Come sit with me for awhile…
and see what I’m bringing to the table®

Borrowing bits and pieces from the great Ray Charles. When the sun goes down, the tide goes out… It’s a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud… no, you don’t have to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud, but .   .   . you will want them all to beat their feet to your G2B. And what is a G2B, and why would you want them to? Because .    .    . I’ve got your G2B action covered .   .   . ooops .   .   . sorry .   .   . o k, o k .   .   .  I just needed a minute to gather myself, and stop giggling. G2B stands for your Go-To-Bar.

Swish .   .   . do you hear it? Shhh shhh listen .    .   . there it is again. Right you are, it’s sort of a tinkling, clinking, swishing, and then again, I distinctly hear whispers of a shaking, stirring, mixing, blending, fluffing, juicing sound, mixed with what feels like waves of creativity. It’s so, so simple, and it doesn’t take a whole lot to put a spin on your bar paraphernalia or lack there of .   .   .? Not to worry people, I have come baring a list, of all sorts of possibilities, that will take even the most ho hum piddly collection of bar supplies to a new and snappy G2B! Take a second, and cruise my quasi, thrown together summer bar in the photo above.

Wait .   .   . stop .   .   . please!!! .   .   . before (some of ) you go running for your car keys and credit cards .   .   . chill. This is one of those take a big deep breath moments,  .   .   . good! Sure, go ahead, take one more, your body and brain will be very grateful! Now have a look at the photo below, which includes my vintage wooden ‘bar buddy’ holding napkins.

Now before you take off for a whirlwind of shopping, here are some of the many alternative bar accessories/implements that can be adapted from your everyday household goodies.  Glass ice bucket, aka a wine cooler, can also be traded in for a decent sized clay flower pot, line it with aluminum, or a small plastic trash bag. Martini shakers are inexpensive and easy to come by.   .   . but .   .   . no shaker, no problem. Use an 8-12 oz. drinking glass, (bury glass in ice for a few seconds to chill) then add ice, the good stuff, and a saucer just large enough to cover the mouth of the glass when shaking. No stirrer? A straw, or the handle of a regular table knife, makes this an easy-peasy fix!!! You will also need a shot glass (or large serving spoon).

Some people choose to focus on one or two available drink options. Martinis, and or Bloody Marys make a great zippy, fun bar. For Martinis you’ll need Vodka, Gin, Vermouth, lemon peels, stuffed olives, pearl onions, individual flat small plates to hold salt, sugar, powdered chocolate, and yes .   .   . olive juice, etc. etc. .   .   . for the rim of the glass. Mm hmm, you read it correctly salt, sugar, etc. and helllooo .    .    . I heard that yuk!!! Give it a go, and add some new twists to the been there, done that martini! Nothing ventured nothing gained!!!  Keep it simple or get it snappy!!! Looking to serve Bloody Marys .   .   .  small cutting board (plate flat enough to cut on), lemons, limes, bar towel, cocktail napkins, orange juice, seasoned tomato juice, horseradish, worcestershire sauce, stalks of celery (leaves on). Don’t forget tons of well placed candles for that extra zip!!!

It’s out and… has 6 (count them people) 5 STAR REVIEWS  for I AM SOOO LUCKY!!! http://goo.gl/4kBSxv      What’s your review going to say?

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the popular Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California