um, It's summer.  Where did that come from.  It is almost JULY!  I know we've been suffering sporadic 80-90 degree days since March but we are officially in the season loved by so many. 

Grace and I however are cold weather animals, much like bears..  So we quite prefer the fall and spring to the dastardly months that comprise summer, then we hibernate through most of winter.  The point is I am ecstatic that the earth continues on its dance around the solar body we call the sun, revolving so that our hemisphere begins to angle in a way that the days shorten and we feel cooler climes.  It is poetic that summer begins on the longest day of the year knowing that each day after will be shorter and shorter.  When can I wear a sweater again?

Well we celebrated the first full day of summer yesterday by meeting our friends Ashley and Jason for some sushi and beers and afterward some Mini-Golf.  Mini-Golf was a blast except for the mid-aged couple (probably having an affair) who were playing a round in front of us who were playing around in front of us if you catch my drift.  We would walk up to the tee of the hole they were on and they would be making out on the green.  I fully support intimacy, but not on a Mini-Golf course at Magic Mountain in Polaris.  I did tell Grace that if I were ever to cheat on her I would take my date to Magic Mountain. HA.

-Jon

Bandito Photo

Well, we have spent the past month re-branding our photography side project.  We finally got tired of people asking Plim-what?  It has been exhausting but very rewarding.  New website is up and running and we booked a wedding for next year.  Yay!

-Jon

Chevron Test

Matris Die

Maybe it is my Catholic guilt but every time Mother's day rolls around I can't help but feel like a terrible son.  I managed to call my mother and step-mother so that is a step I guess.  Anyway, Happy Happy to all you bearers of children out there.  We wouldn't be here without you.  Special shout out to my mater.  Happy Mothers Day Mom.

-Jon

They're just chillin'

While researching Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour I stumbled across a blog featuring this gem of a picture of Richard Farina and the sisters Baez, Joan and Mimi. 

This makes me want to learn how to play the dulcimer.  And wear striped tank tops.  That will be my summer look, striped tank tops and mountain dulcimer. 

-Jon

Will Work For Food (& Beer)

Grace's co-teacher Chelsea asked her the other day if we would be willing to do some photography work for her husband Cliff, a Columbus restauranteur.  Simply, we would photograph some of his Filet Mignon Sliders which were being featured in a local magazine in exchange for the sliders themselves.

Let me just say, I am fully behind the exchanging of food for services.  I think we need to revert to a method of bartering or trading for things we need/want.  Any restaurants out there need their food photographed?  Feed me, I'll be there.

Anyway, after twenty-odd minutes of work, Grace and I kicked back and tucked into the sliders and beer provided for us.  I would like you to consider the absurdity of sitting alone in a restaurant's banquet room adjacent to the bar eating free sliders and beer.  When the waitress came in with our second beer she poked her head in and asked if she was in the right place.  It was like sitting at the kids' table or maybe more accurately at a servants' table out of sight.

As we were polishing off the sliders, Chelsea stopped in for a beer and Cliff joined us with another round and his appetizer sampler.  Driving home Grace and I belted out some Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris on the freeway.  Perfectly strange and wonderful night. 

-Jon

Papa's got a brand new...

...promotion!  Just move on up!  You know what that means for tonight, little bit of James, little bit of Curtis, some martinis and dancing.

Jam! "This week we have the Pope... and lasst, next week we have the Reverend Al Sharpton."
Oh, that always makes me happy.

I feel good, get up off of that thing.

Hasta Luego

-Jon