Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner
When my daughter and I found out my son and his wife were having a baby we were beyond excited. Of course we wanted to know what names they were considering or adding to the mix. They told us they wouldn’t be revealing the names until the baby was born, and didn’t really want any suggestions. They wanted to do the picking and choosing on their own … Okie-Dokie.
Even though I came across a name or two I thought were cute, for the most part I kept quiet (well except one or two times….ha). I quickly learned my lesson and was resigned to waiting along with everyone else. It wouldn’t be revealed until the baby was born.
My family is always coming up with fun games to play or bets to make and this time was no different. My daughter’s boyfriend suggested the three of us have a wager. “Tell me more.” Whoever comes closest to the baby name ultimately wins, and we would each pick a category of names. Richard’s pick was any name that had to do with gems or crystals such as Jade, Ruby or Pearl. Hannah’s names included anything with flowers or herbs such as Violet, Iris or Rosemary, and my names included anything to do with a forest and nature such as Ivy, Moss or Fern. We laughed each time we talked about it.
We thought we were so clever and funny but wouldn’t reveal it to the new parents until after the baby was born. The winner would receive bragging rights and the losers had to come up with a craft cocktail in honor of the baby. Ultimately, we thought Andrew and Crystal would love our creativity in celebration of their daughter.
Fast forward a few months and several experiments. In honor of our newest family member, I introduce you to the Emery Sage cocktail. It’s a little sweet, a bit sassy, has a hint of sage, homegrown raw honey, and a whole lot of fun. Hannah supplied fresh sage from her garden, along with raw honey from my son and daughter-in-law’s honey bees, and I created a simple syrup.
To reveal our bet and masterpiece, I planned a family dinner. Unfortunately the day of, Hannah didn’t remember the fresh sage leaves from her garden to use as garnish, and none could be found at the local grocery store. So, I reached out to my son and daughter-in-law and asked if they still had any sage from their garden. They did! WHOOP, WHOOP…problem solved! Little did they know it would be used for our secret wager …HA.
Upon their arrival I asked if everyone wanted a cocktail, and as I was pouring them and adding the special garnishes, Crystal, my daughter-in-law, oohhed and aahhed at how pretty they were and wanted to know what I was making. I replied, “Let’s have a toast and we’ll tell you all about it.” As I began telling them the story, they were genuinely tickled and loved the secret wager and the Emery Sage craft cocktail.
Cheers to the new parents, and our beautiful little Emery Sage. As for winner, winner, chicken dinner, congrats to Hannah who stands victorious (this time)….Haha! Bring on the next challenge. What fun experiences are you creating in your life? I’d love to hear.
xoxox…..Sheryl
The Emery Sage (makes 4 craft cocktails):
1/4 cup Honey/Sage Simple Syrup (substitute: sage simple syrup made with sugar)
1/2 cup fresh ruby red grapefruit juice
1/2 cup of your favorite gin
1 fresh lime - juiced
club soda
Place all ingredients (except club soda) into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, shake shake until icy cold. Serve over ice, top with a splash of club soda, garnish with a ruby red grapefruit wedge, fresh sage leaf, and enjoy. CHEERS!
