Blind Bloggers :: Drinking in the Dark

This heatwave is really something, I'm actually feeling a little guilty for complaining about being so warm when I'd been grumbling so much about how miserable it was before. It got to the point last Saturday where I had to spend most of the day having a lie down, not the way to make the most of any time off.

You can imagine given this severe over-sensitivity to all things weather-related that an invitation to take part in Lola Lo Reading's cocktail-tasting event last Friday was a welcome one... and you'd be right.



[c/o Phil Maclean Photography]

I was a little nervous about going to my first ever 'blogging event', particularly when going solo - this was my own choice given that I know me and I'd just stick to who ever I brought (Moon) rather than mixing, but it wasn't that kind of event and as it was quite a small group, I didn't find it too hard to make a bit of small-talk in between tasting.

Not being any sort of clubber any more, other than last year's work Christmas party, I've not really sampled Reading's night life the whole time we've lived in the area, it is very different going to a nightclub before its usual opening hours though. We were instructed that we would be sampling a variety of cocktails from the menu and be quizzed on our bartending knowledge - did I mention that we'd be blindfolded too?



I suppose the idea was that being blindfolded meant our other senses might be heightened and we'd experience a new sensation of taste while sampling. I'm a little sad to say you've not backed a winning horse and I very much came last in the quiz. My palette skills goes as far as 'if it's tasty, I'll have some more, please'.

I was actually pretty happy with some of the answers I did guess correctly though, and while they can probably forget their Digga Digga Doo cocktail, a concoction of rum and chilli (actual chilli, seeds and all!), there were quite a few cocktails that I tasted that I did enjoy. They also used a few ingredients that I was happy to see, including my all-time favourite, Passoa, and Chambord, a blackcurrant liqueur I discovered after our friend, Long, bought it for us as a house-warming gift (because it looks like a holy hand grenade).




My favourites were probably the Pornstar Martini and the Flamingo, because, at least by my book, you can't really go wrong with anything sugary and fruity.



The Flamingo actually marks a new season for Lola Lo, as well as being a brand new cocktail in a specially commissioned flamingo mug, 10p of each sale will be going to The Flamingo Foundation, a charity that provide valuable educations, health and community projects in both the UK and worldwide.



These lampshades were dreamy ♥



Taking a couple of hours to sample some cocktails on a Friday evening was a nice way to round up the working week and even though I didn't win any prizes or get to take any of those neat cocktail vases mugs home, Lola Lo is definitely a place I'd consider for another evening of cocktails, this time full-size ones.

I Want Another Cat.

True, but not quite yet, although it is definitely what my friends seem to think about me. Here are a few photos from the fireworks display at Newbury Racecourse that we spied on from the garden as I didn't take that many photos throughout the evening in the end.

As I mentioned before, we had our friends down on Saturday night thankfully the fireworks turned out well but I was a little silly and filled them up with snacks a bit before Moon's excellent chilli - which we'll probably be eating for a while (thank goodness for freezers). It was great to have everyone in one place again, and I'm hoping that it won't be so long next time with another meet-up arranged for December.

I've probably said before but Bonfire Night is my absolute favourite, coinciding with New Years Eve, I'm just a huge fan of fireworks. Basically we spent the evening playing a strange but good party game that Moon picked up from a charity shop and good ol' Ring of Fire. Those that weren't there missed out, but I hope you can make it next time.

I made some pumpkin and chilli cupcakes, you know because pumpkins are trendy, but these, despite some people saying otherwise, were rank so I don't think there's much point in sharing the recipe with you this time around.


I don't mean to blow my own trumpet but I thought this was a pretty decent spread. :3




Some nice flares.


Grumpy men at the other end of the garden.



We treated everyone to sparklers, in hindsight we definitely should have got more, sparklers are the most fun.




Chris stuffing his face with Millionaire's Cheesecake after being unable to finish his chilli due to smothering it in (too)hot sauce.


I'm almost certain that I've spent all of this week recovering from the excitement of last weekend, and it's Friday tomorrow! I'm hoping to see more fireworks on Saturday evening and maybe have a nice walk, although I might just need to sleep for the whole weekend as I'm definitely rocking a zombified look currently that's less than visually appealing.

Nose to Nose.

The barbecue we had last Saturday evening was a great opportunity to show off my culinary skillz, and I did just that, before also showing off my drinking ability (read lack of) by 'necking' two bottles of wine at lightening speed, never a good idea, ever. It was a lovely evening though, and we were very well prepared for hosting, making salads, and extra bits as well as picking up some candles from Cargo for sitting outside, which worked a treat.

*If you happen to be interested, the photography nerd in me wanted to tell you that as in love with my new Nikon 1 as I am, so far it's not doing great when shooting in lower light. This is something I'm not pleased with as I'd expect a better performance, both from Nikon but also from a camera that cost as much and allows for interchangeable lenses.


Although it's pre-bought, making puff-pastry anything is always so satisfying and delicious.


I made homemade lemonade, it didn't end up suiting the palette of people who just wanted to drink but turned out to be my best batch.
I definitely recommend buying loose lemons if you're going to attempt this as they seem to be much more juicy. I used the same amount of lemons as usual but got twice as much juice!


Moon's mum gave us this because she's moving soon, and it finally got some use, even if it doesn't suit carrot and celery sticks that well, my snack selection went down well.



She hovered around as usual and I gave her a bit of a hard time with lots of kisses and cuddles. I asked her why she doesn't love me yesterday and she put her paw in my face :(


Bottle #2 before food, such an awful idea. But thanks to Sam for selecting a nice wine, turns out it goes down easy...





Sam & Moon.






Putting candles to the test.



We rounded up the evening with the 'Breaking Bad Drinking Game', a silly idea, especially since I now feel as though I've missed out on the two episodes we watched. I'm well and truly into it though, have to pace myself though or I can see it will be easy to get a little obsessed.

---

Despite what my head might have told you on Sunday morning, it was a great evening. In fact, it's evenings like this that make me glad that we're in for warmer weather for the near future as we didn't do enough of this when the weather should have been nice. It's so good to be well and truly settled in.