Feeling Fresca

An agua fresca is a water-based drink infused with fruit, seeds, herbs or flowers. There are so many flavor possibilities, but I went with a combination of pineapple and mint. It's light and refreshing and perfect for sweltering summer days.

Pineapple Mint Agua Fresca

2 1/2 cups pineapple, cubed
2 cups water, divided
2 tablespoons agave or honey, or more if you prefer it sweeter
1 tablespoon lime juice
6-8 mint leaves

Puree pineapple, 1 cup water, agave, lime juice and mint leaves in a blender until smooth. Pour into bowl or container and mix in remaining cup of water. Chill until cold for about 2 hours, then strain mixture into pitcher using a sieve, pressing on solids in strainer. Fill glasses with ice and pour the agua fresca over. Garnish with mint. Serves 2.

Weekend in Photos

I hope you don't mind my weekend recap being a day late. Things are starting to slow down around here, especially me and my brain. We enjoyed hot dogs and a game of Connect Four at Man Bites Dog, which has become an occasional tradition. I especially like the fact that they have a hot dog called the Abe Froman on the menu, which I am obligated to order due to my love of Ferris Bueller. I made this tasty peach and blackberry crumble, did some shopping for baby stuff and had another puppy class with Zuzu, who is getting big way too fast!

Monthly Photo Project: August

For August's photo project, I'm all about cooling off. Let's capture water in all its glory. I'll share the results on Friday, August 29th. Email me your photo and information in advance, so I can highlight images from some of you. Send it to: southernhostess[at]gmail.com Have a great weekend!

Weeknight Treat: Blueberries with Custard Sauce

I spotted this recipe for blueberries with custard sauce on Pinterest and had to make it that very night because it looked that good. #blamethebaby Luckily, it's basic and quick and I had all the ingredients on hand, which constitutes a perfect weeknight treat. There's something about this custard sauce that's so craveable, like vanilla pudding before it's set. You can eat it warm or cold, and it's the perfect complement to fresh blueberries.

Nursery Art

We don't currently have a nursery -- just a guest bedroom that gets colder than all the other rooms (oh, apartment life) -- but that hasn't stopped me from planning and picking out art for baby boy and the space he'll occupy one day. I love the pops of color in these prints. It seems fitting for such a happy place.

[found here: sheep; teepees; alphabet and numbers; scattered showers; red; bear; blessing; map]

Weekend in Photos

It was a low-key weekend around here. We tried some restaurants in our neighborhood, Pinthouse Pizza and Noble Sandwich Co., and both were winners. There was some Sunday napping, time outside in Zilker Park and puppy class for Zuzu, which could also just be called roomful of cuteness.

Coffee Time

This concept for a coffee-making alarm clock reminds me of The Office episode where Michael burns his foot on his George Foreman grill because he likes waking up to the smell of bacon in bed. I think it's safe to say this prototype is a little more thought-out. Called the Barisieur, it was created by industrial designer Joshua Renouf and uses induction to heat the water and has a drawer for coffee grounds and sugar and a vial for milk. Now if only it were sold at Target.

[spotted on: laughing squid]