August 16 is a very important day!

Today is no joke, people! Three very important things are happening. Today is …

1. National Rum Day. Suh-WEET! Now I can blame my love of the drink on the nation. America made me do it!
2. National Bratwurst Day. Could there be a day more special than one devoted to a meat weiner? I mean, really.
3. National Tell a Joke Day. Good or bad, everyone has a favorite. What’s yours?

In honor of these fabulously made-up holidays, let’s celebrate! Here’s a little something in honor of each one.

National Rum Day

A recipe for a Strawberry Ginger Mojito from the over-the-top stylish gals at Fashionably Bombed, who were another highlight of my recent BlogHer ’11 experience. Check them out (later, obviously), they are AWE – SOME!

National Bratwurst Day

~1 lb of bratwurst
2 tbsp butter or olive oil, divided
I bag frozen tater tots or cubed potatoes
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 yellow onion, sliced thin
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cheddar cheese, shredded

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook bratwurst in a pan – either sliced or remove casing and cook just the meat. Remove from pan and set aside.
2. Using the bratwurst pan, cook onions in butter until translucent and tender. Deglaze with the veggie broth.
3. While onions are cooking, cook potatoes in olive oil in a separate pan until brown and tender.
4. Place cooked potatoes in a casserole dish.
5. When onions have finished cooking, mix them with the bratwurst meat and sour cream and layer on top of the potatoes.
6. Layer cheese on top and cook for 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

National Tell a Joke Day

• What do you get when you cross a hippo, an elephant, and a rhino?  Helephino!
• What do you call an Ethiopian with a penny on its head? a Quater-Pounder!
• What’s the difference between a pregnant woman and a light bulb? You can unscrew a light bulb.

I cannot and will not be held responsible for the validity of these holidays or the quality of these jokes. So there.

Let’s have a picnic.

Picnic sangria, that is! Not sure why, but I have a hankering for something fruity (and boozy) today and this looks like it would fix that craving right quick!

 

Dear Cab Driver

Pass these out before your next cocktail party or trip to Vegas to ensure all your peeps make it home safely!

via Cool Material

The United States of GOOD Beer

GOOD Magazine asked people to nominate their state’s best-tasting, sustainably-brewed, independently-owned, community-oriented craft beer. Here are the results. Strangely enough though I consider myself to be a avid beer drinker, I have never heard of my state’s beer: Lagunitas. I’ve got to make a mental note to check that one out. Click the image for a full-size view.

via Jaunted

Flask stache

Let’s go ahead and file this one under “things I must have!” I have had my eye on a hip little flask for some time now and this one is clearly IT! That damn Urban Outfitters has done it again with yet another ‘why didn’t I think of that’ product. The only teeny problem I see with it is that it only holds 5 oz. What? I’m a lush and if I’m gonna carry my own booze, it had better be more than 5 oz!

via Cool Material

Disposable flask

How genius is this Disposable Flask? I have long since considered getting a flask – for myself and as a gift for another – but have never actually gone the distance to buy one. However, now – DONE. I’m getting these for every alcoholic on my list!

via Greedy Girl

Taste the holidays

Nothing says holidays better than a tasty peppermint liquor. Especially this one, which is in limited release. Mmm-mmm, can’t wait to pick some up for my holiday party of one!

via Tasteologie (which is a fabulous new site you MUST check out!)

Shoot A Brew

This is quite possibly the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. Yet somehow, I kinda want one. Because really, if you’re going to spend the day drinking beer, you certainly don’t want to get up off your fat ass for a refill.

Here are some of the ahh-mazing features of the Shoot a Brew Cooler:

• an automatic tossing device (which allows beverages to be retrieved from 8 feet away)
• a waterproof remote control
• tosser reloads in TWO seconds
• pass through lid, keeping contents inside cold
• 2 wheels and a handle (so you can drag that sucker just about anywhere)
• holds a case of beer (24 cans for those not in the know)

The down side? Because we know there always is one… The Shoot a Brew Cooler is…wait for it……….

$295!!!!

Whaaaaa??? I think not.

via Thrillist

 

 

 

Maple syrup liquer

Mmmmmm… I am normally not a hard liquor kind of gal. I find it quite nasty as a matter of fact, but I find my tastes change as I get older and what I used to find off-putting, now I kind of like. Not everything, but some things. And I’m always open to trying new things as well which is how I was introduced to Sortilege – a Canadian maple whiskey.

I tasted it while visiting my cousin recently. The men, half crocked, thought that after nearly 7 bottles of wine, a little whiskey to finish off the night would be a good idea. They filled a small shot glass – though a snifter probably would have been more appropriate – and microwaved the whiskey for about 30 seconds. It came out steaming and looking equally unappealing as when it went in. But boy was I wrong and officially stand corrected. This stuff is good. Damn good. It was like a very light, maple syrup, warm and filled with fall, making you all warm on the inside and out. If you like maple flavor – try this. Seriously, you won’t be disappointed!

 

Beer and bread…

= 2 of my favorite things. So when I came across this in my reader this morning, I just about fell out! Did you know that a) Sam Adams has a Pumpkin Ale (among many other seasonal goodies) or b) that they also have a Pumpkin Bread to go along with it? Holy hell, neither did I!  But I tell you what – I have never wanted to eat beer and bread together so much as I do right now! Deeeeeelicious!

via Uncrate