On the Rocks: Cranberry Mojito.

I love this untraditional twist on a very traditional cocktail. These cranberry mojitos are also really easy to whip up in batches for get togethers.

Ingredients:
– 1 bunch fresh mint, trimmed (about 1 cup)
– ½ cup granulated sugar
– 1¾ cups light rum
– 1¼ cups fresh lime juice
– ¾ cup frozen cranberry juice cocktail concentrate, thawed
– 2 10oz. bottles sparkling water, chilled

Using a wooden spoon, mash mint with sugar in bottom of large pitcher. Add rum and lime juice; stir to dissolve sugar. Mix in thawed cranberry juice concentrate and water. Mix in 6 cups of ice. Serves 6.

:: cocktail recipe and photo via Recipe Girl

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Mememememe.

The lovely Tara of Nothing Elegant tapped me to talk about myself just a little bit more than I already manage to do on a daily basis. The usual seven random facts about yourself. But instead of tagging seven more people I’m going to leave it wide open instead – join in if you want and if not, well, that’s okay, too!

ONE.
I have a coat fetish.

Let’s put it this way, it’s only me living in my house, yet the coat closet in the entryway is packed. No worries though, there’s plenty of room on the closet shelves to accommodate my scarf and hat fetishes, too!

TWO.
My favorite flowers are Chinese poppies.

Closely followed by peonies. Closely followed by all other flowers.

THREE.
I love planning how I’m going to gift wrap Christmas gifts each year.

Which is followed very closely by disappointment when I remember that I have to pack and ship most of my presents to Pennsylvania where I’ll be for the holidays. Let’s just say from past experiences that most ideas don’t hold up that well.

FOUR.
I own at least five cameras.

A regular point and shoot. An Advantix which I don’t think they make the film for anymore. A Canon Rebel. A Polaroid. And a Sony touch-screen digital. I think I’ve got all the bases covered! Still holding out for that Holga though…

FIVE.
I’m a hopeless romantic.

Which causes some problems.

SIX.
I need to constantly be doing something.

Even when watching TV or a movie I’m still moving around or doing something else at the same time. I doubt it’s ADD, but think it’s something more more closely related to being antsy.

SEVEN.
Roadkill gives me goosebumps

Every single time I drive by one of those unlucky furry creatures I get chills. Even if it’s (gasp) the same one for days.

:: image via ffffound

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Callie Shell.

I’m a little politicked out you could say, but that’s not keeping me from loving this Time feature on photographer Callie Shell.

Four years ago Time photographer Callie Shell met Barack Obama backstage when she was covering presidential candidate John Kerry. She sent her editor more photographs of Obama than Kerry. When asked why, she said, “I do not know. I just have a feeling about him. I think he will be important down the road.” Her first photo essay on Obama was two and half years ago. She has stuck with him ever since.

On the campaign bus driving through New Hampshire, 1/6/2008.

Senator Obama was doing press interviews by telephone in a holding room between events. Sometime later as he was getting ready to begin his event, he asked me if I was photographing his shoes. When I said yes, he told me that he had already had them resoled once since he entered the race a year earlier. Providence, R.I., 3/1/2008.

It was primary morning in New Hampshire. Barack and Michelle Obama had been campaigning separately all week. In the first few months of 2008 their private time seemed to consist of a few crossover moments in back hallways before rallies. This moment was rare and you could tell they just loved being able to sit together. Jan. 8, 2008.

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