I

I never have my camera with me when I should.

On the way home from picking up Miss Nat from school she saw a friend and held her hand.

They walked down the block as the girl’s babysitter and I just smiled.

Called to another little girl from their class.

And she joined the party and skipped down the street.

Oversized backpacks. Hanging from the shoulders of three little girls wearing brightly colored dresses and stockings with bold patterns.

One waved to another girl a little farther up from them.

Natalie turned and handed her umbrella to me and made room for the fourth little girl.

As we crossed the streets and walked further away from their school, they started to go their own way.

Quick goodbyes. All smiles.

I think I’m starting to like Kindergarten.

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“Change has come to America.” - President Elect Barack Obama

Who else is going to DC in January?

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Whether McCain or Obama gets your vote for President, one thing is certain… after this race for the White House, we are all going to need Election Day drinks.

So in the interest of bi-partisan libations, I offer you two recipes for Election Day Sangria.

Why sangria?

Sangria has always been the cheap drink in Spain. Who can’t appreciate a recession drink special?! J

I’m also choosing a drink that all fifty states can enjoy now as of this year… (Virginia, what were you thinking!?!?!!)

Here is the recipe for Celebratory Sangria –

• 1 large lemon (sliced)
  
• 1/4 cup Triple Sec
  
• 2 large oranges (one sliced, one for juice)
  
• 1/4 cup superfine sugar
  
• 1 (750-ml) bottle red wine (If you can’t find Rioja, any medium bodied chilled red wine will do.)
  

Mash the sliced orange, lemon and sugar in a pitcher with a wooden spoon until sugar dissolves but do not totally crush fruit.

Stir in orange juice, Triple Sec and wine. Refrigerate for at least two hours. Before serving, add several ice cubes and stir to distribute settled fruit.

And for those of us who voted for the candidate who didn’t win, I have the perfect Sangria recipe to drown your sorrows.

Note: If you don’t have the strength to make a whole new recipe… just add your tears to the Celebratory Sangria recipe above.

Here is the recipe for Sorrowful Sangria -

• 1/4 cup brandy
  
• 1/4 cup Grand Marnier
  
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
  
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
  
• 1/2 large lemon cut in small cubes
  
• 1 medium sized apple cut in small cubes
  
• 1/2 large orange cut in small cubes. (Sad folks can just cut the fruit in slices)
  
• 1/4 cup sugar (you may want a little more, I like using ¼ cup)
  
• 1 (750-ml) bottle red wine (If you can’t find Rioja, any red wine on the slightly sweet side will do.)
  
• 12 ounces of Sprite if you prefer sweet, otherwise use club soda or your preferred sparkling water.
  

Combine all ingredients but the Sprite/sparkling water and chill for at least two hours so the fruit absorbs the alcohol. When ready to serve, add the Sprite/sparkling water.

Either way, I’ll have some sangria tonight.

While it’s chilling, I’m off to cast a vote for the next President. J

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