To continue with all the fun in our Summer Kickoff Blog Series, today is my turn to tell you “What Summer Means To Me!”
I have been blessed to grow up in the state that is for lovers, Virginia. But at an early age, I started spending a bulk of my summers in North Carolina. My mom built a river house when I was in the third grade, on the Perquimans River. “Perquimans” is an old Native American word that, I kid you not, means “The land of beautiful women.”
So, if all you beauties want to join me today on the river - I want to take you to the place that absolutely captivates my definition of summer.
Welcome to the cottage.
Arrive by car or boat, or even horse if you are one of the neighbors. Leave your troubles behind and relax for the day, the entire holiday weekend. Or heck, how about the whole summer?
This is the kind of place where you tie all your boats together in the middle of the river. Grill out on one, fish on the next, sunbathe on another, and dance party on the last.
This is the kind of place you can spend the entire day fishing and not catch a darn thing. But then the next day, the fish will be jumping in your cooler. Honestly, this shouldn’t be a surprise to you, but I’m the one with the cute hot pink fishing pole who is afraid of the fish. When I actually stop talking and catch one, I never really know what to do with it…
This is the kind of place where on any given day there will probably be more dogs than humans.
This is the kinda place where you read magazines instead of pinterest. Where the internet and tv go out when there’s a tiny rain storm. Where your nearest store is a 30 minute drive. Where the hummingbirds dive bomb you if you get to close to their feeder. Where fireworks are visible around the river throughout the summer, shot off by private individuals who drive to South Carolina and illegally smuggle legit fireworks home.
This is the kinda place where no weekend is complete without a few meals on the grill and at least one glass of the cottage’s signature beverage: Summer in a Cup.
So what exactly is “Summer in a Cup?” It’s a sweet concoction of beverage that I swear I invented a few years ago. (The original founder and creator of said beverage is still up for debate.) Basically, if memory serves me right, I started blending juices and alcohol until the beverage tasted like summer.
There have been many variations of this drink. And honestly, there’s no rhyme or reason to how much goes into it. Pick the juices that you love. Pick the amount of liquor that you think will make you feel like you’re still on a boat - and start pouring.
Here’s what you need:
Lemonade (with bubbles if possible)
Pineapple Juice
Orange Juice
Coconut Rum
Pineapple Vodka
*I have started adding a tiny splash of whipped cream vodka to give it a creamy taste*
**Bonus - freeze some pineapple slices, soaked in rum… they make a great “garnish” for your beverage!**
Now like I said, there really is no rhyme or reason to how much goes into your cup… all I know is this combination truly does taste like summer in a cup. However, the key to making this beverage properly is to pour a little… taste a little… pour a little… taste a little…
And if you pour too much (like I did below) whoopsie! Now just pour a little pineapple… taste a little pineapple… pour a little lemonade… taste a little lemonade… until the beverage is just the way you like it.
If you’re lucky - you will be slightly tipsy and embracing that I-just-got-off-the-water feeling before you’re even done making the drink!
Maybe that’s why we call Summer in a Cup!?
So thanks for stopping by my little piece of summer… I’m having so much fun networking and kicking off summer with other beautiful women! If you haven’t been following along, you need to go check out J’s summer fashion and Leslie’s awesome beach bag!
Oh, and one last thing - the cottage is definitely THE place where you will end the night with a cup of coffee and the best sunset in the world. Have a wonderful day lovies! xoxo