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Cheers

Quinquargenarian. Not a word that easily rolls off the tongue. It's appropriate, though, for the way most people feel when they crest the hill to their 50th birthday.  I met a retired gentleman this weekend who was amazed that I had a child in college. His eyes showed the double-take going on in his mind. My eyes smiled back, and I secretly thanked the hostess for having a home with dark lighting.

And so I begin an adventure in blogging. I'm breaking all the rules and don't really have a clear path ahead of me, a clear voice, or a clear audience. In a flippant manner, I dared a friend last August to share fifty drinks with me between her 50th birthday and mine -- a feat that would be a little challenging given the 4 months  between the two dates. We laughed and moved on. Then six lovely friends, upon hearing this tale, suggested I give myself the year to delve in, and celebrate, my fiftieth year. Find fifty really great drinks that expand beyond the wine and beer we so often fall back on. Throw in some tasty nibbly-bits. And write about life. They knew, as I knew, that I'd probably really enjoy this little gig. So to Meg, Kelly, Louisa, Janet, Kristi,  Carol ( and Barbara and Janet who are much too far away and Katya who I see far too seldom), I say "Salut!" And I raise my glass to Donna, in celebration of what would have been her 50th birthday.

I share with you my recipe for a Pear/Cranberry Bellini. Well, not really my recipe -- credit goes to Martha Stewart.


Pear and Cranberry Bellini
1 cup pear nectar
1 cup cranberry juice cocktail
1 bottle Prosecco

In a small pitcher, combine pear nectar and cranberry juice cocktail. Pour 1/4 cup juice mixture into each of eight champagne glasses. Dividing evently, top with Prosecco. Cheers.


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