Jenn's Sinful Sangria

As promised here is the recipe for Jenn, The Cocktail Alchemist's, Sangria recipe. This is a great one for an afternoon bbq that carries on into the night.

2 bottles of shiraz or merlot ( port can be substituted
instead of wine if you want it to be sweeter and have a
higher alcohol content)

Juice a couple of Lemons, limes and oranges
and slice up some. Apples, peaches and plums
can also be used.

Jenn then throws in whatever juice is within reach (which she gets from Trader Joe's).
This particular past batch had orange juice, lemonade and mango nectar.

Add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and a pinch of
chili powder. If it isn't sweet enough, add some
sugar.

For a kick add vodka and amaretto.
Tequila and triple sec is another alternative.

Dump all the ingredients together at least overnight,
but Jenn likes it to sit for a day or two.

When serving, add sparkling water. If it still needs to be
sweeter use 7up instead of water.

Add more wine and juice to the mix as needed.

As you can see there is room to play, so have fun and use your imagination. Now as with all alcohol beverages, drink responsibly.


Cheers to You!
The Criogirl

The Silver Lining

I tell you, life is interesting. Yesterday the day ended on a note of questions and uncertainty, my euphemism for saying I was tired and frustrated. I guess that voice that keeps telling me to hang in there swung into overdrive and gave me a gift of quality. The day began with the exciting task of cleaning my apartment. I was interrupterd by a phone call from my glazy friend and no that is not a typo. A glazy is a gay lazy, his term not mine. To get into the full meaning would require a whole new article and earning many politically incorrect violations. I digress, he called me to go shopping for an impromptu bbq to be held at my humble abode. The guest list consisted of three: myself, the glazy and Jenn the cocktail alchemist. Once the menu was decided on (grilled veggie burgers, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and brussel sprouts washed down with Jen's sinful sangria) and the provisions bought, I went on a hike up to Mt. Hollywood with Jen. After the hike, we all met at my place and the cooking began. What a joy! To be with friends, cooking, sharing stories, listening to music and lots of laughter. The evening was simple, small and beautiful! We were silly, relaxed, comfortable and honest. Over good home cooked food, we shared our life stories which connected us a little bit more. So while I have no answers tonight to some of the questions still swirling in my brain from last night, that's ok because tonight I was given a day of camraderie and lightness that my soul needed in order to keep on. And whatever tomorrow may bring, I can go to sleep with a smile in my heart. As for that voice... well it's a little bit louder tonight and yes I'm hanging in there.

Peace and Love,
The Criogirl

L.A. Confusion

Convictions, quality and confusion. Speaking with a friend recently these words came up and it's interesting because it seems they've been the theme for this passing week. Truth be told I've been wrestling with this theme since I moved here. Los Angeles is a city that can only be experienced and lately I've been wondering if I want the experience to continue. Arriving here I would have described myself as well travelled, I've met some very interesting people (who I'm lucky enough to call friends) and with each country I've lived in they all hold a special place in my heart. But to be honest at this point in time living in Los Angeles has felt like going to war and I don't believe life should be lived as if preparing for battle. It's not that it's all bad, I've met some interesting characters that will make fantastic stories for my grandchildren and I would be lying if I said I haven't had some good moments. I think that is where I have a problem, there are only good moments in a deluge of struggles (and by good moments I'm not talking about hot parties and oooh I got to shake so and so's hand and be fabulous). I think the saddest statement I heard this week was " if something happened to me on the week-end, no one would notice until late at work on Monday when I still hadn't showed up" and I heard this from two different people! and then I sometimes wonder if I've become that bitter L.A. habitant I swore I'd never be? The one who always complains about the city, that people here are so fake, you can't trust anyone, etc., which leads me to the realization that if you're asking yourself these questions it's time for some re-evaluation of why I'm here. Bluntly put I'm close to the point of packing my bags and saying, "well I gave it a try" but at the same time I still have this voice telling me to just hang in there. So in the process of re-evaluation, I'll remember that I don't have to worry about only being thought of on Monday should tragedy befall me on Saturday or Sunday, I've still got my convictions, it's ok to be confused and trusting in myself is the only way to achieve a quality of life I will be content with and of course I get to go to hot parties, shake so and so's hand and be fabulous.

Peace and Love,
The Criogirl

Just Do It!

I took a bit of a hiatus and now I'm back and ready to share the criogirl's raves, thoughts and sometimes rants. It's taken me a while because I was scared. I know how silly that sounds, especially in this day and age with everyone and their mother opening blogs, myspace pages and you tube, but still the fact remains that I was scared to share. Lucky for me I have sensible friends who made it crystal clear how silly I was being and have repeatedly told me to just do it. So I invite you into the criogirl's world, where aside from pitching my two cents about what is going on around me, in this unique city of Los Angeles( which I must admit still boggles my mind many times, but in a good way...I think). There'll be some useful tidbits that will change your life! Not really but hopefully makes it a little brighter. Pictures will follow to visually stimulate, tantalize, tease and yes I'm getting a bit carried away. Simply put enjoy the page, feel free to leave comments, share if you like and thank-you for taking the time to check me out. My useful piece of information today? A classic that can never be overstated. Whatever your dreams, goals, objectives, desires (however you wish to phrase it) in life JUST DO IT! no excuses, like waiting for the right time, if only I had this, but what if it doesn't work, blah, blah, blah. The right time is now. You, your imagination and trusting yourself is all you need. If things don't pan out the way you wanted, so what! I bet you still will have learned something, a new door will have opened, just pick yourself up and try again.

Cheers to you,
The Criogrirl